STMicroelectronics STM32F446ZEJ6

Overview

STM32F446ZEJ6 from STMicroelectronics is a 32-bit Arm® Cortex®-M4 microcontroller with FPU, operating up to 180 MHz (225 DMIPS), featuring 512 KB flash, 128+4 KB RAM, dual USB OTG (FS/HS), three 12-bit ADCs (7.2 MSPS triple interleaved), two DACs, and 20 communication interfaces including dual CAN 2.0B, SAI, SPDIF-RX, and SDIO - deployed in industrial motor control, audio processing, and USB-connected embedded gateways.

For engineers reviewing the STM32F446ZEJ6 datasheet, STM32F446ZEJ6 pinout, STM32F446ZEJ6 application, or STM32F446ZEJ6 equivalent, key selection considerations include its 144-pin LQFP package, 180 MHz real-time performance with ART Accelerator, dual USB PHY support across full-speed and high-speed modes, and integrated audio peripherals (SAI, SPDIF-RX, audio PLLs) enabling standalone digital audio subsystems without external codecs.

Technical Context

The STM32F446ZEJ6 implements an Arm Cortex-M4 core with hardware FPU and MPU, coupled with ST's Adaptive Real-Time (ART) Accelerator for zero-wait-state execution from flash at 180 MHz. Its memory subsystem includes 512 KB of embedded flash, 128 KB SRAM, 4 KB backup SRAM, and flexible external memory controller supporting SDRAM, NOR/NAND, and QuadSPI.

Peripherals are organized around a multi-AHB bus matrix: dual USB OTG controllers (one with on-chip FS PHY, one with dedicated HS DMA and ULPI interface), two SAI blocks for I²S/TDM audio, SPDIF-RX for digital audio input, and bxCAN for automotive-grade serial networking - all synchronized via multiple clock domains including dedicated audio PLL (PLLI2S) and SAI PLL (PLLSAI).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

LQFP144 (20 × 20 mm) package with exposed thermal pad; 144-pin square-outline quad flat pack, RoHS-compliant, rated for industrial temperature range (–40°C to +85°C).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar microcontroller applications.

Compared with STM32F429ZIT6 and STM32H743ZIT6, the STM32F446ZEJ6 uniquely balances audio-specific peripherals (SPDIF-RX, dual SAI, audio PLLs) with industrial connectivity (dual CAN, SDIO, 20 interfaces) and deterministic real-time performance - making it optimal for cost-sensitive, audio-centric embedded systems where display logic is handled externally.

Availability

STM32F446ZEJ6 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial motor control, professional audio interfaces, smart energy gateways, and medical sensor hubs requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for STM32F446ZEJ6 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

STMicroelectronics is a global semiconductor leader headquartered in Geneva, designing and manufacturing microcontrollers, power management ICs, sensors, and analog devices for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

The STM32F4 series targets high-performance embedded applications demanding real-time processing, rich connectivity, and analog integration - with the F446 variant specifically optimized for audio, USB, and industrial communications workloads.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency and how is it achieved?

The STM32F446ZEJ6 achieves 180 MHz maximum CPU frequency using its Arm Cortex-M4 core with FPU and ST's Adaptive Real-Time (ART) Accelerator. This hardware prefetcher and cache system enables zero-wait-state execution from internal flash memory. The system clock is derived from the main PLL, which accepts input from HSE (4–26 MHz) or HSI (16 MHz) and scales to 180 MHz with programmable dividers and multipliers confirmed in the datasheet's PLL characteristics table (DS10693 Rev 11, Table 43).

Does STM32F446ZEJ6 support USB High-Speed device mode natively?

No, the STM32F446ZEJ6 does not integrate a native USB 480 Mbps PHY. It provides a ULPI (UTMI+ Low Pin Count) interface for connecting an external high-speed PHY (e.g., SMSC USB3343), along with dedicated DMA and link-layer logic for HS operation. Full-speed USB (12 Mbps) is supported natively via on-chip PHY on PA11/PA12. This architecture separates analog PHY design from the MCU die, improving noise immunity and allowing PHY selection based on ESD or layout requirements.

How many ADC channels can be used simultaneously and at what rate?

The STM32F446ZEJ6 integrates three independent 12-bit ADCs, each with up to 12 input channels (24 total). In triple interleaved mode, they achieve 7.2 MSPS aggregate sampling - meaning all three ADCs sample synchronously on a shared trigger, delivering 2.4 MSPS per ADC. This mode is validated in electrical characteristics section 6.3.21 of DS10693 Rev 11 and requires specific register configuration (ADC_CCR register, MULTI bits) to enable hardware synchronization and DMA burst reads.

What audio clocking options are available for SAI and SPDIF-RX?

The STM32F446ZEJ6 provides dedicated audio clock sources: PLLI2S generates precise audio frequencies (e.g., 384×44.1 kHz = 16.9344 MHz) for SAI master clocks, while PLLSAI supplies independent clocks for SAI fractional dividers and SPDIF-RX recovery logic. Both PLLs accept inputs from HSE, HSI, or PLL source and support fine-grained tuning (e.g., ±0.1% accuracy) per DS10693 Rev 11 Tables 44 and 45. SPDIF-RX also supports asynchronous clock recovery from incoming stream, decoupling audio timing from system clock domain.