STMicroelectronics STM32F746IEK6

Overview

STM32F746IEK6 from STMicroelectronics is a high-performance ARM Cortex-M7 microcontroller with FPU, 216 MHz max clock, 1 MB Flash, 320+16+4 KB RAM, USB OTG HS/FS, 10/100 Ethernet MAC, LCD-TFT controller, and dual CAN 2.0B - deployed in industrial HMI, medical imaging front-ends, and networked edge gateways requiring deterministic real-time processing and rich peripheral integration.

For engineers reviewing the STM32F746IEK6 datasheet, STM32F746IEK6 pinout, STM32F746IEK6 application, or STM32F746IEK6 equivalent, key selection criteria include LQFP100 package compatibility, 216 MHz Cortex-M7 execution with ART Accelerator™ and L1 cache, dual USB OTG (FS + HS), IEEE 1588v2 Ethernet support, and Chrom-ART Accelerator™ for hardware-accelerated GUI rendering.

Technical Context

The STM32F746IEK6 implements a tightly coupled Arm Cortex-M7 core with dual 4 KB L1 caches (instruction/data), adaptive real-time accelerator (ART) enabling zero-wait-state execution from Flash, and MPU for memory protection. It integrates dual USB OTG controllers - one full-speed with on-chip PHY, one high-speed with dedicated DMA and ULPI interface - supporting simultaneous device/host roles.

Its connectivity stack includes a 10/100 Ethernet MAC with IEEE 1588v2 hardware timestamping, two bxCAN 2.0B controllers, SDMMC, SPDIFRX, HDMI-CEC, and dual SAI audio interfaces. The LCD-TFT controller supports XGA resolution with DMA2D (Chrom-ART) for 2D graphics acceleration, while the DCMI interface handles parallel camera input up to 54 MB/s.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

LQFP100 (14 × 14 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) package with 100 leads; thermally enhanced exposed pad (EPAD) for improved heat dissipation in continuous high-CPU-load applications.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar high-performance MCU applications.

Compared with STM32F746IEK6, the STM32H743VI offers higher compute headroom at the cost of increased power and design complexity, while the STM32F769NI trades Ethernet and CAN for richer multimedia features - making the F746IEK6 optimal for balanced industrial connectivity with integrated networking.

Availability

STM32F746IEK6 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial HMI, medical edge gateways, and smart building controllers requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and full production traceability.

Supply support for STM32F746IEK6 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, specializing in microcontrollers, power management, sensors, and automotive ICs - with over 40 years of embedded systems innovation.

The STM32F7 series targets high-end real-time applications demanding both computational throughput and rich peripheral integration - designed specifically for industrial control, medical devices, and networked human-machine interfaces where deterministic latency and multi-interface concurrency are critical.

FAQ

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

The STM32F746IEK6 achieves 216 MHz using its Arm Cortex-M7 core with ART Accelerator™ and dual 4 KB L1 caches. This configuration eliminates wait states during Flash execution, enabling full-speed operation without external RAM. Stable operation requires proper VCAP1/VCAP2 capacitor placement (2.2 µF each) and adherence to voltage regulator ON timing specifications per DS10916 Rev 5 Section 6.3.3.

Does STM32F746IEK6 support hardware encryption or secure boot?

The STM32F746IEK6 includes a true random number generator (RNG), CRC calculation unit, and tamper-detection pins - but lacks dedicated cryptographic accelerators (AES, PKA) or ROM-based secure boot found in STM32L5 or H5 series. Secure firmware updates require software-implemented TLS stacks or external secure elements; ST provides STM32CubeMX middleware for RNG-based key derivation and CRC-verified image validation.

Can the LCD-TFT controller drive RGB888 panels at 60 Hz?

Yes - the LTDC controller supports up to XGA (1024×768) at 60 Hz in RGB888 mode using the full 24-bit data bus (PE0–PE23). Achieving this requires configuring the pixel clock (up to 65 MHz), synchronizing HSYNC/VSYNC timings per panel spec, and allocating sufficient framebuffer memory in DTCM or AXI SRAM. Chrom-ART Accelerator™ reduces CPU load during layer composition and alpha blending.

What are the key layout considerations for USB HS (ULPI) interface?

USB HS via ULPI demands strict PCB layout: matched-length 60 MHz clock/data traces (<5 mm length difference), 3.3 V supply filtering with 100 nF + 10 µF decoupling near ULPI pins, guard traces tied to ground, and ESD protection diodes rated for >12 kV HBM on all ULPI lines (D0–D7, CLK, DIR, NXT, STP). Reference design files (UM1905) mandate 50 Ω controlled impedance and separation from noisy digital nets like Ethernet RMII.