Texas Instruments TM4C123GH6ZRBT

Overview

TM4C123GH6ZRBT from Texas Instruments is an ARM Cortex-M4F-based microcontroller with 256 KB Flash, 32 KB SRAM, and integrated peripherals including USB 2.0 OTG, 8× PWM outputs, 12-bit ADC (up to 1MSPS), and dual CAN 2.0A/B controllers - deployed in industrial motor control, smart sensor nodes, and USB-connected embedded gateways.

For engineers reviewing the TM4C123GH6ZRBT datasheet, TM4C123GH6ZRBT pinout, TM4C123GH6ZRBT application, or TM4C123GH6ZRBT equivalent, key selection criteria include its 80 MHz operation, hibernation module with RTC and battery-backed memory, JTAG/SWD debug interface, and QFN-64 package with 51 GPIOs supporting peripheral multiplexing and configurable drive strength.

Technical Context

The TM4C123GH6ZRBT integrates a single-core ARM Cortex-M4F processor with hardware floating-point unit (FPU), memory protection unit (MPU), and nested vectored interrupt controller (NVIC) supporting up to 96 interrupts. It features a 32-bit bus architecture with tightly coupled memory interfaces for Flash and SRAM.

System-level integration includes a hibernation module with real-time clock, battery-backed RAM, and wake-on-RTC/external-pin capability; a μDMA controller with 32-channel arbitration; and analog subsystem with four 12-bit ADC sample sequencers, internal temperature sensor, and digital comparators.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

TM4C123GH6ZRBT uses a 64-pin QFN package with exposed thermal pad (package code: ZRB). Pin functions are defined per TI SPMS378E datasheet Rev E, June 2014, with dedicated JTAG/SWD debug pins (TCK, TMS, TDI, TDO, nSRST), USB D+/D−, CANH/CANL, and multiplexed GPIOs supporting peripheral remapping via GPIO AFSEL registers.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with STM32F407VGT6 and MSP432P401RIPZT, the TM4C123GH6ZRBT uniquely balances 80 MHz real-time control, integrated USB PHY, dual CAN, hibernation with RTC, and QFN-64 compactness - making it optimal for cost-sensitive, space-constrained industrial edge nodes requiring mixed-protocol connectivity and deterministic low-power operation.

Availability

TM4C123GH6ZRBT is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial motor control, smart sensor nodes, USB-connected gateways, and automated test equipment requiring stable component supply across production lifecycles.

Supply support for TM4C123GH6ZRBT 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

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, delivering analog, embedded processing, and wireless technologies for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

The TM4C123 series targets cost-effective, high-integration microcontrollers for real-time industrial control, sensor aggregation, and USB/CAN edge connectivity - emphasizing low-power operation, debug robustness, and peripheral flexibility without external support components.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the TM4C123GH6ZRBT?

The TM4C123GH6ZRBT operates at a maximum CPU frequency of 80 MHz, achieved using the internal PLL with a precision 16 MHz crystal oscillator or external clock source. This frequency is fully supported across the full industrial temperature range (–40°C to +105°C) and enables deterministic execution of real-time control loops, such as field-oriented motor control or closed-loop power regulation, with sub-microsecond interrupt latency.

Does the TM4C123GH6ZRBT include an integrated USB physical layer (PHY)?

Yes, the TM4C123GH6ZRBT integrates a full-speed USB 2.0 OTG physical layer compliant with USB specification revision 2.0. It supports device, host, and OTG roles without requiring external transceivers. The USB module includes dedicated endpoints, FIFO buffers, and descriptors managed by firmware - enabling direct connection to PCs or USB peripherals using only the TM4C123GH6ZRBT and standard USB cable.

How many analog-to-digital converter (ADC) channels does the TM4C123GH6ZRBT support?

The TM4C123GH6ZRBT features a 12-bit successive-approximation ADC with up to 12 external input channels and 1 internal temperature sensor channel. It supports four independent sample sequencers, each configurable for up to 16-step sequences with hardware averaging, trigger sources (timer, software, GPIO), and digital comparator thresholds - allowing concurrent sampling of multiple sensors with minimal CPU overhead.

What debug interfaces are supported by the TM4C123GH6ZRBT?

The TM4C123GH6ZRBT supports both JTAG and ARM Serial Wire Debug (SWD) interfaces via dedicated pins (TCK, TMS, TDI, TDO, nSRST for JTAG; SWDIO, SWCLK, nSRST for SWD). These interfaces enable full-featured debugging - including breakpoints, watchpoints, memory inspection, and real-time trace - using standard tools such as TI's Code Composer Studio, IAR Embedded Workbench, or open-source OpenOCD with compatible debug probes.

Is the TM4C123GH6ZRBT pin-compatible with other devices in the TM4C123 family?

Yes, the TM4C123GH6ZRBT shares the same QFN-64 (ZRB) package and pinout with other TM4C123x devices in the same package variant, including TM4C123GH6PM and TM4C123GE6PM - enabling hardware reuse across variants differing in Flash/RAM size or peripheral enablement. However, functional differences (e.g., USB presence, CAN count) must be verified in software initialization to ensure compatibility.