Texas Instruments TMS320C6746BZWT3

Overview

TMS320C6746BZWT3 from Texas Instruments is a fixed- and floating-point digital signal processor (DSP) based on the C674x VLIW core, operating at 456 MHz with 32KB L1P cache, 32KB L1D RAM/cache, and 256KB unified L2 RAM/cache. It integrates EMAC, USB 2.0 OTG, McASP, dual McBSPs, DDR2/mDDR controller, and PRUSS for real-time offload-used in biometric identification systems requiring deterministic low-latency signal processing.

For engineers reviewing the TMS320C6746BZWT3 datasheet, TMS320C6746BZWT3 pinout, TMS320C6746BZWT3 application, or TMS320C6746BZWT3 equivalent, key selection criteria include its 456-MHz C674x DSP core, dual-level cache architecture, integrated Ethernet MAC and USB OTG PHY, PRU subsystem for real-time I/O control, and 361-ball NFBGA package with 0.80-mm pitch.

Technical Context

The TMS320C6746BZWT3 implements a two-level cache hierarchy: 32KB direct-mapped L1P program cache and 32KB 2-way set-associative L1D data cache, backed by 256KB unified L2 memory configurable as RAM, cache, or hybrid. Its C674x core supports IEEE single- and double-precision floating-point arithmetic with up to four SP additions per cycle and two SP×SP→SP multiplies per cycle.

Peripherals are managed via EDMA3 (64 independent channels), enabling zero-overhead data movement between L2, external memory (DDR2/mDDR, EMIFA), and peripherals including McASP (16 serializers), dual McBSPs, USB 2.0 OTG with integrated PHY, and 10/100 EMAC with MII/RMII support. The programmable PRUSS provides deterministic real-time I/O control independent of the DSP core.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 361-ball NFBGA (ZWT suffix), 16.0 mm × 16.0 mm body size, 0.80-mm ball pitch, RoHS-compliant.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar fixed/floating-point DSP applications.

Compared with TMS320C6746BZWT3, the TMS320C6748BZWT3 offers expanded L2 memory and hardware crypto for secure edge analytics, while the AM1808BZWT3 trades DSP performance for ARM ecosystem advantages-making TMS320C6746BZWT3 optimal for cost-sensitive, algorithm-intensive real-time vision and biometric tasks.

Availability

TMS320C6746BZWT3 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for biometric identification terminals, currency inspection systems, and low-end machine vision cameras requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for TMS320C6746BZWT3 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 and embedded processing solutions for industrial, automotive, and communications markets.

The TMS320C6746BZWT3 belongs to TI's C6000™ DSP platform, designed specifically for low-power, high-performance signal processing in resource-constrained embedded systems such as portable medical devices and intelligent sensors.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the TMS320C6746BZWT3?

The TMS320C6746BZWT3 operates at a maximum frequency of 456 MHz when supplied with a 1.3-V core voltage. This speed is validated across the industrial temperature range and enables 2746 MFLOPS peak floating-point performance. The device also supports a 375-MHz configuration at 1.2 V for lower-power applications. Both frequencies are production-tested and documented in the SPRS591F datasheet revision January 2017.

Does the TMS320C6746BZWT3 include an integrated USB PHY?

Yes, the TMS320C6746BZWT3 integrates a full-featured USB 2.0 OTG PHY supporting high-speed (480 Mbps), full-speed (12 Mbps), and low-speed (1.5 Mbps) modes. The PHY is accessible via dedicated USB0_DP and USB0_DM pins and requires only external 90-Ω differential termination. No external transceiver is needed, reducing bill-of-materials cost and PCB complexity for USB-connected TMS320C6746BZWT3 designs.

How much on-chip memory does the TMS320C6746BZWT3 provide?

The TMS320C6746BZWT3 provides 32KB of L1P program RAM/cache, 32KB of L1D data RAM/cache, and 256KB of unified L2 RAM/cache. The L2 memory is fully configurable as mapped RAM, cache, or a combination-allowing designers to allocate space for code, data buffers, or DMA descriptors. Unlike external memory, all three memory blocks are accessible with zero wait states and support EDMA3 transfers.

What peripheral interfaces are available on the TMS320C6746BZWT3 for video applications?

The TMS320C6746BZWT3 includes a dedicated Video Port Interface (VPIF) supporting two 8-bit SD (BT.656) capture channels, one 16-bit raw capture channel (8-/10-/12-bit), and two 8-bit SD display channels. It also integrates a Multichannel Audio Serial Port (McASP) with 16 serializers and FIFOs for synchronized audio/video timestamping. These interfaces enable direct connection to CMOS image sensors and video encoders without external glue logic in TMS320C6746BZWT3-based vision systems.

Is the TMS320C6746BZWT3 pin-compatible with other C674x family members?

The TMS320C6746BZWT3 shares the same 361-ball ZWT package footprint and pinout with the TMS320C6747BZWT3 and TMS320C6748BZWT3, enabling mechanical and layout compatibility across the C674x family. However, functional differences exist-such as L2 memory size (256KB vs. 512KB) and peripheral enablement-requiring firmware and configuration updates when migrating. Pin-to-pin compatibility is confirmed in TI's SPRS591F datasheet Section 3.5.