Texas Instruments TMS320C6746BZWT4

Overview

TMS320C6746BZWT4 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 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 co-processing - deployed in biometric identification and machine vision systems.

For engineers reviewing the TMS320C6746BZWT4 datasheet, TMS320C6746BZWT4 pinout, TMS320C6746BZWT4 application, or TMS320C6746BZWT4 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 deterministic I/O offload, and 361-ball NFBGA (ZWT) package with 0.80-mm pitch.

Technical Context

The TMS320C6746BZWT4 implements a two-level cache hierarchy: 32KB direct-mapped L1P program cache and 32KB 2-way set-associative L1D data cache feed a 256KB unified L2 memory space configurable as mapped RAM, cache, or hybrid. Its C674x core supports IEEE single- and double-precision floating-point arithmetic, up to four SP additions per cycle, and mixed-precision floating-point multiply operations including RCPxP and RSQRxP approximations.

Peripheral integration includes an EDMA3 controller with 64 independent DMA channels, a 10/100-Mbps EMAC compliant with IEEE 802.3 and supporting MII/RMII, a video port interface (VPIF) supporting BT.656 capture/display, and a programmable real-time unit subsystem (PRUSS) with two 32-bit RISC PRU cores, 4KB instruction RAM each, and dedicated interrupt controller - enabling deterministic low-latency I/O handling alongside the main DSP.

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 DSP applications.

Compared with TMS320C6748BZWT4 and TMS320C6747BZWT4, the TMS320C6746BZWT4 uniquely balances 456-MHz compute, 256KB L2 memory, and PRUSS for real-time I/O - making it optimal for vision and biometric systems requiring both algorithmic throughput and deterministic peripheral control.

Availability

TMS320C6746BZWT4 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for biometric identification, currency inspection, and low-end machine vision systems requiring stable component supply, long-term industrial lifecycle support, and qualified production-grade silicon.

Supply support for TMS320C6746BZWT4 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 across industrial, automotive, and communications markets.

The TMS320C6746BZWT4 belongs to TI's C6000™ DSP platform and was designed for low-power, high-performance embedded signal processing in resource-constrained vision, security, and industrial control applications.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the TMS320C6746BZWT4?

The TMS320C6746BZWT4 operates at a maximum frequency of 456 MHz when supplied with a 1.3-V core voltage. This speed enables up to 2746 MFLOPS of floating-point performance and is validated under industrial temperature conditions. The device also supports a 375-MHz configuration at 1.2-V core voltage for lower-power operation. Both frequencies are production-tested and documented in the SPRS591F datasheet revision January 2017.

Does the TMS320C6746BZWT4 include an integrated Ethernet MAC?

Yes, the TMS320C6746BZWT4 integrates a fully compliant 10/100-Mbps Ethernet MAC (EMAC) with MII and RMII interfaces plus an MDIO module for PHY configuration. It supports half- and full-duplex operation at both 10 Mbps and 100 Mbps and requires no external MAC controller. The EMAC is directly accessible by the C674x DSP core and EDMA3 controller, enabling efficient packet processing in embedded networking applications using the TMS320C6746BZWT4.

What memory architecture does the TMS320C6746BZWT4 use?

The TMS320C6746BZWT4 uses a two-level cache-based memory architecture: 32KB L1P (direct-mapped program cache), 32KB L1D (2-way set-associative data cache), and 256KB unified L2 memory that can be partitioned as mapped RAM, cache, or a combination. L2 is accessible by EDMA3 and other peripherals. This architecture minimizes memory latency while enabling flexible memory mapping - a key enabler for real-time signal processing workloads on the TMS320C6746BZWT4.

Is the TMS320C6746BZWT4 pin-compatible with other C674x devices?

The TMS320C6746BZWT4 shares the same 361-ball ZWT NFBGA package and pinout with TMS320C6747BZWT4 and TMS320C6748BZWT4, enabling PCB reuse across this family. However, functional differences exist: TMS320C6747BZWT4 lacks PRUSS and has reduced L2 RAM; TMS320C6748BZWT4 adds NAND controller but removes PRUSS. Pin compatibility does not guarantee full software or peripheral compatibility - system validation is required when substituting the TMS320C6746BZWT4.

What development tools support the TMS320C6746BZWT4?

Texas Instruments provides full toolchain support for the TMS320C6746BZWT4, including Code Generation Tools (C/C++ compiler, assembler, linker), DSP/BIOS real-time kernel, Chip Support Library (CSL), and DSP Library. Debugging is enabled via JTAG using XDS100v3 or XDS200 emulators and Code Composer Studio v5.x/v6.x IDE. TI also offers the TMDXEVM6746 evaluation module with schematics, BOM, and reference firmware - all specifically validated for the TMS320C6746BZWT4.