32-bit microcontroller CC3551E

communicationfor wireless transmissionsystem-on-chip

Overview
The CC3551E is a single‑chip wireless MCU (SoC) combining dual‑band Wi‑Fi 6 (2.4/5 GHz) and Bluetooth Low Energy 5.4 with an integrated Arm Cortex‑M33 processor. It targets cost‑sensitive embedded IoT designs requiring secure connectivity, small PCB footprint and RTOS support.

Key benefits

• Dual‑band Wi‑Fi 6 + Bluetooth LE 5.4 in one device
• Integrated Arm® Cortex®‑M33 (160 MHz) with >1 MB SRAM for networking and application code
• Pin‑to‑pin family compatibility (CC3550E, CC3551E) and compact 56‑pin VQFN package
• Hardware security features and Wi‑Fi CERTIFIED Chip for secure deployments

Technical specifications (summary)

• Model: CC3551E
• Processor: Arm® Cortex®‑M33, 160 MHz, FPU, TrustZone
• Memory: ~1.1 MB embedded SRAM (incl. 128 KB TCM); XiP support via quad/octal SPI
• Wireless: Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax) dual‑band 2.4/5 GHz (single‑stream 20 MHz), Bluetooth Low Energy 5.4
• Max UDP throughput: ≈20 Mbps (single‑stream 20 MHz)
• Operating temperature: −40 °C to +105 °C
• Package: 56‑pin VQFN (7 × 7 mm)

Processor, memory & software
Arm Cortex‑M33 core with FPU, TrustZone and AI acceleration; configurable caches (32/64 KB) and up to 32 KB low‑latency TCM. Supports FreeRTOS and ships with SDK including open‑source TCP/IP and TLS stacks.

Wireless performance & protocols

• Wi‑Fi: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ax compatibility, OFDMA, Target Wake Time (TWT), Trigger Frames, BSS Color, AP/STA/softAP/Wi‑Fi Direct and multi‑role modes
• RF: integrated PA (examples: 20.5 dBm @ 1 DSSS, 17.8 dBm @ 54 OFDM); RX sensitivity examples: −98.7 dBm (1 DSSS), −76.6 dBm (54 OFDM)
• Bluetooth LE: Certified stack for Bluetooth Low Energy 5.4, supports LE Coded PHY and 2M PHY

Peripherals & interfaces

• Up to 38 GPIO with flexible multiplexing
• 3 × UART, 2 × SPI, 2 × I2C, I2S, PDM, SD/MMC, SDIO 2.0, CAN 2.0
• 8 × general‑purpose timers/PWM; 8‑channel 12‑bit ADC; DMA, RTC, WDT, OTP

Security features

• Hardware Security Module (HSM) with ECC, RSA, AES, SHA2/3, MD5, CRC, TRNG
• Cryptographic acceleration, secure key storage, device attestation, secure boot
• Secure debug controls, PSA‑level readiness, secure OTA with anti‑rollback

Power, clock & coexistence

• Clock: 52 MHz XTAL plus options for slow clock (internal LF, 32.768 kHz XTAL or external)
• Power domains: VPA 3.3 V, VMAIN 1.8 V, VIO 1.8/3.3 V
• Supports 3‑wire PTA for coexistence with external 2.4 GHz radios and antenna selection

Package & mechanical

• 56‑pin VQFN (RSH), 7 × 7 mm (49 mm²)

Software, documentation & evaluation
Complete SimpleLink SDK with FreeRTOS support, example applications, drivers and tools. Datasheet, technical reference manual, errata and design resources available from the product page.

Applications

• Cost‑sensitive IoT endpoints, smart sensors and connected white goods
• RTOS‑based industrial and consumer embedded devices requiring secure wireless connectivity