Realtek RTL8721Dx
SoCs
Ameba IoT wireless solutions, featuring high integration, stable performance, low power consumption, and enhanced security
Highlights
In addition to integrating essential peripheral interfaces for IoT development, Secure Boot, AES/SHA hardware encryption engine, authenticated debug access, Wi-Fi, BLE, and other important functions, this IC also supports the following features:
Integrating various security features including Arm TrustZone®, TRNG, HUK, OTP storage, Flash XIP decryption, etc., it provides PSA Level 2 and above security protection for customer's products.
Supporting 5GHz band to effectively avoid common interference sources (Bluetooth, Zigbee, and microwave devices etc.) through spectrum isolation, leveraging abundant non-overlapping channel resources to significantly reduce co-channel interference risks, delivering high-speed, low-interference stable transmission performance
Multi-hop and multi-branch intelligent networking, significantly extending the AP connection range; underlying layer forwarding and control, transparent to application layer development, eliminating traditional Mesh adaptation constraints; rapid fault self-healing, ultra-low latency, and ultra-high stability, comprehensively breaking through traditional Mesh performance bottlenecks
UI rendering hardware accelerator provides smooth and fast interface animations, enhancing the human-machine interaction experience of smart panels. It supports OSPI/QSPI/SPI display interfaces, flexibly adaptable from small LCDs to HD screens.
Supporting ultra-low-power WoWLAN and enabling rapid restoration of the original runtime contexts, it empowers battery-powered devices with network listening wake-up functionality
USB 2.0 Full-Speed Device, SDIO Device
System Architecture
- Armv8.1-M Architecture
- Arm Cortex®-M55 ISA compatible
- Up to 345MHz, 3-stage pipeline
- 16KB I-Cache
- 16KB D-Cache
- FPU/DSP instruction extensions
- Arm TrustZone®-M
- Armv8-M Architecture
- Arm Cortex®-M23 ISA compatible
- Up to 115MHz, 2-stage pipeline
- 16KB I-Cache
- 16KB D-Cache
- 512KB SRAM
- QSPI NOR Flash: Up to 104MHz
- DQ8 DDR PSRAM: Up to 200MHz
Part Number
| Part number | RTL8721DAF-VA2-CG | RTL8721DAF-VT2-CG | RTL8721DAM-VA2-CG | RTL8721DCF-VA2-CG | RTL8721DCM-VA2-CG | RTL8721DCM-VA3-CG | RTL8721DGF-VW2-CG | RTL8721DGM-VW2-CG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real-M300 | 345MHz | 345MHz | 345MHz | 345MHz | 345MHz | 345MHz | 345MHz | 345MHz |
| Real-M200 | 115MHz | 115MHz | 115MHz | 115MHz | 115MHz | 115MHz | 115MHz | 115MHz |
| On-chip SRAM | 512KB | 512KB | 512KB | 512KB | 512KB | 512KB | 512KB | 512KB |
| Arm TrustZone | ||||||||
| NOR Flash | 4MB | 4MB | 4MB | 4MB | ||||
| PSRAM | 4MB | 4MB | 8MB | 4MB | ||||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 4 (Dual Band) | Wi-Fi 4 (Dual Band) | Wi-Fi 4 (Dual Band) | Wi-Fi 4 (Dual Band) | Wi-Fi 4 (Dual Band) | Wi-Fi 4 (Dual Band) | Wi-Fi 4 (Dual Band) | Wi-Fi 4 (Dual Band) |
| Bluetooth | LE | LE | LE | LE | LE | LE | LE | LE |
| Operating voltage | 2.97V ~ 3.63V | 2.97V ~ 3.63V | 2.97V ~ 3.63V | 2.97V ~ 3.63V | 2.97V ~ 3.63V | 2.97V ~ 3.63V | 1.71V ~ 3.63V | 1.71V ~ 3.63V |
| Operating temperature | -20°C ~ 85°C | -40°C ~ 105°C | -20°C ~ 85°C | -20°C ~ 85°C | -20°C ~ 85°C | -20°C ~ 85°C | -20°C ~ 85°C | -20°C ~ 85°C |
| Package (mm) | QFN48 (6 x 6) | QFN48 (6 x 6) | QFN48 (6 x 6) | QFN68 (8 x 8) | QFN68 (8 x 8) | QFN68 (8 x 8) | BGA100 (5.1 x 5.1) | BGA100 (5.1 x 5.1) |
Peripheral Interfaces
| FUNCTION | RTL8721DAF | RTL8721DAM | RTL8721DCF | RTL8721DCM | RTL8721DGF | RTL8721DGM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GPIO | 21 | 14 | 40 | 33 | 54 | 42 |
| SPI | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| UART | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| I2C | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| OSPI/QSPI | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| I2S | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Digital microphone | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| ADC and Cap-touch | 3 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Infrared Transeiver | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Key-Scan | 8 x 8 | N x (14-N) | 8 x 8 | 8 x 8 | 8 x 8 | 8 x 8 |
| SWD Interface | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| General Timer | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Capture Timer | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| RTC | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| NeoPixel LED | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| PWM | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| USB | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| SDIO_DEVICE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| IWDG | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| System WDG | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| GDMA | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
Security Features
We consistently prioritize security as the core of our products, offering our customers a rich array of security features through hardware design and providing exceptional hardware-based attack resistance, helping to create IoT products with ultimate security.
| Features | Filter | RTL8721Dx | RTL8720E | RTL8710E | RTL8726E | RTL8713E | RTL8730E | RTL8721F | RTL872xD | RTL8735B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AES Hardware Engine | ||||||||||
| SHA Hardware Engine | ||||||||||
| ECDSA/ECDH Hardware Engine | ||||||||||
| EDDSA Hardware Engine | ||||||||||
| RSA Hardware Engine | ||||||||||
| Secure Boot | ||||||||||
| Flash OTF Decryption | ||||||||||
| Arm TrustZone | ||||||||||
| OTP Secure Storage | ||||||||||
| True Random Number Generator | ||||||||||
| HUK Derivation Mechanism | ||||||||||
| Authenticated Debug Access |
Provide a laboratory evaluation of the PSA Root of Trust (PSA-RoT) to demonstrate its resilience against scalable software attacks.
Based on asymmetric encryption and digital signature mechanisms, it verifies public key hashes and firmware signatures. This process can prevent tampering and rollback attacks, ensuring that the device only runs trusted firmware
Supports both embedded and external Flash, with independent key encryption for multiple firmware. When the CPU executes encrypted firmware, it is decrypted in real-time by hardware, with nearly imperceptible performance impact. Supports unique encryption for each device, preventing injection and cloning attacks
Based on the Arm TrustZone® architecture, coupled with a dedicated hardware access control unit, it achieves strong isolation protection for secure memory areas and secure peripherals. Meanwhile, secure firmware is decrypted by the security encryption engine and loaded into the secure RAM area, ensuring protection against leakage and tampering throughout the entire process
Physical-level anti-extraction, key area locked for access only by the security engine, tamper-resistant and read-proof. Supports independent secure zones and CRC verification
Generates high-security random numbers based on physical entropy sources. Certified by NIST for randomness. Provides unpredictability to the system, resistant to prediction attacks
Hardware Unique Key (HUK) with physical isolation protection, unreadable and unclonable, used for secure derivation of application keys
Strict control over debug interface access through authentication mechanisms. Supports authorized access and permanent closure, eliminating physical debug attacks. Meets security management requirements at different stages of the product lifecycle, effectively enhancing overall security
Security Certifications Support
We offer support for multiple security certifications. By providing these advanced security features and certification support, we aim to assist our customers in efficiently meeting various market entry requirements, ensuring the security and competitiveness of their products. Most of our chips are capable of achieving PSA Certified Level 2 and Level 3, with some chips already having completed PSA Certified Level 2 certification.
Wireless Connectivity
Wi-Fi Feature List
| Features | Filter | RTL8721Dx | RTL8720E | RTL8710E | RTL8726E | RTL8713E | RTL8730E | RTL8721F | RTL872xD | RTL8735B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequency | 2.4GHz/5GHz | 2.4GHz | 2.4GHz | 2.4GHz | 2.4GHz | 2.4GHz/5GHz | 2.4GHz/5GHz | 2.4GHz/5GHz | 2.4GHz/5GHz | |
| Bandwidth | 40MHz | 20MHz | 20MHz | 20MHz | 20MHz | 20MHz | 20MHz | 40MHz | 20MHz | |
| Maximum PHY rate | 150Mbps | 114.7Mbps | 114.7Mbps | 114.7Mbps | 114.7Mbps | 114.7Mbps | 114.7Mbps | 150Mbps | 72Mbps | |
| 802.11a | ||||||||||
| 802.11ax (Wi-Fi6) | ||||||||||
| 802.11b/g/n | ||||||||||
| 802.11e/i/w/d/k/v/r | ||||||||||
| WMM/WPA1~3/WPS/ 802.1X/EAP |
||||||||||
| UL LDPC | ||||||||||
| DL STBC | ||||||||||
| Auto Antenna Diversity | ||||||||||
| CSI | ||||||||||
| MCC | ||||||||||
| R-MESH | ||||||||||
| Wi-Fi Card Mode | ||||||||||
| P2P/NAN | ||||||||||
| TWT |
Bluetooth Feature List
| Features | Filter | RTL8721Dx | RTL8720E | RTL8710E | RTL8726E | RTL8713E | RTL8730E | RTL8721F | RTL872xD | RTL8735B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth Mode | Bluetooth LE | Bluetooth LE | Bluetooth LE | Bluetooth Dual Mode | Bluetooth Dual Mode | Bluetooth Dual Mode | Bluetooth LE | Bluetooth LE | Bluetooth LE | |
| Bluetooth BR/EDR | ||||||||||
| LE Audio | ||||||||||
|
Dedicated antenna for Bluetooth |
||||||||||
| Scatternet | ||||||||||
| LE 2Mpbs PHY | ||||||||||
| LE Long Range | ||||||||||
|
LE Advertising Extensions |
||||||||||
| Periodic Advertising | ||||||||||
| Periodic Advertising Sync Transfer |
||||||||||
|
Direction Finding (AoA/AoD) |
||||||||||
|
LE Isochronous Channels (CIS/BIS) |
||||||||||
| LE Power Control | ||||||||||
| SIG Mesh | ||||||||||
| High-Power Mode | TBD |
Power Consumption
| Mode | Wi-Fi | Power Consumption | Unit | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deep-Sleep | OFF | 13.9 | µA | Flash package |
| Sleep | OFF | 37.7 | µA | Flash package |
| Active | OFF | 6.56 | mA | 0.9V WFI mode, CPU=240MHz |
| WoWLAN | DTIM=3 | 165 | µA | 2.4G mode |
| WoWLAN | DTIM=10 | 84 | µA | 2.4G mode |
Note:
- Test conditions: 3.3V, 25°C
- WoWLAN: System average power consumption
Application Scenarios
Ameba IC leverages 5GHz high-bandwidth Wi-Fi transmission capability and deeply optimized protocol stack to achieve lossless transmission, ultra-low latency and precise synchronization of multi-channel audio. It perfectly delivers the immersive sound field effect of Dolby Atmos, creating a cinema-level auditory experience for wireless home theaters. Integrated with an AES-256 hardware encryption engine and secure boot mechanism, it comprehensively protects audio transmission privacy and device firmware security. Equipped with rich peripheral interfaces and one-stop software and hardware development kits, it supports in-depth product customization, enabling rapid implementation of products such as wireless soundbars and home audio systems without complex adaptation.
Ameba IC acts as a Wi-Fi card connecting to Host MCU for network accesss. It upports multiple physical layer interfaces such as UART, SPI, SDIO, and USB, as well as mainstream development platforms including Linux, FreeRTOS, and Zephyr, enabling compatibility with diverse development scenarios; it fully implements the IEEE 802.11 MAC layer, eliminating the need to handle complex Wi-Fi protocols, with a lighter driver, lower resource consumption, and easier development and porting; the device-side TCP/IP keep-alive mechanism and low-power design ensure fast wake-up response while reducing overall power consumption.
Ameba IC empowers Mesh network architecture, which can significantly expand Wi-Fi coverage and eliminate signal blind spots. Intelligent multi-hop and multi-branch networking extends the AP connection range; direct underlying forwarding reduces memory and computing resource consumption, features application-layer development transparency, and fully ensures high throughput and ultra-low latency; the R-Mesh node topology management mechanism avoids traditional loop issues and eliminates routing table maintenance, enhancing network stability; an open-source multi-terminal R-Mesh simulation tool is provided as a supplement, enabling more convenient and intuitive visual testing.
Ameba IC supports WoWLAN mode and a hierarchical low-power consumption strategy, combined with a multi-source flexible wake-up mechanism, which greatly extends battery life and provides core hardware support for Wi-Fi battery camera. The dual-band Wi-Fi can switch adaptively, optimized for multiple scenarios, balancing long-distance coverage and stable, low-latency transmission of high-definition video streams. It integrates a pixel processing engine to improve image clarity, and a built-in IR transceiver directly drives infrared lamps, realizing seamless switching between full-color daytime and clear night vision to meet 24/7 monitoring needs. Meanwhile, it supports secure boot, wireless transmission encryption and end-to-end network encryption, and builds a privacy protection system from chip to cloud based on end-to-end security protection technologies, perfectly adapting to various wireless monitoring scenarios such as homes and shops.
Ameba IC leverages BLE and dual-band Wi-Fi dual-mode capabilities to enable protocol conversion and relay transmission between Bluetooth terminal data and the cloud. With BLE long-range communication features, combined with high transmit power and excellent receive sensitivity, it supports multi-node BLE Mesh networking and is compatible with multi-master/slave scatternet architecture. This effectively expands the gateway coverage, facilitates Bluetooth device access in scenarios such as smart homes and buildings, and achieves efficient interconnection of large-scale nodes. Meanwhile, the PSA Level 2 security mechanism ensures data transmission privacy.
Ameba IC is PSA Level 2 certified, with the built-in hardware encryption engine and Flash XIP real-time decryption function, providing chip-level security protection for firmware and payment transaction data. It integrates BLE and Wi-Fi wireless communication functionality, and is equipped with rich interfaces such as SPI, USB, and SDIO, perfectly adapting to diverse mobile payment scenarios. The high-performance Arm Cortex®-M core ensures real-time and efficient transaction data processing and peripheral interaction, fully meeting the stringent performance requirements of commercial payment collection.
Ameba IC relies on Wi-Fi and BLE dual-mode capabilities to build a smart home network hub, enabling cross-protocol interconnection of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi devices. It supports multi-node BLE Mesh networking and ensures encrypted transmission of device control commands and private data based on the Arm security architecture and PSA certification. Its ultra-low power consumption feature is suitable for 24-hour standby requirements, and the rich peripherals can directly drive sensors and lighting modules, supporting voice control, scenario linkage and remote management to create an efficient and convenient whole-house smart ecosystem.
Ameba IC integrates three core capabilities: local scenario control, multi-modal human-machine interaction, and wired-wireless convergence, enabling intelligent upgrades for wall-mounted switches. It supports multi-channel PWM dimming interfaces, a touch-sensing engine, a programmable LED controller, and industrial-grade expansion interfaces, allowing precise driving of various execution units and enabling human-machine interaction. The chip integrates Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for multi-mode networking, and its hardware infrared engine supports mainstream protocols. With chip-level power management, it maintains wireless connectivity in standby mode with ultra-low power consumption, meeting the demands of high-reliability, low-latency wall-mounted control scenarios.
Ameba IC integrates Arm security architecture and hardware encryption engine, enabling encrypted storage and verification of fingerprint, password, and Bluetooth unlocking command data. Based on the BLE secure connection protocol, it achieves encrypted linkage with mobile phones; its ultra-low power consumption feature is suitable for battery-powered smart door locks, and the fast wake-up capability ensures instant unlocking; rich peripherals can directly drive touch buttons and infrared sensing modules, meeting the requirements for 24/7 standby stable operation, remote control, and monitoring of smart door locks.
Ameba IC integrates capabilities of voice control, infrared learning, wireless remote control and tactile interaction, providing a core solution for next-generation smart remotes and interactive devices. Equipped with a high-performance Audio Codec and I2S interface, it supports dual digital microphone arrays and cooperates with a dual-core processor to achieve low-latency, high-accuracy local voice wake-up and command recognition. A built-in hardware IR transceiver is compatible with mainstream global consumer electronics infrared protocols, breaking the control barrier between new and old devices. It also supports Wi-Fi and BLE dual-mode communication, flexibly connecting smart home devices, realizing seamless switching between Bluetooth voice control and Wi-Fi cloud control, and easily integrating into the whole-house smart ecosystem.
Development Resources
Software Resources
 |
FreeRTOS SDK Download | Link |
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FreeRTOS SDK Guide | Link |
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Development Tools | Link |
|
VS Code Extension | Link |
Hardware Resources
|
Datasheet | Link |
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Pin Multiplexing | Link |
|
Pin Assignment Tool | Link |
 |
Hardware Design Guide | Link |
EVB Purchase
 |
PKE8721DAF-C13-F10 (Taobao) | Link |
|
PKE8721DAF-C13-F10 (Amazon) | Link |
