Realtek RTL8730E
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:
Dual-core Arm Cortex®-A32 high-performance application processor supports hardware FPU and NEON instruction set, paired with high-speed DDR or PSRAM, providing powerful computing capabilities for multimedia applications, speech recognition, and AI computations, and offering greater convenience for customer development with Linux/FreeRTOS options available.
Integrating various security features including Arm TrustZone®, TRNG, asymmetric encryption, HUK, OTP storage, Flash XIP decryption, etc., it provides security protection for customer's products.
Incorporating advanced technologies such as OFDMA, MU-MIMO, TWT and Extended Range, it effectively alleviates wireless resource congestion, enhances weak signal coverage, significantly improves transmission quality, reduces latency, and extends the battery life of IoT devices
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
Supporting standard MIPI display interfaces, flexibly adaptable from small LCDs to HD screens
Built-in audio codec supports audio input and output, reducing dependency on external components and adaptation costs, facilitating voice interaction and audio playback.
Classic Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy concurrent, fully compatible with Classic Bluetooth profiles such as A2DP/HFP, and supporting LE audio, achieving seamless coordination of high-definition stereo audio and low-latency call control, enjoying better wireless audio experience
Separating Wi-Fi and Bluetooth transmission links to avoid traditional single-antenna coexistence issues, it simultaneously ensures high-speed Wi-Fi transmission and Bluetooth connection stability, significantly improving coexistence performance and user experience
USB 2.0 High-Speed Host/Device, SD card/eMMC
System Architecture
- Armv8-A architecture (ISA)
- Up to 1.2GHz, 8-stage pipeline
- 32KB I-Cache
- 32KB D-Cache
- 256KB L2 Cache
- Arm TrustZone®
- Armv8.1-M architecture
- Arm Cortex®-M55 ISA compatible
- Up to 333MHz, 3-stage pipeline
- 64KB I-Cache
- 32KB D-Cache
- FPU/DSP/MVE instruction extensions
- Arm TrustZone®-M
- Armv8-M architecture
- Arm Cortex®-M23 ISA compatible
- Optimized for power-critical applications
- Up to 40MHz
- 16KB I-Cache
- 8KB D-Cache
- 256KB SRAM
- QSPI NOR/NAND Flash：up to 100MHz
- DQ8 DDR PSRAM：up to 230MHz
- DQ16 DDR2/DDR3L：up to 533MHz
Part Number
| Package number | RTL8730EAH-VA3-CG | RTL8730EAH-VD3-CG | RTL8730EAH-VH6-CG | RTL8730EAM-VA6-CG | RTL8730ELH-VA3-CG | RTL8730ELM-VA7-CG | RTL8730ELM-VA8-CG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA32 | 1.2GHz | 1.2GHz | 1.2GHz | 1.2GHz | 1.2GHz | 1.2GHz | 1.2GHz |
| Real-M300 | 333MHz | 333MHz | 333MHz | 333MHz | 333MHz | 333MHz | 333MHz |
| Real-M200 | 40MHz | 40MHz | 40MHz | 40MHz | 40MHz | 40MHz | 40MHz |
| On-chip SRAM | 256KB | 256KB | 256KB | 256KB | 256KB | 256KB | 256KB |
| Arm TrustZone | |||||||
| NOR Flash | 8MB | 16MB | 32MB | 8MB | |||
| PSRAM | 8MB | 8MB | 8MB | ||||
| DDR | 64MB (DDR2) | 64MB (DDR2) | 128MB (DDR2) | 256MB (DDR3L) | |||
| Linux | |||||||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (Dual Band) | Wi-Fi 6 (Dual Band) | Wi-Fi 6 (Dual Band) | Wi-Fi 6 (Dual Band) | Wi-Fi 6 (Dual Band) | Wi-Fi 6 (Dual Band) | Wi-Fi 6 (Dual Band) |
| Bluetooth | Dual Mode | Dual Mode | Dual Mode | Dual Mode | Dual Mode | Dual Mode | Dual Mode |
| 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 | 2.97V ~ 3.63V |
| Operating temperature | -20°C ~ 85°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) | QFN100 (10 x 10) | QFN100 (10 x 10) | QFN100 (10 x 10) | QFN100 (10 x 10) | DR-QFN144 (11 x 11) | DR-QFN144 (11 x 11) | DR-QFN144 (11 x 11) |
Peripheral Interfaces
| FUNCTION | RTL8730EAH | RTL8730EAM | RTL8730ELH | RTL8730ELM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GPIO | 38 | 32 | 59 | 53 |
| SPI | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| UART | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| I2C | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| MIPI | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| I2S | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| PDM | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Audio analog output | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Digital microphone | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Analog microphone | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| Audio DAC | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Voice Activity Detection | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| ADC and Cap-touch | 4 | 4 | 9 | 9 |
| Infrared Transeiver | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| SWD Interface | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| General Timer | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Capture Timer | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| RTC | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| NeoPixel LED | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| PWM | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| USB | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| SDIO_HOST | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| IWDG | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| System WDG | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| GDMA | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Thermal | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
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 |
In addition to the essential symmetric encryption engines like AES for IoT, we also provide computationally more intensive asymmetric encryption algorithms such as ECDSA, EdDSA, and RSA. This greatly alleviates the computational burden on the CPU and improves encryption and decryption speeds
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 |
System Power Consumption
| Mode | Wi-Fi | Power Consumption | Unit | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deep-Sleep | OFF | 23.1 | µA | RTL8730EAH-VA3 |
| Sleep | OFF | 345 | µA | RTL8730EAH-VA3 |
| Active | OFF | 17.6 | mA | 0.9V WFI mode, CA32=460MHz |
| WoWLAN | DTIM=3 | 691 | µA | 2.4G mode |
| WoWLAN | DTIM=10 | 470 | 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 leverages native high-performance audio and media processing framework, which fully covers all requirements from underlying audio drivers to upper-layer media playback, aiming to provide a one-stop solution for various smart audio devices. It supports multi-channel concurrent audio processing and intelligent audio policy routing, enabling seamless audio switching between speakers, headphones and Bluetooth devices. Compatible with multi-format audio decoding and mainstream streaming media protocols, it ensures a high-definition and lossless playback experience. With rich peripheral support and simple development interfaces, it greatly reduces product development complexity, efficiently empowering smart audio devices such as smart speakers, wireless earphones and AR/VR devices, and delivering a stable and immersive audio experience for users.
Ameba IC adopts a multi-core heterogeneous architecture, integrating a high-performance application processor, an network processor, and a low-power processor, supporting multiple operating systems. Its powerful computing capabilities enable premium music services, efficiently run on-device voice algorithms, and connect to cloud-based AI for a more natural interactive experience. It integrates Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 wireless communication technologies and has been certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance and Bluetooth SIG BQB. Additionally, based on Linux, it utilizes the industry-standard Yocto SDK, providing a robust development toolchain and a rich set of software packages, significantly simplifying the development process and accelerating the deployment of products such as wireless streaming speakers and soundbars.
Ameba IC adopts a multi-core architecture with collaborative work of an application processor, a network processor and a high-performance DSP. The dedicated DSP handles full-chain voice algorithms such as AEC, BF, and NS, achieving 360° accurate voice pickup and pure noise reduction. It supports highly customizable local voice interaction, including custom wake words, custom command words, and offline command recognition. Combined with VAD for precise voice detection, it enhances response speed and recognition accuracy while ensuring user privacy. Meanwhile, the integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities ensure connectivity to cloud-based large language models with low latency and high-throughput communication. By fusing local efficiency with cloud intelligence, it delivers a responsive, natural voice interaction experience.
Ameba IC supports three mainstream display interfaces: RGB, MIPI DSI and QSPI, and features an integrated LCD controller, image processing engine, and MJPEG decoder, enabling direct driving of various screen types to meet diverse needs ranging from low-power simple screens to high-definition colorful screens. Equipped with high-performance multi-core processors and support for multiple operating systems, it delivers smooth GUI operation and multi-modal interactions such as voice and touch, easily handling sophisticated UIs and complex applications. With built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth communication modules, it facilitates device connectivity and cloud communication while ensuring data reliability through the Arm® security architecture and hardware encryption engine. The accompanying SDK offers a full-stack solution spanning chip, system, and the cloud, accelerating the development of highly competitive and differentiated smart display products.
Ameba IC adopts a multi-core heterogeneous architecture, integrating a dual-core Arm® Cortex-A application processor and an Arm® Cortex-M compatible core, meeting high computational demands of complex in-vehicle infotainment systems, navigation, and UI rendering, while efficiently handling real-time tasks simultaneously. It incorporates Wi-Fi 6 dual-band and Bluetooth dual-mode wireless modules, supporting advanced technologies such as OFDMA and MU-MIMO. These features ensure high-speed, low-latency, and stable data transmission in multi-device in-vehicle environments. With built-in Arm® security architecture and hardware encryption engine, it provides chip-level protection for automotive systems, meeting functional safety and data encryption requirements. Additionally, its rich interfaces and multimedia processing capabilities support multi-channel audio and video input/output, offering comprehensive hardware support for 360° surround view, voice recognition, multimedia playback, and other scenarios, which makes it an ideal solution for building high-performance, highly reliable smart cockpit platforms.
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 employs a multi-core heterogeneous architecture, where the high-performance dual-core Arm® Cortex-A application processor handles complex applications and graphical interfaces, while the co-processor continuously runs health sensor algorithms and real-time tasks at ultra-low power consumption, enabling intelligent power management. With highly integrated memory, power management unit, and rich peripherals, it significantly reduces the number of external components, meeting the miniaturization requirements of products. The integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth dual-mode wireless communication capability enables seamless connectivity between wearable devices and smartphones or other smart devices. Leveraging the built-in Arm® security architecture and hardware encryption engine, it provides reliable protection for sensitive biometric data. The powerful on-device AI computing capability supports intelligent applications such as offline voice wake-up and motion recognition, making it an ideal core for smart watches, health monitoring devices, etc.
