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Taipei, Taiwan – 2025-08-13
iMQ, a leading provider of secure computing and low-power microcontroller solutions, today announced the launch of its next-generation secure encryption microcontroller, the SQ7705. Purpose-built for IoT, voice terminals, wearable devices, and smart home applications, the SQ7705 combines a high-performance hardware encryption engine, a rich set of communication interfaces, and multi-layer security protection mechanisms. Designed for ultra-low power consumption, it delivers real-time and reliable data protection without compromising energy efficiency.
Enhanced Multi-Layer Security Architecture
Secure Zone
The SQ7705 features a dedicated Secure Zone, providing hardware-based isolation to ensure that secure code and sensitive data remain completely separated from general application programs. This prevents malicious firmware, unauthorized access, and live debugging attacks. The Secure Zone is automatically activated during system boot after authentication by the Secure Bootloader, creating a Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) that delivers robust protection for key management and identity authentication.
Memory Scrambling
For internal Flash, SRAM, and EEPROM, the SQ7705 integrates a built-in Memory Scrambling engine that performs real-time randomization and encrypted mapping during data read and write operations. Each chip uses a unique encryption mapping, rendering physical data probing and dumping attacks ineffective. This mechanism protects against chip-level hardware reverse engineering and cold boot attacks, significantly enhancing the confidentiality of firmware and cryptographic keys.
Advanced Secure Encryption Core
The SQ7705 integrates a hardware-accelerated encryption engine supporting AES-128 and AES-256 in multiple modes (ECB, CBC, CFB, CTR, OFB), delivering performance of up to 2.9 Mbps for real-time processing of voice and audio data. The engine is equipped with side-channel attack countermeasures, further reinforcing the overall cybersecurity framework.
The chip also incorporates a NIST-compliant True Random Number Generator (TRNG) and SHA-256 hashing algorithm, both validated through NIST’s CAVP certification, and supports FIPS 140-3 security requirements for high-assurance applications.
Flexible Applications and Low-Power Design
Secure Boot The SQ7705 features a hardware-assisted Secure Boot mechanism that verifies firmware integrity at startup, ensuring that only authorized software can be executed. This function not only protects the microcontroller itself but also serves as the first Root of Trust in the system boot chain. It can provide firmware verification services for the main SoC, external MCUs, or modules, safeguarding against the injection of malicious code.
Secure Over-the-Air The SQ7705 can serve as a central hub for OTA (Over-the-Air), leveraging its hardware encryption engine and digital signature authentication capabilities to verify the authenticity of the source and the integrity of update files before installation. Prior to writing data to the target device, it applies encrypted storage and tamper protection measures. This mechanism ensures that malicious firmware or man-in-the-middle attacks cannot occur during the OTA update process, making it especially suited for the long-term operation and maintenance of IoT and smart endpoint devices.
Extensive Peripheral Support and Low-Power Design Powered by a TLCS-870/C1 16 core, the SQ7705 integrates 64KB Flash, 8KB SRAM, and 8KB EEPROM, along with multi-channel DMA to enhance real-time data processing capabilities. It supports a wide range of interfaces including UART, SPI, I²C, PWM, RTC, and ADC, and comes in a 64-pin LQFP package (10 mm × 10 mm). The power consumption is less than 1 μA in deep sleep mode to ensure long battery life, making SQ7705 ideal for wearable devices and unattended equipment.
A Security Chip for the Trusted Computing Era
“The SQ7705 is not only a high-performance MCU, but also a computing platform built with security at its core,” said Bo-Ming Cheng, CEO of iMQ. “From Secure Zone and Memory Scrambling to Secure Boot and Secure OTA, we have embedded security throughout the entire system lifecycle, ensuring robust and end-to-end protection from startup to remote updates.”
The SQ7705 is now available for sample requests, supported by a complete SDK and development kit. iMQ welcomes inquiries from system integrators, module suppliers, and end-device manufacturers for evaluation.
About iMQ Technology
Founded in 2010, iMQ technology creates embedded 8/16-bit microcontrollers and security chips to achieve a safer and smarter AI IoT world. With its own innovative patents and NIST-certified cryptographic technology, iMQ continues to drive innovation in application areas such as smart home, network security, industrial automation and the Internet of Things. iMQ is headquartered in Hsinchu, Taiwan, and its global shipments have exceeded 100 million units. iMQ's market-proven microelectronic encryption technology lays the foundation for a secure future. Visit www.imqtech.com for more information.