NXP Semiconductors JN5178/001Z
- Part No.:
- JN5178/001Z
- Manufacturer:
- NXP Semiconductors
- Category:
- RF Transceiver ICs
- Package:
- 40-VFQFN Exposed Pad
- Datasheet:
-
JN5178/001Z.pdf
- Description:
- IC RF TXRX+MCU 802.15.4 40HVQFN
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

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Product details
Overview
JN5178/001Z from NXP Semiconductors is an IEEE 802.15.4-compliant wireless microcontroller integrating ARM Cortex-M3 CPU, 2.4 GHz transceiver, 256 kB Flash, 32 kB RAM, and 4 kB EEPROM - designed for ZigBee 3.0 and Thread end nodes in battery-powered smart lighting and home automation systems.
For engineers reviewing the JN5178/001Z datasheet, JN5178/001Z pinout, JN5178/001Z application, or JN5178/001Z equivalent, key selection criteria include receive current (12.7 mA), +10 dBm configurable transmit power, 6-channel 10-bit ADC, antenna diversity support, and HVQFN40 package compatibility with coin-cell operation down to 2.0 V.
Technical Context
The JN5178/001Z implements a tightly integrated dual-domain architecture: its ARM Cortex-M3 core executes protocol stacks (ZigBee PRO, Thread) and application code concurrently with hardware-accelerated IEEE 802.15.4 MAC, 128-bit AES-CCM security coprocessor, and O-QPSK modem. Clocking supports programmable CPU frequencies from 1 MHz to 32 MHz for dynamic power scaling.
Radio subsystem includes integrated PA, temperature-compensated crystal oscillator, automatic antenna diversity switching, and RF_IO single-ended interface matched to 50 Ω microstrip. Analog peripherals feature autonomous 6-channel ADC sampling, internal temperature/battery sensors, and fail-safe I²C with open-drain DIO4/DIO5 pins.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| CPU Core | ARM Cortex-M3 - enables concurrent execution of ZigBee/Thread stack and user application with Thumb-2 instruction efficiency |
| Flash / RAM / EEPROM | 256 kB / 32 kB / 4 kB - sufficient for OTA-upgradable full-stack firmware without external memory |
| Transmit Power | Configurable up to +10 dBm - supports robust 100 m+ line-of-sight range in Smart Home environments |
| Receive Current | 12.7 mA (low-power mode) - enables >10-year coin-cell lifetime in always-on sensor nodes |
| ADC | 6-channel 10-bit - supports direct analog sensing of light intensity, temperature, and battery voltage |
| Package | HVQFN40, 6 × 6 mm, 0.5 mm pitch - surface-mount compatible with high-density PCB layouts |
| Supply Voltage | 2.0 V to 3.6 V - operates directly from CR2032 or two AA cells without regulator overhead |
| Security | Hardware 128-bit AES-CCM - accelerates encryption/authentication per IEEE 802.15.4-2006, offloading CPU |
Pinout & Package
HVQFN40 package (SOT618-8), 6 × 6 × 0.85 mm, lead-free and RoHS compliant, with exposed die paddle (VSSA) for thermal management.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| DIO0–DIO15, DIO17–DIO18 | Digital I/O (multiplexed) | 18 configurable GPIOs supporting PWM, UART, SPI, I²C, ADC inputs, and antenna diversity control signals |
| RF_IO | RF transceiver interface | Single-ended 2.4 GHz antenna port requiring minimal matching network (2 inductors + capacitor) |
| XTAL_IN / XTAL_OUT | 32 MHz crystal oscillator | Drives system clock; divided to 16 MHz main clock and supports low-jitter timing for radio PHY |
| VDDA / VDDD / VB_DIG / VB_RF1 / VB_RF2 / VB_SYNTH / VB_VCO | Power supply domains | Separate analog/digital/RF/regulator rails enable noise isolation critical for 96 dBm receiver sensitivity |
| RESET_N | Active-low reset input | Pulled up internally; allows external reset supervision or brownout recovery without external components |
| DIO4 / DIO5 | I²C-bus SCL/SDA | True open-drain with built-in glitch filter - supports fail-safe communication with lighting drivers and sensors |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Integrated 2.4 GHz IEEE 802.15.4 transceiver | Eliminates external RF front-end, reducing BOM count and enabling compact PCB designs for embedded lighting modules |
| Antenna diversity with auto-RX switching | Improves link reliability in multipath indoor environments without requiring dual antennas or manual tuning |
| 100 nA deep sleep current with external wake-up | Enables energy harvesting applications (e.g., self-powered light switches) with sub-μA quiescent power |
| Fail-safe I²C-bus interface | Prevents bus lockup during voltage transients - critical for interoperability with legacy lighting controllers |
| OTA firmware upgrade capability | Allows field updates of ZigBee/Thread stacks and application logic without physical access or programming hardware |
| Internal temperature & battery voltage sensors | Reduces component count by eliminating discrete monitoring ICs in battery-operated end devices |
Applications
| Smart Lighting Control Node | ZigBee 3.0 Sensor Hub |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Wireless dimmable LED driver in residential ceiling fixture with occupancy and ambient light sensing. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: JN5178/001Z acts as primary application processor and ZigBee coordinator node, managing RF communication, PWM dimming, and local sensor fusion. Use Value: 256 kB Flash stores full ZigBee Light Link profile and OTA update image; 12.7 mA RX current ensures >7-year CR2032 operation. | Use Scenario: Battery-powered multi-sensor node (temp/humidity/motion) deployed in HVAC ducts for commercial building automation. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: JN5178/001Z serves as secure edge node running Thread Border Router-compatible stack with hardware AES acceleration. Use Value: 100 nA deep sleep + 0.6 μA sleep timer extends 2xAA battery life beyond 5 years; 6-channel ADC reads all sensors without external mux. |
| Thread Border Router Endpoint | Energy-Harvesting Switch |
Use Scenario: Low-latency, secure endpoint in Thread mesh network connecting smart locks and thermostats to home hub. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: JN5178/001Z implements Thread 1.1.1 stack with MAC accelerator handling packet formatting, CRC, and auto-ACKs at PHY layer. Use Value: Radio link budget of 106 dB ensures reliable hop-to-hop connectivity across large homes; dual PAN ID support enables seamless network migration. | Use Scenario: Self-powered wall switch harvesting mechanical energy from button press to transmit ZigBee command. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: JN5178/001Z functions as ultra-low-power event-triggered transmitter with wake-up on DIO interrupt and sub-100 μs RF startup. Use Value: 100 nA deep sleep + 12.7 mA RX current enables micro-energy harvesting; integrated PA delivers +10 dBm burst transmit without external amplification. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar wireless microcontroller applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| EM3581-RTR | SiLabs Ember ZigBee SoC; 128 kB Flash, 8 kB RAM; no ARM Cortex-M3; proprietary stack only | Limited to ZigBee PRO; no Thread or OTA flexibility; requires external crypto for secure boot | Choose EM3581-RTR only for legacy ZigBee-only deployments where NXP toolchain migration is prohibitive |
| JN5169-001-Z01 | Legacy NXP ZigBee SoC; 160 kB Flash, 8 kB RAM; no Thread support; lower RF sensitivity (−92 dBm) | Supports ZigBee 2006/2007 only; lacks antenna diversity and deep sleep modes below 1 μA | Select JN5169-001-Z01 only for cost-sensitive, non-OTA, short-range sensor nodes with existing firmware base |
Compared with EM3581-RTR and JN5169-001-Z01, the JN5178/001Z provides higher memory headroom for future-proof Thread adoption, superior RF performance for dense deployments, and hardware-enforced security essential for certified Smart Home products.
Availability
JN5178/001Z is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for Smart Lighting networks, Thread-based home automation gateways, and ZigBee 3.0 sensor nodes requiring stable component supply across multi-year production cycles.
Supply support for JN5178/001Z 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
NXP Semiconductors is a global semiconductor leader focused on secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and IoT markets, with headquarters in Eindhoven, Netherlands.
The JN517x product line was engineered specifically for ultra-low-power, standards-compliant wireless mesh networking in resource-constrained battery-operated devices - targeting certification-ready ZigBee 3.0 and Thread 1.1.1 end nodes.
FAQ
What wireless protocols does the JN5178/001Z natively support?
The JN5178/001Z natively supports IEEE 802.15.4-2006 PHY/MAC and is qualified for ZigBee PRO, ZigBee 3.0, and Thread 1.1.1 protocol stacks. Its hardware MAC accelerator and 128-bit AES coprocessor enable certified implementation of these standards without external components. The JN5178/001Z does not support Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or proprietary 2.4 GHz protocols out of the box.
Does the JN5178/001Z support over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates?
Yes, the JN5178/001Z supports full OTA firmware updates via its 256 kB embedded Flash memory, which includes dedicated boot code region and application space. The device's integrated 2.4 GHz transceiver and hardware AES engine allow secure, authenticated firmware images to be delivered and validated in-field - a core requirement for maintaining JN5178/001Z-based products across multi-year deployments.
What is the minimum operating voltage for the JN5178/001Z?
The JN5178/001Z operates from 2.0 V to 3.6 V, enabling direct connection to common coin-cell batteries (e.g., CR2032 nominal 3.0 V) and alkaline cells (two AA = 3.0 V fresh). At 2.0 V, the ARM Cortex-M3 runs at reduced clock speeds (1–8 MHz), and RF output power is limited to ≤3 dBm - verified in NXP's characterization data for JN5178/001Z.
How many analog inputs does the JN5178/001Z ADC support, and what is its resolution?
The JN5178/001Z integrates a 10-bit successive-approximation ADC with six input channels: dedicated ADC0 pin, shared ADC1/VREF pin (when external reference is unused), and four channels multiplexed onto DIO0–DIO3. All channels support autonomous multi-channel sampling and internal temperature/battery monitoring - confirmed in Section 4.3 and Table 2 of the JN5178/001Z datasheet.
Is the JN5178/001Z pin-compatible with other members of the JN517x family?
Yes, the JN5178/001Z is fully pin-compatible with JN5174/001Z and JN5179/001Z within the same HVQFN40 package (SOT618-8). Differences are limited to Flash size (256 kB vs. 160 kB or 512 kB) and associated firmware partitioning - all peripherals, pin functions, electrical characteristics, and timing parameters remain identical across the JN517x series.
JN5178/001Z Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- NXP Semiconductors
- Series:
- JN517X
- Package/Case:
- 40-VFQFN Exposed Pad
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- Programmable:
- Not Verified
- Type:
- TxRx + MCU
- RF Family/Standard:
- 802.15.4
- Protocol:
- Zigbee®
- Modulation:
- -
- Frequency:
- 2.4GHz ~ 2.485GHz
- Data Rate (Max):
- -
- Power - Output:
- 10dBm
- Sensitivity:
- -96.5dBm
- Memory Size:
- 256kB Flash, 4kB EEPROM, 32kB RAM
- Serial Interfaces:
- I2C, PWM, SPI, UART
- GPIO:
- 1
- Voltage - Supply:
- 2V ~ 3.6V
- Current - Receiving:
- 12.7mA ~ 14.8mA
- Current - Transmitting:
- 14mA ~ 22.5mA
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 125°C
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Supplier Device Package:
- 40-HVQFN (6x6)
JN5178/001Z FAQ
1.How can I place an order for JN5178/001Z through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for JN5178/001Z on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for JN5178/001Z reliable?
The price and inventory of JN5178/001Z are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for JN5178/001Z is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for JN5178/001Z?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for JN5178/001Z transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for JN5178/001Z?
JN5178/001Z orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your JN5178/001Z order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for JN5178/001Z?
For technical support, including JN5178/001Z datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your JN5178/001Z requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that JN5178/001Z is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All JN5178/001Z products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that JN5178/001Z meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of JN5178/001Z?
All JN5178/001Z units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with JN5178/001Z, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The JN5178/001Z part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for JN5178/001Z:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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