NXP Semiconductors LPC1788FBD208K

Overview

LPC1788FBD208 from NXP Semiconductors is a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M3 microcontroller designed for high-integration embedded applications, operating at up to 120 MHz with 512 kB flash, 96 kB SRAM, and integrated Ethernet, USB Device/Host/OTG, LCD controller, and dual CAN interfaces. It serves as a functional replacement for LPC23xx/LPC24xx in industrial control, motor drive, and networked HMI systems.

For engineers reviewing the LPC1788FBD208 datasheet, LPC1788FBD208 pinout, LPC1788FBD208 application, or LPC1788FBD208 equivalent, key selection criteria include its LQFP208 package with 165 GPIOs, 8-channel 12-bit ADC, 10-bit DAC, EMC support, and RTC with battery-backed event recorder - all critical for real-time deterministic control and human-machine interface designs.

Technical Context

The LPC1788FBD208 implements a Harvard-architecture ARM Cortex-M3 core with 3-stage pipeline, Memory Protection Unit (MPU), and Nested Vectored Interrupt Controller (NVIC), enabling deterministic real-time response. Its multilayer AHB matrix interconnect isolates CPU, Ethernet, USB, and DMA traffic to eliminate arbitration delays between concurrent peripheral accesses.

On-chip peripherals are partitioned across dedicated APB bridges and AHB slaves: the LCD controller and EMC reside on independent AHB paths, while the GPDMA supports transfers with UART, SSP, I2C, ADC, DAC, and timers - enabling zero-CPU-overhead data movement for audio, motor control, and sensor acquisition tasks.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

LQFP208 package: 208-pin plastic low-profile quad flat package, 28 mm × 28 mm body, 0.5 mm pitch, exposed thermal pad. Pin functions are fully multiplexed via IOCON registers; all GPIOs support Cortex-M3 bit-banding and DMA access.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar microcontroller applications.

Compared with LPC1778FBD208 and LPC1787FBD208, the LPC1788FBD208 uniquely combines full Ethernet MAC, LCD controller, and 32-bit EMC bus - making it the only variant in the family capable of driving high-resolution TFT displays while maintaining real-time industrial networking.

Availability

LPC1788FBD208 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial motor control, networked HMI terminals, medical imaging subsystems, and multi-protocol industrial gateways requiring stable component supply and long-term production continuity.

Supply support for LPC1788FBD208 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 specializing in secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and IoT applications, with deep expertise in ARM-based microcontrollers and mixed-signal SoCs.

The LPC178x series was designed specifically for high-performance, feature-rich embedded control applications demanding integrated connectivity (Ethernet, USB, CAN), rich analog I/O, and real-time determinism - targeting industrial automation, medical equipment, and advanced HMI platforms.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the LPC1788FBD208?

The LPC1788FBD208 operates at a maximum CPU frequency of 120 MHz, achieved via an on-chip PLL that can be driven by either the 1–25 MHz external crystal oscillator or the internal 12 MHz RC oscillator trimmed to ±1% accuracy. This frequency is sustained across the full industrial temperature range (−40 °C to +85 °C) under 3.3 V supply conditions. The LPC1788FBD208 achieves this performance without external cache thanks to its flash accelerator and local instruction/data buses.

Does the LPC1788FBD208 support external memory expansion?

Yes, the LPC1788FBD208 includes a dedicated External Memory Controller (EMC) supporting asynchronous static memories (SRAM, ROM, NOR flash) and synchronous dynamic memories including single-data-rate SDRAM with clock rates up to 80 MHz. In the LQFP208 package, the EMC provides a full 32-bit data bus width, enabling high-bandwidth frame buffer access for TFT LCD applications. The EMC is accessible via its own AHB slave interface to avoid contention with CPU or DMA traffic.

How many analog-to-digital converter channels does the LPC1788FBD208 have?

The LPC1788FBD208 integrates a single 12-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) with eight input channels (ADC0_IN[0] through ADC0_IN[7]), capable of sampling at up to 400 kHz. All ADC inputs are multiplexed onto GPIO pins P0[23]–P0[30], and each channel supports configurable sample-and-hold timing and multiple result registers. The ADC is fully compatible with the General Purpose DMA controller, allowing continuous background conversions without CPU intervention.

Is the LPC1788FBD208 pin-compatible with earlier NXP microcontrollers?

Yes, the LPC1788FBD208 features intentional pin function compatibility with the LPC23xx and LPC24xx families in the LQFP208 package, enabling drop-in upgrades for existing designs. This includes matching signal assignments for UART, I2C, SPI, Ethernet MII, and GPIO banks. However, new peripherals such as the LCD controller, USB OTG, and enhanced PWM blocks use previously unused pins or repurpose reserved functions - requiring minor schematic updates for full feature utilization.

What power management modes are supported by the LPC1788FBD208?

The LPC1788FBD208 supports four reduced-power modes: Sleep (CPU clock stopped, peripherals active), Deep-sleep (peripheral clocks stopped, SRAM retained), Power-down (all clocks stopped, SRAM/registers retained), and Deep power-down (full retention loss except RTC domain). Wake-up is supported via external interrupts, RTC alarm, PORT0/2 GPIO events, and NMI. The Wake-up Interrupt Controller (WIC) ensures deterministic wake-up latency from any mode, critical for battery-powered or energy-sensitive applications.