NXP Semiconductors LPC1850FET256,551

Overview

LPC1850FET256,551 from NXP Semiconductors is a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M3 flashless microcontroller operating at up to 180 MHz, featuring 200 kB on-chip SRAM, dual high-speed USB 2.0 interfaces (one with integrated HS PHY, one with ULPI), 10/100T Ethernet MAC with IEEE 1588 support, and an LCD controller - deployed in industrial gateways requiring real-time connectivity, secure boot, and external memory expansion.

For engineers reviewing the LPC1850FET256,551 datasheet, LPC1850FET256,551 pinout, LPC1850FET256,551 application, or LPC1850FET256,551 equivalent, this page delivers verified package mapping (LBGA256), validated peripheral enablement (Ethernet + dual USB + LCD), confirmed pin-level functions for EMC, USB0/USB1, and RTC backup registers, and direct alternative part comparisons grounded in NXP's official ordering matrix.

Technical Context

The LPC1850FET256,551 implements a Harvard-architecture ARM Cortex-M3 core with 3-stage pipeline, integrated MPU and NVIC, and speculative branching via internal prefetch unit. It supports concurrent high-bandwidth peripherals through an AHB multilayer matrix interconnect and dedicated GIMA event routing.

Its clock system uses three independent PLLs: one for CPU (up to 180 MHz), one dedicated to USB0 HS PHY, and a third configurable as audio PLL. The device integrates dual 10-bit ADCs (400 kSamples/s), 10-bit DAC, SCTimer/PWM subsystem, and battery-backed RTC with 256-byte backup RAM - all operating under single 3.3 V supply with four low-power modes.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: LBGA256 (Plastic low profile ball grid array; 256 balls; body 17 × 17 × 1 mm; SOT740-2).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with LPC1850FET256,551, LPC1830FET256 removes LCD capability while retaining identical peripheral set and package, whereas LPC4350FET256 upgrades to dual-core architecture with FPU and expanded SRAM - both alternatives maintain LBGA256 mechanical compatibility but differ in display support and computational capability.

Availability

LPC1850FET256,551 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial gateways, smart energy meters, RFID readers, and white goods HMI requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and full technical documentation support.

Supply support for LPC1850FET256,551 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 deep expertise in ARM-based microcontrollers and edge processing.

The LPC18xx series targets high-performance, flashless embedded applications demanding rich peripheral integration, real-time determinism, and robust security - designed specifically for industrial control, metering, and human-machine interface platforms.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the LPC1850FET256,551?

The LPC1850FET256,551 operates at a maximum CPU frequency of 180 MHz, achieved via its ARM Cortex-M3 core and triple PLL clock system. This frequency is sustained across the full industrial temperature range (-40°C to +85°C) when powered from a stable 3.3 V supply and using the main PLL with appropriate crystal or oscillator input. The LPC1850FET256,551 does not require external flash, enabling fast boot and deterministic execution at full speed.

Does the LPC1850FET256,551 include on-chip flash memory?

No, the LPC1850FET256,551 is a flashless microcontroller. It relies on its 200 kB on-chip SRAM for code and data, plus external memory via the EMC or SPIFI interface for persistent storage. Boot code and USB/USB PHY drivers reside in 64 kB ROM, and 64-bit + 256-bit OTP memory supports secure key storage. The LPC1850FET256,551 executes directly from SRAM or external flash, eliminating flash wear-out concerns in long-life applications.

How many USB interfaces does the LPC1850FET256,551 support, and what are their capabilities?

The LPC1850FET256,551 supports two independent USB 2.0 interfaces: USB0 is a full-featured Host/Device/OTG controller with integrated high-speed PHY; USB1 is a Host/Device controller with on-chip full-speed PHY and ULPI interface for external high-speed PHY attachment. Both include DMA support and ROM-resident USB stack components. The LPC1850FET256,551 enables simultaneous USB device enumeration and host operation - critical for field-service tools and dual-role peripherals.

What Ethernet features are supported by the LPC1850FET256,551?

The LPC1850FET256,551 integrates a 10/100T Ethernet MAC with RMII and MII interfaces, DMA acceleration, and IEEE 1588-2008 v2 precision time protocol support including hardware timestamping for ingress/egress frames. It supports jumbo frames, VLAN tagging, and checksum offload. These features make the LPC1850FET256,551 suitable for time-sensitive industrial networking where sub-microsecond synchronization and low-CPU-load packet handling are required.

Is the LPC1850FET256,551 pin-compatible with other members of the LPC18xx family?

Yes, the LPC1850FET256,551 in LBGA256 package shares identical pinout and electrical characteristics with LPC1830FET256 and LPC1820FET256 variants. All share the same 256-ball footprint (SOT740-2), reset behavior, and power sequencing requirements. Software is largely compatible across the family, though feature availability (e.g., LCD, USB1, Ethernet) must be verified per variant - the LPC1850FET256,551 enables full peripheral utilization within this pin-compatible group.