NXP Semiconductors LPC2420FBD208K

Overview

LPC2420FBD208K from NXP Semiconductors is a flashless 32-bit ARM7TDMI-S microcontroller operating at up to 72 MHz, featuring 64 kB local SRAM, 82 kB total RAM, four UARTs, USB 2.0 full-speed device/host/OTG controller with 4 kB endpoint RAM, and 160 GPIO pins. It targets industrial control and protocol converter applications requiring deterministic real-time I/O and multi-interface connectivity without on-chip flash.

For engineers reviewing the LPC2420FBD208K datasheet, LPC2420FBD208K pinout, LPC2420FBD208K application, or LPC2420FBD208K equivalent, key selection criteria include its flashless architecture requiring external memory boot, dual-AHB bus support for concurrent USB/Ethernet DMA (LPC2460 only - not applicable), absence of integrated Ethernet MAC and CAN controllers, and LQFP208 package compatibility with legacy LPC24xx designs.

Technical Context

The LPC2420FBD208K implements an ARM7TDMI-S core with JTAG and embedded trace debug interfaces, executing both 32-bit ARM and 16-bit Thumb instructions to balance performance and code density. Its memory subsystem includes 64 kB SRAM on the ARM local bus, 16 kB for general-purpose DMA (accessible by USB), and 2 kB battery-backed RTC SRAM.

Peripheral integration centers on serial communication: four UARTs with fractional baud rate generation and FIFOs, three I²C interfaces (one open-drain), two SSP controllers supporting SPI/SSI protocols, I²S for audio, SD/MMC interface, 10-bit ADC (8 channels), 10-bit DAC, four 32-bit timers, two PWM units, and advanced vectored interrupt controller supporting up to 32 vectored interrupts across 64 GPIO pins.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

LQFP208 package: plastic low-profile quad flat package with 208 leads, 28 mm × 28 mm body size, 1.4 mm height, and 0.5 mm lead pitch. Thermal pad exposed on underside for enhanced heat dissipation in high-duty-cycle applications.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with LPC2460FBD208, LPC2420FBD208K omits Ethernet and CAN hardware to reduce cost and power, while retaining full USB OTG, I²S, and SD/MMC support - making it optimal for USB-centric or audio-enabled protocol bridges. Versus LPC2368FBD100, it offers higher I/O count, USB OTG, and I²S at the expense of package size and external memory bandwidth.

Availability

LPC2420FBD208K is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial control gateways, medical data aggregators, multi-interface protocol converters, and embedded communication nodes requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for LPC2420FBD208K 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 company headquartered in Eindhoven, Netherlands, specializing in secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and IoT markets.

The LPC2400 series was designed as a high-integration, flashless ARM7-based microcontroller family targeting communication-intensive embedded systems requiring flexible memory architecture, rich serial peripheral sets, and deterministic real-time responsiveness.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the LPC2420FBD208K?

The LPC2420FBD208K operates at a maximum CPU clock frequency of 72 MHz, achieved via its on-chip PLL that accepts input from the main crystal oscillator (1–25 MHz), internal 4 MHz RC oscillator, or RTC oscillator. This frequency is sustained across the full industrial temperature range (−40 °C to +85 °C) under 3.3 V supply conditions.

Does the LPC2420FBD208K include on-chip flash memory?

No, the LPC2420FBD208K is a flashless microcontroller. It relies entirely on external memory - such as NOR flash for program storage and SDRAM for runtime data - accessed via its External Memory Controller (EMC). This architecture supports field-upgradable firmware and larger application footprints than on-chip flash variants permit.

Which communication interfaces are supported by the LPC2420FBD208K?

The LPC2420FBD208K supports four UARTs (with fractional baud rate generation and FIFOs), three I²C-bus interfaces (one open-drain), two SSP controllers (SPI/SSI compatible), I²S for digital audio, SD/MMC card interface, and USB 2.0 full-speed device/host/OTG with integrated PHY and 4 kB endpoint RAM - but excludes Ethernet MAC and CAN controllers present in the LPC2460 variant.

How many analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converter channels does the LPC2420FBD208K provide?

The LPC2420FBD208K integrates a single 10-bit ADC with eight input channels (AD0[0]–AD0[7]) and a single 10-bit DAC with one output (AOUT on P0[26]). Both converters operate independently and can be triggered by timers or software, enabling simultaneous sensor acquisition and analog waveform generation in closed-loop control applications.

What package type and pin count does the LPC2420FBD208K use?

The LPC2420FBD208K uses the LQFP208 package: a plastic low-profile quad flat package with 208 leads, 28 mm × 28 mm body size, 1.4 mm height, and 0.5 mm lead pitch. It is RoHS-compliant and pin-compatible with other LPC24xx devices in the same package variant, including LPC2460FBD208.