NXP Semiconductors LPC2468FET208K

Overview

LPC2468FET208 from NXP Semiconductors is a 32-bit ARM7TDMI-S microcontroller operating at up to 72 MHz, featuring 512 kB flash, 98 kB SRAM (including 16 kB Ethernet buffer and 2 kB RTC-powered RAM), dual AHB buses, and integrated Ethernet MAC with MII/RMII. It serves as a communication gateway controller in industrial protocol converter designs.

For engineers reviewing the LPC2468FET208 datasheet, LPC2468FET208 pinout, LPC2468FET208 application, or LPC2468FET208 equivalent, key selection criteria include its TFBGA208 package, dual CAN channels, USB 2.0 device/host/OTG support with 4 kB endpoint RAM, and 10-bit ADC/DAC integration for mixed-signal edge-node control.

Technical Context

The LPC2468FET208 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 dual AHB system enables concurrent Ethernet DMA, USB DMA, and flash execution without bus contention.

Peripheral integration includes four UARTs with fractional baud rate generation, two independent CAN 2.0B controllers, three I²C interfaces (one open-drain), two SSPs supporting SPI/I²S/SSI protocols, and an SD/MMC interface-all accessible via GPDMA. Clocking uses a configurable PLL fed by either the 1–25 MHz crystal oscillator or 4 MHz ±1% internal RC oscillator.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: TFBGA208 (plastic thin fine-pitch ball grid array; 208 balls; body 15 × 15 × 0.7 mm; SOT950-1).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with LPC2468FET208, LPC2368FBD100 removes Ethernet capability and reduces pin count, while LPC1769FBD208 upgrades to Cortex-M3 but sacrifices RTC-backed SRAM and integrated USB PHY-making LPC2468FET208 uniquely suited for cost-sensitive, power-resilient industrial gateways requiring native Ethernet and USB connectivity.

Availability

LPC2468FET208 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial protocol converters, medical data aggregators, and communications gateways requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and traceable sourcing.

Supply support for LPC2468FET208 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, including LPC2468FET208, was designed specifically for embedded communication gateway applications-integrating Ethernet, USB, CAN, and rich analog peripherals into a single ARM7-based SoC for deterministic real-time protocol bridging.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the LPC2468FET208 microcontroller?

The LPC2468FET208 operates at a maximum CPU frequency of 72 MHz, achieved via an on-chip PLL that can be driven by the main crystal oscillator (1–25 MHz), the internal 4 MHz RC oscillator, or the RTC oscillator. This frequency is sustained across the full industrial temperature range (−40 °C to +85 °C) and supports zero-wait-state execution from flash memory due to its 128-bit wide interface and accelerator architecture.

Does the LPC2468FET208 include an integrated USB PHY?

Yes, the LPC2468FET208 includes an integrated USB 2.0 full-speed PHY supporting device, host, and OTG modes. It provides dedicated USB_D+1, USB_D−1, USB_D+2, and USB_D−2 balls, along with USB_VBUS detection, USB_CONNECTx, and USB_PPWRx signals-enabling direct connection to USB connectors without external transceivers.

How much SRAM is allocated specifically for Ethernet operations in the LPC2468FET208?

The LPC2468FET208 allocates 16 kB of dedicated SRAM for Ethernet interface operations. This memory is physically separate from the 64 kB local bus SRAM and is directly accessible by the Ethernet MAC's DMA controller-ensuring low-latency packet buffering and eliminating contention with CPU instruction fetch or other peripheral DMA transfers.

Can the LPC2468FET208 operate without an external crystal oscillator?

Yes, the LPC2468FET208 can operate using its on-chip 4 MHz ±1% RC oscillator as the system clock source. However, this oscillator cannot drive the USB or CAN peripherals, which require precise timing-so crystal-free operation is limited to non-USB/non-CAN applications such as standalone motor control or sensor interfacing using UARTs and ADC/DAC.

What package type is used for the LPC2468FET208, and how does it differ from the LPC2468FBD208?

The LPC2468FET208 uses a TFBGA208 package (15 × 15 × 0.7 mm, SOT950-1), while the LPC2468FBD208 uses an LQFP208 package (28 × 28 × 1.4 mm, SOT459-1). The TFBGA offers superior thermal performance and higher I/O density in a smaller footprint but requires PCB design for ball-grid routing and controlled solder reflow-making it preferred for space-constrained industrial gateways.