NXP Semiconductors LPC2478FET208,551

Overview

LPC2478FET208 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 RAM and 2 kB RTC-powered SRAM), integrated LCD controller supporting up to 1024×768 TFT/STN displays, dual CAN channels, USB 2.0 full-speed Device/Host/OTG with on-chip PHY, and 10/100 Ethernet MAC with MII/RMII - deployed in industrial control panels requiring real-time I/O, graphics, and networked communication.

For engineers reviewing the LPC2478FET208 datasheet, LPC2478FET208 pinout, LPC2478FET208 application, or LPC2478FET208 equivalent, key selection considerations include TFBGA208 package compatibility, dual-AHB bus arbitration for concurrent Ethernet/USB/flash execution, 160 GPIO with VIC-interrupt capability, 10-bit ADC/DAC, and hardware LCD DMA support for embedded HMI designs.

Technical Context

The LPC2478FET208 implements a dual Advanced High-performance Bus (AHB) architecture: one AHB dedicated to Ethernet DMA and USB DMA, the other to CPU instruction fetch and flash access - eliminating bus contention during simultaneous network and display operations. Its ARM7TDMI-S core executes both 32-bit ARM and 16-bit Thumb instructions with JTAG and embedded trace support.

Peripheral integration includes an LCD controller with dedicated DMA, three I²C interfaces (one open-drain), two SSPs supporting SPI/SSI protocols, SD/MMC interface, and four UARTs with fractional baud rate generation and IrDA capability - all managed via a programmable Pin Connect Block enabling flexible signal routing without PCB redesign.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: TFBGA208 (SOT950-1), 15 mm × 15 mm × 0.7 mm body, 208-ball array with 0.65 mm pitch. Ball A1 index located at top-left corner per Fig 3 of datasheet Rev. 3.2.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with LPC2478FET208, LPC2378FBD208 removes Ethernet and LCD to lower cost and power, while LPC2468FET208 retains identical package and peripherals but halves flash capacity and drops OTG - making LPC2478FET208 the sole option for full-featured, flash-intensive, OTG-capable industrial gateways.

Availability

LPC2478FET208 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial control panels, medical diagnostic devices, Point-of-Sale terminals, and networked building controllers requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and qualified sourcing for production ramp.

Supply support for LPC2478FET208 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 headquarters in Eindhoven, Netherlands.

The LPC2400 series was designed specifically for high-integration embedded applications demanding rich peripheral sets, real-time graphics, and industrial networking - targeting industrial HMIs, medical instruments, and networked control systems.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the LPC2478FET208?

The LPC2478FET208 operates at a maximum system 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 applies to the ARM7TDMI-S core and all AHB peripherals, enabling deterministic real-time performance in time-critical industrial control tasks. The LPC2478FET208 maintains this speed while executing from on-chip flash thanks to its 128-bit wide flash interface and accelerator architecture.

Does the LPC2478FET208 support USB On-The-Go functionality?

Yes, the LPC2478FET208 integrates a USB 2.0 full-speed Device/Host/OTG controller with 4 kB of on-chip endpoint RAM and an on-chip PHY. It supports OTG Session Request Protocol (SRP) and Host Negotiation Protocol (HNP), allowing dynamic role switching between USB device and host modes under software control - essential for portable diagnostic tools that must both receive configuration files and export measurement data. The LPC2478FET208 implements this without requiring external transceivers or level shifters.

How many independent power domains does the LPC2478FET208 have, and why does it matter?

The LPC2478FET208 features two independent power domains: one for the digital core and I/O, and a separate domain for the RTC and its associated 2 kB battery-backed SRAM. This separation allows the RTC to remain powered and functional even when the main supply is removed - preserving timekeeping and critical data across power cycles. It also enables fine-grained power gating: peripherals like Ethernet or USB can be disabled individually via clock dividers, reducing active power consumption by 20–30 % in battery-operated LPC2478FET208 applications such as portable medical monitors.

Can the LPC2478FET208 drive a 1024×768 TFT display directly?

Yes, the LPC2478FET208's integrated LCD controller supports TFT displays up to 1024×768 pixels in true-color (24-bit) mode, with programmable pixel clock, horizontal/vertical timing, and frame buffer addressing. It includes a dedicated DMA channel that transfers pixel data from SRAM to the display without CPU intervention. Driving such a resolution requires external SDRAM via the External Memory Controller (EMC) for frame buffer storage, as the on-chip 98 kB SRAM is insufficient for a full 1024×768×24-bit buffer. The LPC2478FET208 handles timing generation and data streaming autonomously once configured.

What debugging interfaces are supported by the LPC2478FET208?

The LPC2478FET208 supports standard ARM JTAG boundary-scan debugging and real-time emulation trace via its Emulation Trace Module (ETM). It includes TCK, TMS, TDI, TDO, TRST, and RTCK pins for full ICE (In-Circuit Emulation) compatibility with industry-standard debug probes. Additionally, the chip supports SWD (Serial Wire Debug) through dedicated pins, enabling smaller debug headers and reduced PCB footprint. These interfaces allow full visibility into program flow, register state, and memory access - critical for validating complex real-time behavior in LPC2478FET208-based industrial firmware.