NXP Semiconductors LPC5526JEV98K

Overview

LPC5526JEV98K from NXP is a 150 MHz Arm Cortex-M33 microcontroller with 256 KB flash, 144 KB SRAM, dual USB (FS/HS) support, SDIO interface, and hardware crypto acceleration disabled - designed for secure industrial IoT edge nodes requiring deterministic real-time control and low-power operation.

For engineers reviewing the LPC5526JEV98K datasheet, LPC5526JEV98K pinout, LPC5526JEV98K application, or LPC5526JEV98K equivalent, key selection criteria include VFBGA98 package compatibility, absence of on-the-fly encryption and SRAM PUF, FlexComm configurability across UART/SPI/I²C/I²S, and boot ROM support for secure firmware updates via serial interfaces.

Technical Context

The LPC5526JEV98K implements an Arm Cortex-M33 core with FPU and SIMD extensions, operating at up to 150 MHz, and integrates eight FlexComm peripherals supporting UART, SPI, I²C, or I²S in software-defined mode. It includes two DMA controllers (22-channel and 10-channel), five 32-bit timers, SCTimer/PWM, and a windowed watchdog.

Security features are limited to basic secure debug and UID; it omits AES-256/SHA-2 crypto acceleration, PRINCE on-the-fly decryption, and SRAM PUF - distinguishing it from LPC55S2x variants. Power management includes single-Vdd operation, POR/BOD, and multiple low-power modes with integrated DC-DC converter.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

VFBGA98 package: 98-ball very thin fine-pitch ball grid array, 9 mm × 9 mm body, 0.5 mm ball pitch, 0.3 mm ball diameter, JEDEC MO-277 compliant. Thermal pad exposed on underside for enhanced heat dissipation in continuous operation.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with LPC5526JEV98K, LPC55S26JEV98K adds hardware security primitives at higher cost and complexity, while LPC5528JEV98K trades memory capacity for identical security posture - enabling scalable BOM optimization across product tiers without redesign.

Availability

LPC5526JEV98K is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial IoT gateways, portable diagnostic instruments, and building automation controllers requiring stable component supply, long-term manufacturability, and consistent VFBGA98 packaging.

Supply support for LPC5526JEV98K 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 LPC552x family targets cost-sensitive, security-aware embedded applications where balanced performance, peripheral integration, and power efficiency outweigh advanced cryptographic acceleration - emphasizing flexibility and time-to-market over hardware-enforced trust.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the LPC5526JEV98K?

The LPC5526JEV98K operates at a maximum CPU frequency of 150 MHz using its Arm Cortex-M33 core with FPU and SIMD support. This frequency is achievable under specified voltage and temperature conditions per the official NXP datasheet. The system clock derives from the internal System PLL, which accepts input from multiple sources including the 1–25 MHz external crystal connected to XTAL_IN/XTAL_OUT. All timing-critical peripherals - including USB, SDIO, and ADC - are synchronized to this clock domain. The LPC5526JEV98K maintains full functionality across its rated industrial temperature range (-40°C to +105°C) at this speed.

Does the LPC5526JEV98K support hardware-accelerated cryptography?

No, the LPC5526JEV98K does not include hardware crypto acceleration. Unlike the LPC55S2x series, it lacks AES-256, SHA-2, PRINCE, and SRAM PUF blocks. Security functions are limited to secure debug disable, unique identifier (UID), and ROM-based secure boot initialization. Applications requiring cryptographic operations must implement them in software or integrate an external secure element. This design choice reduces silicon cost and simplifies certification for non-regulated industrial use cases. The LPC5526JEV98K retains all other core and peripheral capabilities of the LPC552x family, including dual USB and SDIO.

What package type and pin count does the LPC5526JEV98K use?

The LPC5526JEV98K uses a VFBGA98 package: a 9 mm × 9 mm very thin fine-pitch ball grid array with 98 solder balls arranged in a 10 × 10 grid (corner balls omitted), 0.5 mm pitch, and JEDEC MO-277 compliance. This package supports automated assembly and offers thermal performance suitable for continuous operation in enclosed industrial enclosures. Pin assignments match those of LPC55S26JEV98K and LPC5528JEV98K, enabling mechanical and layout compatibility across the LPC552x family. The LPC5526JEV98K datasheet provides full ball map, signal naming, and recommended PCB land pattern dimensions.

Can the LPC5526JEV98K be programmed via USB without external hardware?

Yes, the LPC5526JEV98K supports in-system programming via its integrated High-Speed USB interface using the on-chip ROM bootloader. When held in reset with ISP mode enabled, the device enumerates as a USB CDC device, allowing firmware updates over USB without a JTAG debugger or external programmer. The MCUXpresso Secure Provisioning Tool and open-source host utilities (e.g., nxpimage) support signed image loading and flash verification. This capability is fully functional on the LPC5526JEV98K - unlike some variants, it retains the 128 KB ROM bootloader and USB ISP stack even without hardware crypto engines.

How many FlexComm interfaces does the LPC5526JEV98K support, and what protocols do they handle?

The LPC5526JEV98K supports eight independent FlexComm interfaces (FlexComm0–FlexComm7), each configurable in runtime as UART, SPI, I²C, or I²S. This includes dedicated hardware support for fractional baud rate generation (UART), master/slave SPI with DMA-triggered transfers, I²C address matching with wake-on-address, and I²S stereo audio streaming. All eight units share no fixed peripheral assignment - their function is defined entirely by software configuration. This flexibility allows the LPC5526JEV98K to replace multiple discrete interface ICs in mixed-protocol systems such as industrial gateways interfacing with RS-485, I²C sensors, and digital audio codecs simultaneously.