NXP Semiconductors MC9328MX21CJM

Overview

MC9328MX21CJM from Freescale Semiconductor is an ARM926EJ-S™-based microprocessor operating at 266 MHz, integrating LCD controller, USB On-The-Go, dual MMC/SD host controllers, NAND Flash controller with hardware ECC, and CMOS sensor interface - designed for smartphone and portable multimedia applications requiring integrated display, connectivity, and low-power processing.

For engineers reviewing the MC9328MX21CJM datasheet, MC9328MX21CJM pinout, MC9328MX21CJM application, or MC9328MX21CJM equivalent, key selection criteria include its -40°C to +85°C industrial temperature grade, 289-pin MAPBGA (0.8 mm pitch, 17 mm × 17 mm), ARM926EJ-S core with Java acceleration, integrated video accelerator (eMMA), and dual SD/MMC host support for embedded handheld systems.

Technical Context

The MC9328MX21CJM implements a 32-bit ARM926EJ-S core with Jazelle® Java acceleration, Smart Speed dynamic voltage/frequency scaling, and tightly coupled memory subsystems. Its system architecture integrates dedicated accelerators including eMMA for video encode/decode offload and SLCDC for Sharp-panel-compatible smart LCD driving.

Peripheral integration includes dual synchronous serial interfaces (SSI) supporting I²S audio, three CSPI channels for high-speed SPI peripherals, and multiplexed signal routing managed via Function Multiplexing Control Register (FMCR). Clock generation uses internal PLLs driven by 26 MHz and 32.768 kHz crystals, with programmable output clock selection via CLKO.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MC9328MX21CJM is housed in a 289-pin MAPBGA package (0.8 mm pitch, 17 mm × 17 mm, lead-free), with ball pitch and mechanical dimensions conforming to JEDEC MO-251. Signal mapping supports full multiplexing across 12 functional groups including EIM, SDRAM, USB, CSPI, SSI, UART, and LCD.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar ARM9-based multimedia processor applications.

Compared with i.MX27 and PXA270, the MC9328MX21CJM offers optimal balance of ARM9 performance, integrated LCD/CSI/USB OTG, and industrial temperature support at lower power and cost - making it ideal for Palm OS, Linux-based handhelds, and medical displays where QVGA resolution and single-camera operation suffice.

Availability

MC9328MX21CJM is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smartphone baseband subsystems, portable media players, industrial handheld terminals, and medical point-of-care displays requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.

Supply support for MC9328MX21CJM 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

Freescale Semiconductor was a leading designer of embedded processors, analog, and connectivity solutions before its acquisition by NXP Semiconductors in 2015. It pioneered the i.MX family for portable multimedia applications.

The MC9328MX21CJM belongs to the i.MX21 product line, engineered specifically for cost-sensitive, battery-powered handheld devices requiring integrated display, camera, and connectivity - targeting Palm OS smartphones, digital audio/video players, and industrial HMIs.

FAQ

What is the maximum SDRAM capacity supported by the MC9328MX21CJM?

MC9328MX21CJM supports up to 128 MB of SDRAM via its dedicated SDRAM controller with 12-bit row/column addressing and four bank support. The controller implements standard SDR SDRAM timing protocols compatible with Micron MT48LC series and ISSI IS42S16xxx chips, enabling efficient memory bandwidth for graphics frame buffers and application code execution.

Does the MC9328MX21CJM include hardware JPEG acceleration?

Yes, the MC9328MX21CJM includes the enhanced Multimedia Accelerator (eMMA) which provides hardware-accelerated JPEG encode and decode operations. This block operates independently of the ARM926EJ-S core and supports baseline JPEG up to 1600×1200 pixels, reducing CPU load during image preview, thumbnail generation, and camera pipeline processing in the MC9328MX21CJM-based system.

Can the MC9328MX21CJM boot directly from NAND Flash?

Yes, the MC9328MX21CJM supports NAND Flash boot via its integrated NAND Flash Controller (NFC) with on-the-fly ECC. The device executes initial boot code from NAND using internal ROM bootloader, which validates and loads the first-stage loader into IRAM. This capability eliminates the need for external boot ROM or NOR Flash in cost-optimized MC9328MX21CJM designs.

What is the function of the SLCDC module in the MC9328MX21CJM?

The Smart LCD Controller (SLCDC) in the MC9328MX21CJM generates precise timing signals - including PS, CLS, REV, and SPL_SPR - required by Sharp HR-TFT panels. It eliminates external timing generators by providing panel-specific waveform control, enabling direct connection to Sharp LQ035Q7DB02 and similar industrial LCD modules without additional logic in the MC9328MX21CJM-based HMI design.

Is the MC9328MX21CJM pin-compatible with other i.MX21 variants like MC9328MX21VM?

No, the MC9328MX21CJM is not pin-compatible with MC9328MX21VM. Although both use 289-pin MAPBGA packages, MC9328MX21CJM uses the 0.8 mm pitch, 17 mm × 17 mm variant (CVM/CJM suffix), while MC9328MX21VM uses the same footprint but differs in thermal pad configuration and internal ball map. PCB layout must be verified against the specific MC9328MX21CJM package drawing (Rev. 3.4, Figure 4-1).