NXP Semiconductors MC9328MX21CVK

Overview

MC9328MX21CVK from Freescale Semiconductor is an ARM926EJ-S™-based microprocessor operating at 266 MHz, featuring integrated LCD controller, USB On-The-Go, NAND Flash controller with hardware ECC, CMOS sensor interface, and dual MMC/SD host controllers. It targets smartphone and portable multimedia applications requiring rich peripheral integration and low-power operation across industrial temperature range (–40°C to +85°C).

For engineers reviewing the MC9328MX21CVK datasheet, MC9328MX21CVK pinout, MC9328MX21CVK application, or MC9328MX21CVK equivalent, this page delivers verified technical context, package mapping, functional pin roles, real-world use cases, and validated alternative options for embedded system design and BOM optimization.

Technical Context

The MC9328MX21CVK implements a full ARM926EJ-S core with Jazelle® Java acceleration, coupled with dedicated hardware accelerators including eMMA for video processing and SLCDC for smart LCD panels. Its memory subsystem integrates SDRAMC supporting up to 256 MB, EIM for NOR/NAND/PCMCIA expansion, and NFC with on-the-fly ECC correction.

Peripheral connectivity includes three CSPI interfaces (SPI-compatible), two SSI modules supporting I²S, four UARTs, I²C, 1-Wire, IrDA, FIRI, and dual USB hosts plus OTG - all multiplexed across a 289-pin MAPBGA footprint with configurable signal routing via FMCR registers.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MC9328MX21CVK is housed in a 289-pin MAPBGA (0.65 mm pitch, 14 mm × 14 mm), with ball grid layout defined in Section 4 of the official datasheet (Rev. 3.4). Signal multiplexing is managed via Function Multiplexing Control Register (FMCR), enabling dynamic assignment of shared pins across peripherals including CSPIx, SSI, USB, SD, and LCD interfaces.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with i.MX27 and AM3352, the MC9328MX21CVK offers lower power consumption and smaller footprint for cost-sensitive portable designs where 266 MHz ARM9 performance and integrated NAND/LCD/USB OTG suffice - avoiding over-specification and unnecessary thermal management complexity.

Availability

MC9328MX21CVK is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smartphone baseband processing, portable media players, industrial handheld terminals, and medical point-of-care displays requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle support.

Supply support for MC9328MX21CVK 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 (now part of NXP Semiconductors) was a leading designer of embedded processors, analog, and connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and consumer markets.

The i.MX21 product line was engineered specifically for portable multimedia devices, combining ARM9 performance with tightly integrated video, display, and storage controllers to minimize external component count and power consumption.

FAQ

What is the maximum SDRAM capacity supported by the MC9328MX21CVK?

The MC9328MX21CVK supports up to 256 MB of SDRAM via its integrated SDRAM Controller (SDRAMC), using 12-bit row address (MA[11:0]), 4-bit bank address (SDBA[4:0]), and 10-bit column address (MA[9:0]) to address 4 banks × 8,192 rows × 1,024 columns × 32 bits = 256 MB. This configuration is confirmed in Section 3.2.1 of the MC9328MX21 Technical Data Rev. 3.4.

Does the MC9328MX21CVK include hardware JPEG acceleration?

The MC9328MX21CVK does not include dedicated JPEG encoding hardware. Its enhanced Multimedia Accelerator (eMMA) supports MPEG-4 SP decode and JPEG decode only; JPEG encode requires CPU-based software implementation. This limitation is explicitly stated in the "eMMA" section of the Reference Manual (MC9328MX21RM), distinguishing it from later i.MX27 which added JPEG encode capability.

Can the MC9328MX21CVK operate without an external crystal?

Yes - the MC9328MX21CVK can operate using an external 26 MHz square-wave clock applied to EXTAL26M, bypassing the internal oscillator circuit. XTAL26M must be left floating in this configuration. The device also accepts 16–32 MHz input frequencies, as specified in Table 3-1 of the Technical Data document (Rev. 3.4, p.15).

What is the function of the TEST_WB[2:0] pins on the MC9328MX21CVK?

TEST_WB[2:0] are factory test signals multiplexed with GPIO Port E and keypad inputs. In normal operation, they should be configured as GPIO inputs with internal pull-up enabled and left unconnected unless used for GPIO or keypad functions. This requirement is documented in Section 2 ("Signal Descriptions") of the MC9328MX21 Technical Data (Rev. 3.4, p.7).

Is the MC9328MX21CVK pin-compatible with other i.MX21 variants like MC9328MX21VM?

No - the MC9328MX21CVK (0.65 mm pitch, 14 mm × 14 mm MAPBGA) is not pin-compatible with MC9328MX21VM (0.8 mm pitch, 17 mm × 17 mm MAPBGA). While both share identical signal functionality and ball-out assignment logic, their physical footprints differ in pitch and size, requiring separate PCB layouts. This distinction is clearly shown in Table 1 of the Technical Data (Rev. 3.4, p.4).