NXP Semiconductors MC9328MX21CVM

Overview

MC9328MX21CVM 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, camera, and low-cost non-volatile storage.

For engineers reviewing the MC9328MX21CVM datasheet, MC9328MX21CVM pinout, MC9328MX21CVM application, or MC9328MX21CVM equivalent, key selection considerations 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, and multiplexed peripheral signal routing across shared pins.

Technical Context

The MC9328MX21CVM implements a full-featured ARM926EJ-S core with MMU, Jazelle® Java acceleration, and Smart Speed power management enabling dynamic frequency scaling. Its memory subsystem includes SDRAM controller (up to 128 MB), EIM for NOR/NAND/PCMCIA expansion, and dedicated NAND Flash controller with on-the-fly ECC correction.

Peripheral integration centers on multimedia I/O: dual synchronous serial interfaces (SSI) supporting I²S, three CSPI channels, two MMC/SD hosts, USB OTG + dual USB host ports, LCD/SLCD controllers with RGB/TFT support, and CSI for direct CMOS image sensor interfacing - all sharing pins via configurable function multiplexing controlled by FMCR registers.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

The MC9328MX21CVM is housed in a 289-pin MAPBGA package (0.8 mm pitch, 17 mm × 17 mm, lead-free). Pin functions are highly multiplexed across system buses, peripherals, and debug interfaces; configuration is controlled via Function Multiplexing Control Register (FMCR) and dedicated mode pins (e.g., BOOT[3:0]). Critical factory test signals (CLKMODE[1:0], EXT_48M, EXT_266M, OSC26M_TEST) must be left unconnected or grounded per datasheet guidance.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with the MC9328MX21CVM, the i.MX27 offers higher clock speed and video acceleration for richer media, while the i.MX31 provides architectural upgrade to ARM11 with security extensions - both require PCB redesign due to different packages and pinouts, making MC9328MX21CVM optimal for cost-sensitive, thermally constrained portable designs.

Availability

MC9328MX21CVM is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial handheld terminals, portable media players, and smartphone baseband subsystems requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.

Supply support for MC9328MX21CVM 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.MX family - including the MC9328MX21CVM - was engineered for portable multimedia applications, emphasizing power efficiency, peripheral integration, and ARM compatibility to accelerate development of smartphones, PDAs, and media players.

FAQ

What is the maximum SDRAM capacity supported by the MC9328MX21CVM?

The MC9328MX21CVM supports up to 128 MB of SDRAM via its 16-bit SDRAM controller with configurable row/column/bank addressing. This is achieved using MA[11:0] and SDBA[4:0] signals, with DQM[3:0] enabling byte-select masking. The controller complies with JEDEC standards for single-data-rate SDRAM and supports auto-refresh and self-refresh modes essential for portable battery operation. MC9328MX21CVM's SDRAM interface is validated for Micron MT48LC16M16A2 and similar 16M×16 devices.

Does the MC9328MX21CVM include hardware support for NAND Flash error correction?

Yes, the MC9328MX21CVM integrates a dedicated NAND Flash controller with on-the-fly hardware ECC capable of detecting and correcting up to 4-bit errors per 512-byte sector. This eliminates software overhead and improves system reliability during firmware updates and media file access. The ECC engine operates transparently during read/write cycles and is compatible with standard SLC NAND devices such as Samsung K9F1208U0B. MC9328MX21CVM's NFC requires no external BCH or Reed-Solomon logic.

Can the MC9328MX21CVM simultaneously drive an LCD panel and interface with a CMOS image sensor?

Yes, the MC9328MX21CVM supports concurrent LCD and CSI operation through fully independent signal sets: LD[17:0]/FLM_VSYNC/LSCLK for display and CSI_D[7:0]/CSI_VSYNC/CSI_PIXCLK for camera capture. Pin multiplexing is managed via FMCR register settings, allowing both peripherals to be active without conflict. MC9328MX21CVM has been validated with Sharp LQ035Q7DB02 LCD and Omnivision OV7660 sensor in reference designs.

What USB configurations does the MC9328MX21CVM support?

The MC9328MX21CVM supports three distinct USB roles: USB On-The-Go (via USBG_* pins), USB Host 1 (USBH1_*), and USB Host 2 (USBH2_*). All operate at full speed (12 Mbps) and share no physical layer - each has dedicated differential pairs and transceiver controls. USB OTG enables dual-role operation (device/host) with ID pin detection, while USBH1 and USBH2 support simultaneous attachment of peripherals like keyboards and storage. MC9328MX21CVM does not support high-speed USB.

Is the MC9328MX21CVM pin-compatible with other i.MX21 variants such as MC9328MX21VM or MC9328MX21CJM?

No, the MC9328MX21CVM is not pin-compatible with MC9328MX21VM or MC9328MX21CJM despite sharing the same 289-pin MAPBGA footprint - they differ in ball pitch (0.8 mm vs. 0.65 mm) and mechanical dimensions (17 mm × 17 mm vs. 14 mm × 14 mm), making them mechanically incompatible. While electrical signaling and register maps are identical, PCB land patterns and stencil designs must be revised. MC9328MX21CVM requires its specific 0.8 mm pitch layout.