NXP Semiconductors MC9328MX21DVK

Overview

MC9328MX21DVK 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 devices requiring rich peripheral integration and power-efficient processing.

For engineers reviewing the MC9328MX21DVK datasheet, MC9328MX21DVK pinout, MC9328MX21DVK application, or MC9328MX21DVK equivalent, key selection considerations include its -30°C to +70°C industrial temperature grade, 289-pin MAPBGA (0.65 mm pitch, 14 mm × 14 mm), ARM926EJ-S core with Java acceleration, and support for SDRAM, NAND Flash, and Smart LCD panels.

Technical Context

The MC9328MX21DVK implements a full-featured ARM926EJ-S core with MMU, Jazelle® Java acceleration, and tightly coupled memory subsystems. Its system architecture integrates dedicated accelerators including eMMA for video preprocessing and postprocessing, and a programmable Bus Master Interface (BMI) for external peripheral arbitration.

Peripheral integration includes dual synchronous serial interfaces (SSI) supporting I²S audio, three CSPI controllers for high-speed SPI peripherals, and a flexible multiplexed pin architecture enabling shared use of LCD, SLCDC, USB, and SD signals - requiring careful signal routing and function selection via the FMCR register.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

The MC9328MX21DVK is housed in a 289-pin MAPBGA package (0.65 mm pitch, 14 mm × 14 mm body size) with exposed thermal pad. Pin functions are highly multiplexed across peripheral modules, requiring configuration via Function Multiplexing Control Register (FMCR) and careful board-level signal assignment.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with i.MX27 and PXA270, the MC9328MX21DVK offers optimal balance of cost, power efficiency, and integrated multimedia peripherals for mid-tier portable devices - especially where NAND-based storage, Smart LCD panels, and USB OTG are mandatory, but advanced video encoding is not required.

Availability

MC9328MX21DVK is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smartphone baseband systems, portable media players, industrial handheld terminals, and embedded web browser appliances requiring stable component supply and long-term industrial temperature support.

Supply support for MC9328MX21DVK 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 MC9328MX21DVK belongs to the i.MX21 family - Freescale's first-generation ARM9-based application processors optimized for cost-sensitive, battery-powered multimedia devices with integrated display, camera, and connectivity subsystems.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MC9328MX21DVK?

The MC9328MX21DVK operates at a maximum CPU frequency of 266 MHz. This speed is guaranteed across its specified industrial temperature range (-30°C to +70°C) and under nominal VDD supply conditions. The ARM926EJ-S core delivers sustained integer and Java performance suitable for real-time UI rendering and media playback without thermal throttling in properly heatsinked handheld enclosures. The MC9328MX21DVK achieves this while maintaining Smart Speed power optimization.

Does the MC9328MX21DVK support NAND Flash with hardware error correction?

Yes, the MC9328MX21DVK includes a dedicated NAND Flash Controller (NFC) with on-chip Error Correction Code (ECC) circuitry capable of detecting and correcting up to 4-bit errors per 512-byte sector. This hardware ECC eliminates CPU overhead during NAND read/write operations and enables reliable use of low-cost, high-density NAND devices in production systems. The MC9328MX21DVK's NFC also supports bad block management and spare area access - critical for robust embedded storage.

What display interfaces does the MC9328MX21DVK provide?

The MC9328MX21DVK provides three complementary display interfaces: a 18-bit parallel LCD controller (LCDC) for standard TFT panels, a Smart LCD Controller (SLCDC) supporting serial command-driven panels (e.g., Sharp HR-TFT), and a CMOS Sensor Interface (CSI) for direct camera module connection. These are implemented on shared pins with configurable multiplexing, allowing flexible display architecture choices without external bridge ICs. The MC9328MX21DVK's LCDC supports programmable pixel clock, HSYNC/VSYNC timing, and RGB data latching aligned to industry standards.

Is the MC9328MX21DVK pin-compatible with other i.MX2x series processors?

No, the MC9328MX21DVK is not pin-compatible with later i.MX27 or i.MX28 devices. While all share the 289-pin MAPBGA form factor, signal assignments, power domains, and pin multiplexing differ significantly across the i.MX2x family. For example, i.MX27 introduces additional video I/O and security signals not present on the MC9328MX21DVK, and its voltage rail requirements (e.g., separate VDDARM/VDDSOC) are incompatible. Migration from MC9328MX21DVK requires full PCB redesign and BSP adaptation.

What debug interface does the MC9328MX21DVK support?

The MC9328MX21DVK supports IEEE 1149.1 JTAG debugging via a 5-pin interface (TCK, TMS, TDI, TDO, TRST), compliant with ARM Multi-ICE specifications. It includes RTCK for adaptive clocking to improve debug stability at high frequencies, though RTCK is multiplexed with the 1-Wire interface - disabling 1-Wire is required when using RTCK. The MC9328MX21DVK also supports SWD (Serial Wire Debug) via alternate pin mapping in some configurations, but JTAG remains the primary and fully documented debug path per the reference manual.