NXP Semiconductors MC9328MX21DVMR2

Overview

MC9328MX21DVMR2 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 rich I/O and low-power operation.

For engineers reviewing the MC9328MX21DVMR2 datasheet, MC9328MX21DVMR2 pinout, MC9328MX21DVMR2 application, or MC9328MX21DVMR2 equivalent, key selection criteria include 289-pin MAPBGA-0.8mm package compatibility, -30°C to +70°C industrial temperature range, ARM926EJ-S core support for Java acceleration, integrated video acceleration (eMMA), and SDRAM/NAND/PCMCIA memory expansion capability.

Technical Context

The MC9328MX21DVMR2 implements a 32-bit ARM926EJ-S core with Jazelle® technology for native Java bytecode execution, coupled with a multi-layer AHB/APB bus architecture enabling concurrent access to SDRAM, NAND Flash, and peripherals. Its clock management includes programmable PLLs supporting dynamic frequency scaling between 1–266 MHz.

Peripheral integration follows a modular design: the enhanced Multimedia Accelerator (eMMA) offloads video encoding/decoding tasks; the dual SD/MMC controllers support high-speed card interfaces; and the NAND Flash controller integrates on-the-fly ECC generation/correction for up to 4-bit error correction per 512-byte sector.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

The MC9328MX21DVMR2 is housed in a 289-pin MAPBGA (17 mm × 17 mm, 0.8 mm pitch) with ball-grid layout optimized for signal integrity and thermal dissipation in handheld form factors. Pin assignments follow Freescale's documented multiplexing scheme across functional blocks including EIM, SDRAM, USB, SD, CSI, and JTAG.

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 MC9328MX21DVMR2 delivers optimal balance of multimedia capability, power efficiency, and cost for mid-tier portable devices - offering hardware video acceleration and NAND ECC not found in PXA270, while avoiding the higher BOM cost and thermal complexity of i.MX27's 400 MHz operation.

Availability

MC9328MX21DVMR2 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smartphone baseband processing, portable media players, industrial handheld terminals, and medical point-of-care devices requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for MC9328MX21DVMR2 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 cost-sensitive, battery-powered portable devices demanding integrated multimedia, low-power ARM9 performance, and flexible memory expansion - targeting smartphones, PMPs, and intelligent handhelds before the smartphone OS consolidation era.

FAQ

What is the maximum SDRAM capacity supported by the MC9328MX21DVMR2?

The MC9328MX21DVMR2 supports up to 128 MB of SDRAM via its dedicated SDRAM controller, which implements standard SDR/DDR timing protocols with programmable refresh rates and bank addressing. This capacity is sufficient for Linux kernel execution with framebuffer graphics and application buffers in handheld devices. The MC9328MX21DVMR2 does not support LPDDR or mobile DDR variants.

Does the MC9328MX21DVMR2 include hardware encryption or secure boot features?

No, the MC9328MX21DVMR2 does not integrate cryptographic accelerators, secure ROM, or hardware-based secure boot. It relies on external mechanisms or software-based authentication. Later i.MX family members like i.MX27 introduced the Security Engine (SEC) block; the MC9328MX21DVMR2 lacks this functionality entirely.

Can the MC9328MX21DVMR2 operate without an external 26 MHz crystal?

No - the MC9328MX21DVMR2 requires an external 26 MHz crystal connected to EXTAL26M/XTAL26M pins for primary system clock generation. The internal oscillator cannot substitute for this reference; omitting the crystal prevents core initialization and results in failure to exit reset. A 32.768 kHz crystal is also mandatory for RTC functionality.

Is the MC9328MX21DVMR2 pin-compatible with other i.MX21 variants such as MC9328MX21VK or MC9328MX21CVM?

No - the MC9328MX21DVMR2 uses a 0.8 mm pitch, 17 mm × 17 mm MAPBGA package, whereas MC9328MX21VK uses a 0.65 mm pitch, 14 mm × 14 mm MAPBGA. These differing mechanical dimensions and ball layouts make them physically and electrically incompatible without PCB redesign.

What debug interfaces are available on the MC9328MX21DVMR2?

MC9328MX21DVMR2 provides full IEEE 1149.1 JTAG (TCK/TMS/TDI/TDO/TRST) for boundary-scan and ICE debugging, plus SWD-capable pins via the ARM9 Debug Interface. It does not support cJTAG or Serial Wire Viewer. JTAG operates at up to 10 MHz and supports flash programming, register inspection, and real-time trace via compatible debug probes.