NXP Semiconductors MC9328MX21SCVK

Overview

MC9328MX21SCVK 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, dual MMC/SD host controllers, and SDRAM interface - deployed in portable handhelds, industrial HMIs, and embedded multimedia terminals requiring extended temperature operation.

For engineers reviewing the MC9328MX21SCVK datasheet, MC9328MX21SCVK pinout, MC9328MX21SCVK application, or MC9328MX21SCVK equivalent, key selection criteria include -40°C to +85°C industrial temperature grade, 289-pin MAPBGA (0.65 mm pitch, 14 mm × 14 mm), ARM926EJ-S core with Java acceleration, on-chip memory controllers, and peripheral multiplexing flexibility for cost-sensitive HMI designs.

Technical Context

The MC9328MX21SCVK implements a full ARM926EJ-S core with MMU, 16 KB instruction and 16 KB data caches, and Smart Speed power management enabling dynamic voltage/frequency scaling. Its memory subsystem integrates independent SDRAMC, NFC with hardware ECC, WEIM for NOR/PSRAM, and PCMCIA/CF interfaces - all sharing multiplexed address/data buses with configurable byte strobes and chip selects.

Peripheral integration includes dual synchronous serial interfaces (SSI) configurable as I²S or AC97, two CSPI controllers, three UARTs (UART1/3/4), I²C, 1-Wire, FIRI, and dual MMC/SD hosts - with extensive signal multiplexing managed via FMCR register and GPIO configuration registers to resolve pin conflicts across LCD, USB OTG, and expansion interfaces.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MC9328MX21SCVK is housed in a 289-pin MAPBGA package (0.65 mm pitch, 14 mm × 14 mm body, exposed thermal pad). Pin assignments follow Freescale's documented multiplexing scheme with 10 functional groups: External Bus/Chip Select (EIM), SDRAM, Clocks/Resets, LCD, Smart LCD, NAND Flash, PCMCIA, CSPI, USB, SD, UART, SSI, I²C, 1-Wire, PWM, Keypad, and JTAG.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MC9328MX21SCVK, the i.MX27 offers higher performance and imaging features at the cost of larger package and power, while the i.MX31 shifts to ARM11 with graphics acceleration but abandons hardware NAND ECC - making MC9328MX21SCVK optimal for cost-sensitive, NAND-booted industrial HMIs needing proven long-term availability.

Availability

MC9328MX21SCVK is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial HMI terminals, portable medical data loggers, wireless handheld scanners, and automotive infotainment gateways requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges.

Supply support for MC9328MX21SCVK 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) is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in embedded processors, analog, and connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and consumer markets.

The i.MX21 product line was designed specifically for portable and industrial embedded applications demanding high integration, low power, and robust peripheral sets - with MC9328MX21SCVK targeting cost-sensitive, temperature-extended deployments in human-machine interfaces.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MC9328MX21SCVK?

The MC9328MX21SCVK operates at a maximum frequency of 266 MHz. This speed is guaranteed across its full industrial temperature range (-40°C to +85°C) and under specified VDD supply conditions. The ARM926EJ-S core achieves this performance with integrated cache and memory controllers that minimize wait states during SDRAM and NAND Flash access - critical for deterministic real-time response in HMI applications. MC9328MX21SCVK maintains timing compliance without external PLL tuning.

Does the MC9328MX21SCVK support booting directly from NAND Flash?

Yes, the MC9328MX21SCVK supports booting directly from NAND Flash using its integrated NAND Flash Controller (NFC) with hardware ECC. The NFC handles 1-bit correction and 2-bit detection per 512-byte sector during boot sequence, eliminating software ECC overhead. Boot mode is selected via BOOT[3:0] pins, and the processor initializes internal ROM code to load the first-stage bootloader from NAND. MC9328MX21SCVK requires no external boot ROM or FPGA glue logic for NAND boot.

What package type and dimensions does the MC9328MX21SCVK use?

The MC9328MX21SCVK uses a 289-pin MAPBGA package with 0.65 mm ball pitch and a 14 mm × 14 mm body size. It includes an exposed thermal pad on the bottom for improved heat dissipation. This package is lead-free and RoHS-compliant. The pin layout follows Freescale's documented signal multiplexing scheme, and board design must observe strict impedance control (50 Ω single-ended, 100 Ω differential) on high-speed buses like USB and SDRAM. MC9328MX21SCVK's compact footprint supports dense, low-cost PCB layouts.

How many USB interfaces does the MC9328MX21SCVK provide, and what are their roles?

The MC9328MX21SCVK provides two USB interfaces: one USB On-The-Go (OTG) controller and one USB Host 1 controller. USB OTG supports dual-role operation (device/host) with integrated transceiver control signals (USBG_OE, USBG_ON); USB Host 1 supports full-speed peripherals only. Both interfaces share physical pins with LCD and SLCDC signals, requiring careful multiplexing configuration via FMCR. MC9328MX21SCVK does not include USB 2.0 high-speed capability or dedicated USB PHY - external transceivers are required for OTG cable detection and ESD protection.

What display interfaces are integrated into the MC9328MX21SCVK?

The MC9328MX21SCVK integrates two display controllers: the LCD Controller (LCDC) supporting 18-bit RGB/TFT panels up to 480×272 resolution, and the Smart LCD Controller (SLCDC) for serial SLCD panels using SPI-like protocols. LCDC provides dedicated timing signals (VSYNC, HSYNC, LSCLK), while SLCDC1 offers CLK/CS/RS/D0 and parallel DAT[15:0] outputs. Both controllers share pins (e.g., LD[15:0] ↔ SLCDC1_DAT[15:0]), requiring runtime configuration. MC9328MX21SCVK does not support HDMI, LVDS, or MIPI DSI natively - external bridge ICs are needed for those standards.