NXP Semiconductors MC9328MX21SCVMR2

Overview

MC9328MX21SCVMR2 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 ECC, dual SSI/I2S audio interfaces, and PCMCIA/CF host support - deployed in portable handheld devices requiring high integration and low-power multimedia processing.

For engineers reviewing the MC9328MX21SCVMR2 datasheet, MC9328MX21SCVMR2 pinout, MC9328MX21SCVMR2 application, or MC9328MX21SCVMR2 equivalent, key selection criteria include 266 MHz ARM926EJ-S core performance, MAPBGA-289 package compatibility, NAND Flash controller with hardware ECC, dual MMC/SD host capability, and industrial temperature range (–40°C to +85°C) support.

Technical Context

The MC9328MX21SCVMR2 implements the ARM926EJ-S core with Jazelle Java acceleration, MMU, 16 KB instruction and 16 KB data caches, and Smart Speed power management for dynamic voltage/frequency scaling. Its memory subsystem includes dedicated SDRAMC supporting up to 256 MB, WEIM for NOR/NAND/PCMCIA expansion, and NFC with on-the-fly ECC for 1-bit error correction and detection.

Peripherals are tightly coupled via a multi-layer AHB/APB bus architecture: dual SSI modules configurable as I2S or AC97, two CSPI controllers, three UARTs (UART1/3/4), I²C, 1-Wire, RTC, three 32-bit timers, PWM, GPIO, and JTAG/Multi-ICE debug interface - all multiplexed across 289-ball MAPBGA pins with programmable function selection via FMCR registers.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MC9328MX21SCVMR2 is housed in a 289-ball MAPBGA package (17 mm × 17 mm, 0.8 mm pitch) with exposed thermal pad. Pin functions are highly multiplexed; signal assignment is controlled by Function Multiplexing Control Register (FMCR) configuration at boot or runtime.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar ARM9-based multimedia microprocessor applications.

Compared with MC9328MX21SCVMR2, i.MX27 offers higher CPU frequency and video acceleration but removes PCMCIA and dual SD support, while AT91SAM9263 provides dual Ethernet and real-time determinism at lower clock speed and without integrated display or NAND ECC - making MC9328MX21SCVMR2 optimal for cost-sensitive, display-centric portable devices needing legacy expansion.

Availability

MC9328MX21SCVMR2 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for handheld media players, industrial HMI terminals, medical point-of-care devices, and wireless data loggers requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges.

Supply support for MC9328MX21SCVMR2 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.MX21S product line was engineered for portable handheld devices demanding high integration, low-power ARM9 performance, and rich multimedia peripherals - targeting early smartphones, PDAs, and industrial tablets before the smartphone era.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MC9328MX21SCVMR2?

The MC9328MX21SCVMR2 operates at a maximum frequency of 266 MHz using its ARM926EJ-S core. This speed is achieved under specified industrial temperature conditions (–40°C to +85°C) and nominal VDD supply. The core supports Smart Speed dynamic voltage and frequency scaling to reduce power during idle periods while maintaining real-time responsiveness when active. MC9328MX21SCVMR2 does not support overclocking beyond this rated frequency.

Does the MC9328MX21SCVMR2 support NAND Flash with hardware error correction?

Yes, the MC9328MX21SCVMR2 integrates a dedicated NAND Flash Controller (NFC) with on-the-fly hardware ECC capable of correcting 1-bit errors per 512-byte sector and detecting multi-bit errors. This eliminates the need for software-based ECC routines, freeing CPU cycles for application tasks. The NFC supports both 8-bit and 16-bit NAND devices and interfaces directly to the external NAND bus (NF_IO[15:0], NF_CE, NF_RE, etc.). MC9328MX21SCVMR2's ECC engine is enabled automatically upon NAND access.

What display interfaces does the MC9328MX21SCVMR2 provide?

The MC9328MX21SCVMR2 provides two complementary display controllers: a standard LCD Controller (LCDC) supporting 18-bit RGB TFT panels with VSYNC/HSYNC timing, and a Smart LCD Controller (SLCDC) delivering dedicated clock, chip select, register select, and serial data outputs for Sharp HR-TFT panels. Both controllers share multiplexed pins (e.g., LD[15:0] and SLCDC1_DAT[15:0]), and their operation is selected via FMCR configuration. MC9328MX21SCVMR2 does not support LVDS or MIPI DSI interfaces.

Can the MC9328MX21SCVMR2 operate in industrial temperature conditions?

Yes, the MC9328MX21SCVMR2 is rated for operation from –40°C to +85°C, as confirmed by its "C" suffix in the ordering code (MC9328MX21SCVMR2). This industrial temperature grade is validated across all core functions including ARM926EJ-S execution, SDRAMC, NFC, USB OTG, and LCD controllers. Thermal design must accommodate the 289-ball MAPBGA package's exposed thermal pad, and power supply sequencing must follow Freescale's recommended ramp rates to ensure reliable startup across the full range. MC9328MX21SCVMR2 has no commercial-grade variant.

How many serial audio interfaces does the MC9328MX21SCVMR2 support?

The MC9328MX21SCVMR2 supports three synchronous serial interfaces: SSI1 and SSI2 are fully configurable as I2S or AC97 masters/slaves, while SSI3 is primarily used for SLCD pass-through but retains basic I2S capability. SSI1 and SSI2 each provide independent TXD/RXD/FS/CLK signals and can operate concurrently - enabling simultaneous audio playback and recording or multi-channel codec interfacing. MC9328MX21SCVMR2 does not include dedicated SPDIF or TDM interfaces.