NXP Semiconductors MC9328MX21SVMR2

Overview

MC9328MX21SVMR2 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 on-chip ECC, and SDRAM interface - deployed in portable handheld devices requiring integrated multimedia and low-power operation.

For engineers reviewing the MC9328MX21SVMR2 datasheet, MC9328MX21SVMR2 pinout, MC9328MX21SVMR2 application, or MC9328MX21SVMR2 equivalent, key selection factors include 289-pin MAPBGA package compatibility, 266 MHz ARM926EJ-S core performance, NAND Flash ECC offload capability, dual SD host support, and industrial temperature range (-40°C to +85°C) validation.

Technical Context

The MC9328MX21SVMR2 implements a full ARM926EJ-S core with MMU, Jazelle Java acceleration, 16 KB instruction and 16 KB data caches, and Smart Speed dynamic voltage/frequency scaling for power-constrained embedded systems. Its memory subsystem includes dedicated SDRAMC (supporting 16-bit wide SDRAM), WEIM for NOR/NAND/PCMCIA expansion, and NFC with hardware ECC for 1-bit correction per 512-byte sector.

Peripheral integration centers on system-level connectivity: USB OTG with transceiver control signals, two independent SSI modules configurable as I²S or AC97, dual CSPI interfaces, three UARTs (UART1/3/4), I²C, 1-Wire, FIRI, and LCD/SLCDC controllers supporting both parallel and serial display interfaces - all multiplexed across a single 289-pin MAPBGA footprint.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MC9328MX21SVMR2 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 functions are highly multiplexed across 11 functional domains including EIM, SDRAM, USB, LCD, SSI, and GPIO.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MC9328MX21SVMR2, i.MX27 offers higher clock speed and camera interface but requires larger PCB area and lacks SLCDC; i.MX233 reduces BOM cost and footprint but omits PCMCIA, SLCDC, and extended temperature support - making MC9328MX21SVMR2 optimal for balanced multimedia HMI with serial display and industrial robustness.

Availability

MC9328MX21SVMR2 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for portable media players, industrial HMI terminals, medical handheld diagnostics, and connected retail kiosks requiring stable component supply across extended lifecycle windows.

Supply support for MC9328MX21SVMR2 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 mixed-signal ICs for automotive, industrial, and consumer markets before its 2015 acquisition.

The i.MX21S product line targets portable handheld systems needing integrated multimedia, low-power ARM processing, and flexible peripheral expansion - emphasizing cost-effective integration of display, storage, and connectivity without external bridge chips.

FAQ

What is the maximum supported SDRAM density for MC9328MX21SVMR2?

The MC9328MX21SVMR2 SDRAM controller supports up to 256 MB of 16-bit wide SDRAM using MA[11:0], SDBA[4:0], and DQM[3:0]. This is confirmed in Section 3.3.2 of the MC9328MX21S Technical Data Rev. 1.3, where timing parameters and bank addressing are specified for densities up to 256 MB with standard x16 SDRAM parts.

Does MC9328MX21SVMR2 support booting directly from NAND Flash?

Yes, MC9328MX21SVMR2 supports NAND Flash boot via its integrated NAND Flash Controller (NFC) with hardware ECC. The BOOT[3:0] pins configure boot mode, and NAND boot is enabled when BOOT[3:0] = 0b0010 per Table 3-1 in the reference manual - allowing direct execution from NAND without external boot ROM.

What is the function of the SLCDC1_CLK pin on MC9328MX21SVMR2?

The SLCDC1_CLK pin on MC9328MX21SVMR2 serves as the serial clock output for the Smart LCD Controller (SLCDC1), driving Sharp HR-TFT panels in serial mode. It is multiplexed with SPL_SPR (sampling start) and SD2_CLK, and operates at programmable frequencies up to 25 MHz - enabling high-resolution serial display updates without parallel bus overhead.

Can MC9328MX21SVMR2 operate in -40°C to +85°C ambient temperature?

Yes, MC9328MX21SVMR2 is rated for industrial temperature operation from -40°C to +85°C when ordered as MC9328MX21SCVM or MC9328MX21SCVK variants. The "C" suffix denotes extended temperature grade, and this specification is explicitly listed in Table 1 (Ordering Information) of the MC9328MX21S Technical Data Rev. 1.3.

How many UART interfaces does MC9328MX21SVMR2 provide, and which are available?

MC9328MX21SVMR2 implements four UART channels (UART1–UART4), but UART2 is not physically implemented per Section 1.4 and signal description tables. UART1, UART3, and UART4 are fully functional - with UART3 sharing pins with FIRI (IR_TXD/IR_RXD) and UART4 multiplexed with USBH1 signals - providing three usable asynchronous serial ports for system debug, peripheral comms, and IR interface.