NXP Semiconductors MC9328MXLVM15

Overview

MC9328MXLVM15 from Freescale Semiconductor is an ARM920T™-based applications processor operating at 150 MHz, featuring integrated SDRAM controller, LCD controller, USB Device, MMC/SD host controller, and multimedia accelerator. It supports 1.7–1.9 V core voltage and 1.7–3.3 V I/O voltage, and targets portable multimedia devices requiring rich UI, low-power operation, and peripheral integration.

For engineers reviewing the MC9328MXLVM15 datasheet, MC9328MXLVM15 pinout, MC9328MXLVM15 application, or MC9328MXLVM15 equivalent, key selection considerations include its 225-ball MAPBGA package, 150 MHz clock rating, -40°C to +85°C industrial temperature grade (C-grade), dual-voltage domain support, and integrated multimedia peripherals for handheld computing and audio/video playback systems.

Technical Context

The MC9328MXLVM15 implements the ARM920T core with Harvard architecture, MMU, 16 KB instruction and 16 KB data caches, and operates in little-endian mode by default. Its external interface module (EIM) supports asynchronous SRAM, NOR flash, and NAND flash with configurable wait states and chip-select mapping.

It integrates a dedicated SDRAM controller supporting 16-bit wide SDRAM with programmable timing, a 16-bit parallel LCD controller with Sharp-panel-specific signals (SPL_SPR, PS, CLS), and a USB 1.1 device controller compliant with full-speed (12 Mbps) operation using internal transceivers.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MC9328MXLVM15 uses a 225-ball Molded Array Process Ball Grid Array (MAPBGA) package, Case 1304B-01, with 0.8 mm ball pitch and 11 × 11 array. Power and ground balls are distributed across multiple VDD/VSS pairs (NVDD1–NVDD4, QVDD1–QVDD4, AVDD1, NVSS, QVSS) to minimize noise coupling between digital, analog, and core domains.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MC9328MXLVM15, the MC9328MXLVM20 offers 33% higher CPU throughput without changing board design, while the i.MX21 provides architectural upgrades at the cost of software porting effort and loss of Memory Stick support.

Availability

MC9328MXLVM15 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial HMI terminals, handheld diagnostic instruments, and portable media players requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.

Supply support for MC9328MXLVM15 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.MX family-including MC9328MXLVM15-was engineered for portable multimedia applications, emphasizing low-power ARM cores, integrated display/audio interfaces, and flexible memory subsystems for battery-operated devices.

FAQ

What is the maximum SDRAM capacity supported by the MC9328MXLVM15?

The MC9328MXLVM15 SDRAM controller supports up to 256 MB of total SDRAM space using four banks, each addressable up to 64 MB. Bank addressing is handled automatically via MA[11:10] and SDBA[4:0]/SDIBA[3:0], and timing parameters (tRCD, tRP, CAS latency) are fully programmable in the SDRAMC registers. This configuration is validated in the MC9328MXL Technical Data Rev. 8, Section 4.3.

Does the MC9328MXLVM15 support USB host functionality?

No, the MC9328MXLVM15 integrates only a USB 1.1 Device controller-not a host controller. It can act as a USB peripheral (e.g., mass storage device or CDC ACM class) when connected to a host PC, but cannot enumerate or control USB peripherals like keyboards or flash drives. The USB block lacks OHCI/EHCI hardware and associated root hub logic required for host operation.

Can the MC9328MXLVM15 boot directly from NAND flash?

Yes, the MC9328MXLVM15 supports NAND flash boot via its External Interface Module (EIM) when BOOT[3:0] = 0b1001. It includes hardware ECC generation/checking for 1-bit correction per 512-byte sector, and supports both small-page (512+16 B) and large-page (2048+64 B) NAND devices. Boot ROM initializes NAND controller before loading first-stage bootloader from configured address.

What is the function of the TRISTATE pin on the MC9328MXLVM15?

The TRISTATE pin (AVDD1, Ball N14) forces all I/O signals into high-impedance state during test mode. For normal operation, it must be terminated with a 1 kΩ resistor to ground per Freescale's MC9328MXL Technical Data Rev. 8, Table 2 footnote. Leaving it floating may cause undefined I/O behavior or bus contention during reset sequences.

Is the MC9328MXLVM15 pin-compatible with the MC9328MXLVM20?

Yes, the MC9328MXLVM15 and MC9328MXLVM20 share identical 225-ball MAPBGA packaging, pin assignment, signal multiplexing, and power domain layout. They differ only in maximum guaranteed clock frequency (150 MHz vs. 200 MHz) and corresponding core voltage specifications (QVDD 1.7–1.9 V vs. 1.8–2.0 V). No PCB changes are required for migration between these variants.