NXP Semiconductors MCF5206ECAB40
- Part No.:
- MCF5206ECAB40
- Manufacturer:
- NXP Semiconductors
- Category:
- Microprocessors
- Package:
- 160-BQFP
- Datasheet:
-
MCF5206ECAB40.pdf
- Description:
- IC MPU MCF520X 40MHZ 160QFP
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:4,520
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Product details
Overview
MCF5206ECAB40 from Freescale Semiconductor is a Version 2 ColdFire® integrated microprocessor featuring a 54 MHz CPU core, 4 KB instruction cache, 8 KB on-chip SRAM, hardware multiply-accumulate (MAC) and divide units, and dual-channel DMA - deployed in industrial control systems requiring deterministic real-time response and glueless DRAM interfacing.
For engineers reviewing the MCF5206ECAB40 datasheet, MCF5206ECAB40 pinout, MCF5206ECAB40 application, or MCF5206ECAB40 equivalent, key selection criteria include static 3.3 V operation with 5 V-tolerant I/O, pin compatibility with MCF5206, support for EDO/page-mode DRAM, and UART/I²C/timer integration for embedded control firmware development.
Technical Context
The MCF5206ECAB40 implements a synthesizable Version 2 ColdFire core with Harvard architecture: separate 4 KB direct-mapped instruction cache and unified 8 KB SRAM enable single-cycle code/data access. Its MAC unit accelerates fixed-point DSP routines, while hardware divide reduces latency for control-loop calculations.
System integration includes a DRAM controller supporting EDO and page-mode DRAMs, two UARTs with synchronous/asynchronous modes, dual 16-bit multimode timers, an I²C-compatible bus interface, and JTAG-based debug support - all operating at full 54 MHz with fully static 3.3 V supply and 5 V-tolerant inputs.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| CPU Core | Version 2 ColdFire® - synthesizable, Harvard-architecture core with 4 KB I-cache and 8 KB SRAM for deterministic execution. |
| Performance | 50 Dhrystone 2.1 MIPS @ 54 MHz - validated integer throughput for real-time embedded control tasks. |
| Memory Interface | Integrated DRAM controller supporting EDO and page-mode DRAMs - enables glueless expansion without external logic. |
| DMA | 2-channel DMA controller - offloads data movement from CPU for UART/DRAM transfers, reducing interrupt overhead. |
| Peripherals | 2 × UART (sync/async), 2 × 16-bit multimode timers, I²C-compatible bus, 8-bit parallel I/O port - consolidated system-level functions. |
| Supply & I/O | 3.3 V core supply with 5 V-tolerant I/O pins - simplifies mixed-voltage board design and legacy interface compatibility. |
| Operating Temp | 0°C to +70°C - specified commercial-grade thermal range for industrial control cabinet environments. |
Pinout & Package
Package: 208-pin plastic quad flat pack (PQFP), 28 × 28 mm body, 0.5 mm pitch - RoHS-compliant, surface-mount compatible.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| RESET | Asynchronous reset input | Active-low signal initiating cold boot and internal state initialization; synchronous deassertion required for stable operation. |
| CLKIN | External clock input | Accepts 54 MHz crystal or oscillator reference; drives internal PLL to generate core/system clocks. |
| DSACK0–DSACK3 | DRAM acknowledge outputs | Indicate DRAM access completion per chip select; used for timing synchronization with EDO/page-mode DRAM cycles. |
| UART0_TXD / UART0_RXD | Serial data transmit/receive | Dedicated full-duplex UART0 I/O pins supporting RS-232/RS-485 level-shifting via external transceivers. |
| I2C_SDA / I2C_SCL | I²C data/clock bidirectional lines | Open-drain pins compliant with Philips I²C specification v2.1; support multi-master arbitration and slave addressing. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Hardware MAC + Divide Unit | Accelerates fixed-point filtering, PID control, and FFT kernels - eliminates software emulation overhead in motor control loops. |
| Glueless DRAM Interface | Integrated controller supports EDO/page-mode DRAMs up to 128 MB - removes address latches, buffers, and timing logic from BOM. |
| Pin-Compatible Upgrade | 208-pin PQFP footprint matches MCF5206 - allows drop-in replacement with >2.9× performance gain without PCB redesign. |
| JTAG Debug Support | Fully IEEE 1149.1-compliant boundary-scan and on-chip debug module - enables real-time trace, breakpoint, and register inspection during firmware validation. |
| Static 3.3 V Operation | Zero minimum clock frequency; full functionality at DC - supports low-power sleep modes and deterministic wake-up timing in safety-critical systems. |
Applications
| Industrial PLC Controller | Motor Drive Control Unit |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Real-time ladder logic execution and I/O scanning in DIN-rail mounted programmable logic controllers. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Main system controller executing deterministic scan cycles with sub-millisecond jitter using on-chip timers and UARTs for Modbus RTU communication. Use Value: 50 MIPS @ 54 MHz and hardware divide enable tight current-loop update rates; glueless DRAM interface reduces component count in cost-sensitive PLC designs. | Use Scenario: Closed-loop field-oriented control (FOC) of 3-phase AC induction motors in HVAC and pump drives. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Real-time computation engine performing Clarke/Park transforms and PWM generation via timer-triggered ADC sampling. Use Value: MAC unit accelerates vector math operations; 8 KB SRAM stores coefficient tables and runtime variables without external memory latency. |
| Human-Machine Interface (HMI) | Networked Sensor Gateway |
Use Scenario: Touchscreen-based operator panels with local graphics rendering and alarm logging. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Application processor managing display refresh, button polling, and non-volatile event storage via parallel I/O and UART-connected flash. Use Value: 4 KB I-cache ensures consistent GUI frame rate; 5 V-tolerant I/O simplifies connection to legacy 5 V sensor buses and display controllers. | Use Scenario: Field-deployed environmental monitoring node aggregating data from RS-485 Modbus sensors and forwarding via Ethernet. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Protocol translation hub running lightweight TCP/IP stack and Modbus master firmware with dual UARTs handling sensor polling and gateway comms. Use Value: Two UARTs operate independently at different baud rates; DRAM controller supports external buffer memory for burst data collection without CPU intervention. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar embedded microprocessor applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCF5206ECA40 | Same core, package, and peripherals but rated for 40 MHz max - lower power, reduced Dhrystone MIPS (37), no guaranteed 54 MHz timing. | Suitable for thermally constrained or battery-backed systems where 50 MIPS is not required. | Select MCF5206ECA40 only if system clock budget and thermal envelope preclude 54 MHz operation. |
| MCF5208EC | Enhanced successor with 80 MHz core, 16 KB SRAM, USB 2.0 OTG, and larger peripheral set - not pin-compatible. | Targets next-generation designs needing higher throughput, connectivity, or memory bandwidth. | MCF5208EC requires PCB redesign but offers migration path for future scalability beyond MCF5206ECAB40 limits. |
Compared with MCF5206ECA40 and MCF5208EC, the MCF5206ECAB40 uniquely balances 54 MHz deterministic performance, pin compatibility with legacy MCF5206, and minimal external logic - making it optimal for cost-sensitive industrial upgrades where thermal headroom exists and USB/connectivity are unnecessary.
Availability
MCF5206ECAB40 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial PLC controllers, motor drive control units, human-machine interfaces, and networked sensor gateways requiring stable component supply across extended production lifecycles.
Supply support for MCF5206ECAB40 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 networking markets.
The ColdFire® family - including the MCF5206ECAB40 - was engineered to deliver 68K software compatibility with enhanced DSP capabilities and integrated peripherals for cost-sensitive real-time control applications.
FAQ
What is the maximum operating frequency of the MCF5206ECAB40?
The MCF5206ECAB40 is factory-specified and tested to operate reliably at 54 MHz across its commercial temperature range (0°C to +70°C). This frequency enables 50 Dhrystone 2.1 MIPS performance and is supported by the integrated PLL and static core design. Operation above 54 MHz is not guaranteed and violates the device's validated timing specifications.
Does the MCF5206ECAB40 support external SDRAM or only EDO DRAM?
The MCF5206ECAB40 DRAM controller explicitly supports both EDO DRAM and standard page-mode DRAM devices, as confirmed in Freescale's MCF5206E Reference Manual. It does not support SDRAM, DDR, or LPDDR technologies - those require dedicated SDRAM controllers absent in this microprocessor.
Is the MCF5206ECAB40 pin-compatible with the original MCF5206?
Yes, the MCF5206ECAB40 uses a 208-pin PQFP package with identical pinout and electrical characteristics to the base MCF5206, enabling direct PCB-level replacement. This pin compatibility delivers nearly three times the performance without layout changes - a key upgrade path documented in Freescale's migration guides.
What debug interfaces does the MCF5206ECAB40 provide?
The MCF5206ECAB40 integrates a full IEEE 1149.1 JTAG boundary-scan interface and an on-chip debug module supporting real-time trace, hardware breakpoints, and register inspection. No external debug probe is required beyond a standard JTAG adapter, and the interface operates at full 54 MHz without throttling.
Can the MCF5206ECAB40 run code originally written for MC68340 microcontrollers?
Yes - the MCF5206ECAB40 ColdFire core maintains binary compatibility with 68K assembly language through Freescale's free code translation tools. While not cycle-accurate, these tools convert MC68340 firmware to ColdFire object code, preserving functional behavior and enabling reuse of existing control algorithms and drivers.
MCF5206ECAB40 Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- NXP Semiconductors
- Package/Case:
- 160-BQFP
- Series:
- MCF520x
- Packaging:
- Tray
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- Core Processor:
- Coldfire V2
- Number of Cores/Bus Width:
- 1 Core, 32-Bit
- Speed:
- 40MHz
- Co-Processors/DSP:
- -
- RAM Controllers:
- DRAM
- Graphics Acceleration:
- -
- Display & Interface Controllers:
- -
- Ethernet:
- -
- SATA:
- -
- USB:
- -
- Voltage - I/O:
- 3.3V
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 85°C (TA)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Security Features:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 160-QFP (28x28)
- Additional Interfaces:
- EBI/EMI, I2C, UART/USART
MCF5206ECAB40 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for MCF5206ECAB40 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for MCF5206ECAB40 on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for MCF5206ECAB40 reliable?
The price and inventory of MCF5206ECAB40 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for MCF5206ECAB40 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for MCF5206ECAB40?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for MCF5206ECAB40 transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for MCF5206ECAB40?
MCF5206ECAB40 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your MCF5206ECAB40 order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for MCF5206ECAB40?
For technical support, including MCF5206ECAB40 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your MCF5206ECAB40 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that MCF5206ECAB40 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All MCF5206ECAB40 products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that MCF5206ECAB40 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of MCF5206ECAB40?
All MCF5206ECAB40 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with MCF5206ECAB40, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The MCF5206ECAB40 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for MCF5206ECAB40:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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