NXP Semiconductors MCF52231CAF60

Overview

MCF52231CAF60 from NXP Semiconductors (formerly Freescale) is a 32-bit ColdFire V2 RISC microcontroller designed for embedded industrial and networking applications. It operates at up to 60 MHz, integrates 128 KB Flash and 32 KB SRAM, features a Fast Ethernet Controller with on-chip EPHY, FlexCAN 2.0B interface, three UARTs, and an 8-channel 12-bit ADC - deployed in motor control, industrial gateways, and protocol-converged edge nodes.

For engineers reviewing the MCF52231CAF60 datasheet, MCF52231CAF60 pinout, MCF52231CAF60 application, or MCF52231CAF60 equivalent, key selection criteria include its LQFP-80 package, 60 MHz V2 ColdFire core with EMAC, integrated FEC+EPHY PHY, FlexCAN support, and compatibility with BDM/JTAG debug infrastructure.

Technical Context

The MCF52231CAF60 implements the ColdFire Version 2 ISA_A+ core with static 32-bit RISC architecture, enhanced multiply-accumulate (EMAC) unit supporting 16×16→32 and 32×32→32 operations, and hardware divider. Its clock system includes crystal/oscillator input with integrated PLL generating core and peripheral clocks.

It integrates dual interrupt controllers (INTC0/INTC1), four-channel DMA, four 32-bit DTIM timers with input capture/output compare, and a full-featured Fast Ethernet Controller (FEC) with on-chip EPHY transceiver supporting 10/100BASE-TX in half/full duplex - all accessible via tightly coupled on-chip buses without external glue logic.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

LQFP-80 package, 14 mm × 14 mm, 0.5 mm pitch, thermally enhanced with exposed pad. Pin assignments conform to Freescale Document MCF52235 Rev. 10 Figure 2 (80-pin LQFP Pin Assignments).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MCF52231CAF60, MCF52235CAF60 offers double Flash capacity and hardware crypto acceleration - advantageous for secure OTA updates; K60DN512ZVMD10 trades integrated PHY for ARM toolchain maturity and USB, better suited for new designs prioritizing software ecosystem over legacy ColdFire compatibility.

Availability

MCF52231CAF60 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial gateways, motor control systems, and edge data aggregators requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for MCF52231CAF60 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

NXP Semiconductors acquired Freescale in 2015 and maintains full support for the ColdFire portfolio, delivering high-reliability microcontrollers for industrial, automotive, and networking markets.

The MCF52231CAF60 belongs to the ColdFire V2 microcontroller family, engineered for deterministic real-time control in resource-constrained embedded systems where integrated Ethernet PHY, CAN, and signal processing acceleration reduce system complexity.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MCF52231CAF60?

The MCF52231CAF60 operates at a maximum frequency of 60 MHz. This clock speed enables 56 Dhrystone 2.1 MIPS performance when executing code from on-chip Flash memory. The device uses an integrated PLL to derive the core clock from an external crystal or oscillator connected to the EXTAL/XTAL pins, and supports multiple low-power modes that scale clock gating per peripheral.

Does the MCF52231CAF60 include an integrated Ethernet PHY?

Yes, the MCF52231CAF60 integrates a full 10/100BASE-TX Ethernet PHY (EPHY) alongside its Fast Ethernet Controller (FEC). This eliminates the need for an external PHY chip, simplifying board design and reducing BOM cost. The EPHY supports auto-negotiation, MDIO management, jumbo packets, and both half- and full-duplex operation - all configurable via the FEC registers.

What debug interfaces does the MCF52231CAF60 support?

The MCF52231CAF60 supports Background Debug Mode (BDM) via dedicated DSI/DSO/DSCLK pins and IEEE 1149.1 JTAG boundary-scan. While the full debug/trace interface (including real-time trace) is implemented only on 112- and 121-pin packages, the LQFP-80 variant retains essential BDM functionality and the ALLPST debug status signal - enabling in-circuit debugging and basic breakpoint control.

How much Flash and SRAM memory does the MCF52231CAF60 have?

The MCF52231CAF60 integrates 128 KB of on-chip Flash memory organized as four 32K×16-bit banks, and 32 KB of dual-ported SRAM. The Flash supports zero-wait-state operation at 60 MHz via interleaved access, while the SRAM allows concurrent CPU and DMA access - ideal for real-time buffering and double-buffered data transfers in communication or control applications.

Is the MCF52231CAF60 pin-compatible with other members of the MCF5223x family?

The MCF52231CAF60 uses the LQFP-80 package and shares identical pinout with MCF52230CAF60 and MCF52233CAF60. However, it is not pin-compatible with 112-pin or MAPBGA variants (e.g., MCF52235), nor with LQFP-80 parts lacking FlexCAN (e.g., MCF52232). Peripheral availability varies by part number - always verify signal mapping in Table 3 (Pin Functions) of the MCF52235 datasheet before substitution.