NXP Semiconductors MCF52236AF50

Overview

MCF52236AF50 from NXP Semiconductors (formerly Freescale) is a 32-bit ColdFire V2 RISC microcontroller designed for embedded industrial and networking applications. It operates at 50 MHz, delivers 46 Dhrystone 2.1 MIPS, integrates 256 KB Flash and 32 KB SRAM, and features Fast Ethernet Controller (FEC) with on-chip EPHY, three UARTs, I²C, QSPI, 8-channel 12-bit ADC, FlexCAN, and cryptographic acceleration (CAU). It targets networked edge controllers requiring integrated connectivity and deterministic real-time control.

For engineers reviewing the MCF52236AF50 datasheet, MCF52236AF50 pinout, MCF52236AF50 application, or MCF52236AF50 equivalent, key selection considerations include its 50 MHz clock speed (vs. 60 MHz variants), absence of CAU and FlexCAN (per family configuration table), LQFP-112 package, and full FEC+EPHY integration - critical for compact 10/100BASE-T designs without external PHY.

Technical Context

The MCF52236AF50 implements the ColdFire V2 core (ISA_A+), featuring static operation, 32-bit data/address paths, and an EMAC unit supporting 16×16→32 and 32×32→32 multiply-accumulate operations. Its clock system includes a crystal oscillator input and integrated PLL generating internal clocks for CPU, peripherals, and EPHY.

It integrates a full Fast Ethernet Controller (FEC) with dedicated DMA, memory-based descriptor rings, and an on-chip Ethernet Physical Layer (EPHY) supporting 10/100BASE-TX/T, auto-negotiation, MDIO, and loopback modes. The device supports four-channel DMA, four 32-bit DTIM timers with input capture/output compare, and eight 8-bit or four 16-bit PWM channels with double-buffered period/duty cycle registers.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

LQFP-112 package, 20 mm × 20 mm, 0.5 mm pitch, thermally enhanced with exposed pad. Pin assignments match the MCF52235 Rev. 10 datasheet Figure 3 (112-pin LQFP Pin Assignments) and Table 3 (Pin Functions by Primary and Alternate Purpose).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MCF52235VJ60, MCF52236AF50 trades CAU/FlexCAN for cost and thermal efficiency at 50 MHz; compared with K60DN512ZVLQ10, it offers integrated EPHY and simpler Ethernet bring-up but less raw compute and memory headroom.

Availability

MCF52236AF50 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial Ethernet gateways, networked motor drives, smart energy meters, and building automation controllers requiring stable component supply across long-lifecycle deployments.

Supply support for MCF52236AF50 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 is a global semiconductor leader focused on secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and IoT markets, with deep heritage in microcontrollers from its Freescale acquisition.

The MCF52236AF50 belongs to the ColdFire V2 microcontroller product line, engineered for deterministic real-time control in resource-constrained, Ethernet-connected industrial edge devices - emphasizing integration, low-power operation, and debug robustness.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MCF52236AF50?

The MCF52236AF50 is rated for a maximum system clock frequency of 50 MHz, delivering 46 Dhrystone 2.1 MIPS performance. This is confirmed in Table 1 (MCF52235 Family Configurations) of the MCF52235 datasheet Rev. 10, which explicitly lists "50" under the System Clock (MHz) column for the MCF52236 variant. Exceeding this frequency violates electrical specifications and may cause functional failure or reduced reliability in the MCF52236AF50.

Does the MCF52236AF50 include an integrated Ethernet PHY?

Yes, the MCF52236AF50 includes a fully integrated Ethernet Physical Layer (EPHY) supporting 10/100BASE-TX/T operation, as documented in Section 1.2.1 ("Fast Ethernet Controller (FEC)") and Section 1.2.1 ("On-chip Ethernet Transceiver (EPHY)") of the MCF52235 datasheet Rev. 10. This allows direct connection to Ethernet magnetics without an external PHY, a key differentiator from microcontrollers with MAC-only interfaces. The EPHY signals (EPHY_TX[1:0], EPHY_RX[1:0]) are assigned to dedicated pins in the LQFP-112 package.

What memory resources are available on the MCF52236AF50?

The MCF52236AF50 integrates 256 KB of on-chip Flash memory and 32 KB of dual-ported SRAM. This is verified in Table 1 ("MCF52235 Family Configurations") of the MCF52235 datasheet Rev. 10, which shows "256/32 Kbytes" for Flash/SRAM across all variants including MCF52236. The Flash supports interleaved 2-1-1-1 accesses for high read bandwidth, and the dual-ported SRAM enables concurrent CPU and DMA access - critical for real-time Ethernet packet buffering in the MCF52236AF50.

Which serial communication interfaces does the MCF52236AF50 support?

The MCF52236AF50 supports three UARTs (with FIFO, DMA, and modem handshaking), one I²C bus controller (master/slave), and one Queued Serial Peripheral Interface (QSPI) operating in master mode only with up to four chip selects. These interfaces are confirmed in Table 1 and Section 1.2.1 of the MCF52235 datasheet Rev. 10. Notably, the third UART is available in the LQFP-112 package used by the MCF52236AF50, unlike smaller packages where it is multiplexed away.

Is the Cryptographic Acceleration Unit (CAU) present in the MCF52236AF50?

No, the Cryptographic Acceleration Unit (CAU) is not present in the MCF52236AF50. Table 1 ("MCF52235 Family Configurations") in the MCF52235 datasheet Rev. 10 explicitly marks CAU as "-" (not included) for the MCF52236 variant, while it is marked "" (included) for MCF52235. Similarly, FlexCAN is absent in MCF52236AF50. This makes the MCF52236AF50 suitable for applications prioritizing Ethernet+PWM functionality over cryptographic or CAN bus requirements.