NXP Semiconductors MCF5253VM140

Overview

MCF5253VM140 from Freescale Semiconductor is a ColdFire V2-core microprocessor delivering 125+ Dhrystone 2.1 MIPS at 140 MHz, featuring integrated 128 KB on-chip SRAM (64 KB ×2 banks), dual FlexCAN 2.0B controllers, USB 2.0 OTG, SDRAM controller (up to 32 MB), ATA/IDE interface, and a 1.2 V core powered by an internal linear regulator. It serves as a system controller in embedded networking and multimedia applications requiring real-time I/O, audio processing, and peripheral integration.

For engineers reviewing the MCF5253VM140 datasheet, MCF5253VM140 pinout, MCF5253VM140 application, or MCF5253VM140 equivalent, key selection considerations include its 225-pin MAPBGA package, -20°C to +70°C industrial temperature range, 1.2 V core / 3.3 V I/O supply architecture, and support for simultaneous high-speed interfaces including USB OTG, dual CAN, and SDRAM with glueless connectivity.

Technical Context

The MCF5253VM140 implements the ColdFire Version 2 (CF2) core with decoupled instruction fetch and operand execution pipelines, enabling high instruction throughput at 140 MHz. Its system integration includes a programmable PLL supporting 5–33.86 MHz external crystal input, dynamic clock switching, and power-down modes for low-power operation.

Peripheral integration is tightly coupled via the System Integration Module (SIM), which manages interrupt priorities, GPIO multiplexing, and bus arbitration between the ColdFire core, four DMA channels, and modules including eMAC, QSPI, I²C (dual), UART (triple), and audio interfaces compliant with IIS/EIAJ and IEC958 standards.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

225-pin MAPBGA (13×13 mm, 0.8 mm pitch) with exposed thermal pad; pin assignments defined per Freescale Document MCF5253DS Rev. 4, Section 6.1.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MCF5253VM140, MCF5253CVM140 extends thermal capability without functional change, while MCF52259VM140 trades IDE for Ethernet and enhanced USB-making it suitable for modern connectivity-focused designs but incompatible for IDE-dependent systems.

Availability

MCF5253VM140 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial HMI, automotive infotainment gateways, and network-attached storage edge nodes requiring stable component supply across long production lifecycles.

Supply support for MCF5253VM140 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) is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in embedded processors, analog, and connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and consumer markets.

The MCF5253VM140 belongs to the ColdFire V2 microprocessor family, designed for cost-sensitive, high-performance embedded control applications requiring integrated peripherals, low-power operation, and real-time responsiveness in space-constrained industrial and multimedia systems.

FAQ

What is the maximum SDRAM capacity supported by the MCF5253VM140?

The MCF5253VM140 supports up to 32 MB of external SDRAM via its glueless SDRAM controller. This is achieved using a 16-bit data bus and addressing capability sufficient for one bank of SDRAM. The controller supports page mode, non-page mode, and burst-page mode operations, and requires no external address latches or bus buffers. MCF5253VM140's SDRAM interface operates synchronously with BCLK and is validated for standard JEDEC-compliant SDRAM components.

Does the MCF5253VM140 include an internal voltage regulator, and what are its specifications?

Yes, the MCF5253VM140 integrates a linear regulator that converts a 3.0–3.6 V input on LININ to a regulated 1.2 V output on LINOUT. It delivers up to 150 mA with ±3% output voltage tolerance over temperature and load. A 10 µF tantalum capacitor (ESR ≤5 Ω) is required on LINOUT for stability. This eliminates the need for an external core regulator and simplifies power design. MCF5253VM140's internal regulator powers both the CPU core and PLL sections.

Can the MCF5253VM140 operate without an external crystal, and what clock sources does it support?

The MCF5253VM140 requires an external clock source for its system oscillator: either a 5–33.86 MHz crystal connected across CRIN/CROUT, or a single-ended clock signal applied to CRIN. It does not contain a fully integrated RC oscillator capable of standalone operation. The on-chip PLL then multiplies this input to generate the 140 MHz core clock. An optional 24 MHz crystal may be used for the USB oscillator (USB_CRIN/USB_CROUT), and a 32.768 kHz crystal is required for RTC_CRIN/RTCCROUT. MCF5253VM140 cannot boot or function without one of these clock sources.

How many independent CAN interfaces does the MCF5253VM140 provide, and what protocol versions are supported?

The MCF5253VM140 provides two independent FlexCAN 2.0B controllers (CAN0 and CAN1), each supporting the full Bosch CAN 2.0B specification including both standard (11-bit ID) and extended (29-bit ID) message frames. Both controllers operate at up to 1 Mbps and include dedicated TX/RX pins (CAN0_TX/CAN0_RX and CAN1_TX/CAN1_RX). They feature hardware message buffering, acceptance filtering, and error handling-enabling robust automotive and industrial network communication without CPU intervention. MCF5253VM140 does not support CAN FD.

Is the MCF5253VM140 pin-compatible with other ColdFire processors such as the MCF52259 series?

No, the MCF5253VM140 is not pin-compatible with the MCF52259 series. Although both use 225-pin MAPBGA packages, their pin assignments differ significantly-particularly for peripheral functions: MCF5253VM140 dedicates pins to ATA/IDE signals (ATA_DIOW, ATA_DIOR, ATA_A[2:0]), while MCF52259VM140 routes those pins to Ethernet MAC signals (EMAC_MDC, EMAC_MDIO, EMAC_TXD[3:0]). Signal multiplexing, power domains, and debug interface pinouts also differ. Board-level replacement of MCF5253VM140 with MCF52259VM140 requires PCB redesign.