NXP Semiconductors MCF5281CVF80

Overview

MCF5281CVF80 from NXP (formerly Freescale) is a 32-bit ColdFire V2 core microcontroller featuring an 80 MHz CPU clock, 128 KB on-chip Flash memory, and 16 KB SRAM. It integrates a FlexCAN 2.0B controller, Fast Ethernet MAC, QSPI, QADC, and dual UARTs - designed for real-time industrial control and networked embedded systems.

For engineers reviewing the MCF5281CVF80 datasheet, MCF5281CVF80 pinout, MCF5281CVF80 application, or MCF5281CVF80 equivalent, key selection criteria include its ColdFire V2 ISA compliance, 80 MHz maximum operation, integrated FEC and FlexCAN peripherals, and LQFP-144 package with 112 I/O pins supporting multiplexed peripheral functions.

Technical Context

The MCF5281CVF80 implements the ColdFire Version 2 microarchitecture with a 5-stage pipeline, 4 KB unified instruction/data cache, and enhanced multiply-accumulate (EMAC) unit supporting fractional arithmetic. Its memory subsystem includes 128 KB Flash with security protection and 16 KB SRAM with parity checking.

Peripheral integration centers on deterministic real-time I/O: FlexCAN 2.0B with 64-message buffers, 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet MAC with MII/RMII support, and a queued analog-to-digital converter with 16 channels and 10-bit resolution. Clock management uses a programmable PLL with selectable dividers to derive system clocks from external crystal or oscillator inputs.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

LQFP-144 package with exposed thermal pad; 20 mm × 20 mm body, 0.5 mm pitch, JEDEC standard footprint for reflow soldering and thermal management in industrial environments.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MCF5282CVF80, the MCF5281CVF80 omits the FEC MAC block to reduce gate count and dynamic power, making it optimal for CAN-centric control nodes. Against K60DN512ZVMD10, it offers deterministic ColdFire interrupt latency and native FlexCAN hardware - critical for legacy industrial fieldbus integration.

Availability

MCF5281CVF80 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial automation, building management systems, and railway signaling applications requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle support.

Supply support for MCF5281CVF80 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 roots in Freescale's embedded processor heritage.

The MCF5281CVF80 belongs to the ColdFire V2 microcontroller family, engineered for deterministic real-time control in harsh environments where reliability, peripheral integration, and long-term availability outweigh raw computational throughput.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MCF5281CVF80?

The MCF5281CVF80 operates at a maximum CPU clock frequency of 80 MHz, achieved via its on-chip PLL configured from an external crystal or oscillator input. This frequency is validated across industrial temperature ranges (–40°C to +85°C) and defines the upper bound for instruction execution rate, peripheral bus timing, and real-time response capability in applications such as motor control and protocol processing.

Does the MCF5281CVF80 include an integrated Ethernet MAC?

No, the MCF5281CVF80 does not include a Fast Ethernet Controller (FEC) MAC - that feature is present only in the MCF5282CVF80 variant. The MCF5281CVF80 provides MII/RMII physical layer interface signals but requires an external MAC or PHY with integrated MAC functionality for full Ethernet protocol stack implementation.

How much on-chip Flash and SRAM does the MCF5281CVF80 provide?

The MCF5281CVF80 integrates 128 KB of on-chip Flash memory for program storage and 16 KB of on-chip SRAM for data and stack operations. Both memories are directly mapped into the ColdFire V2 linear address space and support hardware error detection (parity for SRAM, security lock for Flash), enabling robust operation in mission-critical embedded systems.

Is the MCF5281CVF80 pin-compatible with other ColdFire devices?

The MCF5281CVF80 is pin-compatible with the MCF5282CVF80 in the LQFP-144 package, sharing identical power, clock, reset, and peripheral pin assignments. However, FEC-related pins on the MCF5282CVF80 are repurposed as general-purpose I/O or unused on the MCF5281CVF80, requiring minor PCB layout verification for direct substitution.

What debug interface does the MCF5281CVF80 support?

The MCF5281CVF80 supports IEEE 1149.1 JTAG Test Access Port (TAP) for boundary-scan testing, flash programming, and real-time debugging via BDM (Background Debug Mode). This interface enables full visibility into CPU registers, memory, and peripheral states during development and field diagnostics without halting real-time operation.