NXP Semiconductors MCF5373LCVM240J

Overview

MCF5373LCVM240J from NXP Semiconductors (formerly Freescale) is a ColdFire V3-based 32-bit microprocessor with integrated SDR/DDR SDRAM controller, USB 2.0 Host and OTG controllers, Fast Ethernet Controller (FEC), cryptography accelerators, and FlexCAN module. It operates at 240 MHz core clock, features 32-Kbyte dual-ported SRAM, 16-Kbyte unified write-back cache, and is packaged in a 196-pin MAPBGA (15 mm × 15 mm) for embedded VoIP, industrial networking, and secure gateway applications.

For engineers reviewing the MCF5373LCVM240J datasheet, MCF5373LCVM240J pinout, MCF5373LCVM240J application, or MCF5373LCVM240J equivalent, key selection considerations include its 240 MHz ColdFire V3 core, dual-bus SDRAM interface support (SDR/DDR), FEC with MII interface, USB OTG capability, and cryptographic hardware acceleration - all within a thermally optimized 196 MAPBGA package rated for –40°C to +85°C operation.

Technical Context

The MCF5373LCVM240J implements a ColdFire Version 3 RISC core with EMAC unit, supporting up to 240 MHz system clock and 80 MHz peripheral bus (core ÷ 3). Its memory subsystem integrates 32-Kbyte dual-ported SRAM accessible by CPU and DMA/FEC/USB masters, plus a 16-Kbyte unified write-back cache.

It features two independent interrupt controllers (INTC0/INTC1), a programmable PLL for clock generation, and a FlexBus external interface with configurable chip selects and timing. The SDRAM controller supports both SDR and DDR modes via DRAMSEL pin control, with dedicated SD_CLK, SD_CKE, SD_CS0, SD_A[13:0], SD_D[31:0], and SD_DQM signals routed to specific MAPBGA pins.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 196-ball MAPBGA (15 mm × 15 mm, 0.8 mm pitch), RoHS-compliant, designed for thermal performance in industrial environments with θ_JMA = 42°C/W (natural convection, 4-layer board).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MCF5373CAB180, the MCF5373LCVM240J offers 33% higher core performance and superior thermal dissipation in a smaller 15 mm × 15 mm footprint; versus i.MX283, it provides deterministic ColdFire V3 real-time behavior and VoIP-specific peripherals but lacks ARM ecosystem tooling and multimedia acceleration.

Availability

MCF5373LCVM240J is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for voice-over-IP gateways, industrial Ethernet routers, and secure IoT edge gateways requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for MCF5373LCVM240J 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 microcontroller and processor innovation.

The MCF5373LCVM240J belongs to the ColdFire V3 microprocessor family, engineered specifically for embedded voice, networking, and secure communications applications requiring real-time determinism, integrated peripherals, and hardware-accelerated cryptography.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating junction temperature for the MCF5373LCVM240J?

The MCF5373LCVM240J has a maximum operating junction temperature of 105°C, validated under natural convection conditions on a four-layer PCB. Thermal design must maintain TJ ≤ 105°C using the specified θ_JMA = 42°C/W and appropriate board copper area, especially during sustained 240 MHz operation with FEC and USB active. Derating curves are provided in Section 5.2 of the MCF5373DS Rev. 4 datasheet.

Does the MCF5373LCVM240J support DDR SDRAM, and how is mode selection handled?

Yes, the MCF5373LCVM240J supports both SDR and DDR SDRAM through its integrated SDRAM controller. Mode selection is controlled by the DRAMSEL pin: asserted (high) enables SDR mode, while negated (low) enables DDR mode. This hardware-selectable configuration avoids software overhead and ensures reliable initialization - critical for boot-time memory setup in the MCF5373LCVM240J reference design.

What USB capabilities does the MCF5373LCVM240J provide, and are external transceivers required?

The MCF5373LCVM240J integrates full-speed USB 2.0 Host and On-The-Go (OTG) controllers with on-die PHY drivers. No external transceiver is needed for basic USB operation; however, external USBVDD filtering (per Figure 3 in MCF5373DS Rev. 4) and ESD protection are mandatory. The MCF5373LCVM240J supports OTG session request protocol (SRP) and host negotiation protocol (HNP) for role swapping between host/peripheral modes.

How many UARTs are available on the MCF5373LCVM240J, and what are their primary use cases?

The MCF5373LCVM240J provides three UARTs (U0, U1, U2), with U0 and U1 having dedicated pins and U2 multiplexed onto QSPI/DMA timer pins. These support console debugging, modem interfacing, and peripheral communication in VoIP gateways and industrial routers. U1 supports SSI multiplexing for codec control, and all UARTs feature FIFOs and programmable baud rates - essential for robust MCF5373LCVM240J system integration.

What cryptographic algorithms are accelerated by hardware in the MCF5373LCVM240J?

The MCF5373LCVM240J includes three dedicated hardware accelerators: RNGA (random number generation), SKHA (secure key hash accelerator for SHA-1/SHA-256 and MD5), and MDHA (modular math accelerator for DES, 3DES, and AES-128/192/256). These offload computationally intensive operations from the ColdFire V3 core, enabling TLS 1.2 handshake completion in under 50 ms and sustained AES encryption at 45 MB/s - key performance attributes of the MCF5373LCVM240J in secure gateway applications.