NXP Semiconductors MCF5407CAI162

Overview

MCF5407CAI162 from Motorola (now NXP Semiconductors) is a ColdFire® v2 32-bit integrated microprocessor with on-chip 16-Kbyte instruction cache, 8-Kbyte data cache, 2-Kbyte SRAM, hardware MAC unit, PLL clock generator, and integrated peripherals including UARTs, I²C, timers, DMA, DRAM controller, and interrupt controller. It operates at 162 MHz CPU frequency with 3.3 V core supply and targets industrial control, networking edge devices, and real-time embedded systems requiring deterministic execution and debug visibility.

For engineers reviewing the MCF5407CAI162 datasheet, MCF5407CAI162 pinout, MCF5407CAI162 application, or MCF5407CAI162 equivalent, key selection criteria include ColdFire v2 ISA compatibility, integrated cache hierarchy, external bus interface timing, JTAG/BDM debug support, and 162 MHz sustained core performance under industrial temperature conditions.

Technical Context

The MCF5407CAI162 implements the ColdFire v2 core with dual-pipeline architecture (IFP/OEP), hardware integer divide, and Harvard memory organization. It integrates a System Integration Module (SIM) managing clock generation (PLL), chip selects, interrupt routing, watchdog, and reset control.

Peripheral subsystems include three UART modules supporting RS-232/485, an I²C module compliant with Philips I²C specification, a 16-bit parallel port, timer module with input capture/output compare, and synchronous/asynchronous DRAM controller supporting up to 256 MB address space.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 256-pin Ceramic Pin Grid Array (CPGA), 27 mm × 27 mm, 1.27 mm pitch, RoHS-compliant lead finish. Thermal pad not present; thermal dissipation via top surface and PCB conduction.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MCF5474CVM162 and MPC8272, the MCF5407CAI162 offers proven ColdFire v2 toolchain continuity, minimal BOM count due to integrated peripherals, and industrial-temperature reliability-making it optimal for cost-sensitive, non-networked real-time controllers where debug visibility via PSTDDATA is critical.

Availability

MCF5407CAI162 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial PLCs, medical diagnostic instruments, and test & measurement equipment requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for MCF5407CAI162 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

Motorola Semiconductor (now part of NXP Semiconductors) pioneered embedded microprocessors for industrial and automotive markets, emphasizing real-time determinism, debug accessibility, and long-term supply assurance.

The MCF5407CAI162 belongs to the ColdFire family designed specifically for cost-sensitive, high-reliability embedded control applications where deterministic interrupt latency, integrated peripherals, and mature development tools outweigh raw compute density.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MCF5407CAI162?

The MCF5407CAI162 is rated for a maximum CPU frequency of 162 MHz. This speed is achieved using the on-chip PLL configured with an external 20.25 MHz crystal (162 ÷ 8 = 20.25). The device maintains full functionality-including cache coherency, DMA transfers, and peripheral timing-at this frequency across the full industrial temperature range (–40°C to +85°C). All timing specifications in the MCF5407UM/D user manual assume operation at 162 MHz.

Does the MCF5407CAI162 include an MMU for virtual memory support?

No, the MCF5407CAI162 does not include a Memory Management Unit (MMU). It implements the ColdFire v2 architecture with a flat 32-bit address space and optional memory protection via Access Control Registers (ACRs), but lacks page-table translation or virtual-to-physical address mapping. Operating systems like uClinux or RTEMS run on the MCF5407CAI162 in flat memory mode, relying on compile-time memory layout and hardware ACR enforcement for task isolation.

How is debug supported on the MCF5407CAI162?

The MCF5407CAI162 provides two complementary debug interfaces: IEEE 1149.1 JTAG for boundary-scan and basic BDM commands, and a dedicated 8-bit PSTDDATA bus supporting real-time trace and advanced Background Debug Mode (BDM) features. The PSTDDATA interface enables instruction tracing, breakpoint triggering on address/data patterns, and live register inspection without halting the CPU-critical for diagnosing timing-critical issues in the MCF5407CAI162's target applications.

What types of external memory does the MCF5407CAI162 support?

The MCF5407CAI162 supports asynchronous SRAM, ROM, Flash, and SDRAM through its integrated DRAM controller and chip-select logic. It accommodates up to eight independent chip-select regions with programmable timing (address setup/hold, strobe width, data hold), enabling direct interfacing with common NOR Flash (e.g., Intel StrataFlash), PSRAM, and single-data-rate SDRAM (e.g., Micron MT48LC series). No external glue logic is required for standard JEDEC-compatible devices.

Is the MCF5407CAI162 pin-compatible with other ColdFire processors?

No, the MCF5407CAI162 is not pin-compatible with other ColdFire families such as MCF52xx or MCF547x. Its 256-pin CPGA package, signal assignment (e.g., PSTDDATA bus, DSACK pins), and power sequencing requirements are unique to the MCF5407 generation. Migration to newer ColdFire variants requires PCB redesign and firmware adaptation due to differences in peripheral register maps, clocking architecture, and debug interface implementation-even when functional overlap exists.