NXP Semiconductors MCF54415CMJ250

Overview

MCF54415CMJ250 from NXP Semiconductors (formerly Freescale) is a high-performance ColdFire V4 microprocessor with integrated MMU, dual 10/100 Ethernet MACs, USB 2.0 host/device/OTG controller, DDR2 SDRAM controller, and hardware cryptographic acceleration unit (CAU). It operates at 250 MHz, delivers up to 385 Dhrystone 2.1 MIPS, and features 64 KB on-chip SRAM, 8 KB instruction and 8 KB data caches, and support for boot from NAND, NOR, SPI flash, or EEPROM - enabling use in industrial networking gateways and secure edge controllers.

For engineers reviewing the MCF54415CMJ250 datasheet, MCF54415CMJ250 pinout, MCF54415CMJ250 application, or MCF54415CMJ250 equivalent, key selection considerations include its 256-ball MAPBGA-17x17mm package, dual Ethernet with IEEE 1588-2002 support, CAU-accelerated AES/SHA-256, eSDHC interface for SD/SDHC/SDIO cards, and FlexBus for external MRAM or programmable logic interfacing.

Technical Context

The MCF54415CMJ250 implements the ColdFire Version 4 core with EMAC and MMU, supporting full virtual memory management and real-time deterministic execution. Its crossbar switch (XBS) enables concurrent access to peripherals and RAM by multiple bus masters including the CPU, DMA, USB, and Ethernet controllers.

It integrates two independent FlexCAN 2.0B modules, six I²C interfaces with DMA support, four DSPI ports, dual 12-bit ADCs with shared inputs and multiple trigger sources, and dual 12-bit DACs with DMA - all synchronized via a centralized interrupt controller (INTC) and programmable interrupt timers (PIT).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 256-ball MAPBGA (17 mm × 17 mm, 0.8 mm pitch), RoHS-compliant, lead-free.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MCF54415CMJ250, MCF54418CMJ250 adds integrated switching and peripheral count within identical footprint and timing, while i.MX 283 offers ARM-based multimedia performance at the cost of ColdFire-specific real-time features and external bus flexibility.

Availability

MCF54415CMJ250 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial networking gateways, secure edge controllers, and programmable logic controllers requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and traceable sourcing.

Supply support for MCF54415CMJ250 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 delivering secure, connected, and intelligent solutions for automotive, industrial, IoT, mobile, and communication infrastructure markets.

The MCF54415CMJ250 belongs to the ColdFire V4 microprocessor family designed specifically for high-reliability industrial control, secure communications, and real-time deterministic applications requiring MMU-based OS support and hardware-accelerated cryptography.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MCF54415CMJ250?

The MCF54415CMJ250 operates at a maximum system clock frequency of 250 MHz, delivering up to 385 Dhrystone 2.1 MIPS performance. This speed is sustained across the full industrial temperature range (–40°C to +85°C) and requires proper power supply sequencing, decoupling, and thermal management per the Freescale hardware design guidelines. The MCF54415CMJ250 achieves this performance with its ColdFire V4 core, 8 KB instruction and 8 KB data caches, and optimized crossbar switch architecture.

Does the MCF54415CMJ250 include hardware cryptographic acceleration?

Yes, the MCF54415CMJ250 includes a dedicated Cryptography Acceleration Unit (CAU) that offloads AES-128/256, DES/3DES, SHA-1/SHA-256, MD5, and HMAC operations from the CPU. This hardware block enables secure boot verification, encrypted firmware updates, and TLS 1.2 session establishment without consuming CPU cycles. The CAU is accessible via memory-mapped registers and supports DMA-assisted data streaming, making it integral to the MCF54415CMJ250's role in secure edge computing applications.

What package type and dimensions does the MCF54415CMJ250 use?

The MCF54415CMJ250 uses a 256-ball MAPBGA package measuring 17 mm × 17 mm with 0.8 mm ball pitch. This RoHS-compliant, lead-free package is pin-compatible with other members of the MCF5441x family in the 256-MAPBGA variant, including MCF54416CMJ250, MCF54417CMJ250, and MCF54418CMJ250. The MCF54415CMJ250's pinout is documented in Section 3.3 ("Pinout-256 MAPBGA") of the MCF5441x datasheet Rev. 8.

How many Ethernet MACs does the MCF54415CMJ250 support, and what standards do they implement?

The MCF54415CMJ250 integrates two independent 10/100 Mbps Ethernet MACs, each supporting IEEE 802.3 and IEEE 1588-2002 Precision Time Protocol with hardware timestamping on both transmit and receive paths. These MACs operate in MII or RMII mode and support optional external Ethernet switch functionality. Unlike the MCF54410, the MCF54415CMJ250 includes both MACs enabled - making it suitable for redundant network topologies and time-synchronized industrial protocols such as Precision Time Protocol (PTP) and IEC 61850.

Can the MCF54415CMJ250 boot from NAND flash memory?

Yes, the MCF54415CMJ250 supports system boot directly from NAND flash memory via its integrated NAND Flash Controller (NFC). Boot mode is selected using BOOTMOD[1:0] pins, and the NFC handles ECC generation/correction, bad-block management, and read/write operations without CPU intervention. The MCF54415CMJ250 also supports boot from NOR flash, SPI flash, EEPROM, and FRAM - providing flexibility for field-upgradable, high-density, or low-cost storage options in industrial deployments.