NXP Semiconductors MCF54416CMJ250

Overview

MCF54416CMJ250 from NXP Semiconductors (formerly Freescale) is a ColdFire V4 microprocessor featuring a 250 MHz Version 4 ColdFire core with MMU and EMAC, 64 KB dual-ported SRAM, dual 10/100 Ethernet MACs with IEEE 1588 support, and hardware cryptographic acceleration for AES, SHA-256, and DES. It targets industrial networking gateways requiring deterministic real-time control, secure communications, and multi-protocol connectivity.

For engineers reviewing the MCF54416CMJ250 datasheet, MCF54416CMJ250 pinout, MCF54416CMJ250 application, or MCF54416CMJ250 equivalent, key selection criteria include its 256-ball MAPBGA-17x17mm package, dual Ethernet + USB OTG + eSDHC interface concurrency, DDR2 SDRAM controller timing at 250 MHz, and CAU-accelerated crypto throughput for embedded TLS/IPsec offload.

Technical Context

The MCF54416CMJ250 implements a crossbar switch (XBS) architecture enabling concurrent access to peripherals and memory by multiple bus masters-including the CPU, DMA, FlexBus, and SDRAM controller-eliminating arbitration bottlenecks. Its dual 10/100 Ethernet MACs support IEEE 1588-2002 timestamping in hardware, with optional integrated 3-port L2 switch functionality.

It integrates a dedicated Cryptography Acceleration Unit (CAU) supporting DES, 3DES, AES, MD5, SHA-1, and SHA-256 in hardware, alongside a true random number generator (RNG) and 2 KB battery-backed RTC SRAM. The processor boots from NOR/NAND/SPI flash, EEPROM, or FRAM via configurable boot pins.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 256-ball MAPBGA, 17 mm × 17 mm, 1.0 mm ball pitch, RoHS-compliant.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MCF54416CMJ250, MCF54418CMJ250 adds integrated Ethernet switching and more serial interfaces within the same package, while i.MX 283 offers higher ARM performance but lacks hardware crypto and dual MAC-making MCF54416CMJ250 optimal for deterministic, crypto-heavy industrial edge nodes.

Availability

MCF54416CMJ250 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial networking gateways, secure remote terminal units (RTUs), and programmable logic controller (PLC) CPU modules requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and traceable sourcing.

Supply support for MCF54416CMJ250 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 company formed from the spin-off of Philips' semiconductor division, now specializing in secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and IoT markets.

The MCF54416CMJ250 belongs to the ColdFire V4 microprocessor family, designed specifically for real-time industrial control, deterministic networking, and embedded security applications requiring MMU-based OS support and hardware-accelerated cryptography.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MCF54416CMJ250?

The MCF54416CMJ250 operates at a maximum core frequency of 250 MHz, delivering up to 385 Dhrystone 2.1 MIPS. This frequency applies to both the ColdFire V4 core and the SDRAM controller, while peripheral clocks run at core clock ÷ 2 (up to 125 MHz) and FlexBus at up to 100 MHz. All timing specifications in the datasheet Rev. 8 assume this 250 MHz operation point.

Does the MCF54416CMJ250 include hardware cryptographic acceleration?

Yes, the MCF54416CMJ250 integrates a dedicated Cryptography Acceleration Unit (CAU) that supports DES, 3DES, AES (128/256-bit), MD5, SHA-1, and SHA-256 algorithms in hardware. This offloads computationally intensive operations from the main ColdFire core, enabling efficient TLS 1.2 and IPsec implementation in resource-constrained industrial edge devices using the MCF54416CMJ250.

What package type and dimensions does the MCF54416CMJ250 use?

The MCF54416CMJ250 uses a 256-ball MAPBGA package measuring 17 mm × 17 mm with 1.0 mm ball pitch. This matches the pinout and footprint of other MCF5441x family members in the 256-MAPBGA variant (e.g., MCF54415CMJ250, MCF54418CMJ250), enabling design reuse across performance tiers within the same package family.

How many Ethernet MACs does the MCF54416CMJ250 support?

The MCF54416CMJ250 supports two independent 10/100 Mbps Ethernet MACs, each with hardware CRC generation/checking and IEEE 1588-2002 timestamping capability. Unlike the MCF54418CMJ250, it does not include the optional integrated 3-port L2 Ethernet switch-but retains full MII/RMII PHY interface support for both MACs.

What boot sources are supported by the MCF54416CMJ250?

The MCF54416CMJ250 supports system boot from multiple non-volatile sources including NOR flash, NAND flash (via integrated NAND Flash Controller), SPI flash, EEPROM, and FRAM. Boot mode is selected via BOOTMOD[1:0] pins, and the serial boot facility allows initial firmware loading via UART or USB before executing from internal or external memory.