NXP Semiconductors MCF54417CMJ250

Overview

MCF54417CMJ250 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 cryptography acceleration unit (CAU). It operates at 250 MHz, delivers up to 385 Dhrystone 2.1 MIPS, and supports industrial networking gateways requiring real-time protocol handling, secure firmware updates, and multi-interface connectivity.

For engineers reviewing the MCF54417CMJ250 datasheet, MCF54417CMJ250 pinout, MCF54417CMJ250 application, or MCF54417CMJ250 equivalent, key selection criteria include its 256-ball MAPBGA package, dual Ethernet IEEE 1588 support, CAU-accelerated AES/SHA-256, eSDHC for SD/SDHC/SDIO/MMC, and FlexBus interface for external NOR/NAND/FRAM boot.

Technical Context

The MCF54417CMJ250 implements the ColdFire Version 4 core with MMU and EMAC, enabling full Linux OS support and deterministic real-time operation. Its crossbar switch (XBS) enables concurrent access to peripherals and 64 KB dual-ported SRAM by multiple bus masters including the SDRAM controller, FlexBus, and DMA engine.

It integrates two independent FlexCAN 2.0B modules, six I²C interfaces with DMA, four DSPI controllers, ten UARTs (including single-wire mode), dual 12-bit ADCs with shared inputs and multiple trigger sources, and dual 12-bit DACs with DMA support - 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), RoHS-compliant, lead-free, with 0.8 mm ball pitch. Thermal pad on underside for enhanced heat dissipation in industrial temperature range (–40°C to +85°C).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MCF54418CMJ250, the MCF54417CMJ250 omits the integrated Ethernet switch and ULPI interface - reducing pin count overhead and power consumption where those features are unused. Against i.MX 283, it offers superior deterministic Ethernet timing and hardware crypto but lacks multimedia peripherals.

Availability

MCF54417CMJ250 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial networking gateways, secure edge controllers, multi-protocol HMIs, and programmable logic controller bases requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle support.

Supply support for MCF54417CMJ250 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 heritage from Freescale's embedded processor division.

The MCF54417CMJ250 belongs to the ColdFire V4 microprocessor family, designed specifically for real-time industrial control, networking, and secure embedded applications requiring MMU-based OS support and hardware-accelerated cryptography.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MCF54417CMJ250?

The MCF54417CMJ250 operates at a maximum system clock frequency of 250 MHz. This enables up to 385 Dhrystone 2.1 MIPS performance, verified under typical conditions with all modules active and default drive strength. The core clock feeds the SDRAM controller and peripheral bus at derived rates (e.g., peripheral clock = core clock ÷ 2), and the FlexBus interface runs up to 100 MHz. Thermal and voltage compliance must be maintained per Freescale's recommended power sequencing and decoupling guidelines.

Does the MCF54417CMJ250 support IEEE 1588-2002 Precision Time Protocol?

Yes, the MCF54417CMJ250 supports IEEE 1588-2002 timestamping in both Ethernet MACs. Each MAC includes dedicated hardware timestamp registers and fine-grained timestamp capture on RX/TX frames. The MCF54417CMJ250 implements the full PTP boundary clock functionality required for industrial automation synchronization, with hardware-assisted correction of propagation delay and transparent clock capabilities when used with external PHYs supporting PTP.

What boot sources are supported by the MCF54417CMJ250?

The MCF54417CMJ250 supports boot from NOR flash, NAND flash (via integrated NFC), SPI flash, EEPROM, and FRAM. Boot mode is selected using BOOTMOD[1:0] pins at reset. NAND boot includes hardware ECC generation/correction (up to 4-bit), bad block management, and ready/busy signaling. Serial boot facility also enables recovery via UART or USB CDC ACM interface when primary storage fails.

How many GPIO pins does the MCF54417CMJ250 provide in the 256 MAPBGA package?

The MCF54417CMJ250 provides up to 87 standard GPIO pins and 16 Rapid GPIO (RGPIO) pins in the 256-ball MAPBGA package. RGPIO pins offer lower-latency, direct-core-accessible I/O for time-critical functions such as emergency stop monitoring or encoder index pulse capture. All GPIOs support configurable pull-up/down, slew rate control, and interrupt generation on level or edge transitions.

Is the MCF54417CMJ250 pin-compatible with other members of the MCF5441x family?

Yes, the MCF54417CMJ250 is pin-compatible with MCF54415CMJ250, MCF54416CMJ250, and MCF54418CMJ250 in the 256-ball MAPBGA package. All share identical pin assignments, power domains, and signal multiplexing. Differences are functional (e.g., MCF54417CMJ250 includes CAU and dual ADC/DAC; MCF54415CMJ250 lacks CAU and ADC/DAC), not mechanical or electrical - enabling hardware reuse across product variants with firmware differentiation.