NXP Semiconductors MCIMX233CJM4C

Overview

MCIMX233CJM4C from NXP is a single-core ARM926EJ-S microprocessor operating at 454 MHz, featuring 128 KB on-chip SRAM, integrated LCD controller (up to WXGA), 10-bit ADC (8 channels), and dual USB 2.0 OTG/Host controllers with PHY - designed for cost-sensitive industrial HMI and portable embedded display systems.

For engineers reviewing the MCIMX233CJM4C datasheet, MCIMX233CJM4C pinout, MCIMX233CJM4C application, or MCIMX233CJM4C equivalent, key selection criteria include its fixed 454 MHz CPU clock, lack of external DDR interface (only SDRAM support), integrated touch controller, and BGA-216 0.5 mm pitch package - critical for space-constrained, low-power UI applications.

Technical Context

The MCIMX233CJM4C implements an ARM926EJ-S core with Jazelle Java acceleration and Thumb-2 instruction set support, paired with tightly coupled 128 KB SRAM and no L2 cache. It integrates a dedicated LCD controller supporting RGB parallel output up to 1024×768 and resistive touch digitizer interface.

Peripheral integration includes two USB 2.0 OTG/Host controllers with integrated PHY, eight UARTs, four SPIs, three I²Cs, and a 10-bit 8-channel ADC with built-in touch sensing logic - all mapped to a fixed pinout without dynamic muxing options.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MCIMX233CJM4C is housed in a 13 mm × 13 mm, 216-ball fine-pitch BGA (0.5 mm pitch) with 16 × 16 array plus corner exclusions. Ball map follows JEDEC MO-275AC standard with defined power/ground ball placement per NXP reference layout guidelines.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar embedded HMI processor applications.

Compared with MCIMX233CJM4C, MCIMX283CVM4B adds CAN and cryptographic acceleration at identical performance and footprint, while i.MX6ULL G0 delivers higher compute throughput and OS readiness at the cost of increased PCB complexity and power budget.

Availability

MCIMX233CJM4C is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial HMI panels, portable diagnostic devices, retail kiosks, and building automation controllers requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle assurance.

Supply support for MCIMX233CJM4C 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 headquartered in Eindhoven, Netherlands, specializing in secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and IoT markets.

The i.MX23/28 family was engineered for ultra-low-cost, low-power human-machine interface applications - prioritizing integrated display/touch control, minimal external components, and deterministic real-time responsiveness over raw compute throughput.

FAQ

What is the maximum display resolution supported by the MCIMX233CJM4C?

The MCIMX233CJM4C supports parallel RGB LCD output up to 1024×768 (WXGA) at 60 Hz refresh rate using its integrated LCD controller. Resolution is constrained by pixel clock limits and memory bandwidth of the 128 KB SRAM frame buffer - higher resolutions require external memory not supported by this processor.

Does the MCIMX233CJM4C support external DDR memory?

No, the MCIMX233CJM4C does not support external DDR memory. It relies solely on its 128 KB on-chip SRAM for code execution and data storage. External memory interfaces are limited to SDRAM (not DDR), NAND flash, and SDIO - DDR3/DDR2/LPDDR2 support begins with the i.MX6 series.

Can the MCIMX233CJM4C run Linux?

The MCIMX233CJM4C is not certified or commonly used for full Linux distributions due to its 128 KB SRAM limit and lack of MMU support in the ARM926EJ-S core. It supports lightweight RTOSes (e.g., FreeRTOS, ThreadX) and bare-metal firmware - Linux requires MMU and external DDR, found in i.MX6 and later families.

What USB configurations are supported by the MCIMX233CJM4C?

The MCIMX233CJM4C integrates two independent USB 2.0 transceivers with full OTG capability. Each supports host or device mode dynamically via ID pin detection, enabling simultaneous USB device (e.g., flash drive) and host (e.g., barcode scanner) operation without external switches or hubs.

Is the MCIMX233CJM4C pin-compatible with other i.MX23 or i.MX28 variants?

The MCIMX233CJM4C uses a 216-ball BGA package with 0.5 mm pitch, matching the MCIMX233CJM4B and MCIMX283CVM4B footprints. Pin functions are largely consistent across i.MX23/28 family members, but differences exist in peripheral enablement and power domain assignments - refer to individual datasheet ball maps before substitution.