NXP Semiconductors MCIMX27MOP4A

Overview

MCIMX27MOP4A from NXP Semiconductors is an industrial-grade multimedia applications processor based on the ARM926EJ-S core, operating at up to 400 MHz with 16 KB instruction and 16 KB data caches, integrated video codec (MPEG-4 SP/H.263 P3/H.264 BP), and dual Vt 90 nm process for optimized power-performance balance. It targets portable media players, digital cameras, and wireless PDAs requiring D1-resolution video decode/encode at 30 FPS.

For engineers reviewing the MCIMX27MOP4A datasheet, MCIMX27MOP4A pinout, MCIMX27MOP4A application, or MCIMX27MOP4A equivalent, key selection criteria include its –40°C to +85°C industrial temperature rating, MAPBGA-473 (Case 1931-04) package, hardware-accelerated eMMA_lt video processing engine, and support for DDR/SDRAM/NAND/NOR/CF/SDIO external memory interfaces.

Technical Context

The MCIMX27MOP4A implements a Harvard-architected ARM926EJ-S core with MMU, ETM9 debug support, and JTAG interface, coupled with a 6×3 AHB crossbar switch (MAX) enabling concurrent access to multiple peripherals including FEC, USBOTG, SSI, and SDHC controllers. Its memory subsystem integrates 45 KB on-chip VRAM and 24 KB ROM for boot code.

Hardware acceleration includes a dedicated Video Codec module supporting simultaneous encode/decode, eMMA_lt for pre/post-processing (scaling, color space conversion), and SAHARA2 for cryptographic hashing-enabling real-time video workflows without CPU intervention in viewfinder or streaming use cases.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MCIMX27MOP4A is housed in a 19 mm × 19 mm MAPBGA-473 package (Case 1931-04), lead-free and RoHS-compliant, with 473 solder balls arranged in a 25×25 array (corner balls omitted). The package supports fine-pitch PCB assembly and thermal dissipation via exposed die pad.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MCIMX27MOP4A, MCIMX27VOP4A offers identical functionality at lower cost but lacks industrial temperature qualification, while i.MX283 provides modern integration and security features at the expense of pin compatibility and legacy ATA support - making MCIMX27MOP4A irreplaceable for existing industrial designs requiring proven reliability and HDD interface capability.

Availability

MCIMX27MOP4A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial HMI terminals, portable media players, digital cameras, and wireless PDAs requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.

Supply support for MCIMX27MOP4A 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 consumer markets with over 40 years of microcontroller and applications processor leadership.

The i.MX family was designed specifically for multimedia-rich embedded applications demanding high performance, low power, and hardware-accelerated video/audio processing - with MCIMX27MOP4A representing the industrial-qualified culmination of the first-generation i.MX27 platform.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MCIMX27MOP4A?

The MCIMX27MOP4A operates at a maximum frequency of 400 MHz. This speed is guaranteed across its full industrial temperature range of –40°C to +85°C, enabled by Dynamic Process and Temperature Compensation (DPTC) circuitry that dynamically adjusts core voltage to maintain timing closure under varying thermal and process conditions. The ARM926EJ-S core delivers consistent performance for real-time video decode and encode workloads without throttling.

Does the MCIMX27MOP4A support hardware video encoding and decoding?

Yes, the MCIMX27MOP4A includes a dedicated hardware Video Codec module supporting MPEG-4 Part II Simple Profile, H.263 P3, and H.264 Baseline Profile encode and decode. It achieves D1 (720×486) resolution at 30 FPS for both encode and decode operations simultaneously, with on-the-fly processing that bypasses main memory to reduce bandwidth pressure - a capability confirmed in Section 1.1 and Figure 1 of the official datasheet.

What package type and pin count does the MCIMX27MOP4A use?

The MCIMX27MOP4A uses a 19 mm × 19 mm MAPBGA-473 package (Case number 1931-04), with 473 solder balls arranged in a 25×25 grid (excluding corner positions). This package is lead-free and RoHS-compliant, and is distinct from the 404-pin MAPBGA variant used by commercial-grade variants like MCIMX27VOP4A - confirming its industrial thermal and mechanical robustness.

Which external memory types are supported by the MCIMX27MOP4A?

The MCIMX27MOP4A supports DDR SDRAM (up to 266 MHz), SDRAM, NOR Flash, NAND Flash (with built-in ECC), SRAM, CompactFlash, and Secure Digital (SD/SDIO/MMC) memory via dedicated controllers including ESDRAMC, NFC, WEIM, and SDHC. These interfaces are implemented in hardware with configurable timing registers, eliminating the need for external glue logic in most embedded media designs.

Is the MCIMX27MOP4A pin-compatible with other i.MX27 variants such as MCIMX27VOP4A?

No, the MCIMX27MOP4A is not pin-compatible with MCIMX27VOP4A. MCIMX27MOP4A uses the 473-ball MAPBGA-473 package (Case 1931-04), whereas MCIMX27VOP4A uses the 404-ball MAPBGA-404 package (Case 1816-01). The two packages differ in size (19 mm × 19 mm vs 17 mm × 17 mm), ball count, and pin assignment - requiring separate PCB layouts and cannot be substituted without hardware redesign.