NXP Semiconductors MCIMX27VJP4AR2

Overview

MCIMX27VJP4AR2 from NXP Semiconductors is an ARM926EJ-S-based multimedia applications processor operating at up to 400 MHz, featuring integrated MPEG-4/H.263/H.264 video codec, LCD controller (LCDC), and dual USB 2.0 host + OTG interfaces. It targets portable media players, digital cameras, and wireless PDAs requiring low-power, high-performance embedded processing with on-chip VRAM and DDR/SDRAM/NAND memory support.

For engineers reviewing the MCIMX27VJP4AR2 datasheet, MCIMX27VJP4AR2 pinout, MCIMX27VJP4AR2 application, or MCIMX27VJP4AR2 equivalent, key selection considerations include its MAPBGA-404 package, –20°C to +85°C industrial temperature grade, ARM926EJ-S core with MMU and caches, hardware video acceleration, and peripheral integration including FEC Ethernet, SDHC, CSI, and SSI audio interfaces.

Technical Context

The MCIMX27VJP4AR2 implements a Harvard-architected ARM926EJ-S core with 16 KB instruction and 16 KB data caches, 45 KB on-die VRAM, and 24 KB boot ROM. It integrates a multi-layer AHB crossbar (MAX) supporting six master ports and three slave ports for concurrent peripheral access.

Its multimedia subsystem includes a dedicated Video Codec engine supporting H.264 BP/MPEG-4 SP/H.263 P3 encode/decode, eMMA_lt for hardware-accelerated scaling and color space conversion, LCDC/SLCDC display controllers, and CSI for direct CMOS sensor interfacing - all coordinated via DMA channels and AHB-Lite interconnects.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MCIMX27VJP4AR2 is housed in a lead-free plastic MAPBGA-404 package (Case 1816-01, 17 mm × 17 mm, 0.8 mm ball pitch). Pin assignments follow the 404-ball layout defined in Section 5.2 of the MCIMX27EC Rev. 2 datasheet, with dedicated banks for VDD/VSS, DDR/SDRAM, NAND, USB, CSI, LCDC, and peripheral I/O.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MCIMX27VJP4AR2, MCIMX27MOP4A offers identical functionality with extended thermal range and larger package, while i.MX31 provides higher CPU performance but omits hardware H.264 encode - making MCIMX27VJP4AR2 optimal for cost-sensitive, battery-powered video-centric designs.

Availability

MCIMX27VJP4AR2 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for portable media players, digital cameras, and wireless PDAs requiring stable component supply across long-lifecycle consumer electronics programs.

Supply support for MCIMX27VJP4AR2 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.

The i.MX family, including MCIMX27VJP4AR2, was designed specifically for low-power, high-performance multimedia applications in portable devices - balancing ARM architecture efficiency with integrated video, audio, and connectivity peripherals.

FAQ

What is the maximum supported DDR memory speed for MCIMX27VJP4AR2?

MCIMX27VJP4AR2 supports DDR SDRAM at up to 266 MHz (133 MHz clock with double-data-rate), compliant with JEDEC DDR-266 specifications. This enables sustained memory bandwidth of 2.1 GB/s for video frame buffering and OS execution, with configurable timing parameters in the ESDRAMC module to accommodate varying board layouts and memory vendors.

Does MCIMX27VJP4AR2 include hardware encryption acceleration?

Yes, MCIMX27VJP4AR2 integrates SAHARA2 - a symmetric/asymmetric hashing and random number generator accelerator - alongside the Security Controller (SCC) and Run-Time Integrity Checkers (RTIC). These modules enable secure boot, firmware authentication, and content protection without burdening the ARM926EJ-S core, making MCIMX27VJP4AR2 suitable for DRM-compliant media playback.

Can MCIMX27VJP4AR2 operate without external SDRAM?

MCIMX27VJP4AR2 can execute basic boot code from its 24 KB on-chip ROM and run lightweight tasks using 45 KB embedded VRAM, but full OS operation (Linux, Windows CE) requires external DDR/SDRAM. The WEIM and ESDRAMC controllers are mandatory for system memory expansion; VRAM alone is insufficient for application workloads.

What video resolutions and frame rates does the MCIMX27VJP4AR2 hardware codec support?

The MCIMX27VJP4AR2 Video Codec supports D1 resolution (720 × 486) at 30 fps for H.264 baseline profile decode and encode, VGA (640 × 480) at 30 fps for MPEG-4 SP, and QVGA (320 × 240) at 60 fps for H.263 P3 - all processed entirely in hardware without CPU involvement, as confirmed in Section 2.3.39 of the MCIMX27EC datasheet.

Is MCIMX27VJP4AR2 pin-compatible with other i.MX27 variants like MCIMX27MJP4A?

No, MCIMX27VJP4AR2 (MAPBGA-404, Case 1816-01) is not pin-compatible with MCIMX27MJP4A (MAPBGA-473, Case 1931-04). The two packages differ in ball count, pitch, and mechanical outline. Migration requires PCB redesign; however, register-level compatibility allows software reuse across the i.MX27 family when targeting the same peripheral configuration.