NXP Semiconductors MCIMX280DVM4CR

Overview

MCIMX280DVM4CR from NXP Semiconductors (formerly Freescale) is a low-power ARM926EJ-S applications processor running at 454 MHz, featuring 128 KB on-chip SRAM, integrated PMU with Li-ion battery charging, and support for DDR2/LV-DDR2/NAND Flash memory. It targets industrial HMI panels, handheld scanners, and portable medical devices requiring compact footprint and embedded real-time control.

For engineers reviewing the MCIMX280DVM4CR datasheet, MCIMX280DVM4CR pinout, MCIMX280DVM4CR application, or MCIMX280DVM4CR equivalent, key selection criteria include its -20°C to +70°C commercial temperature grade, MAPBGA-289 (14 × 14 mm, 0.8 mm pitch) package, absence of CAN and dual Ethernet interfaces (distinguishing it from i.MX283/286/287), and reliance on external PHYs for USB2.0 OTG/host and 10/100 Ethernet connectivity.

Technical Context

The MCIMX280DVM4CR implements an ARM926EJ-S core with 16 KB instruction and 32 KB data cache, coupled to a unified AHB/AXI interconnect fabric supporting multiple DMA-capable peripherals. Its clock architecture uses a 24 MHz crystal input for PLL-based high-speed domains and a separate 32.768 kHz RTC crystal, enabling precise timekeeping during deep-sleep states.

Power management is handled by an integrated PMU with triple-output DC-DC switching converter, four linear regulators, and programmable current-limited Li-ion battery charging - all controlled via dedicated registers and monitored through VDDA/VDDD/VDDIO supply rails. Memory subsystem includes EMI supporting DDR2 (1.8 V), LV-DDR2 (1.5 V), and NAND Flash with up to 20-bit BCH ECC.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MCIMX280DVM4CR is housed in a plastic MAPBGA-289 package measuring 14 × 14 mm with 0.8 mm ball pitch. Ball assignments follow the i.MX280-specific map defined in Section 4.4 of IMX28CEC Rev. 3, including dedicated power/ground banks, EMI interface pins (VDDIO.EMI, VSSIO.EMI), USB_DP/USB_DN differential pairs, and functional signal groups for UART, SSP, I²C, PWM, and LCDIF.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MCIMX283DVM4B and MCIMX286DVM4B, the MCIMX280DVM4CR provides minimal feature set optimized for cost-sensitive, non-LCD, non-CAN embedded applications - delivering identical CPU performance and memory subsystem while eliminating unused peripherals that increase validation scope and software maintenance burden.

Availability

MCIMX280DVM4CR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial HMI panels, handheld scanners, and portable medical devices requiring stable component supply across long-life production cycles.

Supply support for MCIMX280DVM4CR 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, specializing in secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and IoT markets.

The i.MX28 family was designed as a low-power, highly integrated applications processor platform targeting cost-sensitive embedded systems where ARM9 performance, on-chip power management, and peripheral flexibility outweigh the need for advanced multimedia acceleration or multi-core scalability.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MCIMX280DVM4CR CPU core?

The MCIMX280DVM4CR integrates an ARM926EJ-S core rated for operation up to 454 MHz. This frequency is achieved under specified DC operating conditions, including VDDD ≥ 1.35 V and ambient temperature within the -20°C to +70°C commercial range. The actual sustained frequency depends on thermal management and power supply stability, as detailed in Section 3.1.2 of the IMX28CEC datasheet.

Does the MCIMX280DVM4CR support CAN bus communication?

No, the MCIMX280DVM4CR does not include CAN interface hardware. According to Table 2 in the IMX28CEC datasheet, CAN functionality is only present in the i.MX286 and i.MX287 variants. The MCIMX280DVM4CR lacks FlexCAN modules entirely, making it unsuitable for applications requiring native CAN 2.0B protocol support without external transceivers and bridge ICs.

What package type and dimensions does the MCIMX280DVM4CR use?

The MCIMX280DVM4CR uses a MAPBGA-289 package with physical dimensions of 14 mm × 14 mm and a 0.8 mm ball pitch. This package is documented in Section 4.1 of the IMX28CEC Rev. 3 datasheet and features 289 solder balls arranged in a grid pattern, including dedicated power/ground banks and signal groups aligned to the i.MX280-specific ball map in Section 4.4.

Can the MCIMX280DVM4CR operate from a single Li-ion battery without external power management?

Yes, the MCIMX280DVM4CR integrates a complete Power Management Unit (PMU) with triple-output DC-DC converter, linear regulators, and Li-ion battery charger. When powered from a 3.1–4.242 V battery applied to the BATT and DCDC_BATT pins, the PMU autonomously generates VDDD, VDDA, and VDDIO rails, enabling full operation without external PMIC components - as confirmed in Sections 1 and 9 of the IMX28CEC datasheet.

How many UART interfaces does the MCIMX280DVM4CR provide, and what are their capabilities?

The MCIMX280DVM4CR includes five application UARTs (AUARTs) and one debug UART (DUART). Each AUART supports programmable baud rates up to 3.25 Mbps, 7- or 8-bit data, one or two stop bits, and hardware flow control with 16-byte TX/RX FIFOs. The DUART operates at up to 115 Kbps using programmed I/O and is intended for JTAG-assisted debugging rather than application data transport.