NXP Semiconductors MCIMX31LDVMN5D

Overview

MCIMX31LDVMN5D from NXP Semiconductors (formerly Freescale) is a low-power multimedia applications processor based on the ARM1136JF-S core, operating up to 532 MHz with integrated SDMA controller, MPEG-4 hardware encoder (VGA@30 fps), Vector Floating Point (VFP11) co-processor, and Image Processing Unit (IPU). It targets portable media players and mid-tier smartphones requiring real-time video encoding and power-constrained operation.

For engineers reviewing the MCIMX31LDVMN5D datasheet, MCIMX31LDVMN5D pinout, MCIMX31LDVMN5D application, or MCIMX31LDVMN5D equivalent, key selection criteria include its 19×19 mm MAPBGA-473 package, –20°C to +70°C industrial temperature range, absence of GPU (MCIMX31L variant), dual-Vt 90 nm process, and support for DDR, NAND Flash, USB 2.0 OTG, and SDHC interfaces.

Technical Context

The MCIMX31LDVMN5D implements the ARM v6 architecture with an eight-stage pipeline, Jazelle® Java acceleration, SIMD DSP instructions, and MMU-based memory management. Its L1 cache comprises 16 KB instruction and 16 KB data sections, backed by a 128 KB unified L2 cache and 16 KB embedded SRAM for low-power audio streaming.

Power management includes Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling (DVFS), multiple clock/power domains, and independent power gating. The chip integrates dedicated modules including three CSPI interfaces, three I²C controllers, five UARTs, two EPIT timers, RTC, WDOG, RNGA, SCC security accelerator, and USB-OTG with HS/FS/LS host and HS/FS device capability.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MCIMX31LDVMN5D uses a RoHS-compliant, lead-free 19 × 19 mm MAPBGA-473 package (Case 1931, 0.8 mm pitch, MSL = 3). Ball map and signal assignments are defined in Section 5 ("Package Information and Pinout") of the MCIMX31_5 Rev. 4.3 datasheet, with full pin functionality documented in the reference manual.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with i.MX27, MCIMX31LDVMN5D delivers 33% higher CPU throughput and hardware video encode; compared with i.MX35, it trades GPU capability for lower static power and smaller footprint - making it optimal for cost- and thermal-sensitive portable media endpoints where GPU is unnecessary.

Availability

MCIMX31LDVMN5D is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for portable media players, industrial handheld terminals, medical imaging endpoints, and mid-tier smartphone companion applications requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and verified industrial temperature operation.

Supply support for MCIMX31LDVMN5D 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 deep heritage in i.MX application processors.

The i.MX31 product line was engineered for low-power, high-performance portable multimedia devices - integrating ARM11 compute, hardware video acceleration, and security features into a single die optimized for battery life and system integration.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MCIMX31LDVMN5D and under what conditions?

The MCIMX31LDVMN5D operates up to 532 MHz in overdrive mode, requiring core supply voltage between 1.47 V and 1.65 V. Operation above 1.52 V is classified as overdrive and must be limited to ≤10,950 cumulative hours (e.g., 6 hours/day for 5 years) to prevent degradation. At 1.38–1.47 V, the maximum frequency is 532 MHz non-overdrive; below 1.38 V, frequency is capped at 400 MHz. These limits are specified in Table 8 of the MCIMX31_5 Rev. 4.3 datasheet and enforced by internal voltage monitors. MCIMX31LDVMN5D adheres strictly to these constraints across its –20°C to +70°C operating range.

Does the MCIMX31LDVMN5D include a graphics processing unit (GPU)?

No, the MCIMX31LDVMN5D does not include a GPU. As indicated in the datasheet introduction, the "MCIMX31L" suffix denotes the GPU-less variant of the i.MX31 family. While the standard MCIMX31 integrates a GPU for 2D/3D acceleration, the MCIMX31LDVMN5D omits this block to reduce silicon area, power consumption, and cost - making it suitable for applications where display rendering is handled by external controllers or software-based solutions. All other multimedia features - including the IPU, MPEG-4 encoder, VFP11, and SDMA - remain fully functional in MCIMX31LDVMN5D.

What package type and ball count does the MCIMX31LDVMN5D use?

The MCIMX31LDVMN5D uses a 19 × 19 mm MAPBGA package with 473 balls and 0.8 mm pitch (Case 1931, RoHS-compliant, MSL = 3). This differs from the 14 × 14 mm MAPBGA-457 (Case 1581) used by variants like MCIMX31DVKN5D. The larger package accommodates additional I/O routing and improved thermal dissipation, supporting higher sustained performance in thermally constrained designs. Ball maps and mechanical drawings are provided in Sections 5.2 and 5.3 of the MCIMX31_5 Rev. 4.3 datasheet, and the package is compatible with standard BGA reflow profiles for lead-free assembly. MCIMX31LDVMN5D's footprint is not interchangeable with 457-ball variants.

How does the MCIMX31LDVMN5D handle power management for battery-powered applications?

The MCIMX31LDVMN5D implements multi-layer power management including Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling (DVFS), clock gating per module, and independent power domain control. It supports State Retention (SR) mode with 0.95 V core supply, keeping RTC active while reducing power to <100 µW. The 90 nm dual-Vt process minimizes leakage current, and the CCM module enables fine-grained control over voltage/frequency per subsystem (e.g., lowering IPU voltage during idle). These features allow MCIMX31LDVMN5D to achieve sub-10 mW standby and ~150 mW typical video playback - validated in portable media player reference designs. No external PMIC is mandatory, though recommended for sequencing compliance.

Which memory types are supported by the MCIMX31LDVMN5D's external memory interface?

The MCIMX31LDVMN5D supports DDR SDRAM, SDRAM, NOR Flash, NAND Flash, SRAM, and PSRAM through its External Memory Interface (EMI), which includes dedicated controllers for each type. The EMI provides 32-bit data bus width, programmable timing parameters, and hardware ECC for NAND Flash. DDR support includes 16-bit or 32-bit interfaces with configurable CAS latency and burst length. NAND Flash controller integrates hardware BCH error correction (up to 4-bit), while NOR Flash access uses linear addressing with wait-state control. These capabilities are documented in Section 4.3.9 of the reference manual and enable flexible, cost-optimized memory subsystems in MCIMX31LDVMN5D-based designs.