NXP Semiconductors MCIMX31VKN5C

Overview

MCIMX31VKN5C from NXP Semiconductors (formerly Freescale) is a multimedia applications processor built around an ARM1136JF-S core operating at up to 532 MHz, featuring integrated MPEG-4 hardware encoder (VGA @ 30 fps), Vector Floating Point (VFP11) co-processor, and Autonomous Image Processing Unit (IPU). It targets portable media players, feature-rich cellular phones, and wireless PDAs requiring high-performance video processing with low-power operation.

For engineers reviewing the MCIMX31VKN5C datasheet, MCIMX31VKN5C pinout, MCIMX31VKN5C application, or MCIMX31VKN5C equivalent, key selection considerations include its MAPBGA-457 package (14 × 14 mm, 0.5 mm pitch), dual-Vt 90 nm process enabling dynamic voltage/frequency scaling (DVFS), support for DDR/SDRAM/NAND Flash memory interfaces, and integrated USB 2.0 OTG + dual host controllers.

Technical Context

The MCIMX31VKN5C implements the ARM v6 architecture with an eight-stage pipeline, Jazelle® Java acceleration, and SIMD DSP instructions. Its memory subsystem includes 16 KB instruction and 16 KB data L1 caches, a 128 KB unified L2 cache, 32 KB ROM, and 16 KB SRAM - all directly accessible by the ARM11 core via AMBA AHB/AXI interconnects.

Power management is implemented through multiple clock and power domains with independent gating, DPTC (Dynamic Process Temperature Compensation), and hardware-supported state retention (0.95 V core supply). The silicon revision 2.0 mask set M91E enables extended thermal operation (0°C to 70°C) and updated electrical specifications per Table 9 and Table 14 of Rev. 4.1 datasheet.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MCIMX31VKN5C uses a MAPBGA-457 package (Case 1581), 14 × 14 mm body size, 0.5 mm ball pitch, RoHS-compliant and lead-free, moisture sensitivity level (MSL) 3, reflow soldering temperature 260°C.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MCIMX31VKN5C, i.MX353CVK8B offers higher architectural efficiency and GPU capability but lacks dedicated MPEG-4 encode hardware, while MCIMX27LVKN5B provides lower power and cost at the expense of performance scalability and multimedia feature depth.

Availability

MCIMX31VKN5C is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for portable media players, feature-rich cellular phones, and wireless PDAs requiring stable component supply across long-lifecycle consumer electronics programs.

Supply support for MCIMX31VKN5C 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 consumer markets.

The i.MX family - including MCIMX31VKN5C - was designed specifically for battery-powered multimedia devices demanding high computational throughput with aggressive power efficiency, leveraging 90 nm dual-Vt process technology and advanced power gating.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MCIMX31VKN5C and under what conditions?

The MCIMX31VKN5C supports a maximum core frequency of 532 MHz in overdrive mode, which requires a core supply voltage between 1.47 V and 1.65 V. This mode is restricted to cumulative operation time ≤ 10,950 hours (1.25 years) to ensure reliability. At standard voltage (1.22–1.47 V), the guaranteed maximum frequency is 400 MHz across the full 0°C to 70°C operating range. The MCIMX31VKN5C datasheet specifies these limits in Table 8 and Table 9 of Rev. 4.1.

Does the MCIMX31VKN5C include a graphics processing unit (GPU)?

No, the MCIMX31VKN5C does not include a GPU. The GPU is present only in the MCIMX31 (non-L) variant; the MCIMX31L series - which includes MCIMX31VKN5C - explicitly omits the GPU block as stated in Section 1 Introduction of the MCIMX31/MCIMX31L Technical Data Rev. 4.1. Graphics acceleration relies on the ARM11 core with VFP11 co-processor and software libraries, not dedicated GPU hardware.

What memory types does the MCIMX31VKN5C support natively through its external memory interface?

The MCIMX31VKN5C supports DDR SDRAM, SDRAM, NAND Flash, NOR Flash, and SRAM via its dedicated External Memory Interface (EMI) module. This includes multi-master arbitration, enhanced SDRAM controller (ESDCTL), NAND Flash controller (NFC), and Wireless External Interface Module (WEIM) for NOR/PSRAM. These capabilities are documented in Section 2.2.1 (EMI) and Table 2 of the Rev. 4.1 datasheet, confirming native support without external glue logic for all five memory types.

How does the Image Processing Unit (IPU) in the MCIMX31VKN5C reduce system-level power consumption?

The IPU in the MCIMX31VKN5C performs autonomous camera sensor preprocessing (e.g., de-bayering, white balance) and display post-processing (e.g., blending, rotation) without ARM CPU intervention or external memory access. This eliminates DRAM bandwidth usage for preview frames and reduces CPU wake cycles, directly lowering active power. The MCIMX31VKN5C datasheet cites "power-efficient viewfinder application with no involvement of either the memory system or the ARM CPU" as a key use case enabled by the IPU.

What is the package type and ball count of the MCIMX31VKN5C, and is it RoHS compliant?

The MCIMX31VKN5C uses a MAPBGA-457 package (Case 1581), measuring 14 × 14 mm with 0.5 mm ball pitch. It is RoHS compliant and lead-free, rated MSL 3, and qualified for reflow soldering at 260°C. This information is explicitly listed in Table 1 (Ordering Information) and Package Information section of the MCIMX31/MCIMX31L Technical Data Rev. 4.1, confirming full compliance with environmental directives.