NXP Semiconductors MCIMX351AVM4B

Overview

MCIMX351AVM4B from NXP Semiconductors (formerly Freescale) is an AEC-Q100 Grade 3 qualified automotive application processor based on the ARM1136JF-S core operating at 400 MHz, featuring 16 KB L1 instruction cache, 16 KB L1 data cache, 128 KB L2 cache, and 128 KB internal SRAM. It integrates dual CAN interfaces, dual SDIO/MMC controllers, Ethernet MAC 10/100 Mbps, USB 2.0 OTG with internal HS PHY, and an Image Processing Unit (IPU) for camera interface and display processing - deployed in automotive infotainment head units requiring real-time video decode and graphical UI rendering.

For engineers reviewing the MCIMX351AVM4B datasheet, MCIMX351AVM4B pinout, MCIMX351AVM4B application, or MCIMX351AVM4B equivalent, key selection considerations include its AEC-Q100 qualification, 400 MHz clock rating, MAPBGA-5284 (17 × 17 mm, 0.8 mm pitch) package, absence of OpenVG GPU and PATA interface, and silicon revision 2.0 ball map compatibility requirements.

Technical Context

The MCIMX351AVM4B implements a hierarchical memory architecture with L1/L2 caches and supports external memory types including mobile DDR, DDR2 (4-bank), SDRAM (up to 133 MHz), SLC/MLC NAND Flash, NOR Flash, and SRAM. Its ARM1136JF-S core includes VFP11 co-processor, Jazelle® Java acceleration, and eight-stage pipeline with branch prediction.

Peripherals are partitioned across AP and shared domains: the Application Processor domain hosts IPU, ESAI, UARTs (3), I²C (3), CSPI (2), SSI (2), SPDIF, PWM, and GPIO (3×32); the Shared domain manages SDMA, FEC, eSDHCv2 (3 slots), ASRC, and ATA (excluded in MCIMX351). Power management employs clock gating, power gating, and well biasing to reduce leakage in 90-nm process.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MCIMX351AVM4B uses a RoHS-compliant, lead-free MAPBGA package (Case 5284), 17 mm × 17 mm body size, 0.8 mm pitch, 404-ball array, MSL Level 3. Ball map corresponds to silicon revision 2.0 (Table 94/96); layout incompatible with revision 2.1.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MCIMX355AVM4B, MCIMX351AVM4B removes PATA/CE-ATA to reduce die size and cost while retaining full IPU, CAN, and USB functionality; compared with MCIMX351AVM5B, it trades 132 MHz clock margin for guaranteed 400 MHz operation under worst-case voltage/temperature conditions - simplifying thermal validation and power delivery design.

Availability

MCIMX351AVM4B is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive infotainment head units, telematics control units, digital instrument clusters, and navigation systems requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for MCIMX351AVM4B 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 applications, with roots in Freescale's automotive MCU and processor heritage.

The i.MX35 family - including MCIMX351AVM4B - was designed specifically for cost-sensitive, AEC-Q100-compliant automotive infotainment and navigation systems, emphasizing low-power multimedia processing, functional safety readiness, and integration of camera/display/audio subsystems.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating temperature specification for MCIMX351AVM4B?

The MCIMX351AVM4B is AEC-Q100 Grade 3 qualified with an ambient operating temperature range of –40 °C to +85 °C. This rating applies to the full device functionality including ARM11 core, IPU, CAN, USB, and memory controllers - verified under JEDEC JESD22-A104 thermal cycling and JESD22-A108 high-temperature operating life testing per the MCIMX351AVM4B datasheet Rev. 10.

Does MCIMX351AVM4B include an OpenVG graphics accelerator?

No, MCIMX351AVM4B does not include the OpenVG 1.1 GPU. According to Table 2 in the i.MX35 Applications Processors for Automotive Products datasheet (Rev. 10), the OpenVG graphics acceleration unit is explicitly excluded from the MCIMX351 variant. The MCIMX351AVM4B relies solely on its Image Processing Unit (IPU) for 2D image manipulation and display composition - no GPU-assisted vector graphics rendering is available.

What package type and ball count does MCIMX351AVM4B use?

MCIMX351AVM4B uses a MAPBGA package designated Case 5284: 17 mm × 17 mm body size, 0.8 mm pitch, RoHS-compliant and lead-free, moisture sensitivity level (MSL) 3. It has a 404-ball array arranged in a 22 × 22 grid. Ball map corresponds to silicon revision 2.0 (Tables 94 and 96), and is incompatible with revision 2.1 layouts.

Is the Parallel ATA (PATA) interface available on MCIMX351AVM4B?

No, the Parallel ATA (PATA) interface is not available on MCIMX351AVM4B. As confirmed in Table 2 of the i.MX35 datasheet, PATA is marked "-" for MCIMX351, while it is present in MCIMX355, MCIMX356, and MCIMX357 variants. This omission reduces pin count and simplifies PCB routing for cost-optimized infotainment designs where SATA or eMMC storage suffices.

What is the function of the CAPTURE pin on MCIMX351AVM4B?

The CAPTURE pin on MCIMX351AVM4B serves as a 32 kHz external clock input used to maintain RTC operation during deep-sleep modes when the primary 24 MHz oscillator is powered down. It is one of two selectable pins (the other being CSPI1_SS1) for this function, configured via IOMUX settings. This enables accurate timekeeping and alarm wake-up capability without continuous core power consumption.