NXP Semiconductors MCIMX6X3CVK08ACR

Overview

MCIMX6X3CVK08ACR from NXP Semiconductors is an industrial-grade heterogeneous applications processor integrating a 800 MHz Arm Cortex-A9 core and a 227 MHz Arm Cortex-M4 core in a single die, supporting DDR3L/LPDDR2-800 memory, dual Gigabit Ethernet with AVB, and dual 12-bit ADCs - deployed in medical imaging front-ends, industrial HMIs, and smart energy gateways.

For engineers reviewing the MCIMX6X3CVK08ACR datasheet, MCIMX6X3CVK08ACR pinout, MCIMX6X3CVK08ACR application, or MCIMX6X3CVK08ACR equivalent, key selection criteria include its 14×14 mm 0.65 mm pitch MAPBGA package, absence of PCIe/LVDS/MLB interfaces, dual-core runtime partitioning (Linux + RTOS), and industrial −40°C to +105°C junction temperature rating.

Technical Context

The MCIMX6X3CVK08ACR implements a tightly coupled dual-core architecture where the Cortex-A9 handles high-level OS tasks and multimedia acceleration (via GC400T GPU and PXP pixel pipeline), while the Cortex-M4 executes deterministic real-time control loops with 64 KB TCM and FPU support. Both cores share L2 cache coherency via SCU and inter-core messaging through MU and SEMAPHORE modules.

Its memory subsystem includes 128 KB OCRAM for fast boot code and real-time buffers, 96 KB ROM with HABv4 secure boot, and MMDC supporting DDR3L-800 at 16/32-bit width. Power management leverages DVFS, on-die LDOs, and hardware-accelerated clock gating across domains including USB, ENET, and SDMA.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MCIMX6X3CVK08ACR is housed in a 14×14 mm MAPBGA package with 0.65 mm ball pitch and 361 I/O balls. Pin assignments follow the "VK" package variant defined in i.MX 6SoloX Applications Processors for Industrial Products (IMX6SXIEC, Rev. 4), with signal availability matching Table 1 and Section 6.5 of the datasheet.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MCIMX6X3CVO08AC, the MCIMX6X3CVK08ACR saves 1.5 cm² PCB area and reduces thermal mass, while versus i.MX 8M Mini it retains mature industrial driver support and deterministic ADC timing - making it optimal for cost-sensitive, space-constrained, and long-lifecycle industrial deployments.

Availability

MCIMX6X3CVK08ACR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for medical imaging front-ends, industrial HMIs, and smart energy gateways requiring stable component supply across 10+ year product lifecycles.

Supply support for MCIMX6X3CVK08ACR 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, IoT, and mobile applications, with deep expertise in Arm-based SoCs and edge processing.

The i.MX 6SoloX product line was designed specifically for industrial and medical edge devices requiring real-time responsiveness, graphical user interfaces, and hardware-enforced security - balancing Cortex-A performance with Cortex-M determinism in a single chip.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the Cortex-A9 core in MCIMX6X3CVK08ACR?

The MCIMX6X3CVK08ACR features a Cortex-A9 core rated for up to 800 MHz under industrial temperature conditions (−40°C to +105°C). This speed is guaranteed with proper power delivery (VDD_ARM = 1.2 V ±3%) and thermal management. The datasheet confirms this rating applies to all "C"-grade i.MX 6SoloX parts including MCIMX6X3CVK08ACR, regardless of package size.

Does MCIMX6X3CVK08ACR support PCIe or LVDS interfaces?

No, MCIMX6X3CVK08ACR does not support PCIe or LVDS interfaces. Per Table 1 in the IMX6SXIEC datasheet, the "VK" package variant (14×14 mm) explicitly excludes PCIe, LVDS, and MLB functionality. These features are only available in "VN" (17×17 mm with PCIe) and "VM" (19×19 mm) packages. MCIMX6X3CVK08ACR retains dual Ethernet, dual ADC, USB OTG, and parallel display support.

What ADC capabilities does MCIMX6X3CVK08ACR provide?

MCIMX6X3CVK08ACR integrates two independent 12-bit analog-to-digital converters (ADC1 and ADC2), each with four dedicated single-ended input channels. These ADCs operate independently, support programmable sample rates, and are accessible to both Cortex-A9 and Cortex-M4 cores via AXI bus. They are fully supported in the VK package and do not require external ADC ICs for basic sensor monitoring in industrial applications.

Is MCIMX6X3CVK08ACR pin-compatible with other i.MX 6SoloX variants?

No, MCIMX6X3CVK08ACR is not pin-compatible with other i.MX 6SoloX variants. Its 14×14 mm 0.65 mm pitch 361-ball MAPBGA ("VK") package has a unique ball map distinct from the 17×17 mm ("VO", "VN") and 19×19 mm ("VM") variants. Signal availability differs across packages - for example, certain GPIOs and peripheral mux options are unavailable in the VK variant. PCB layout must be specific to MCIMX6X3CVK08ACR.

What security features are implemented in MCIMX6X3CVK08ACR?

MCIMX6X3CVK08ACR implements a comprehensive hardware security suite including HABv4 secure boot with SHA-256 and 2048-bit RSA, CAAM cryptographic accelerator with 32 KB secure RAM, SNVS with tamper-resistant RTC, CSU for policy enforcement, and Arm TrustZone for memory/interrupt isolation. These features are active and validated for industrial use cases such as secure firmware updates and encrypted data logging - all documented in the i.MX 6SoloX Security Reference Manual (IMX6XSRM).