NXP Semiconductors MCXA144VPJ

Overview

MCXA144VPJ from NXP Semiconductors is a baseline Arm Cortex-M33 microcontroller operating at 48 MHz, featuring 256 KB Flash, 64 KB SRAM (including 8 KB with ECC), 82 GPIOs, and VFBGA112 packaging. It integrates dual 16-bit ADCs (up to 3.2 Msps), FlexCAN FD, USB Full-Speed with on-chip PHY, and low-power operation down to 412 nA in Deep Power Down mode - deployed in industrial motor drives and smart home control panels.

For engineers reviewing the MCXA144VPJ datasheet, MCXA144VPJ pinout, MCXA144VPJ application, or MCXA144VPJ equivalent, key selection criteria include its 48 MHz Cortex-M33 core without TrustZone, 112-pin VFBGA package with 1.71–3.6 V IO supply, -40 °C to 125 °C temperature rating, and support for deep-sleep wake-up via 19-pin sources - critical for battery-powered motion control and energy-efficient HMI designs.

Technical Context

The MCXA144VPJ implements an Arm Cortex-M33 CPU with FPU and DSP extensions but excludes TrustZone and MPU, targeting cost-sensitive industrial and smart-home applications requiring deterministic real-time performance. Its memory subsystem includes single-bank Flash with ECC, 4 KB cache engine, and configurable SRAM retention down to Deep Power Down mode.

Power management integrates LDO_CORE and multiple LDOs supporting 1.71–3.6 V operation, while clocking combines FRO192M/FRO12M/FRO16K oscillators with external crystal support up to 50 MHz. Peripheral interconnect uses multilayer AHB matrix and APB bridges, enabling concurrent access to FlexPWM, eQDC, LPCMP, and I3C without bus contention.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

VFBGA112 (7 mm × 7 mm, 0.5 mm pitch, 0.86 mm height) - compact, thermally efficient package suitable for space-constrained motor control modules and smart appliance PCBs.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MCXA144VPJ, MCXA145VPJ offers double Flash/SRAM capacity for feature-rich firmware without layout change, while MCXA154VPJ delivers 2× CPU throughput for latency-critical USB or CAN FD processing - both retain identical VFBGA112 footprint and peripheral compatibility.

Availability

MCXA144VPJ is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial motor drives, smart home control panels, energy storage systems, and factory automation I/O modules requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for MCXA144VPJ 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 specializing in secure, connected, and intelligent solutions for automotive, industrial, IoT, and mobile markets.

The MCX series targets cost-optimized, low-power industrial and smart-home applications, delivering Arm Cortex-M33 performance with integrated analog, motor control, and security features in compact packages.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MCXA144VPJ?

The MCXA144VPJ operates at a maximum core frequency of 48 MHz, derived from the internal 192 MHz FRO oscillator divided by 4. This frequency is fixed for the A14x variant family and validated across the full -40 °C to 125 °C temperature range with 1.0 V core voltage. The MCXA144VPJ does not support dynamic frequency scaling beyond this rated speed.

Does the MCXA144VPJ support TrustZone security extensions?

No, the MCXA144VPJ implements the Arm Cortex-M33 core without TrustZone security extensions or Memory Protection Unit (MPU). Security relies on alternative mechanisms including Flash read/write/execute permissions enforced by the Memory Block Checker (MBC), Implicit-Protected Flash Region (IFR), and device lifecycle management - all documented in the MCXA144VPJ reference manual.

What package type and pin count does the MCXA144VPJ use?

The MCXA144VPJ uses a VFBGA112 package: 112-ball very thin fine-pitch ball grid array measuring 7 mm × 7 mm with 0.5 mm pitch and 0.86 mm height. This package is specified in NXP document 98ASA02081D and supports 82 GPIOs with 19 dedicated Deep Power Down wake-up sources.

Can the MCXA144VPJ operate in Deep Power Down mode with analog peripherals active?

Yes, one Low Power Comparator (LPCMP) remains functional in Deep Power Down mode, enabling wake-up from analog events such as overvoltage or threshold crossing without CPU intervention. The integrated temperature sensor and 12-bit DAC are disabled in this mode, but the active LPCMP consumes only 412 nA total system current - verified per datasheet Section 4.2.5.

What is the Flash memory endurance and data retention specification for the MCXA144VPJ?

The MCXA144VPJ Flash memory is rated for 100,000 program/erase cycles and 20 years of data retention at 85 °C, per NXP's qualification standards. ECC (one-bit correction, two-bit detection) is implemented across the entire 256 KB Flash array to mitigate bit errors during extended operation in industrial environments.