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NXP Semiconductors MIMXRT1021CAF4A
- Part No.:
- MIMXRT1021CAF4A
- Manufacturer:
- NXP Semiconductors
- Category:
- Microcontrollers
- Package:
- 100-LQFP
- Datasheet:
-
MIMXRT1021CAF4A.pdf
- Description:
- IC MCU 32BIT EXT MEM 100LQFP
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:2,816
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Product details
Overview
MIMXRT1021CAF4A from NXP Semiconductors is an Arm Cortex-M7-based crossover processor operating at 396 MHz, featuring 256 KB on-chip RAM (configurable as TCM or OCRAM), dual FlexCAN interfaces, 100-pin LQFP package, and integrated DCDC/LDO power management. It targets industrial motor control, IoT edge nodes, and home appliance HMI systems requiring real-time responsiveness with secure boot and hardware crypto acceleration.
For engineers reviewing the MIMXRT1021CAF4A datasheet, MIMXRT1021CAF4A pinout, MIMXRT1021CAF4A application, or MIMXRT1021CAF4A equivalent, key selection criteria include its 100-pin LQFP footprint (14 × 14 mm), 57 GPIO count, single uSDHC interface, RMII Ethernet support, and -40 to +105°C industrial temperature grade.
Technical Context
The MIMXRT1021CAF4A implements a single Arm Cortex-M7 core with 16 KB I-cache, 16 KB D-cache, and VFPv5 FPU, enabling deterministic real-time execution. Its memory subsystem includes 96 KB boot ROM and flexible 256 KB on-chip RAM allocation across I-TCM, D-TCM, and OCRAM domains.
Peripherals are routed via IOMUXC with pin multiplexing; it integrates two FlexPWM modules (16 total channels), three SAI audio interfaces, SPDIF, and dual FlexCAN controllers compliant with CAN 2.0B. Security is enforced through HAB, DCP (AES-128/SHA-256), BEE, TRNG, and SNVS with secure RTC.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| CPU Core | Arm Cortex-M7 @ 396 MHz - delivers high-performance real-time processing for deterministic motor control loops and audio streaming. |
| On-chip RAM | 256 KB configurable as TCM or OCRAM - enables low-latency code/data access critical for interrupt-driven real-time tasks. |
| Package | 100-pin LQFP, 14 × 14 mm, 0.5 mm pitch - supports compact industrial PCB layouts with standard reflow compatibility. |
| GPIO Count | 57 GPIOs - sufficient for sensor interfacing, LED/status signaling, and peripheral control in space-constrained designs. |
| Memory Interfaces | Single uSDHC (eMMC 4.5/SD 3.0), FlexSPI, SDRAM, NAND/NOR - enables local firmware storage and external memory expansion without SEMC. |
| Connectivity | FlexCAN ×2, USB OTG ×1, RMII Ethernet ×1, UART ×8, I²C ×4, SPI ×4 - supports industrial fieldbus integration, wired connectivity, and multi-peripheral host control. |
| Analog Peripherals | ADC ×2 (12-bit, up to 10 channels), ACMP ×4 - provides direct sensor signal acquisition for motor current sensing and thermal monitoring. |
Pinout & Package
100-pin LQFP package (14 × 14 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) with exposed pad for thermal dissipation. Pin assignments follow NXP's i.MX RT1020 Reference Manual (IMXRT1020RM) and datasheet IMXRT1020IEC Rev. 3.1.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| VDD_SOC | Core Power Supply | 1.0–1.3 V supply for Cortex-M7 core and internal logic; requires tight regulation and local decoupling. |
| VDD_USB | USB PHY Power | 3.3 V supply dedicated to integrated USB OTG PHY; isolated from digital I/O rails to reduce noise coupling. |
| ENET_RXD0–3 / TXD0–3 | Ethernet Data Interface | RMII-compliant 4-bit receive/transmit data bus; requires controlled impedance routing and 50 Ω termination. |
| FLEXCAN1_TX / RX | CAN Bus Interface | Differential signaling pair for CAN 2.0B communication; must connect to external CAN transceiver (e.g., TJA1042). |
| uSDHC1_CMD / CLK / DAT0–3 | eMMC/SD Card Interface | 4-bit SD bus supporting eMMC 4.5 HS200 mode (100 MB/s); requires length-matched traces and pull-ups per SD spec. |
| ADC1_IN0–7 | Analog Input Channels | Eight 12-bit ADC inputs referenced to VREFH/VREFL; support single-ended or differential sampling for sensor signals. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Integrated DCDC + LDO | Reduces external power components by >50%; eliminates need for discrete buck converter and sequencing ICs in most industrial applications. |
| Hardware Crypto Acceleration | DCP and BEE enable AES-128/SHA-256 offload and on-the-fly QSPI decryption - cuts secure boot time by ~40% vs software-only implementation. |
| FlexPWM with Fault Protection | 16-channel PWM output with programmable dead-time and fault input handling - directly drives 3-phase inverter gate drivers in motor control without external protection logic. |
| Secure Non-Volatile Storage (SNVS) | Includes tamper-resistant RTC, zeroizable master key, and secure boot state retention - meets IEC 62443-3-3 SL2 requirements for industrial firmware integrity. |
| Quad Timer with Quadrature Decode | Two 16-bit quad timers with integrated quadrature decoder - enables precise position/speed feedback from rotary encoders without CPU intervention. |
Applications
| Industrial Motor Control | Smart Home Appliance Hub |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Closed-loop control of BLDC/PMSM motors in HVAC compressors or washing machine drives using field-oriented control (FOC). IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Real-time execution of FOC algorithm at 20 kHz PWM update rate, ADC sampling synchronized to PWM center-aligned triggers, and CAN-based status reporting. Use Value: 396 MHz Cortex-M7 with 256 KB TCM ensures sub-1 µs interrupt latency; integrated FlexPWM and ADC eliminate timing jitter from external peripherals. | Use Scenario: Central control unit for connected kitchen appliances (oven, dishwasher) managing UI, sensor fusion, and cloud connectivity. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Application processor running FreeRTOS, coordinating touch HMI, temperature/humidity sensing, and Wi-Fi/BT coexistence via UART/SPI. Use Value: Single-chip integration of uSDHC (for OTA updates), SAI (for voice prompt playback), and secure boot prevents unauthorized firmware modification during remote updates. |
| IIoT Edge Gateway | Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) I/O Module |
Use Scenario: Protocol gateway aggregating Modbus RTU, CANopen, and EtherNet/IP traffic for factory floor data collection. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Dual FlexCAN and RMII Ethernet interfaces operate concurrently; UARTs handle legacy serial protocols while USB OTG supports configuration via PC tooling. Use Value: Hardware-accelerated crypto secures TLS handshakes for MQTT over TLS; 57 GPIOs route to isolated digital I/O expanders for field device interfacing. | Use Scenario: DIN-rail mounted I/O module converting analog sensor inputs (4–20 mA) and digital actuator outputs into EtherCAT frames. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Time-critical EtherCAT slave stack execution with microsecond-level cycle synchronization; ADC samples conditioned analog inputs at 1 kHz. Use Value: Integrated 12-bit ADC with programmable gain amplifier reduces BOM cost vs external ADC; SNVS-backed RTC enables accurate timestamping of process events. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar crossover processor applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIMXRT1021CAG4A | 144-pin LQFP, 96 GPIOs, dual uSDHC, SEMC, full SDRAM support | Supports larger external memory and dual SD card slots - suitable for HMI with local video buffering or dual-boot redundancy | Select when needing >57 GPIOs, SDRAM-based frame buffers, or dual eMMC storage for fail-safe firmware updates |
| MIMXRT1015CVL5A | Arm Cortex-M7 @ 500 MHz, 128 KB RAM, 80-pin LQFP, no Ethernet, no CAN | Targeted at cost-sensitive motor control only - lacks industrial connectivity and security features | Choose only for non-networked, low-cost motion control where Ethernet/CAN and secure boot are unnecessary |
Compared with MIMXRT1021CAG4A, the MIMXRT1021CAF4A trades GPIO count and memory interface breadth for smaller footprint and lower BOM cost, while retaining identical CPU performance, security IP, and industrial temperature rating; MIMXRT1015CVL5A offers higher clock speed but omits essential industrial interfaces and security blocks required for certified deployments.
Availability
MIMXRT1021CAF4A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial motor control, smart home appliance hubs, and IIoT edge gateways requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.
Supply support for MIMXRT1021CAF4A 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 connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and IoT markets, with deep expertise in Arm-based MCU and crossover processor design.
The i.MX RT series was engineered to bridge the gap between traditional MCUs and application processors - delivering MPU-level performance with MCU-level power efficiency, real-time determinism, and integrated security for industrial edge devices.
FAQ
What is the maximum operating frequency of the MIMXRT1021CAF4A?
The MIMXRT1021CAF4A operates at a maximum frequency of 396 MHz. This is a fixed silicon specification defined by NXP's Arm Cortex-M7 core implementation and validated across the full -40°C to +105°C industrial temperature range. The MIMXRT1021CAF4A does not support dynamic frequency scaling beyond this rated speed.
Does the MIMXRT1021CAF4A support Ethernet with IEEE 1588 precision time protocol?
Yes, the MIMXRT1021CAF4A includes a 10/100 M Ethernet controller with full IEEE 1588 hardware timestamping support. This capability is retained in the 100-pin LQFP variant (MIMXRT1021CAF4A) and functions identically to the 144-pin version, enabling precise time-synchronized industrial networking in PLC and motion control applications.
How many ADC channels are available on the MIMXRT1021CAF4A?
The MIMXRT1021CAF4A integrates two 12-bit ADC modules with a total of 10 usable input channels. This is confirmed in Table 1 of the IMXRT1020IEC datasheet, which specifies "ADC channel: 10" for the 100-pin LQFP package. The MIMXRT1021CAF4A uses the same ADC IP block as the 144-pin variant but with reduced channel count due to pin limitations.
Can the MIMXRT1021CAF4A boot from Quad SPI flash?
Yes, the MIMXRT1021CAF4A supports booting directly from Quad SPI flash via its FlexSPI interface. Boot configuration is controlled by BOOT_MODE pins and fuses, and the on-chip boot ROM (96 KB) handles initialization, image authentication (via HAB), and execution startup - all documented in Section 5 of the IMXRT1020IEC datasheet.
What debug interfaces does the MIMXRT1021CAF4A support?
The MIMXRT1021CAF4A supports both 5-pin JTAG and Serial Wire Debug (SWD) interfaces, selected at boot time via eFuse configuration. Debug access is provided through the Arm CoreSight architecture, including TPIU for real-time trace, and is fully compatible with standard tools like SEGGER J-Link and NXP MCUXpresso IDE.
MIMXRT1021CAF4A Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- NXP Semiconductors
- Package/Case:
- 100-LQFP
- Series:
- RT1020
- Packaging:
- Tray
- Product Status:
- Active
- Programmable:
- Not Verified
- Core Processor:
- ARM® Cortex®-M7
- Core Size:
- 32-Bit Single-Core
- Speed:
- 400MHz
- Connectivity:
- CANbus, EBI/EMI, Ethernet, I2C, MMC/SD/SDIO, SAI, SPDIF, SPI, UART/USART, USB OTG
- Peripherals:
- Brown-out Detect/Reset, DMA, POR, PWM, WDT
- Number of I/O:
- 57
- Program Memory Size:
- -
- Program Memory Type:
- External Program Memory
- EEPROM Size:
- -
- RAM Size:
- 128K x 8
- Voltage - Supply (Vcc/Vdd):
- 3V ~ 3.6V
- Data Converters:
- A/D 10x12b
- Oscillator Type:
- External, Internal
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 105°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
MIMXRT1021CAF4A FAQ
1.How can I place an order for MIMXRT1021CAF4A through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for MIMXRT1021CAF4A on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for MIMXRT1021CAF4A reliable?
The price and inventory of MIMXRT1021CAF4A are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for MIMXRT1021CAF4A is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for MIMXRT1021CAF4A?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for MIMXRT1021CAF4A transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for MIMXRT1021CAF4A?
MIMXRT1021CAF4A orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your MIMXRT1021CAF4A order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for MIMXRT1021CAF4A?
For technical support, including MIMXRT1021CAF4A datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your MIMXRT1021CAF4A requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that MIMXRT1021CAF4A is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All MIMXRT1021CAF4A products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that MIMXRT1021CAF4A meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of MIMXRT1021CAF4A?
All MIMXRT1021CAF4A units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with MIMXRT1021CAF4A, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The MIMXRT1021CAF4A part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for MIMXRT1021CAF4A:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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