NXP Semiconductors MIMXRT1021CAG4BR

Overview

MIMXRT1021CAG4BR 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, 10/100 Ethernet with IEEE 1588 support, and 96 GPIOs in a 144-pin LQFP package. It targets industrial motor control, home appliance HMI, and IoT edge nodes requiring real-time deterministic response and integrated power management.

For engineers reviewing the MIMXRT1021CAG4BR datasheet, MIMXRT1021CAG4BR pinout, MIMXRT1021CAG4BR application, or MIMXRT1021CAG4BR equivalent, key selection criteria include its 144-pin LQFP footprint, -40°C to +105°C industrial temperature rating, dual uSDHC support (eMMC 4.5/SD 3.0 ×2), and full-feature peripheral set including SAI ×3, SPDIF, FlexPWM ×2 (24 channels), and SEMC for external SDRAM/NOR/NAND.

Technical Context

The MIMXRT1021CAG4BR implements a single Arm Cortex-M7 core with 16 KB I-cache, 16 KB D-cache, and VFPv5 FPU, enabling high-throughput deterministic execution. Its memory subsystem integrates 96 KB boot ROM, 256 KB flexible on-chip RAM, and SEMC for external SDRAM-133, NOR, NAND, and PSRAM-supporting XIP from Quad SPI Flash via FlexSPI.

Peripherals are organized into domain-specific controllers: two FlexCAN modules compliant with CAN 2.0B, one 10/100 ENET MAC with IEEE 1588 hardware timestamping, eight LPUARTs (up to 20 Mbps), four LPSPIs, four LPI2Cs, three SAI modules (I2S/AC97/TDM), and dual FlexPWM units delivering 16-bit resolution waveforms for motor phase control and digital power conversion.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

144-pin LQFP (20 × 20 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) with exposed thermal pad. Pin assignments follow NXP's i.MX RT1020 Reference Manual (IMXRT1020RM) Section 6.1 and are validated for MIMXRT1021CAG4BR per Table 2 of IMXRT1020IEC Rev. 3.1.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MIMXRT1021CAF4BR, MIMXRT1021CAG4BR adds SEMC, second uSDHC, and 39 additional GPIOs-enabling scalable industrial I/O expansion. Versus MIMXRT1052CVL5B, it trades higher clock speed and graphics for lower cost, simpler layout, and proven thermal behavior in convection-cooled enclosures.

Availability

MIMXRT1021CAG4BR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial motor control, smart home appliance HMI, and IIoT edge gateway designs requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for MIMXRT1021CAG4BR 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 over 30 years of microcontroller innovation.

The i.MX RT series targets high-performance real-time applications bridging MCU simplicity and MPU capability; MIMXRT1021CAG4BR specifically addresses cost-sensitive industrial edge nodes needing deterministic response, integrated power, and rich analog/digital I/O.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MIMXRT1021CAG4BR?

The MIMXRT1021CAG4BR operates at a maximum frequency of 396 MHz, as specified in NXP's IMXRT1020IEC Rev. 3.1 datasheet. This frequency is guaranteed across the full industrial temperature range (-40°C to +105°C) and supported by the on-chip PLL and voltage regulation. The MIMXRT1021CAG4BR achieves this speed using its Arm Cortex-M7 core with 16 KB instruction and data caches, enabling consistent real-time performance without external clock sources beyond the required 24 MHz crystal.

Does the MIMXRT1021CAG4BR support secure boot functionality?

Yes, the MIMXRT1021CAG4BR implements High Assurance Boot (HAB) v4, which performs cryptographic signature verification of firmware images stored in external Flash or SD card before execution. It uses on-chip ROM-based boot code and supports ECDSA-P256 signatures. Secure boot is enabled via eFUSE programming and works in conjunction with the Data Co-Processor (DCP) for AES-128 and SHA-256 acceleration. This ensures that only authenticated code runs on the MIMXRT1021CAG4BR in production deployments.

What external memory interfaces does the MIMXRT1021CAG4BR support?

The MIMXRT1021CAG4BR supports multiple external memory interfaces: 8/16-bit SDRAM (up to SDRAM-133), parallel NOR Flash with XIP, raw NAND Flash with software ECC, and Quad SPI Flash with XIP via FlexSPI. It also includes the Smart External Memory Controller (SEMC) for SDRAM, PSRAM, and NAND, plus two uSDHC controllers supporting eMMC 4.5 and SD 3.0. These interfaces allow the MIMXRT1021CAG4BR to execute code directly from Flash or manage large data buffers without external DRAM in many industrial applications.

Can the MIMXRT1021CAG4BR operate without external power regulators?

Yes, the MIMXRT1021CAG4BR integrates a fully featured DCDC converter and multiple LDOs, enabling direct connection to a single 3.3 V supply (applied to DCDC_IN). The on-chip DCDC generates the 1.0–1.2 V core voltage, while internal LDOs provide I/O and analog supplies. This eliminates the need for external PMICs or discrete regulators in most designs, reducing BOM cost and board area-confirmed in the "Advanced Power Management" section of the IMXRT1020IEC datasheet for the MIMXRT1021CAG4BR variant.

What is the GPIO count for the MIMXRT1021CAG4BR?

The MIMXRT1021CAG4BR provides 96 GPIOs, as documented in Table 1 of the IMXRT1020IEC Rev. 3.1 datasheet for the 144-pin LQFP package. These are distributed across five GPIO modules (GPIO1–GPIO5), each supporting up to 32 bits. All 96 pins are individually configurable for digital input/output, interrupt generation, and peripheral multiplexing via the IOMUXC controller-making the MIMXRT1021CAG4BR suitable for complex industrial I/O expansion tasks.