NXP Semiconductors MIMXRT1024CAG4A

Overview

MIMXRT1024CAG4A from NXP Semiconductors is an industrial-grade Arm® Cortex®-M7 crossover processor operating at 396 MHz, integrating 4 MB on-chip flash, 256 KB configurable on-chip RAM (TCM/OCRAM), and dual FlexCAN interfaces. It delivers real-time deterministic performance for motor control, industrial HMI, and secure IoT edge nodes with integrated DCDC/LDO power management and IEEE 1588 Ethernet support.

For engineers reviewing the MIMXRT1024CAG4A datasheet, MIMXRT1024CAG4A pinout, MIMXRT1024CAG4A application, or MIMXRT1024CAG4A equivalent, key selection criteria include its 144-pin LQFP industrial temperature range (−40°C to +105°C), dual eMMC/SD 3.0 host controllers, three SAI audio modules, and hardware-accelerated security including AES-128, SHA-256, and High Assurance Boot (HAB).

Technical Context

The MIMXRT1024CAG4A implements a single Arm Cortex-M7 core with 16 KB I-cache, 16 KB D-cache, and full VFPv5 FPU - enabling high-throughput signal processing and real-time control loops. Its memory subsystem includes boot ROM (96 KB), 4 MB flash, and 256 KB FlexRAM allocatable across I-TCM, D-TCM, and OCRAM in 32 KB granularity.

Peripherals are organized via centralized IOMUXC with 90 GPIOs in the 144-pin LQFP package. It integrates two FlexPWM modules (8 channels total, 16-bit resolution), two Quad Timers with quadrature decoding, and dual-channel QSPI with Bus Encryption Engine (BEE) for on-the-fly AES-128 decryption - all supporting deterministic low-latency execution in industrial environments.

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 RT1024 Reference Manual (IMXRT1024RM) and datasheet Section 7. Contact assignments are validated per Table 7-1 (page 80) of IMXRT1024IEC Rev. 2.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MIMXRT1024CAG4A, MIMXRT1021CVL5A trades flash integration and temperature rating for higher clock speed and BGA density, while MIMXRT1064CVL5B shifts focus toward display acceleration at the expense of industrial memory interface breadth - making MIMXRT1024CAG4A uniquely balanced for flash-contained, thermally robust, memory-flexible industrial control.

Availability

MIMXRT1024CAG4A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial motor control, secure IoT gateways, and smart home appliance hubs requiring stable component supply across extended lifecycle programs.

Supply support for MIMXRT1024CAG4A 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 markets, with deep expertise in Arm-based microcontrollers and crossover processors.

The i.MX RT series was designed to bridge the gap between MCUs and application processors - delivering MCU simplicity with application-processor-level performance, specifically targeting real-time industrial and edge AI use cases.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MIMXRT1024CAG4A?

The MIMXRT1024CAG4A operates at a maximum frequency of 396 MHz under industrial temperature conditions (−40°C to +105°C). This frequency is guaranteed across the full junction temperature range and is derived from the internal PLL driven by the 24 MHz crystal oscillator. The device does not support overclocking beyond this rated speed.

Does the MIMXRT1024CAG4A include on-chip flash memory?

Yes, the MIMXRT1024CAG4A integrates 4 MB of on-chip flash memory. This flash is used for program storage, configuration data, and secure firmware images. It supports XIP (execute-in-place) operation for NOR and Quad SPI interfaces, and is managed by the Flash Controller with hardware ECC for reliability.

What package type and pin count does the MIMXRT1024CAG4A use?

The MIMXRT1024CAG4A uses a 144-pin LQFP package measuring 20 × 20 mm with 0.5 mm pitch. This package provides 90 GPIOs and exposes all major peripherals including dual CAN, Ethernet, USB OTG, and three SAI modules - optimized for industrial PCB layouts requiring mechanical robustness and reworkability.

How does the MIMXRT1024CAG4A support secure boot and firmware updates?

The MIMXRT1024CAG4A implements High Assurance Boot (HAB) with cryptographic signature verification of boot images, supported by the Data Co-Processor (DCP) for AES-128 and SHA-256 operations. Secure Non-Volatile Storage (SNVS) stores keys and maintains a secure RTC, enabling authenticated, encrypted OTA updates without exposing secrets in main memory.

Can the MIMXRT1024CAG4A interface directly with SDRAM and NAND flash?

Yes, the MIMXRT1024CAG4A includes a Smart External Memory Controller (SEMC) that supports 8/16-bit SDRAM (up to SDRAM-133), RAW NAND flash with software ECC, parallel NOR flash with XIP, and Quad SPI flash with hardware BEE decryption - enabling flexible, high-bandwidth external memory expansion for industrial data logging and firmware staging.