NXP Semiconductors MIMXRT1061CVL5A

Overview

MIMXRT1061CVL5A from NXP Semiconductors is a 528 MHz Arm Cortex-M7 crossover processor with MPU/FPU, 1 MB on-chip RAM (512 KB OCRAM + 512 KB TCM), integrated DCDC/LDO power management, and 127 GPIOs (124 tightly coupled). It supports dual FlexSPI, dual USB OTG, dual Ethernet with IEEE 1588, eight UARTs, four I²C, four SPI, two FlexCAN (one with CAN FD), three SAI audio interfaces, SPDIF, MQS, and hardware security including HAB, DCP (AES-128/SHA-256), BEE, TRNG, and SNVS - deployed in industrial HMI and motor control systems.

For engineers reviewing the MIMXRT1061CVL5A datasheet, MIMXRT1061CVL5A pinout, MIMXRT1061CVL5A application, or MIMXRT1061CVL5A equivalent, key selection criteria include its 10 × 10 mm 196-pin MAPBGA package, -40 to +105 °C junction temperature rating, absence of LCD/CSI/PXP modules (distinguishing it from RT1062 variants), and full support for real-time deterministic execution via TCM configuration and eDMA-controlled peripheral offload.

Technical Context

The MIMXRT1061CVL5A implements a single Arm Cortex-M7 core with 32 KB L1 instruction cache, 32 KB L1 data cache, VFPv5 FPU, and MPU supporting up to 16 protection regions. Its memory subsystem includes boot ROM (128 KB), flexibly allocatable 1 MB on-chip RAM (TCM/OCRAM), and SEMC for external SDRAM/NAND/NOR/PSRAM.

Peripheral integration centers on deterministic real-time control: four Quad Timers with quadrature decoding, four FlexPWM modules (up to 8 channels total, 16-bit resolution), four ENC units, dual GPTs, and four PITs - all synchronized via GPC hardware power management and clock gating. Security is enforced at boot (HAB), runtime (DCP/BEE), and storage (SNVS-RTC/TRNG).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

196-pin MAPBGA, 10 × 10 mm, 0.65 mm pitch package with exposed thermal pad; pin assignments follow NXP's i.MX RT1060 reference layout (Document IMXRT1060IEC Rev. 4, Sections 6.1 and A.1).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MIMXRT1062CVL5A, MIMXRT1061CVL5A removes unused display/camera IP to reduce dynamic power and die cost; versus MIMXRT1061CVJ5A, it delivers identical functionality in a smaller, higher-density package with improved thermal dissipation - making it optimal for space- and thermally constrained industrial edge nodes.

Availability

MIMXRT1061CVL5A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial HMI, brushless motor control, and smart home appliance hub designs requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and traceable sourcing from authorized NXP channels.

Supply support for MIMXRT1061CVL5A 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 40 years of microcontroller and processor innovation.

The i.MX RT series targets high-performance, real-time embedded applications where MCU simplicity meets MPU capability - MIMXRT1061CVL5A specifically addresses cost-sensitive industrial control and HMI needs with integrated power, security, and deterministic peripherals.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MIMXRT1061CVL5A?

The MIMXRT1061CVL5A operates at a maximum core frequency of 528 MHz, achieved using the Arm Cortex-M7 processor with integrated L1 caches and FPU. This frequency is guaranteed across the full -40 to +105 °C junction temperature range and under specified voltage conditions per the IMXRT1060IEC datasheet Section 4.2. The MIMXRT1061CVL5A achieves this speed without external PLL components, relying on on-chip clock generation and distribution circuitry.

Does the MIMXRT1061CVL5A support external SDRAM?

Yes, the MIMXRT1061CVL5A supports external SDRAM via its SEMC (Static Memory Controller), which handles 8/16-bit SDRAM interfaces up to SDRAM-133/SDRAM-166 speeds. This capability is confirmed in Table 1 and Section 4.5 of the IMXRT1060IEC datasheet. The MIMXRT1061CVL5A does not integrate SDRAM on-die but provides full pinout and timing control for discrete SDRAM chips - essential for GUI buffering and large data logging in industrial HMI applications.

Is the MIMXRT1061CVL5A pin-compatible with the MIMXRT1062CVL5A?

No, the MIMXRT1061CVL5A is not pin-compatible with the MIMXRT1062CVL5A. While both share the same 196-pin MAPBGA 10 × 10 mm package and pitch, the MIMXRT1062CVL5A repurposes certain pins for LCDIF and CSI functions absent in the MIMXRT1061CVL5A. Pin assignments differ in Sections 6.1 and A.1 of the IMXRT1060IEC datasheet - requiring distinct PCB layouts. The MIMXRT1061CVL5A omits LCD/CSI/PXP blocks, freeing those pins for general-purpose I/O or alternate peripheral functions.

What security features are implemented in hardware on the MIMXRT1061CVL5A?

The MIMXRT1061CVL5A integrates multiple hardware security engines: High Assurance Boot (HAB) for authenticated firmware loading, Data Co-Processor (DCP) supporting AES-128 (ECB/CBC) and SHA-256, Bus Encryption Engine (BEE) for on-the-fly QSPI Flash decryption, True Random Number Generator (TRNG), and Secure Non-Volatile Storage (SNVS) with secure RTC and zeroizable master key. These are documented in Sections 1.1 and 4.8 of the IMXRT1060IEC datasheet and are active in the MIMXRT1061CVL5A variant per Table 1.

Does the MIMXRT1061CVL5A include an integrated DCDC converter?

Yes, the MIMXRT1061CVL5A includes an integrated DCDC converter supporting 0.9–1.3 V output in run mode and 0.9–1.0 V in standby mode, as specified in Section 4.2 and Table 1 of the IMXRT1060IEC datasheet. This DCDC, combined with on-chip LDOs, eliminates the need for external PMICs in many industrial applications - reducing bill-of-materials cost and simplifying power sequencing. The MIMXRT1061CVL5A's DCDC is functionally identical to that in other i.MX RT106x variants.