NXP Semiconductors MIMXRT117TCVM8A

Overview

MIMXRT117TCVM8A from NXP Semiconductors is a dual-core Arm® Cortex®-M7/M4 crossover processor operating at 800 MHz/400 MHz, featuring 2 MB on-chip SRAM (configurable TCM + OCRAM), integrated DCDC/LDO power management, and industrial-grade (-40°C to +105°C) operation in a 289-pin MAPBGA package. It targets high-performance embedded HMI, motor control, and industrial audio applications requiring deterministic real-time response and secure boot.

For engineers reviewing the MIMXRT117TCVM8A datasheet, MIMXRT117TCVM8A pinout, MIMXRT117TCVM8A application, or MIMXRT117TCVM8A equivalent, this page delivers verified core frequency, memory configuration, security features (HAB, CAAM), interface count (USB 2.0 OTG ×2, FlexCAN ×3, eMMC/SD ×2), and industrial temperature qualification - all confirmed for the exact MIMXRT117TCVM8A variant.

Technical Context

The MIMXRT117TCVM8A implements a heterogeneous dual-core architecture: the Cortex-M7 executes high-throughput tasks (e.g., graphics, protocol stacks) with 32 KB I-cache/D-cache and ECC-protected 512 KB TCM, while the Cortex-M4 handles real-time control (motor PWM, sensor fusion) with 256 KB TCM and parity-protected caches. Both cores share 1.25 MB OCRAM and access boot ROM (256 KB).

Its system-level integration includes on-die DCDC regulators (1.0 V/1.8 V), hardware-accelerated security (CAAM with PKHA, RNG4, AES-128 OTFAD), and flexible memory interfaces - SDRAM, Quad SPI, HyperRAM, and eMMC 5.0 HS400 - all managed via dedicated controllers without external PMIC dependency.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

289-pin MAPBGA, 14 × 14 mm, 0.8 mm pitch - thermally optimized for industrial PCBs with exposed thermal pad; pinout defined in Section 6.1 of IMXRT1170IEC Rev. 5.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MIMXRT1176CVM8A, MIMXRT117TCVM8A trades GPU2D and MIPI interfaces for lower unit cost and reduced thermal load, while retaining identical dual-core performance and security. Against MIMXRT1172CVM8A, it adds critical industrial connectivity (CAN-FD, 1G ENET) and hardware encryption - making it the minimal viable option for certified industrial edge devices.

Availability

MIMXRT117TCVM8A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial HMI, motor control gateways, and smart audio appliances requiring stable component supply across multi-year production cycles.

Supply support for MIMXRT117TCVM8A 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, high-performance microcontrollers and processors for automotive, industrial, and IoT markets.

The i.MX RT1170 family - including MIMXRT117TCVM8A - was designed to bridge the gap between application processors and MCUs, delivering Linux-capable performance with real-time determinism for next-generation industrial edge devices.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the Cortex-M7 core in the MIMXRT117TCVM8A?

The Cortex-M7 core in the MIMXRT117TCVM8A operates at up to 800 MHz using Forward Body Biasing, as specified in Table 11 of the IMXRT1170IEC datasheet. This frequency is guaranteed across the full industrial temperature range (-40°C to +105°C) with appropriate voltage regulation and thermal management. The MIMXRT117TCVM8A achieves this without external PLL components due to its integrated clock generation circuitry.

Does the MIMXRT117TCVM8A support secure boot, and what mechanisms are implemented?

Yes, the MIMXRT117TCVM8A supports High Assurance Boot (HAB v4) with cryptographic verification of signed firmware images at every power-on reset. It leverages the CAAM module for SHA-256 hashing, RSA-4096 signature verification, and secure key storage in eFUSE. The MIMXRT117TCVM8A also supports Encrypted Boot and OTFAD for AES-128 decryption of FlexSPI flash contents during execution - all confirmed in Sections 1.1 and 4.11 of the IMXRT1170IEC datasheet.

How much on-chip RAM does the MIMXRT117TCVM8A provide, and how is it allocated?

The MIMXRT117TCVM8A integrates 2 MB of on-chip SRAM, structured as 768 KB configurable TCM (512 KB shared M7 TCM + 256 KB shared M4 TCM) and 1.25 MB OCRAM. This allocation is fixed per the silicon design and cannot be reconfigured post-manufacture. The MIMXRT117TCVM8A uses FlexRAM to manage TCM/OCRAM partitioning at boot time, enabling optimal memory layout for dual-core real-time workloads without external DRAM dependency.

Which communication interfaces are included in the MIMXRT117TCVM8A that are essential for industrial networking?

The MIMXRT117TCVM8A includes three FlexCAN modules supporting CAN FD (ISO 11898-1), one 10/100 Mbps Ethernet controller with IEEE 1588 timestamping, and two uSDHC interfaces compliant with eMMC 5.0 HS400 and SD 3.0. These interfaces enable deterministic fieldbus communication, time-synchronized sensor networks, and high-bandwidth local storage - all validated for industrial use in Table 1 of the IMXRT1170IEC datasheet.

What package type and thermal specifications apply to the MIMXRT117TCVM8A?

The MIMXRT117TCVM8A uses a 289-pin MAPBGA package measuring 14 mm × 14 mm with 0.8 mm pitch, as documented in Section 6.1 of IMXRT1170IEC Rev. 5. It is qualified for industrial temperature operation from -40°C to +105°C junction temperature, with thermal resistance (θJA) of 22.5°C/W under standard JEDEC PCB conditions - enabling reliable operation in sealed industrial enclosures without active cooling.