NXP Semiconductors MK21FN1M0VMD12

Overview

MK21FN1M0VMD12 from NXP Semiconductors (formerly Freescale) is a 120 MHz ARM Cortex-M4-based microcontroller with integrated FPU, 1 MB flash, 128 KB SRAM, DryIce tamper detection, USB LS/FS OTG 2.0 with embedded 3.3 V/120 mA LDO, and CAN interface-designed for secure, low-power electronic point-of-sale terminals.

For engineers reviewing the MK21FN1M0VMD12 datasheet, MK21FN1M0VMD12 pinout, MK21FN1M0VMD12 application, or MK21FN1M0VMD12 equivalent, key selection considerations include its 121-pin MAPBGA package, –40°C to 105°C industrial temperature range, 1.71–3.6 V supply, 268 nA lowest static power mode, and hardware encryption support for tamper-resilient deployments.

Technical Context

The MK21FN1M0VMD12 implements an ARM Cortex-M4 core with DSP extensions and single-precision floating-point unit, operating up to 120 MHz in PEE clock mode. It integrates DryIce security subsystem with active/passive pin monitoring, temperature, clock, and supply voltage tamper sensing, plus dedicated hardware modules for CRC, RNG, AES, and 128-bit unique chip ID.

Its peripheral set includes two 16-bit SAR ADCs, two 12-bit DACs, three analog comparators, six UARTs, three SPIs, three I²Cs, SDHC, I²S, USB OTG with charger detect, one FlexCAN module, and four FlexTimer units (20 total channels) supporting PWM, motor control, and quadrature decoding-all accessible via multiplexed GPIO on the 121-pin MAPBGA.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 121-pin MAPBGA, 8 mm × 8 mm × 1.4 mm, 0.65 mm pitch.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MK21FX512AVMC12, the MK21FN1M0VMD12 provides double flash capacity for secure firmware updates and larger crypto key stores; versus MK64FX512VLQ12, it delivers superior tamper resilience in a smaller footprint but omits Ethernet-making it optimal for compact, physically secured payment edge nodes.

Availability

MK21FN1M0VMD12 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for electronic point-of-sale terminals, secure payment kiosks, and industrial access control panels requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for MK21FN1M0VMD12 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.

The Kinetis K21F family-of which MK21FN1M0VMD12 is a member-is engineered for cost-sensitive, low-power, tamper-resistant applications such as electronic point-of-sale systems, where security, USB connectivity, and extended temperature operation are mandatory.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MK21FN1M0VMD12 core?

The MK21FN1M0VMD12 features an ARM Cortex-M4 core with floating-point unit rated for up to 120 MHz operation in PEE clock mode. This frequency is achievable with proper decoupling, thermal management, and supply regulation within the 1.71–3.6 V operating range. The MK21FN1M0VMD12 maintains full peripheral functionality-including USB OTG and CAN-at this speed, enabling high-throughput transaction processing in secure embedded applications.

Does the MK21FN1M0VMD12 include hardware-based tamper detection?

Yes, the MK21FN1M0VMD12 integrates the DryIce tamper detection module, which monitors active and passive tamper pins, die temperature, system clock frequency, and supply voltage for anomalies. It supports eight dedicated TAMPERx inputs with configurable response actions including immediate reset, secure register locking, and non-volatile event logging. This capability is explicitly documented in the K21F Data Sheet Rev 4 and forms a foundational element of the MK21FN1M0VMD12's security architecture.

What package type and pin count does the MK21FN1M0VMD12 use?

The MK21FN1M0VMD12 is housed in a 121-pin MAPBGA package measuring 8 mm × 8 mm × 1.4 mm with 0.65 mm pitch. This package is confirmed in the Freescale document K21P121M120SF5V2 and matches the pinout structure defined for the K21F sub-family. The MK21FN1M0VMD12 exposes 81 general-purpose I/O pins, all multiplexed with peripheral functions, and requires standard BGA reflow profiles compliant with IPC/JEDEC J-STD-020.

Can the MK21FN1M0VMD12 operate in ultra-low-power modes suitable for battery-backed applications?

Yes, the MK21FN1M0VMD12 supports multiple low-power modes, with VLLS0 (Very-Low-Leakage Stop Mode 0) drawing as little as 268 nA when POR detection is disabled-retaining full register and RAM state. Wakeup occurs in 5 μs via RTC alarm, GPIO, or tamper event. This behavior is measured at 3.0 V and 25°C per Table 6 of the K21F Data Sheet Rev 4, making the MK21FN1M0VMD12 suitable for decade-long battery operation in tamper-evident logging applications.

Does the MK21FN1M0VMD12 support USB On-The-Go functionality with integrated power regulation?

Yes, the MK21FN1M0VMD12 includes a USB 2.0 Full-Speed/Low-Speed On-The-Go controller with an embedded 3.3 V, 120 mA LDO regulator. This allows the MK21FN1M0VMD12 to act as a self-powered USB device without external voltage regulation-reducing bill-of-materials cost and board space. The USB PHY meets USB-IF electrical compliance requirements and supports charger detection (DCD) for mobile-hosted power negotiation.