NXP Semiconductors MK50DX128CLK7

Overview

MK50DX128CLK7 from NXP (formerly Freescale) is a 72 MHz ARM® Cortex®-M4 microcontroller with DSP extensions, 128 KB flash, 32 KB SRAM, 32 KB FlexMemory, dual 16-bit ADCs with PGA, dual 12-bit DACs, IEEE 1588 Ethernet MAC, and integrated operational/transimpedance amplifiers - designed for precision analog measurement in portable medical instrumentation.

For engineers reviewing the MK50DX128CLK7 datasheet, MK50DX128CLK7 pinout, MK50DX128CLK7 application, or MK50DX128CLK7 equivalent, key selection considerations include its 64-pin LQFP package, hardware encryption coprocessor, segment LCD controller supporting up to 320 segments, USB OTG with charger detect, and FlexBus interface for external memory expansion.

Technical Context

The MK50DX128CLK7 implements a 72 MHz ARM Cortex-M4 core with single-cycle DSP instructions and a dedicated floating-point unit (FPU), enabling real-time signal processing for biosensor data acquisition. It integrates a programmable delay block (PDB) for synchronized ADC/DAC triggering and a hardware cryptographic acceleration unit (CAU) supporting AES, DES, and SHA algorithms.

Analog subsystem includes two independent 16-bit ADCs with programmable gain amplifiers (PGA), two 12-bit DACs, voltage reference (VREF), and dedicated opamps/triamps for current-to-voltage conversion - all optimized for low-noise, high-accuracy front-end conditioning in EKG and glucometry applications.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 64-pin LQFP (10 × 10 mm), RoHS-compliant, surface-mount, thermal pad exposed on underside for enhanced heat dissipation in compact medical enclosures.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar mixed-signal medical MCU applications.

Compared with MK50DX128CLK7, MK50DN256ZCLQ10 offers higher performance and memory but sacrifices TRIAMP and increases package complexity, while STM32L476RG provides greater flash headroom but lacks the analog measurement engine and IEEE 1588 support critical for regulated medical timing and sensor interfacing.

Availability

MK50DX128CLK7 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for portable EKG monitors, pulse oximeters, glucometers, and clinical blood pressure devices requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and regulatory-compliant design traceability.

Supply support for MK50DX128CLK7 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 applications, with deep heritage in microcontrollers from its Freescale acquisition.

The Kinetis K50 family was engineered specifically for high-precision, low-power analog measurement in portable medical and test equipment - integrating signal conditioning, timing, security, and human interface functions into a single chip.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MK50DX128CLK7?

The MK50DX128CLK7 operates at a maximum core frequency of 72 MHz using its internal PLL with an external crystal or internal FLL. This frequency is fully supported across its entire temperature range (–40°C to +105°C) and enables deterministic real-time processing for medical waveform analysis without overclocking risks. The MK50DX128CLK7 maintains this speed while powering all integrated peripherals including dual ADCs, DACs, and Ethernet MAC.

Does the MK50DX128CLK7 include hardware encryption capabilities?

Yes, the MK50DX128CLK7 integrates a Cryptographic Acceleration Unit (CAU) that supports AES-128/256, DES, 3DES, and SHA-1/256 algorithms in hardware. This offloads encryption tasks from the CPU, reducing latency and power consumption during secure data transmission in HIPAA-compliant medical devices. The MK50DX128CLK7's CAU is accessible via standard APIs in MQX RTOS and other supported middleware stacks.

What LCD configurations does the MK50DX128CLK7 support?

The MK50DX128CLK7's integrated segment LCD controller supports up to 320 segments in configurations such as 40 × 8 or 44 × 4, with programmable frontplane/backplane assignment and segment fail detection. It operates down to 1.71 V supply and includes blink mode to reduce average current draw. The MK50DX128CLK7 allows unused LCD pins to be repurposed as GPIO, enabling flexible PCB design for compact medical displays.

Is the MK50DX128CLK7 pin-compatible with other Kinetis K50 family members?

No - the MK50DX128CLK7 uses a 64-pin LQFP package (LK suffix), while other K50 variants like MK50DX256ZCyy10 use 121-BGA or 144-LQFP packages. Pin compatibility is limited to same-package variants (e.g., MK50DX128CMLK7); the MK50DX128CLK7 shares peripheral mapping and register layout within the K50 family but requires unique PCB layout due to its specific 64-LQFP footprint.

What development tools are officially supported for the MK50DX128CLK7?

NXP officially supports the MK50DX128CLK7 with CodeWarrior IDE (Eclipse-based), IAR Embedded Workbench®, ARM Keil MDK, and GNU-based toolchains. Hardware evaluation is enabled by the TWR-K53N512-KIT and TWR-K53N512 modules, which share compatible peripheral headers and debug interfaces. Example software for EKG, pulse oximetry, and blood pressure monitoring is provided in the Kinetis SDK, validated for the MK50DX128CLK7.