NXP Semiconductors MKE15Z64VFP4

Overview

MKE15Z64VFP4 from NXP Semiconductors is a 48 MHz Arm® Cortex®-M0+ microcontroller with 64 KB flash, 8 KB SRAM, and 36 GPIOs in a 40-pin QFN package. It integrates a 12-bit ADC (11 channels), Touch Sense Interface (TSI), three LPUARTs, one LPSPI, one LPI2C, and a low-power timer suite - designed for cost-sensitive industrial control and home appliance UI systems requiring robust touch sensing without CAN.

For engineers reviewing the MKE15Z64VFP4 datasheet, MKE15Z64VFP4 pinout, MKE15Z64VFP4 application, or MKE15Z64VFP4 equivalent, key selection criteria include its 40-QFN footprint, absence of CAN (vs. MKE16Z variants), TSI-enabled HMI capability, and support for VLPS/Stop mode wake-up via ADC, CMP, RTC, or GPIO - critical for battery-powered or energy-efficient embedded designs.

Technical Context

The MKE15Z64VFP4 implements an Arm Cortex-M0+ core compliant with ARMv6-M and Thumb-2 ISA, featuring a Memory-Mapped Divide and Square Root (MMDVSQ) module and configurable NVIC supporting 32 interrupt vectors with 4 priority levels. Its system clock generator (SCG) selects among FIRC (48 MHz ±1%), SIRC (8/2 MHz ±3%), LPO (128 kHz), LPFLL, and external crystal sources - enabling precise trade-offs between accuracy and power.

Peripheral operation across low-power modes is tightly coordinated by the Power Management Controller (PMC): ADC, CMP, LPTMR, RTC, and LPUART remain functional in VLPS mode using SIRC or OSC clocks, while AWIC handles asynchronous wake-up from Stop/VLPS. The TSI module supports up to 25 channels but is limited to 36 GPIO-capable pins on this 40-QFN variant, with dedicated TSI pads mapped to Port E.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 40-pin QFN (FP), 5 mm × 5 mm × 0.85 mm, 0.4 mm pitch, exposed thermal pad - optimized for compact PCB layouts and thermal dissipation in sealed enclosures.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MKE15Z64VFP4, the MKE15Z64VLF4 offers greater I/O scalability at the expense of board area and thermal density, while the MKE14Z64VFP4 sacrifices TSI-driven design simplicity for marginal cost savings - making MKE15Z64VFP4 the optimal balance of integration, size, and HMI capability in space-constrained industrial edge nodes.

Availability

MKE15Z64VFP4 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial motor control, home appliance HMI, and battery-powered sensor nodes requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and RoHS-compliant packaging.

Supply support for MKE15Z64VFP4 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 R&D centers across Europe, Asia, and North America.

The Kinetis KE1xZ family targets cost-optimized, low-power industrial and appliance control - emphasizing robust analog integration, touch sensing, and ultra-low-power operation without sacrificing Arm ecosystem compatibility.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MKE15Z64VFP4?

The MKE15Z64VFP4 operates at up to 48 MHz using the Fast Internal Reference Clock (FIRC), which is factory-trimmed to ±1% accuracy. This frequency is achievable in Run and VLPR modes; in VLPR mode, the core runs at reduced voltage and frequency to minimize power consumption while maintaining real-time responsiveness for touch and sensor tasks.

Does the MKE15Z64VFP4 support CAN communication?

No, the MKE15Z64VFP4 does not include a CAN module. Unlike the MKE16Z64 variants, this part belongs to the KE15Z subfamily, which omits the MSCAN peripheral. For CAN-enabled designs, engineers should select MKE16Z64VFP4 or MKE16Z64VLF4 - both share identical flash/RAM and package options but add the modular CAN controller with 5 Rx and 3 Tx buffers.

How many touch sense channels does the MKE15Z64VFP4 support?

The MKE15Z64VFP4 supports up to 25 TSI channels, though only 36 GPIO pins are available on its 40-QFN package - meaning up to 25 of those pins can be configured for capacitive sensing. Channel mapping is fixed per port (e.g., TSI0_CH0–CH24 map to specific PTE pins), and layout guidelines require guard rings and isolation to maintain SNR >50 dB in noisy environments.

What low-power modes are available on the MKE15Z64VFP4?

The MKE15Z64VFP4 supports six low-power modes: Run (RUN), Very Low Power Run (VLPR), Wait (Wait), Very Low Power Wait (VLPW), Stop (Stop), and Very Low Power Stop (VLPS). In VLPS mode, current drops below 2 µA while retaining RTC, LPTMR, ADC, and GPIO wake-up capability - enabled via the Power Management Controller (PMC) and Asynchronous Wake-Up Interrupt Controller (AWIC).

Is the MKE15Z64VFP4 pin-compatible with other KE1xZ devices?

The MKE15Z64VFP4 shares the same 40-QFN (FP) package and pinout with MKE14Z64VFP4 and MKE15Z32VFP4, enabling drop-in replacement for memory or feature-downgraded variants. However, it is not pin-compatible with LQFP variants (e.g., MKE15Z64VLF4) due to differing pin counts and signal assignments - PCB redesign is required when switching between FP and LF/LD packages.