NXP Semiconductors MKL17Z128VLH4R

Overview

MKL17Z128VLH4R from NXP Semiconductors is a 48 MHz ARM® Cortex®-M0+ microcontroller with 128 KB flash, 32 KB SRAM, and 16 KB ROM bootloader, designed for ultra-low-power battery-operated systems. It delivers 54 µA/MHz in very low power run mode, 1.96 µA in VLLS3 deep sleep (RAM + RTC retained), and operates across –40 to 105 °C in 64-pin LQFP package for industrial sensor nodes and portable medical devices.

For engineers reviewing the MKL17Z128VLH4R datasheet, MKL17Z128VLH4R pinout, MKL17Z128VLH4R application, or MKL17Z128VLH4R equivalent, key selection criteria include its integrated FlexIO for custom serial peripheral emulation, dual low-power UARTs enabling always-on communication, 16-bit 818 ksps ADC with internal Vref, and hardware security features including 80-bit UID and flash protection.

Technical Context

The MKL17Z128VLH4R implements an ARM Cortex-M0+ core with Micro Trace Buffer and Bit Manipulation Engine, paired with a flexible clock system featuring factory-trimmed 48 MHz HIRC (±0.5%), 8/2 MHz IRC, and 32 kHz–32 MHz crystal support. Its low-power architecture includes six static power modes-VLLS0 to RUN-with sub-µA retention states enabled by dedicated low-leakage wakeup unit and LPTMR.

Peripherals are optimized for mixed-signal edge applications: one high-speed UART (1.5 Mbit/s), two I²C (up to 1 Mbit/s), two SPI (24 Mbit/s), FlexIO for protocol emulation (UART/IrDA/SPI/I²S/PWM), 16-channel 16-bit ADC with programmable reference, 12-bit DAC, analog comparator with 6-bit DAC, and real-time clock with external 32 kHz crystal support.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 64-pin LQFP, 10 mm × 10 mm, 0.5 mm pitch, 1.6 mm thickness. Pin assignments follow KL17 Family Pinouts (Rev. 7, Section 5.2), with 54 GPIOs (31 interrupt-capable, 6 high-drive), dedicated SWD debug pins (PTA0/PTA1), and configurable analog/digital multiplexing on all port pins.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MKL17Z128VLH4R, MKL27Z128VLH4 adds USB at the cost of higher active power, while STM32L072KBU6 trades FlexIO versatility for embedded cryptography - making MKL17Z128VLH4R optimal for low-power, multi-protocol edge nodes without USB or crypto acceleration needs.

Availability

MKL17Z128VLH4R is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor nodes, portable medical monitors, smart home hubs, and industrial control panels requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.

Supply support for MKL17Z128VLH4R 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, with deep expertise in ARM-based microcontrollers and edge processing.

The Kinetis KL17 series was designed specifically for cost-sensitive, battery-powered applications demanding ultra-low-power operation, flexible peripheral integration, and robust security - targeting sensor fusion, wearable health, and smart infrastructure endpoints.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating temperature range for MKL17Z128VLH4R?

The MKL17Z128VLH4R is rated for –40 to 105 °C ambient operation in the 64-pin LQFP package, validated per NXP's thermal specifications (Rev. 7, Table 4). This extended range supports deployment in industrial control cabinets, automotive under-hood modules, and outdoor sensor enclosures where passive cooling is limited.

Does MKL17Z128VLH4R support in-system programming via UART?

Yes, MKL17Z128VLH4R includes a 16 KB ROM-based bootloader that supports UART-based firmware updates without external debug hardware. The bootloader is accessible via PTA1 (RX) and PTA2 (TX) pins using standard serial commands, enabling field upgrades even after final product assembly.

How many ADC channels does MKL17Z128VLH4R support, and what is their resolution?

MKL17Z128VLH4R integrates a 16-bit successive approximation ADC with up to 16 single-ended or 4 differential input channels. It achieves 818 ksps sampling rate and includes a high-accuracy internal voltage reference, eliminating the need for external precision references in most sensor interface applications.

Can MKL17Z128VLH4R operate in deep sleep mode while retaining RAM and RTC?

Yes, MKL17Z128VLH4R supports VLLS3 mode, which retains full SRAM contents and RTC functionality while drawing only 1.96 µA typical at 3.0 V and 25 °C. This mode is ideal for wake-on-external-interrupt or periodic RTC alarm use cases in battery-constrained systems.

Is MKL17Z128VLH4R pin-compatible with other KL17 family members in the same LQFP-64 package?

Yes, all KL17 variants in the 64-pin LQFP package-including MKL17Z256VLH4 and MKL17Z128VLH4R-share identical pinouts and electrical characteristics. This allows direct substitution within the same footprint when scaling flash size or selecting alternate memory configurations without PCB redesign.