NXP Semiconductors MKL17Z64VLH4

Overview

MKL17Z64VLH4 from NXP Semiconductors (formerly Freescale) is a 48 MHz ARM® Cortex®-M0+ microcontroller with 64 KB flash, 16 KB SRAM, and 16 KB ROM bootloader, designed for ultra-low-power battery-operated systems. It features a 16-bit ADC with up to 20 channels, dual low-power UARTs, FlexIO for customizable serial peripheral emulation, and operates from 1.71–3.6 V across –40 to 105 °C.

For engineers reviewing the MKL17Z64VLH4 datasheet, MKL17Z64VLH4 pinout, MKL17Z64VLH4 application, or MKL17Z64VLH4 equivalent, key selection criteria include its 64-pin LQFP package, 46 µA/MHz run-mode current, 1.68 µA stop-mode current with RAM+RTC retention, FlexIO configurability, and integrated hardware CRC module.

Technical Context

The MKL17Z64VLH4 implements an ARM Cortex-M0+ core with NVIC supporting 32 interrupt vectors and 4 priority levels, coupled with AWIC and LLWU controllers enabling wake-up from Stop, VLPS, LLS, and VLLS modes via pin interrupts, RTC, LPUART, CMP, or FlexIO. Its clock system integrates HIRC48M (±0.5%), LIRC8M (±3%), and 32 kHz–32 MHz crystal support, with flexible clock gating per peripheral.

Peripherals are distributed across three clock domains: platform (up to 48 MHz), system (up to 24 MHz), and bus (up to 24 MHz). The crossbar switch enables concurrent access by four bus masters to different slaves, while FlexIO provides programmable logic for UART/I2C/SPI/I2S/PWM emulation without dedicated hardware blocks.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

64-pin LQFP (10 mm × 10 mm, 0.5 mm pitch, 1.6 mm height) with exposed pad for thermal dissipation and ground connection.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MKL27Z64VLH4, MKL17Z64VLH4 removes USB hardware to reduce die size and cost while retaining identical low-power behavior and FlexIO capability; versus STM32L072KBU6, it trades cryptographic accelerators for programmable I/O flexibility-making MKL17Z64VLH4 ideal for hardware-adaptive edge nodes where protocol diversity outweighs encryption needs.

Availability

MKL17Z64VLH4 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smart utility meters, wireless sensor nodes, industrial HMIs, and medical wearables requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and consistent parametric performance across temperature and voltage ranges.

Supply support for MKL17Z64VLH4 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 delivering secure, scalable solutions for automotive, industrial, IoT, and mobile applications, with deep expertise in ARM-based microcontrollers and edge processing.

The Kinetis KL17 series was engineered specifically for cost-sensitive, battery-powered general-purpose connectivity applications-emphasizing ultra-low active/idle current, flexible peripheral emulation, and robust security for resource-constrained edge devices.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MKL17Z64VLH4?

The MKL17Z64VLH4 features an ARM Cortex-M0+ core with a maximum operating frequency of 48 MHz, enabled by its high-accuracy internal 48 MHz HIRC oscillator (±0.5%). This frequency is achievable across the full 1.71–3.6 V supply range and –40 to 105 °C temperature range, as verified in the KL17P64M48SF2 datasheet Rev. 5.

Does the MKL17Z64VLH4 support hardware debugging, and what interface is used?

Yes, the MKL17Z64VLH4 supports full hardware debugging via a 2-pin Serial Wire Debug (SWD) interface (SWD_DIO and SWD_CLK pins). It includes register and memory access, run/halt control, two hardware breakpoints, two watchpoints, and Micro Trace Buffer (MTB) for instruction-level execution tracing-all compliant with ARM CoreSight standards.

How many ADC channels does the MKL17Z64VLH4 support, and what is its sampling rate?

The MKL17Z64VLH4 integrates a 16-bit successive-approximation ADC with up to 20 single-ended or 4 differential input channels. At ≤13-bit resolution, it achieves up to 818 ksps sampling rate using the internal high-accuracy voltage reference, as specified in Section 5.3.6 of the KL17P64M48SF2 datasheet.

What low-power modes are available on the MKL17Z64VLH4, and what is the lowest current draw?

The MKL17Z64VLH4 offers six low-power modes: VLPR, VLPW, Stop, VLPS, LLS, and VLLS. Its lowest current draw is 1.68 µA in Stop mode with RAM and RTC retained, validated at 3.0 V and 25 °C per Table 5-1 in the KL17P64M48SF2 datasheet. Wake-up time from Stop mode is under 10 µs.

Is the MKL17Z64VLH4 pin-compatible with other Kinetis KL17 variants?

Yes, the MKL17Z64VLH4 in 64-pin LQFP is pin-compatible with MKL17Z32VLH4 (same package, 32 KB flash) and MKL17Z64VMP4 (64-pin MAPBGA), sharing identical pin functions and electrical characteristics. However, XFBGA (36-pin) and QFN (32/48-pin) variants have different pin counts and layouts and are not mechanically or electrically interchangeable.