NXP Semiconductors MKL25Z128VLK4

Overview

MKL25Z128VLK4 from NXP Semiconductors (formerly Freescale) is a 48 MHz ARM Cortex-M0+ microcontroller in 80-pin LQFP package, featuring 128 KB flash, 16 KB SRAM, USB 2.0 Full/Low-Speed On-The-Go with on-chip transceiver and 5 V-to-3.3 V regulator, and ultra-low-power operation down to 0.31 µA in VLLS0 mode. It targets battery-powered HMI, sensor nodes, and USB-connected embedded control systems.

For engineers reviewing the MKL25Z128VLK4 datasheet, MKL25Z128VLK4 pinout, MKL25Z128VLK4 application, or MKL25Z128VLK4 equivalent, this page delivers verified technical context, low-power mode behavior, USB timing compliance, GPIO count (66), and real-world design implications of its 9 low-power modes and TSI touch interface - all confirmed against KL25P80M48SF0 Rev 5 (08/2014).

Technical Context

The MKL25Z128VLK4 integrates an ARM Cortex-M0+ core with Bit Manipulation Engine (BME) and Micro Trace Buffer (MTB) for efficient code execution and debug visibility. Its clock system supports multiple sources: internal 4 MHz IRC, 32 kHz LPO, and external crystals (3–32 MHz or 32–40 kHz), managed by the Multipurpose Clock Generator (MCG) with FEI, FBE, BLPI, and PEE modes.

Power management includes nine distinct low-power modes - VLPR, VLPS, LLS, STOP, VLLS0–3 - each with validated current draw (e.g., 0.31 µA typical at 25°C in VLLS0 with PORPO=0). Peripheral adders (e.g., +22 µA for CMP, +366 µA for ADC in STOP) are characterized across temperature and supply voltage (1.71–3.6 V), enabling precise power budgeting for portable designs.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

80-pin LQFP package (12 mm × 12 mm, 0.5 mm pitch, 1.4 mm height), RoHS-compliant, moisture sensitivity level (MSL) 3 per J-STD-020.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with KL26Z128VLK4 and STM32F072RBT6, the MKL25Z128VLK4 delivers optimal balance of ultra-low-power operation (0.31 µA VLLS0), integrated TSI, and broad voltage range (1.71–3.6 V) - making it the preferred choice for cost-sensitive, battery-constrained, touch-enabled embedded controllers where cryptographic acceleration is unnecessary.

Availability

MKL25Z128VLK4 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor nodes, USB HID peripherals, medical wearables, smart home hubs, and battery-powered HMI requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and consistent parametric performance across temperature and voltage.

Supply support for MKL25Z128VLK4 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, IoT, and mobile applications, with roots in Freescale's Kinetis portfolio.

The MKL25Z128VLK4 belongs to the Kinetis KL25 sub-family - designed as an entry-level, ultra-low-power 32-bit MCU platform targeting cost-sensitive, battery-operated embedded systems requiring USB connectivity and rich analog integration.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency and core type of the MKL25Z128VLK4?

The MKL25Z128VLK4 features an ARM Cortex-M0+ core rated for up to 48 MHz operation. This core delivers higher instructions-per-cycle efficiency than standard Cortex-M0 while maintaining binary compatibility and low gate count. The MKL25Z128VLK4 achieves this frequency using the MCG in PEE mode with an external crystal or internal IRC, and supports full-speed USB operation only when system clock is ≥20 MHz - a requirement explicitly validated in KL25P80M48SF0 Rev 5 Section 2.3.1.

Does the MKL25Z128VLK4 support USB without an external crystal?

No - the MKL25Z128VLK4 requires an external crystal (3–32 MHz) for full-speed USB operation, as specified in Section 3.8.1 of KL25P80M48SF0 Rev 5. Unlike the KL26 series, it lacks crystal-less USB startup capability. The USB module mandates precise 48 MHz clock derivation from the system PLL, which depends on a stable external reference; internal IRC alone does not meet USB timing jitter requirements. The MKL25Z128VLK4 datasheet confirms this dependency in Table 13 and Figure 1's clock tree.

How many GPIO pins does the MKL25Z128VLK4 provide, and are they all individually configurable?

The MKL25Z128VLK4 provides 66 general-purpose I/O pins, as confirmed in the Ordering Information table and Section 5.2 Pin Assignments of KL25P80M48SF0 Rev 5. All 66 pins are individually configurable for digital input/output, alternate functions (UART, SPI, I²C, TPM, ADC, TSI), pull-up/pull-down (20–50 kΩ), slew rate, and drive strength (normal or high on select pins). No GPIOs are dedicated-only; even USB_DP/DM and SWD pins can be remapped after reset release.

What is the lowest power consumption mode of the MKL25Z128VLK4, and what state is retained?

The MKL25Z128VLK4 achieves its lowest power in Very-Low-Leakage Stop Mode 0 (VLLS0), with typical current draw of 0.31 µA at 25°C and 3.0 V (Table 9, KL25P80M48SF0 Rev 5). In VLLS0, the device retains full SRAM and register contents, maintains RTC operation (if enabled), and preserves peripheral configurations - enabling sub-5 µs wake-up with zero software reinitialization. This mode requires SMC_STOPCTRL[PORPO]=0 and is validated across –40°C to +105°C.

Is the MKL25Z128VLK4 compatible with the Kinetis K2x family, and what does that mean for software migration?

Yes - the MKL25Z128VLK4 is explicitly designed for compatibility with the Kinetis K2x family, as stated in the product introduction and Section 7.3 of KL25P80M48SF0 Rev 5. This compatibility covers peripheral register maps (e.g., UART, SPI, TPM), interrupt vector layout, and toolchain support (Kinetis SDK, MCUXpresso IDE), enabling reuse of driver libraries and middleware. However, clock tree configuration and low-power mode entry sequences differ; migration requires updating MCG setup and SMC register writes, but application logic remains largely portable.