NXP Semiconductors MKL26Z32VFT4

Overview

MKL26Z32VFT4 from NXP (formerly Freescale) is a 48 MHz ARM® Cortex®-M0+ microcontroller in 48-pin QFN package, featuring 32 KB flash, 4 KB SRAM, USB 2.0 On-The-Go with on-chip transceiver, 16-bit SAR ADC, 12-bit DAC, and ultra-low-power operation down to 0.23 µA in VLLS0 mode with full state retention. It targets battery-powered human-machine interface and sensor-edge applications requiring rapid wake-up (<5 µs) and robust mixed-signal integration.

For engineers reviewing the MKL26Z32VFT4 datasheet, MKL26Z32VFT4 pinout, MKL26Z32VFT4 application, or MKL26Z32VFT4 equivalent, key selection criteria include its 48-pin QFN footprint, USB OTG capability with integrated 5 V-to-3.3 V regulator, 16-bit ADC resolution, -40°C to 105°C operating range, and support for nine low-power modes including VLLS0/VLLS1 with sub-µA static current.

Technical Context

The MKL26Z32VFT4 implements a single-core ARM Cortex-M0+ processor with Thumb-2 instruction set, executing from zero-wait-state flash memory. Its clock system integrates a multi-purpose oscillator (MCG) supporting internal 4 MHz IRC, external 32 kHz crystal, and 4–16 MHz high-frequency crystals, enabling dynamic switching between FEI, FBE, PEE, and BLPI modes.

System-level power management includes SMC (System Mode Controller) with nine configurable low-power states (RUN, VLPR, VLPS, STOP, LLS, VLLS0–3), hardware-accelerated bit manipulation engine (BME), SWD debug interface with Micro Trace Buffer, and low-leakage wakeup unit supporting GPIO, RTC, and TSI events. Peripheral clock gating and voltage domain isolation enforce energy-efficient operation across all modes.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

48-pin QFN (VFT4), 7 mm × 7 mm × 1 mm body, 0.5 mm pitch, exposed thermal pad (EP). RoHS-compliant, moisture sensitivity level (MSL) 3.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MKL26Z32VFT4, KL26Z64VFT4 provides headroom for feature-rich firmware while retaining identical pinout and power behavior; MKL27Z32VFT4 upgrades USB functionality and security but requires minor register-level adaptation due to updated USB controller registers and added TRNG module.

Availability

MKL26Z32VFT4 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor nodes, medical wearables, smart home interfaces, and USB-configurable power adapters requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for MKL26Z32VFT4 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 KL26 series was designed as an entry-level 32-bit MCU family targeting cost-sensitive, ultra-low-power applications where USB connectivity, analog integration, and long battery life are critical - especially in human-machine interface and sensor-edge devices.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MKL26Z32VFT4 core?

The MKL26Z32VFT4 features an ARM Cortex-M0+ core rated for up to 48 MHz operation. This frequency is achievable in PEE (Phase-Locked Loop Engaged) mode using the internal FLL with external crystal reference. In VLPR (Very-Low-Power Run) mode, the core runs at up to 4 MHz to minimize active current while retaining full SRAM retention and interrupt responsiveness. The MKL26Z32VFT4 maintains deterministic timing across all modes due to zero-wait-state flash and tightly coupled bus architecture.

Does the MKL26Z32VFT4 support USB device enumeration without external components?

Yes, the MKL26Z32VFT4 integrates a full-speed/low-speed USB 2.0 On-The-Go controller with an on-chip transceiver and a dedicated 5 V-to-3.3 V regulator. This allows direct connection to USB hosts using only standard USB Type-A or Micro-B connectors - no external PHY, level shifters, or LDOs are required. The MKL26Z32VFT4 supports standard USB classes including CDC, HID, and MSC out of the box with NXP-provided middleware.

What low-power modes are available on the MKL26Z32VFT4, and what is the lowest achievable current draw?

The MKL26Z32VFT4 offers nine distinct low-power modes: RUN, VLPR, VLPS, STOP, LLS, and VLLS0–VLLS3. The lowest static current is achieved in VLLS0 mode with PORPO=1, drawing just 0.23 µA at 25°C while retaining full register and SRAM state. Wake-up time from VLLS0 is under 120 µs, and from VLPS it is 4.5 µs. All modes support selective peripheral clock gating and configurable wakeup sources including GPIO, RTC alarm, and TSI events.

Can the MKL26Z32VFT4's ADC perform simultaneous sampling across multiple channels?

No, the MKL26Z32VFT4's 16-bit SAR ADC does not support true hardware-triggered simultaneous sampling across multiple channels. It operates in sequential conversion mode with configurable sample times and hardware averaging (up to 32x). However, it supports hardware trigger sources (TPM, PIT, LPTMR) and DMA-driven continuous conversions, enabling deterministic sampling intervals and reduced CPU overhead. For synchronized multi-channel acquisition, external analog multiplexing or discrete ADCs are required.

Is the MKL26Z32VFT4 pin-compatible with other Kinetis L-series MCUs?

The MKL26Z32VFT4 shares the same 48-pin QFN (VFT4) package footprint and signal multiplexing scheme with other KL26 variants (e.g., MKL26Z64VFT4, MKL26Z128VFT4), enabling direct PCB reuse when scaling flash/RAM. It is also functionally compatible with KL25 and KL27 families at the peripheral register level, though USB controller and security module registers differ. Pin compatibility with non-KL26 Kinetis L parts (e.g., KL03, KL43) is not guaranteed due to differing pin assignments and voltage tolerances.