NXP Semiconductors MKL26Z64VFT4

Overview

MKL26Z64VFT4 from NXP (formerly Freescale) is a 48 MHz ARM® Cortex®-M0+ microcontroller in 48-pin QFN package, featuring 64 KB flash, 8 KB SRAM, USB 2.0 On-The-Go with on-chip transceiver, 16-bit SAR ADC, and ultra-low-power operation down to 0.23 µA in VLLS0 mode. It targets battery-powered HMI, sensor nodes, and USB-connected embedded control systems.

For engineers reviewing the MKL26Z64VFT4 datasheet, MKL26Z64VFT4 pinout, MKL26Z64VFT4 application, or MKL26Z64VFT4 equivalent, key selection considerations include its 48-pin QFN footprint, USB OTG capability with integrated 5 V-to-3.3 V regulator, 9 low-power modes, TSI touch interface, and compatibility with Kinetis L/K2x families for scalable design reuse.

Technical Context

The MKL26Z64VFT4 implements an ARM Cortex-M0+ core with Bit Manipulation Engine and Micro Trace Buffer, executing from zero-wait-state flash. Its clock system integrates MCG with multiple sources - internal 4/32 kHz IRCs, external 32 kHz–32 MHz crystals, and PLL - enabling dynamic mode transitions between RUN (48 MHz), VLPR (4 MHz), and VLLS0 (0.23 µA).

System-level power optimization leverages clock gating, power gating, and nine configurable low-power modes including VLLS0/VLLS1/VLLS3, each with distinct retention and wakeup latency (e.g., 4.5 µs from VLPS to RUN). Peripheral adders (e.g., +22 µA for CMP, +366 µA for ADC in STOP) allow precise current budgeting per active function.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

48-pin QFN (VFT4 suffix), 7 mm × 7 mm body, 0.5 mm pitch, exposed thermal pad. Pinout defined per KL26P64M48SF5 datasheet Rev 5 Section 5.2 (KL26 pinouts), with multiplexed functions across PORTA–PORTE.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MKL26Z64VFT4, MKL26Z64VFM4 offers identical functionality in a smaller 32-pin package but lacks the integrated USB regulator; MKE02Z64VQH2 trades USB, TSI, and ADC resolution for minimal size and cost-making MKL26Z64VFT4 optimal for USB-connected, touch-enabled, low-power edge nodes.

Availability

MKL26Z64VFT4 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smart sensor nodes, USB human interface devices, low-power metering interfaces, and embedded USB bridges requiring stable component supply and long-term industrial availability.

Supply support for MKL26Z64VFT4 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, IoT, and mobile applications.

The Kinetis KL26 sub-family was designed as an entry-level 32-bit MCU platform emphasizing ultra-low-power operation, USB integration, and scalability across Kinetis L and K2x families for cost-sensitive embedded control.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MKL26Z64VFT4 core?

The MKL26Z64VFT4 features an ARM Cortex-M0+ core rated for up to 48 MHz in normal run mode using the Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) with external crystal or internal reference. In very-low-power run (VLPR) mode, the maximum core frequency is 4 MHz, optimized for sub-microamp operation while maintaining full peripheral functionality and RAM retention.

Does the MKL26Z64VFT4 support USB device and host functionality simultaneously?

Yes, the MKL26Z64VFT4 implements a USB 2.0 On-The-Go (OTG) controller that supports both device and host roles. It includes an on-chip transceiver and a 5 V-to-3.3 V regulator, enabling the MKL26Z64VFT4 to operate as a self-powered USB device or bus-powered peripheral without external voltage conversion. Role switching is managed in firmware via the USB OTG control registers.

What low-power modes are available on the MKL26Z64VFT4, and what is the lowest current draw?

The MKL26Z64VFT4 supports nine low-power modes, including VLLS0, VLLS1, VLLS3, LLS, VLPS, STOP, WAIT, and two RUN variants. The lowest current draw is 0.23 µA in VLLS0 mode (with SMC_STOPCTRL[PORPO] = 1), retaining full 8 KB SRAM content and allowing wake-up via GPIO, RTC alarm, or low-leakage wakeup unit - ideal for long-duration battery operation.

Can the MKL26Z64VFT4's ADC perform conversions during low-power modes?

Yes, the MKL26Z64VFT4's 16-bit SAR ADC can operate in VLPS, STOP, and VLLSx modes. In STOP mode with flash doze enabled and ADC clock sourced from the 4 MHz IRC, continuous conversions consume 366 µA (typical) - enabling periodic sensor sampling without waking the core, reducing overall system power.

Is the MKL26Z64VFT4 pin-compatible with other Kinetis L-series MCUs?

The MKL26Z64VFT4 shares functional compatibility and software abstraction layers with other Kinetis L-family MCUs (e.g., KL02, KL03, KL25), but it is not pin-compatible with all variants. Specifically, the 48-pin QFN (VFT4) package matches pinouts only within the KL26ZxxxVFT4 family (e.g., MKL26Z32VFT4, MKL26Z128VFT4); cross-family pin compatibility requires verification against individual package drawings and signal multiplexing tables in the KL26P64M48SF5 datasheet.