NXP Semiconductors MKL27Z64VDA4

Overview

MKL27Z64VDA4 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 USB-enabled edge devices. It integrates USB Full-Speed 2.0 device controller with crystal-less operation, FlexIO for customizable serial peripheral emulation, and achieves 46 µA/MHz in very low power run mode and 1.68 µA in stop mode (RAM + RTC retained).

For engineers reviewing the MKL27Z64VDA4 datasheet, MKL27Z64VDA4 pinout, MKL27Z64VDA4 application, or MKL27Z64VDA4 equivalent, key selection criteria include its 36-pin XFBGA package, 30 GPIOs (6 with high drive), 14-channel 16-bit ADC, integrated USB FS PHY without external crystal, and support for UART/I2C/SPI bootloading via ROM.

Technical Context

The MKL27Z64VDA4 implements a single-core ARM Cortex-M0+ executing Thumb instructions at up to 48 MHz, with a crossbar switch enabling concurrent bus master access to peripherals. Its clock system combines a 48 MHz HIRC (±0.5% accuracy) for USB synchronization, an 8 MHz LIRC, and a 1 kHz LPO active in all low-power modes except VLLS0.

Power management includes six static low-power modes (Run to VLLS0), with AWIC and LLWU enabling wake-up from Stop/VLPS and LLS/VLLS respectively. Peripheral integration features a hardware CRC module, bit manipulation engine, micro trace buffer, and 4-channel DMA - all accessible in VLPR and Wait modes.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 36-pin XFBGA (3.5 mm × 3.5 mm, 0.5 mm pitch, 0.5 mm thickness), per package drawing 98ASA00708D.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MKL27Z64VDA4, MKL27Z64VLH4 offers higher I/O density in LQFP but increases board area, while MKE14Z64VLH4 adds CAN FD and analog peripherals at the cost of higher complexity and no USB crystal-less advantage - making MKL27Z64VDA4 optimal for space-constrained, USB-centric, battery-powered designs.

Availability

MKL27Z64VDA4 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for wearable health monitors, smart industrial sensor nodes, USB-C charging adapters, and medical diagnostic handhelds requiring stable component supply across long-lifecycle production programs.

Supply support for MKL27Z64VDA4 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 roots in Freescale's Kinetis portfolio.

The Kinetis KL27 series was engineered specifically for cost-sensitive, battery-powered USB devices - emphasizing ultra-low-power operation, integrated USB FS PHY, and flexible peripheral emulation via FlexIO.

FAQ

Does MKL27Z64VDA4 support USB device enumeration without an external crystal?

Yes, MKL27Z64VDA4 integrates a crystal-less USB Full-Speed 2.0 device controller using its 48 MHz HIRC oscillator trimmed to ±0.5% accuracy - eliminating the need for a 12 MHz crystal and associated components. This capability is confirmed in the KL27P64M48SF2 datasheet Section 2.2.15 and electrical specifications Table 5-15.

What is the maximum ADC sampling rate achievable on MKL27Z64VDA4?

MKL27Z64VDA4 supports up to 818 ksps at 13-bit resolution or lower, as specified in Section 2.2.4 of the KL27P64M48SF2 datasheet. At full 16-bit resolution, the maximum rate is reduced to maintain accuracy; the ADC uses an internal voltage reference and supports up to 14 single-ended or 3 differential input channels in its 36-pin XFBGA variant.

How many GPIO pins does MKL27Z64VDA4 provide in its 36-pin XFBGA package?

MKL27Z64VDA4 provides 30 general-purpose I/O pins in its 36-pin XFBGA package, with 6 configured for high-drive capability (20 mA sink/source). This is explicitly listed in Table 1 (Ordering Information) of the KL27P64M48SF2 datasheet Rev. 5, confirming GPIO count differs from the 51-pin LQFP variants.

Can MKL27Z64VDA4 retain RAM and RTC during ultra-low-power stop mode?

Yes, MKL27Z64VDA4 achieves 1.68 µA in Stop mode while retaining both SRAM contents and RTC functionality - a key specification verified in Section 2.1.8 (Power Management) and Table 6 (Peripherals states in different operational modes) of the KL27P64M48SF2 datasheet Rev. 5.

Is there a factory-programmed bootloader in MKL27Z64VDA4, and what interfaces does it support?

Yes, MKL27Z64VDA4 includes 16 KB of factory-programmed ROM containing a bootloader that supports firmware updates over USB, UART, I2C, and SPI - documented in Section 2.1.4 (Memory) and Section 2.1.5 (Reset and boot) of the KL27P64M48SF2 datasheet Rev. 5. The bootloader enables field upgrades without requiring a debugger or external programmer.