NXP Semiconductors MKW36Z512VFP4

Overview

MKW36Z512VFP4 from NXP Semiconductors is an ultra-low-power Bluetooth® Low Energy 5.0 wireless microcontroller integrating an Arm® Cortex®-M0+ core (up to 48 MHz), 512 KB flash, 64 KB SRAM, and a 2.4 GHz radio supporting up to 8 simultaneous BLE connections. It features FlexCAN with CAN FD support (up to 3.2 Mbps), dual LPUART with LIN, and operates across –40 to 105 °C for industrial sensor node applications.

For engineers reviewing the MKW36Z512VFP4 datasheet, MKW36Z512VFP4 pinout, MKW36Z512VFP4 application, or MKW36Z512VFP4 equivalent, key selection criteria include its 40-pin "Wettable" HVQFN (6×6 mm) package, industrial temperature rating, integrated balun, –95 dBm BLE receiver sensitivity, and hardware AES-128/TRNG security acceleration.

Technical Context

The MKW36Z512VFP4 implements a dual-clock RF subsystem with dedicated 26/32 MHz crystals for BLE/FSK operation and a 32.768 kHz crystal for RTC timing. Its radio supports Bluetooth LE 5.0 Link Layer hardware acceleration, GFSK modulation at 250/500/1000 kbps, and programmable output power from –30 to +5 dBm.

System-level power optimization includes nine low-power modes (including VLLS0 at 258 nA), integrated DC-DC buck converter, and hardware-accelerated peripherals including AESA, TRNG, and FlexCAN with 32 configurable message buffers - all operating within 1.71–3.6 V supply range.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

40-pin "Wettable" HVQFN (6×6 mm, 0.5 mm pitch), optimized for AOI-compatible solder joint inspection and thermal performance in space-constrained PCB layouts.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MKW36Z512VHT4, MKW36Z512VFP4 offers identical functionality in a smaller, AOI-friendly 40-pin HVQFN - reducing PCB area by 26% and enabling higher-density industrial modules. Against MKW35Z512VHT4, it adds critical CAN FD and LIN support essential for industrial gateway and automotive integration - justifying its use where wired protocol bridging is required.

Availability

MKW36Z512VFP4 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor nodes, medical telemetry devices, smart building gateways, and asset tracking tags requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for MKW36Z512VFP4 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 company headquartered in Eindhoven, Netherlands, specializing in secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and IoT markets.

The MKW36Z series belongs to NXP's Kinetis W-series wireless MCUs, designed specifically for ultra-low-power, dual-mode (BLE + CAN FD) industrial and medical edge devices requiring certified wireless connectivity and long battery life.

FAQ

What is the maximum Bluetooth Low Energy connection count supported by MKW36Z512VFP4?

The MKW36Z512VFP4 supports up to 8 simultaneous hardware Bluetooth Low Energy connections in any master/slave combination, as specified in the MKW36Z/35Z Data Sheet Rev. 9. This capability is implemented in the on-die radio subsystem and does not require external coexistence logic or host CPU intervention for connection management. The MKW36Z512VFP4 maintains this concurrency while operating in low-power modes such as VLPS or LLS, making it suitable for multi-sensor hub applications.

Does MKW36Z512VFP4 include CAN FD support, and what is its maximum baud rate?

Yes, MKW36Z512VFP4 includes a fully implemented FlexCAN module supporting CAN with Flexible Data Rate (CAN FD) protocol, as confirmed in the Orderable Parts table and Section 2.5 of the datasheet. Its maximum baud rate is 3.2 Mbps, enabled by hardware acceleration of FD bit-rate switching and payload expansion. This capability is exclusive to the KW36Z family - the MKW36Z512VFP4 leverages this to bridge BLE wireless sensors with high-speed industrial CAN FD networks without external transceivers.

What is the RF package type and pin count of MKW36Z512VFP4?

The MKW36Z512VFP4 uses a 40-pin "Wettable" HVQFN package measuring 6×6 mm with 0.5 mm pitch, as documented in the Orderable Parts table and Package Drawing 98ASA01025D1. This package variant is distinguished from the 48-pin LQFN used by MKW36Z512VHT4 and is specifically optimized for automated optical inspection (AOI) due to its exposed wettable flank geometry - a key requirement for high-reliability industrial PCB assembly.

What are the supported crystal frequencies for MKW36Z512VFP4 radio operation?

The MKW36Z512VFP4 supports two RF reference crystal frequencies: 26 MHz for Bluetooth Low Energy operation and 32 MHz for Generic FSK modes, as stated in Section 2.2 and Table 4-1 of the datasheet. Both crystals connect directly to dedicated XTAL pins (XTAL26M and XTAL32M), and the radio subsystem automatically selects the appropriate clock source based on active mode - enabling dual-standard interoperability without external switching circuitry.

How does MKW36Z512VFP4 achieve ultra-low-power operation in deep-sleep mode?

The MKW36Z512VFP4 achieves 258 nA current consumption in Very-Low-Leakage Stop (VLLS0) mode by disabling all clocks except the 1 kHz LPO, retaining only RAM retention and wake-up logic. This state is validated in Section 6.2.5 of the datasheet and enables multi-year operation on coin cells. The MKW36Z512VFP4 maintains hardware-based wake-up sources (GPIO, RTC alarm, LPUART idle detection) while in VLLS0 - eliminating the need for external supervisors or watchdog timers.