NXP Semiconductors MVF61NS152CMK50

Overview

MVF61NS152CMK50 from NXP Semiconductors is a dual-core heterogeneous application processor integrating an ARM Cortex-A5 core (500 MHz) and an ARM Cortex-M4 core (167 MHz), with 512 KB on-chip SRAM (ECC), 1 MB graphics SRAM, 96 KB boot ROM, and security features including TrustZone, CAAM cryptographic acceleration, and High Assurance Boot. It targets industrial HMI, secure gateway, and edge computing applications requiring real-time responsiveness and trusted execution.

For engineers reviewing the MVF61NS152CMK50 datasheet, MVF61NS152CMK50 pinout, MVF61NS152CMK50 application, or MVF61NS152CMK50 equivalent, key selection criteria include dual-core asymmetric processing capability, integrated L2 cache (512 KB), security-enabling hardware (CAAM, SNVS, HAB), DDR3/LPDDR2 memory interface support, and dual 10/100 Ethernet with IEEE 1588 timing.

Technical Context

The MVF61NS152CMK50 implements a tightly coupled A5+M4 architecture with shared memory subsystems and hardware-assisted inter-core communication via message passing and shared memory. Its clock system includes multiple PLLs (system, USB, Ethernet, audio, video) with low-jitter digital PLLs and independent 24 MHz/32 kHz crystal oscillators.

Security is implemented at silicon level: ARM TrustZone partitions memory and peripherals; CAAM provides AES-128/256, SHA-1/256, RSA, and 16 KB secure RAM; SNVS hosts secure RTC and tamper detection; HAB enforces encrypted and authenticated boot. Power management supports multiple stop/wait/run modes with peripheral clock gating and low-voltage monitoring.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MVF61NS152CMK50 uses a 364-ball MAPBGA package (17 mm × 17 mm, 0.8 mm pitch) with thermal pad, compliant with JEDEC MO-276AA. Pin assignment follows NXP's VF6xx series layout with dedicated power domains (HPREG, LPREG, ULPREG), differential clock inputs, and high-speed I/O banks supporting DDR3, Ethernet, USB, and display interfaces.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MVF61NS152CMK50, the i.MX 6SoloX offers lower cost but reduced real-time determinism and no IEEE 1588, while the i.MX 8M Mini delivers higher performance and modern security at the expense of integrated Ethernet and larger footprint-making MVF61NS152CMK50 optimal for balanced industrial edge nodes requiring built-in timing, dual display, and proven security.

Availability

MVF61NS152CMK50 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial HMI, secure gateway, and edge computing applications requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and traceable sourcing for production programs.

Supply support for MVF61NS152CMK50 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 Vybrid family-including MVF61NS152CMK50-is designed for cost-sensitive, power-efficient edge devices requiring both application-level OS support and hard real-time control in a single chip.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the ARM Cortex-A5 core in MVF61NS152CMK50?

The ARM Cortex-A5 core in MVF61NS152CMK50 operates at up to 500 MHz, delivering 1.6 DMIPS/MHz performance based on the ARMv7 architecture. This speed is confirmed in the official NXP VYBRIDFSERIESEC datasheet Rev. 10 (August 2023) under "ARM® Cortex® A5 Core features." The MVF61NS152CMK50 achieves this frequency within its specified voltage range (3.0 V to 3.6 V) and ambient temperature range (–40 °C to +85 °C).

Does MVF61NS152CMK50 include hardware cryptographic acceleration?

Yes, MVF61NS152CMK50 integrates the Cryptographic Acceleration and Assurance Module (CAAM), which supports AES-128/256, SHA-1/256, RSA-2048, and includes 16 KB of secure RAM. This hardware engine offloads encryption/decryption, digital signature, and hash operations from the CPU-critical for secure boot (HAB), OTA updates, and TLS acceleration. All CAAM functionality is enabled in the security-enabled variant MVF61NS152CMK50.

What memory types does MVF61NS152CMK50 support via its external interfaces?

MVF61NS152CMK50 supports DDR3 and LPDDR2 memory up to 400 MHz via its DRAM controller (with ECC for 8-bit only), NAND Flash with hardware ECC, FlexBus for SRAM/ROM expansion, and dual QuadSPI with Execute-In-Place (XIP) capability. These interfaces allow flexible memory architecture design-from low-cost NAND+SDRAM to high-performance LPDDR2+eMMC configurations-without requiring external memory controllers.

Is MVF61NS152CMK50 pin-compatible with other Vybrid family members?

No, MVF61NS152CMK50 is not universally pin-compatible across the Vybrid family. While it shares the 364-ball MAPBGA (MK) package with other VF6xx/VF5xx parts, pin assignments differ significantly between variants-especially for power domains, clock inputs, and high-speed interfaces like DDR and Ethernet. Engineers must consult the specific pinout diagram for MVF61NS152CMK50 (documented in Section 12 of the VYBRIDFSERIESEC datasheet) and verify signal mapping before board reuse.

What is the role of the 512 KB L2 cache in MVF61NS152CMK50?

As indicated in the part number decoding ("1N" = L2 Cache), the 512 KB L2 cache in MVF61NS152CMK50 reduces memory latency for the Cortex-A5 core by buffering frequently accessed instructions and data. It improves throughput for Linux kernel operations, application loading, and multimedia processing-particularly beneficial in multi-tasking environments where DDR bandwidth contention occurs. This cache is physically tagged and unified, and its presence is confirmed in the "ARM® Cortex® A5 Core features" section of the official datasheet.