NXP Semiconductors PCA9450CHNY

Overview

PCA9450CHNY from NXP Semiconductors is a dedicated power management IC (PMIC) for the i.MX 8M Plus application processor, delivering six high-efficiency buck regulators (including a 6 A dual-phase BUCK1/BUCK3 configuration), five LDOs, a 400 mA SD-card load switch, 2-channel I²C level translator, and integrated 32.768 kHz crystal oscillator driver. It supports DDR4/LPDDR4/DDR3L memory via U-Boot configuration without hardware changes and operates across –40 °C to +105 °C ambient.

For engineers reviewing the PCA9450CHNY datasheet, PCA9450CHNY pinout, PCA9450CHNY application, or PCA9450CHNY equivalent, key selection considerations include its dual-phase 6 A SOC/VPU/GPU/DRAM supply, SNVS-mode always-on LDO1/LDO2 for secure non-volatile storage, remote-sense DVS on BUCK1/BUCK2/BUCK3, and HVQFN56 package compatibility with i.MX 8M Plus reference designs.

Technical Context

The PCA9450CHNY implements a configurable dual-phase buck topology where BUCK1 and BUCK3 are internally paralleled to deliver up to 6 A at 0.85 V for the i.MX 8M Plus SoC core and GPU/DRAM rails, with programmable DVS ramping and remote voltage sensing via R_SNSP1 and R_SNSP3_CFG tied to GND. Its LDO1 (1.6–1.9 V / 3.0–3.3 V, 10 mA) and LDO2 (0.8–1.15 V, 10 mA) remain active during SNVS mode to power secure non-volatile storage and RTC circuitry.

It integrates an Fm+ 1 MHz I²C interface for register configuration, a 2-bit auto-direction-sensing logic translator (SDAL/SCLL ↔ SDAH/SCLH) supporting bidirectional 1.8 V ↔ 3.3 V level shifting, and a dedicated 400 mA load switch (SWIN/SWOUT/SW_EN) with internal discharge resistor for SD card power control - all coordinated through eight defined power states (OFF, READY, SNVS, RUN, STANDBY, PWRDN, PWRUP, FAULT_SD).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

HVQFN56 package: 7 mm × 7 mm, 0.4 mm pitch, thermally enhanced with exposed pad (EP). Pin 1 marked by top-side dot; pins numbered counter-clockwise from top-left corner.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with PCA9450AAHNY and PCA9450BHNY, the PCA9450CHNY uniquely provides dual-phase 6 A core power, full i.MX 8M Plus rail coverage (including VDD_DRAM and VDD_G/VPU), and GND-tied R_SNSP3_CFG configuration - making it the only validated PMIC for production i.MX 8M Plus platforms.

Availability

PCA9450CHNY is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial HMI panels, IoT gateways, ePOS terminals, and i.MX 8M Plus tablet designs requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and guaranteed traceable sourcing.

Supply support for PCA9450CHNY 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 specializing in secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and IoT applications, with leadership in ARM-based application processors and power management.

The PCA9450CHNY belongs to NXP's i.MX companion PMIC product line, engineered specifically to deliver complete, validated, and software-configurable power solutions for the i.MX 8M family - minimizing design risk and accelerating time-to-market for complex embedded systems.

FAQ

What is the primary target processor for the PCA9450CHNY?

The PCA9450CHNY is explicitly designed for the i.MX 8M Plus application processor. It provides a fully matched power architecture including dual-phase 6 A core supply (BUCK1/BUCK3), dedicated 0.9 V PHY rail (LDO4), and support for DDR4/LPDDR4/DDR3L memory via U-Boot configuration - all validated per NXP's i.MX 8M Plus reference designs. The PCA9450CHNY is not intended for i.MX 8M Mini or Nano.

How does the PCA9450CHNY implement dual-phase operation?

The PCA9450CHNY configures BUCK1 and BUCK3 as a synchronized dual-phase 6 A buck regulator by tying the R_SNSP3_CFG pin (Pin 30) to GND - a hardware requirement specified in the PCA9450 selection guide. This enables interleaved switching, reduced output ripple, and shared current sensing, delivering 0.85 V at up to 6 A for the i.MX 8M Plus SoC core, GPU, and DRAM rails without external phase-control circuitry.

What are the SNVS-mode capabilities of the PCA9450CHNY?

In SNVS mode, the PCA9450CHNY powers LDO1 and LDO2 continuously to sustain secure non-volatile storage and RTC functions. It enables CLK_32K_OUT within 10 ms of LDO2 POK and releases RTC_RESET_B 20 ms later. These rails remain active even when the main SoC is powered down, enabling fast wake-from-sleep and tamper-resilient timekeeping - critical for secure boot and low-power IoT operation.

Does the PCA9450CHNY support memory interface flexibility without hardware changes?

Yes. The PCA9450CHNY supports DDR4, LPDDR4, and DDR3L memory types exclusively through U-Boot software configuration - no PCB modifications, resistor changes, or register hardcoding are required. This flexibility is enabled by internal regulator sequencing and voltage programming controlled via the I²C interface, allowing a single hardware design to accommodate multiple memory variants.

What is the role of the integrated I²C level translator in the PCA9450CHNY?

The PCA9450CHNY includes a 2-channel auto-direction-sensing I²C level translator (SDAL/SCLL ↔ SDAH/SCLH) that bridges 1.8 V (VINT-referenced) and 3.3 V (SWIN-referenced) domains. It eliminates the need for external level-shifting ICs when connecting i.MX 8M Plus (1.8 V I²C) to 3.3 V peripherals such as sensors, secure elements, or display controllers - preserving signal integrity and reducing BOM cost.