NXP Semiconductors PCF52255CAF80

Overview

PCF52255CAF80 from NXP (formerly Freescale) is a 32-bit ColdFire V2 RISC microcontroller designed for industrial control and connectivity applications. It features an 80 MHz CPU core delivering 76 MIPS, 512 KB on-chip flash memory, 64 KB SRAM, integrated FlexCAN 2.0B, USB OTG, Fast Ethernet controller (FEC), and an 8-channel 12-bit ADC with simultaneous sampling - enabling real-time motor control and networked embedded systems.

For engineers reviewing the PCF52255CAF80 datasheet, PCF52255CAF80 pinout, PCF52255CAF80 application, or PCF52255CAF80 equivalent, key selection criteria include its 144-pin LQFP package, 80 MHz operation, dual CAN support, FEC + USB OTG coexistence, and cryptographic acceleration unit (CAU) for secure firmware updates and communication.

Technical Context

The PCF52255CAF80 implements the ColdFire V2 ISA_A+ core with EMAC and CAU coprocessor, supporting 16×16→32 and 32×32→48 multiply-accumulate operations plus hardware-accelerated DES/3DES/AES/MD5/SHA-1. Its clock system integrates a 8 MHz on-chip relaxation oscillator, PLL, and programmable dividers for flexible low-power and high-performance modes.

Peripheral integration includes a full-duplex Fast Ethernet MAC with descriptor-ring DMA, Mini-FlexBus external interface (available only in 144-pin packages), three UARTs with FIFO and modem control, two I²C modules, QSPI master, and four 32-bit DMA-capable timers with input capture/output compare - all tightly coupled to the local bus for deterministic latency.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

PCF52255CAF80 is housed in a 144-lead LQFP package (20 mm × 20 mm, 0.5 mm pitch), with exposed thermal pad. Pin functions are defined per the MCF52259 family block diagram and signal multiplexing table (PADI). All peripheral signals - including FEC_MDC/MDIO, USB_DP/DM, CAN_TX/RX, UART0–2, I²C0–1, QSPI, and ADC inputs - are mapped to dedicated pins or share with GPIO under software-controlled pin muxing.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MCF52259CAF80 and Kinetis K64F120M, the PCF52255CAF80 provides optimal balance of integrated Ethernet + CAN + USB OTG in a mature ColdFire ecosystem - reducing design risk for industrial upgrades while maintaining full debug visibility and deterministic real-time behavior.

Availability

PCF52255CAF80 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial motor control, building automation gateways, secure IoT edge nodes, and medical diagnostic instruments requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for PCF52255CAF80 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 deep heritage in microcontroller innovation through its acquisition of Freescale.

The MCF5225x ColdFire family was engineered for deterministic real-time control in harsh environments - combining RISC efficiency with integrated connectivity (CAN/Ethernet/USB) and security (CAU) for industrial edge intelligence.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the PCF52255CAF80?

The PCF52255CAF80 operates at a maximum core frequency of 80 MHz, achieving 76 MIPS (Dhrystone 2.1) when executing from internal flash memory. This frequency is supported by the integrated PLL and on-chip 8 MHz relaxation oscillator, with optional external crystal or oscillator input. The peripheral bus runs at up to 40 MHz, ensuring balanced timing across integrated modules like FEC and FlexCAN.

Does the PCF52255CAF80 include an integrated Ethernet PHY?

No, the PCF52255CAF80 includes only the Fast Ethernet Controller (FEC) MAC layer - not a physical layer (PHY). It requires an external 10/100 Mbps Ethernet PHY chip connected via MII or RMII interface. The FEC supports standard IEEE 802.3 interfaces including MII, 7-wire, and RMII, with built-in DMA and descriptor ring management to minimize CPU load during packet handling.

How many CAN controllers does the PCF52255CAF80 support?

The PCF52255CAF80 integrates one FlexCAN 2.0B module with 16 configurable message buffers. While the MCF52259 variant supports dual CAN, the PCF52255CAF80 is configured for single CAN operation - confirmed in Table 1 of the MCF52259 datasheet where "52255" row shows "" only under the FlexCAN column (not "Varies" or dual entries). This single CAN channel supports bit rates up to 1 Mbit/s and full CAN 2.0B protocol compliance.

Is the PCF52255CAF80 pin-compatible with other MCF5225x variants?

Yes, the PCF52255CAF80 in the 144-pin LQFP package shares identical pinout and footprint with other 144-pin MCF5225x variants (e.g., MCF52259CAF80), including matching power, clock, reset, JTAG, and peripheral signal assignments. However, functional differences exist - such as absence of Mini-FlexBus in PCF52255CAF80 - meaning unused pins in that variant may be repurposed as GPIO, but the physical layout remains compatible for drop-in replacement in same-package designs.

What debug interfaces are supported by the PCF52255CAF80?

The PCF52255CAF80 supports both JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) and Background Debug Mode (BDM) interfaces for in-circuit debugging and programming. It includes six hardware breakpoints (four PC, one address, one data), real-time trace capability, and dedicated debug serial I/O (DSI/DSO/DSCLK). The full JTAG boundary-scan and debug trace functionality is available on the 144-pin LQFP package, enabling comprehensive board-level test and non-intrusive runtime analysis of the PCF52255CAF80.