NXP Semiconductors PXAG30KBA,512

Overview

PXAG30KBA,512 from NXP Semiconductors (formerly Philips Semiconductors) is a 16-bit XA architecture microcontroller with 512 B on-chip RAM, integrated watchdog timer, and dual enhanced UARTs. It operates from 2.7 V to 5.5 V, supports 20-bit addressing (1 MB program/data space), and targets industrial control and legacy 80C51 migration applications requiring higher performance without code rewrite.

For engineers reviewing the PXAG30KBA,512 datasheet, PXAG30KBA,512 pinout, PXAG30KBA,512 application, or PXAG30KBA,512 equivalent, key selection criteria include its 44-pin PLCC package, 2.7–5.5 V supply range, dual UART support with 9-bit mode and automatic address recognition, and compatibility with 80C51 C-language toolchains and interrupt structure.

Technical Context

The PXAG30KBA,512 implements the XA extended architecture CPU core with 24-bit address capability (configured to 20-bit in this variant), eight 16-bit general-purpose registers, and an instruction set optimized for C compilation and real-time multitasking. Its memory subsystem includes segmented data space, banked registers, and up to 32 vectored interrupts.

It integrates three counter/timers - Timer 0 and Timer 1 (80C51-compatible with enhanced Mode 0 auto-reload), plus Timer 2 supporting capture, auto-reload up/down counting, and baud rate generation. The watchdog timer uses a dedicated WDCON register with programmable timeout prescaling (PRE2:0).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 44-pin PLCC (plastic leaded chip carrier), body size 16.5 × 16.5 × 4.2 mm, lead pitch 1.27 mm, RoHS-compliant lead finish.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar 16-bit microcontroller applications.

Compared with 80C51FA512/01,512, PXAG30KBA,512 delivers 10× faster execution and dual UARTs for concurrent communication; compared with XA-G32KBBD,512, it shares identical functionality but uses PLCC for easier prototyping and socket-based testing.

Availability

PXAG30KBA,512 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial automation, legacy system upgrades, and embedded data acquisition requiring stable component supply and long-term manufacturability.

Supply support for PXAG30KBA,512 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 applications.

The XA-G30 series belongs to NXP's legacy 16-bit microcontroller product line, designed specifically to bridge 80C51-based systems to higher-performance embedded control with minimal firmware migration effort.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency supported by the PXAG30KBA,512?

The PXAG30KBA,512 does not specify a maximum clock frequency in its official documentation. Its AC electrical characteristics define timing parameters for oscillator inputs from 1 MHz to 20 MHz, with typical operation at 12 MHz. Performance scales linearly with crystal frequency, and the architecture supports full-speed execution at all valid oscillator frequencies within the 2.7–5.5 V supply range.

Does the PXAG30KBA,512 include on-chip Flash or ROM for program storage?

No, the PXAG30KBA,512 has no on-chip non-volatile program memory. It relies entirely on external program memory accessed via its 20-bit address/data bus. The EA/WAIT pin must be held LOW at reset to force external code execution, as confirmed in the datasheet's PIN DESCRIPTIONS section.

How is the external bus width (8-bit vs. 16-bit) configured on the PXAG30KBA,512?

The external bus width is determined by the logic level on the P3.5/BUSW pin at reset release. A LOW sets 8-bit data bus mode (A0–A19 + D0–D7); a HIGH selects 16-bit mode (A0–A19 + D0–D15). This value is latched into the Bus Configuration Register (BCR) and defines default address bus size and port pin assignments.

Can the PXAG30KBA,512's UARTs operate simultaneously at different baud rates?

Yes, the PXAG30KBA,512 supports independent baud rate generation for UART0 and UART1. Timer 2 can be assigned as the baud rate source for either UART via RCLK0/TCLK0 or RCLK1/TCLK1 bits in T2CON and T2MOD registers, allowing concurrent operation at distinct rates without shared timing resources.

What I/O port configuration options are available on the PXAG30KBA,512?

The PXAG30KBA,512 supports four programmable output configurations per port pin: quasi-bidirectional (default at reset), push-pull, open-drain, and input-only. These are controlled via Port Configuration Registers (PnCFGA/PnCFGB), enabling flexible interfacing with TTL, CMOS, and mixed-voltage peripherals without external level shifters.