NXP Semiconductors S9KEAZN16ACLC

Overview

S9KEAZN16ACLC from NXP Semiconductors is a 32-bit ARM® Cortex®-M0+ microcontroller designed for cost-sensitive automotive body electronics. It integrates 16 KB Flash, 2 KB RAM, 256 B EEPROM emulation, operates at up to 40 MHz bus frequency, and features FlexTimer Module (FTM), UART, ADC, GPIO, and I²C interfaces. It targets entry-level body controllers, window/roof/sunroof modules, and ambient lighting systems.

For engineers reviewing the S9KEAZN16ACLC datasheet, S9KEAZN16ACLC pinout, S9KEAZN16ACLC application, or S9KEAZN16ACLC equivalent, key selection criteria include its 40 MHz max bus speed, 256 B emulated EEPROM, FTM-based PWM generation, UART with 9600 baud support, and AEC-Q100 qualification for automotive environments.

Technical Context

The S9KEAZN16ACLC implements an ARM Cortex-M0+ core with a tightly coupled bus architecture supporting independent clock gating per peripheral. Its Internal Clock Source (ICS) module provides FEI/FEE/FBI/FBE modes, enabling 40 MHz system clock via FLL locked to internal reference (31.25 kHz trimmed), then divided by BDIV=2 to achieve 20 MHz bus speed.

Peripherals include three UART channels (one active per variant), two SPI modules, two I²C interfaces, a 12-bit ADC with up to 16 channels, two analog comparators (ACMP), and a 16-bit FlexTimer Module with output compare and PWM capability - all synchronized to the 20 MHz bus clock and configurable via SIM clock gating registers.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 32-pin LQFP (7 mm × 7 mm, 0.8 mm pitch), RoHS-compliant, AEC-Q100 Grade 2 qualified (-40°C to +105°C).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with S9KEAZN8ACLC and S9KEAZN32ACLC, the S9KEAZN16ACLC delivers optimal balance of memory, peripheral count, and cost for mid-tier automotive body controllers - offering upgrade path to 32 KB without PCB redesign, while avoiding over-provisioning seen in the 8 KB variant.

Availability

S9KEAZN16ACLC is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for window/roof controllers, ambient lighting systems, park assistance sensor nodes, and motorcycle CDI/EFI modules requiring stable component supply across automotive production lifecycles.

Supply support for S9KEAZN16ACLC 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 specializing in secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and IoT markets.

The Kinetis EA series, including S9KEAZN16ACLC, was engineered specifically for cost-optimized, EMC-robust automotive body electronics - emphasizing low pin count, integrated analog peripherals, and AEC-Q100 compliance without sacrificing ARM Cortex-M0+ software compatibility.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the S9KEAZN16ACLC core?

The S9KEAZN16ACLC uses an ARM Cortex-M0+ core with a maximum bus frequency of 20 MHz, achieved by locking the internal FLL to 40 MHz and dividing by BDIV=2. The core executes instructions at this bus speed, and all peripherals-including UART, ADC, and FTM-are synchronized to this clock domain. This 20 MHz timing ensures deterministic real-time performance for automotive body control tasks while maintaining low power consumption.

Does the S9KEAZN16ACLC include hardware support for EEPROM emulation?

Yes, the S9KEAZN16ACLC includes 256 bytes of emulated EEPROM implemented in Flash memory using NXP's EEPROM emulation library. This allows non-volatile storage of calibration data, user settings, or fault logs without external components. The emulation handles wear leveling and atomic write operations, and it is accessible via standard API calls in the MCUXpresso SDK. This feature is fully supported in the S9KEAZN16ACLC and verified in AN4942 application note examples.

Which communication interfaces are available on the S9KEAZN16ACLC?

The S9KEAZN16ACLC provides three UART channels (with UART0/UART1/UART2 selectable per pin assignment), two SPI modules, and two I²C interfaces. All are accessible via multiplexed GPIO pins and support standard automotive baud rates (e.g., 9600–115200 for UART) and clock speeds (up to 1 MHz for I²C). These interfaces enable diagnostics, sensor interfacing, display control, and inter-ECU communication - confirmed in Table 1 and Section 5 of AN4942.

Is the S9KEAZN16ACLC qualified for automotive use?

Yes, the S9KEAZN16ACLC is AEC-Q100 Grade 2 qualified, rated for operation from -40°C to +105°C, and designed for automotive body electronics applications. It meets stringent EMC/ESD requirements per ISO 11452 and IEC 61000-4-x standards, and its packaging (32-pin LQFP) is optimized for reflow soldering in automotive manufacturing. This qualification is documented in NXP's official device datasheet and supported by AN4942's focus on automotive use cases.

How many ADC channels does the S9KEAZN16ACLC support?

The S9KEAZN16ACLC integrates a 12-bit successive approximation ADC with up to 16 input channels (ADC0_SE0 through ADC0_SE15), configurable via dedicated analog input pins on Ports A, B, C, and D. It supports single-ended and differential conversions, hardware trigger sources (e.g., FTM overflow), and programmable sample time. This capability is explicitly listed in Table 1 of AN4942 and used in sensor interface examples throughout the document.