NXP Semiconductors SCF5250AG120

Overview

SCF5250AG120 from Freescale Semiconductor is a 32-bit ColdFire V2 microprocessor designed as a system controller/decoder for compressed audio players, featuring a 120 MHz core clock, on-chip 128 KB SRAM, integrated EMAC unit, 8 KB instruction cache, and hardware CD-ROM encoder/decoder. It targets portable and automotive CD/HDD-based music players requiring real-time audio decoding without external DRAM.

For engineers reviewing the SCF5250AG120 datasheet, SCF5250AG120 pinout, SCF5250AG120 application, or SCF5250AG120 equivalent, key selection criteria include its 120 MHz performance at 1.2 V core, LQFP-144 package with 60 GPIOs, I²S/IEC958 audio interfaces, SDRAM controller, and integrated MP3-royalty-free audio processing capability.

Technical Context

The SCF5250AG120 implements a decoupled two-stage instruction fetch pipeline (IFP) and two-stage operand execution pipeline (OEP), enabling high instruction throughput with minimal stalls. Its EMAC unit supports 32×32-bit multiplication in one clock cycle and 48-bit accumulate operations, accelerating audio signal processing tasks.

It integrates a glueless 16-bit SDRAM controller supporting up to 32 MB, three Philips I²S interfaces (one 4-pin, two 3-pin), dual UARTs with 4-byte RX buffers, and a programmable on-chip PLL accepting 5–35 MHz crystal inputs to generate internal clocks-including MCLK1/MCLK2 for audio master clocking at Fxtal, Fxtal/2, Fxtal/3, or Fxtal/4.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

LQFP-144 package with 0.5 mm pitch, thermally enhanced exposed pad, lead-free finish, and standard JEDEC footprint.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar microprocessor-based audio controller applications.

Compared with SCF5250AG120, SCF5250EAG120 adds licensed MP3 encode capability at no pinout or timing penalty, while SCF5250CAG120 extends thermal range for harsh environments - both retain full software and hardware compatibility but serve distinct compliance and deployment requirements.

Availability

SCF5250AG120 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for portable audio players, automotive infotainment systems, and embedded CD-ROM controllers requiring stable component supply across long-lifecycle consumer electronics programs.

Supply support for SCF5250AG120 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

Freescale Semiconductor (now part of NXP Semiconductors) is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in embedded processors, analog, and connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and consumer markets.

The SCF5250 product line was engineered specifically for cost-sensitive, low-power audio decoding and system control in portable and automotive CD/HDD music players - integrating dedicated hardware accelerators to minimize external components and software overhead.

FAQ

What is the maximum supported SDRAM size for the SCF5250AG120?

The SCF5250AG120 supports up to 32 MB (256 Mbits) of SDRAM via its glueless 16-bit interface. This capacity is achieved using a single bank with page-mode, non-page-mode, or burst-page-mode operation - sufficient for buffering decoded audio frames and application code in systems requiring external memory beyond the on-chip 128 KB SRAM.

Does the SCF5250AG120 include MP3 decoding capability out of the box?

Yes, the SCF5250AG120 includes hardware-accelerated MP3 decoding capability without requiring external licensing fees. Unlike SCF5250EAG120 (which bundles MP3 encoder/decoder royalties), SCF5250AG120 is licensed for MP3 decode-only use - making it suitable for playback-only devices such as CD players and portable audio docks.

Can the SCF5250AG120 operate without an external crystal oscillator?

No - the SCF5250AG120 requires an external crystal (5–35 MHz) connected to CRIN/CROUT pins to drive its on-chip PLL. The device does not include a built-in RC oscillator; the PLL synthesizes the 120 MHz core clock and audio master clocks (MCLK1/MCLK2) from this reference. Crystal selection impacts jitter performance and audio clock stability.

How many I²S interfaces does the SCF5250AG120 support, and what are their configurations?

The SCF5250AG120 supports three independent I²S interfaces: one 4-pin interface (bit clock, word clock, data in, data out) and two 3-pin interfaces (bit clock, word clock, data in or out). All three operate synchronously from the same system clock domain, with maximum bit clock frequency limited to 1/3 of the 120 MHz core clock (i.e., ≤40 MHz).

Is the on-chip 128 KB SRAM accessible by DMA in the SCF5250AG120?

Yes - the 128 KB SRAM is divided into two 64 KB banks (SRAM0 and SRAM1), and SRAM1 is fully accessible by the four-channel DMA controller. This allows background audio buffer transfers, IDE-to-SRAM streaming, or peripheral-to-memory moves without CPU involvement, improving real-time responsiveness in multitasking audio applications using the SCF5250AG120.