NXP Semiconductors SCF5250LAG100

Overview

SCF5250LAG100 from Freescale Semiconductor is a 32-bit ColdFire V2 microprocessor designed as a system controller/decoder for portable and automotive CD and hard disk drive audio players. It operates at 100 MHz, integrates 128 KB on-chip SRAM, features an Enhanced Multiply-Accumulate (EMAC) unit, and supports hardware CD-ROM sector decode compliant with CD-ROM and CD-ROM XA standards. Its 1.2 V core supply and lead-free LQFP-144 package target low-power embedded audio decoding systems.

For engineers reviewing the SCF5250LAG100 datasheet, SCF5250LAG100 pinout, SCF5250LAG100 application, or SCF5250LAG100 equivalent, key selection criteria include its 100 MHz clock rating, hardware CD-ROM decode capability, absence of production test for IDE/CF/SD/MMC interfaces, dual I²C and triple I²S interfaces, and 12-bit sigma-delta ADC support - all critical for audio subsystem integration in cost-sensitive consumer devices.

Technical Context

The SCF5250LAG100 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 executes 32×32-bit integer multiplies in one clock cycle and supports 48-bit accumulate operations, directly accelerating audio post-processing and file management tasks.

It integrates a glueless SDRAM controller supporting up to 32 MB (16-bit bus), a dual UART with four-byte receive buffers, three serial audio interfaces (I²S/IEC958), and a dedicated CD-ROM encoder/decoder block that performs sector sync recognition, descrambling, and CRC verification - all without CPU intervention.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

LQFP-144 package with 0.5 mm pitch, 20 × 20 mm body size, and exposed thermal pad. Pinout validated per Freescale SCF5250EC Rev. 1.3 datasheet Table 2 and Figure 1 block diagram.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with SCF5250LAG100, SCF5250LPV100 offers identical functionality in a RoHS-noncompliant package, while SCF5250PV120 delivers 20% higher clock speed with no change to peripheral configuration - making it suitable for performance-scaling within the same PCB layout.

Availability

SCF5250LAG100 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for portable audio players, automotive infotainment systems, and hard disk-based media hubs requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for SCF5250LAG100 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 as a cost-optimized, low-power ColdFire microprocessor family targeting compressed audio decoding and system control in portable and automotive CD/DVD players - integrating dedicated hardware blocks to minimize external components.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the SCF5250LAG100?

The SCF5250LAG100 is rated for a maximum clock frequency of 100 MHz, as confirmed in Table 1 of the SCF5250EC Rev. 1.3 datasheet. This frequency defines its Dhrystone 2.1 performance ceiling at approximately 92 MIPS and governs the maximum bit clock rate (33.3 MHz) for its I²S interfaces. The SCF5250LAG100 achieves this using a 1.2 V core supply and on-chip PLL locked to an external crystal.

Does the SCF5250LAG100 support hardware MP3 decoding?

No, the SCF5250LAG100 does not include hardware MP3 decoding. While it contains a dedicated CD-ROM encoder/decoder block compliant with CD-ROM and CD-ROM XA standards, MP3 decode is performed in software using the EMAC unit. Freescale offered separate royalty-included variants (e.g., SCF5250DAG120) for licensed MP3 functionality - the SCF5250LAG100 lacks this IP and associated licensing.

Is the IDE interface guaranteed functional on the SCF5250LAG100?

No, the IDE/CF/SD/MMC interfaces are explicitly excluded from production testing for the SCF5250LAG100. As stated in section 1.2.16 of the SCF5250EC Rev. 1.3 datasheet, Freescale does not guarantee functionality of these interfaces on SCF5250LAG100 or SCF5250LPV100. Designers must validate IDE operation empirically or select a tested variant like SCF5250PV120 if reliable IDE support is required.

What are the supported crystal frequencies for the SCF5250LAG100 oscillator?

The SCF5250LAG100 supports external crystal frequencies from 5 MHz to 35 MHz, as enabled by its on-chip programmable PLL. Common reference frequencies include 16.92 MHz and 33.86 MHz for CD R/W applications, and 11.2896 MHz for portable CD players. The PLL generates the 100 MHz system clock from any of these inputs, and the MCLK1/MCLK2 outputs can be programmed to Fxtal, Fxtal/2, Fxtal/3, or Fxtal/4 - with Fxtal/3 only available when using the 33.86 MHz crystal.

How many I²S interfaces does the SCF5250LAG100 provide, and what are their configurations?

The SCF5250LAG100 provides three serial audio interfaces compatible with Philips I²S and Sony EIAJ standards. One interface uses four pins (bit clock, word clock, data in, data out), while the other two use three pins each (bit clock, word clock, data in or out). All three support variable sampling rates, with maximum bit clock frequency limited to one-third of the system clock (33.3 MHz at 100 MHz), enabling high-resolution audio streaming without CPU overhead.