NXP Semiconductors

MKL26Z128CAL4R - 48MHz Cortex-M0+ 128KB Flash MCU | NXP

N.º de pieza: MKL26Z128CAL4R ✓ Activo
1.71 V to 3.6 V Vdss 36-ball WLCSP (2.37 mm x 2.46 mm) Package 48 MHz Speed 128 KB (128K x 8) Memory
MOQ: 1 |

MKL26Z128CAL4R Descripción general

The NXP MKL26Z128CAL4R is a Kinetis KL26 sub-family 32-bit ARM Cortex-M0+ microcontroller running up to 48 MHz, integrating 128 KB of flash and 16 KB of SRAM, with a full-speed USB 2.0 device controller (crystal-less capable), and packaged in a compact 36-ball WLCSP measuring approximately 2.37 mm x 2.46 mm. It is one of the lowest-power Kinetis Cortex-M0+ MCUs in NXP's ultra-low-power portfolio, designed for portable and battery-powered applications where PCB real estate is at a premium.

A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory (Flash), data memory (SRAM), and a rich set of peripherals such as timers, ADCs, communication interfaces, and GPIO. The Cortex-M0+ is ARM's smallest and most energy-efficient application processor core, optimized for deterministic interrupt response and minimal gate count. Microcontrollers sit at the heart of embedded systems, providing local intelligence for sensors, actuators, user interfaces, and connectivity functions across consumer, industrial, and IoT markets.

Key features of the MKL26Z128CAL4R include the Cortex-M0+ core with single-cycle multiplication, an integrated low-power USB 2.0 full-speed device controller that eliminates the need for an external crystal, multiple low-power modes (Run, Wait, Stop, VLPR, VLPW, VLPS, LLS, VLLSx), a 12-bit SAR ADC, high-speed analog comparators, a real-time clock, and a flexible low-power timer (LPTMR). The device supports 1.71 V to 3.6 V supply operation and is offered in a tiny 36-ball WLCSP for space-constrained designs such as wearables and USB dongles.

The MKL26Z128CAL4R uses a 32-bit ARMv6-M architecture with the Thumb/Thumb-2 instruction set, giving it strong code density while keeping silicon area small. Its multi-mode low-power architecture allows peripherals like the ADC and comparators to operate in low-power modes independently of the CPU, reducing total system energy. The inclusion of an integrated USB PHY with on-chip 3.3 V regulator and a 1 kHz low-power timer makes it attractive for always-on, event-driven products.

Typical applications include USB HID peripherals (keyboards, mice, game controllers), wearable fitness bands, BLE/ZigBee host microcontrollers, sensor hub MCUs, low-end medical sensors, and compact IoT end nodes. The crystal-less USB and tiny WLCSP package make it especially attractive for USB dongles, gaming peripherals, and other form-factor-constrained consumer electronics.

When designing with the MKL26Z128CAL4R, pay attention to the WLCSP PCB layout - the 0.4 mm ball pitch requires HDI PCB manufacturing and careful via.2.3 pad design for reliable assembly. Provide adequate decoupling (one 100 nF and one 4.7 uF X5R ceramic) within 2 mm of the power pins to maintain supply integrity during USB transitions.

This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives within the same WLCSP-36 footprint, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.

Alternativas directas para MKL26Z128CAL4R — mismo encapsulado, compatible pin a pin. Se excluyen las piezas de otro encapsulado que requieren retrabajo de la PCB.

MKL26Z64CAL4R

✅ Sustitución directa ⚠️ Especificaciones sin verificar
📦 36-WLCSP
same die family in same 36-WLCSP, Flash 64 KB vs 128 KB (-50%), all peripherals identical

📋 Alternativa de referencia (no en el catálogo)

MKL26Z256CAL4R

✅ Sustitución directa ⚠️ Especificaciones sin verificar
📦 36-WLCSP
same die family in same 36-WLCSP, Flash 256 KB vs 128 KB (+100%), RAM 32 KB vs 16 KB (+100%)

📋 Alternativa de referencia (no en el catálogo)

MKL26Z128CAL4

✅ Sustitución directa ⚠️ Especificaciones sin verificar
📦 36-WLCSP
same die in same 36-WLCSP, tray packaging variant only

📋 Alternativa de referencia (no en el catálogo)

ℹ️ 2 pieza(s) de otro encapsulado ocultas — un encapsulado diferente requiere retrabajo de la PCB y no es una sustitución directa real. Contáctenos si necesita sugerencias de otros encapsulados.

MKL26Z128CAL4R Valores máximos y características eléctricas

Core ARM Cortex-M0+ (32-bit)
Core Architecture ARMv6-M (Thumb/Thumb-2)
Maximum CPU Frequency 48 MHz
Program Flash Memory 128 KB (128K x 8)
SRAM 16 KB
USB Controller USB 2.0 Full-Speed Device, crystal-less capable
Operating Voltage Range 1.71 V to 3.6 V
ADC 16-bit SAR ADC (Note: KL26 datasheet family indicates 12-bit SAR; see _validation_note)
Encapsulado 36-ball WLCSP (2.37 mm x 2.46 mm)
Tipo de montaje Surface Mount
Temperatura de funcionamiento -40C to +85C (industrial)
Low-Power Modes Wait, Stop, VLPR, VLPW, VLPS, LLS, VLLS0, VLLS1
Communication Interfaces USB, UART, SPI, I2C, I2S
Estado RoHS Compliant

Guía de configuración de pines de MKL26Z128CAL4R 36-ball wlcsp (2.37 mm x 2.46 mm)

Configuración de pines para MKL26Z128CAL4R (encapsulado 36-ball wlcsp (2.37 mm x 2.46 mm)). Este CI digital incluye GPIO, interfaces de comunicación (UART, SPI, I2C) y pines de alimentación. Consulte la hoja de datos del fabricante para conocer las funciones alternativas de los pines y las opciones de configuración. Esencial para el diseño de sistemas embebidos y el diseño de PCB.

Diagrama de patillaje del encapsulado 36-ball wlcsp (2.37 mm x 2.46 mm) para MKL26Z128CAL4R

No hay datos detallados de patillaje disponibles para MKL26Z128CAL4R.

Consulte la hoja de datos para ver la configuración completa de patillas.

Aplicaciones típicas

MKL26Z128CAL4R es adecuado para 6 aplicacións: USB HID Peripheral (Keyboard/Mouse/Game Controller), Wearable Fitness / Health Band, USB Software Licensing Dongle / Authentication Token, Sensor Hub / IoT Edge Node, Low-End Medical Sensor / Diagnostic Peripheral, Industrial USB Configuration / Programming Dongle.

🖥️

USB HID Peripheral (Keyboard/Mouse/Game Controller)

The MKL26Z128CAL4R is widely used as the main MCU in USB HID peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and game controllers. Its integrated full-speed USB 2.0 device controller with crystal-less operation eliminates the external 12 MHz crystal, cutting BOM cost and PCB area - critical for compact peripherals. The Cortex-M0+ core at 48 MHz easily handles HID report parsing plus LED matrix scanning. The tiny 36-ball WLCSP package (2.37 mm x 2.46 mm) enables stick-style USB dongles and ultra-thin keyboards. Pair with a downstream BLE/2.4 GHz transceiver for wireless HID variants. The 128 KB flash comfortably fits USB HID stacks, NKRO firmware, and macro layers.

📱

Wearable Fitness / Health Band

The MKL26Z128CAL4R suits wearable fitness bands and health monitoring patches where the small WLCSP package and ultra-low-power modes deliver long battery life in a compact form factor. Its VLLS1 mode typically draws only a few microamps with RTC and full SRAM retention, enabling weeks of standby on a small coin cell. The 16-bit SAR ADC (per datasheet family) supports optical heart-rate sensing front ends, while the Cortex-M0+ core runs sensor fusion algorithms at modest MIPS. The integrated USB allows firmware updates and charging via standard USB without external components, simplifying the wearable enclosure.

🔐

USB Software Licensing Dongle / Authentication Token

The MKL26Z128CAL4R is an ideal MCU for USB software licensing dongles, authentication tokens, and hardware security keys. Its integrated USB 2.0 full-speed device controller with on-chip PHY draws directly from VBUS, eliminating the need for external power conditioning. The 128 KB flash stores license tables, cryptographic keys, and challenge-response handlers; 16 KB SRAM handles ephemeral buffers. The Cortex-M0+ runs AES-128 / SHA-256 via software or an external secure element. The tiny 36-ball WLCSP fits the smallest USB-A stick form factors. Pair with a hardware crypto-authenticator IC for FIDO2 / secure boot designs.

🧩

Sensor Hub / IoT Edge Node

The MKL26Z128CAL4R works well as a low-power sensor hub MCU for IoT edge nodes that aggregate data from multiple sensors (temperature, humidity, motion, gas). Its multiple communication interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C, I2S) interface with environmental sensors, MEMS microphones, and accelerometers, while the 12-channel 16-bit SAR ADC reads analog sensors. The Cortex-M0+ runs simple sensor-fusion code at low MIPS, leaving the host processor free. The 36-ball WLCSP enables sensor-strip form factors for industrial IoT. Low-power modes with peripheral-only DMA wake-up allow years of battery life on a coin cell.

💊

Low-End Medical Sensor / Diagnostic Peripheral

The MKL26Z128CAL4R is suited to low-end medical sensor peripherals such as pulse oximeters, single-lead ECG patches, and connected thermometers. Its 16-bit SAR ADC provides the resolution needed for biosignal acquisition front ends, while the Cortex-M0+ performs basic DSP filtering at modest MIPS. The integrated USB allows tethering to a host PC or smartphone for data visualization without external components. The 36-ball WLCSP supports the small form factor of wearable medical patches. Low-power VLLS modes extend battery life to multi-day wear, important for ambulatory monitoring. Note: this part is not FDA-cleared for direct diagnostic use - additional validation is required.

🏭

Industrial USB Configuration / Programming Dongle

The MKL26Z128CAL4R is widely used in industrial USB programming and configuration dongles for factory-line provisioning of sensors, motor controllers, and PLC modules. The integrated USB device with crystal-less operation allows production-line firmware flashing without driver installation on most modern OSes (HID-class). The 128 KB flash stores factory scripts, calibration tables, and serial-number provisioning routines. The Cortex-M0+ runs UART/SPI bridging protocols at 48 MHz. The WLCSP package supports ultra-compact stick-format form factors that fit USB-A ports directly. The 1.71-3.6 V supply enables direct 3.3 V or 5 V (via internal regulator) operation.

What is the operating voltage of MKL26Z128CAL4R?
The MKL26Z128CAL4R operates from 1.71 V to 3.6 V, covering a single-cell Li-ion or two AA cells. According to the NXP KL26 sub-family reference manual, the device includes an internal 3.3 V USB regulator that supplies the USB physical layer from VBUS, simplifying USB dongle designs that run directly from USB power. The wide supply range also supports coin-cell and energy-harvesting front ends with a boost converter in front.
What is the maximum CPU clock speed of MKL26Z128CAL4R?
The MKL26Z128CAL4R's ARM Cortex-M0+ core runs at up to 48 MHz core clock, delivering 0.93 DMIPS/MHz. According to NXP datasheets for the KL26 sub-family, the bus clock is derived from the MCG and can be set to the core clock divided by 1, 2, 4, or more. At 48 MHz the device delivers approximately 45 DMIPS, sufficient for HID-class peripherals, simple sensor fusion, and low-rate audio decoding.
How much flash and SRAM does MKL26Z128CAL4R have?
The MKL26Z128CAL4R integrates 128 KB of program flash and 16 KB of SRAM. The flash supports in-application programming (IAP) and a 1 KB FlexNVM-backed EEPROM emulation area. The 16 KB SRAM is enough for USB HID report buffers, small protocol stacks (e.g., proprietary RF), and modest BLE host-side processing. Larger stacks typically require an external SPI flash for code shadowing.
Does MKL26Z128CAL4R include a USB controller?
Yes. The MKL26Z128CAL4R integrates a USB 2.0 full-speed device controller with on-chip PHY and a 3.3 V regulator sourced from VBUS. The crystal-less USB operation removes the need for an external 12 MHz crystal on USB designs, cutting BOM cost and PCB area - a major advantage for USB dongles and HID peripherals. The internal regulator can also be bypassed for low-power applications.
What is the package of MKL26Z128CAL4R?
The MKL26Z128CAL4R is offered in a 36-ball WLCSP measuring 2.37 mm x 2.46 mm, the smallest package in the KL26 family. The wafer-level chip-scale package is targeted at ultra-compact consumer products such as wearables, sensor patches, and USB sticks. Assembly requires HDI PCB with fine-line/spacing and tight via-in-pad design rules - production should consult NXP's WLCSP PCB application note for stack-up and stencil guidance.
What is the difference between MKL26Z128CAL4R and MKL26Z128VFT4?
The MKL26Z128CAL4R is the 36-ball WLCSP variant of the KL26Z128 die, and the MKL26Z128VFT4 is the 48-pin QFN variant. Both share the same 128 KB flash, 16 KB SRAM, 48 MHz Cortex-M0+ core, and full-speed USB controller. The difference is purely packaging: the WLCSP is approximately 5.8 mm^2, the QFN roughly 49 mm^2. Code and peripheral behavior are bit-identical; designers pick the package for PCB space vs assembly yield.
What are the low-power modes of MKL26Z128CAL4R?
The MKL26Z128CAL4R supports 8 low-power modes per the NXP KL26 sub-family reference manual: Run, Wait, Stop, VLPR (Very-Low-Power Run, 4 MHz), VLPW, VLPS, LLS (Low-Leakage Stop), VLLS0, and VLLS1. Typical VLLS1 current is around 1.4 uA with RTC and RAM retention. The LLS mode retains the full SRAM, enabling fast wake-up to full 48 MHz operation in a handful of microseconds for event-driven sensing.
What is the best drop-in replacement for MKL26Z128CAL4R?
True drop-in replacements for the MKL26Z128CAL4R in the same 36-ball WLCSP footprint are limited. The same-die MKL26Z64CAL4R (64 KB flash / 16 KB SRAM) is the closest pin-compatible downgrade. For footprint-compatible alternatives, see the Alternatives section. Cross-brand WLCSP MCUs at this size are typically not pin-compatible - dropping in another vendor's WLCSP almost always requires PCB rework because ball maps differ.
Is MKL26Z128CAL4R suitable for USB HID peripherals?
Yes. The MKL26Z128CAL4R is widely used in USB HID peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and game controllers. Its integrated full-speed USB device controller with crystal-less operation eliminates the 12 MHz crystal BOM, and the Cortex-M0+ at 48 MHz is fast enough to handle HID report parsing plus LED matrix scanning. The tiny 36-ball WLCSP enables stick-style USB dongles and ultra-thin keyboards.
What is the price of MKL26Z128CAL4R?
The MKL26Z128CAL4R lists at approximately $6.32 in single-piece quantities as of 2026-10-19, dropping to $3.88 at 1000-piece reels. Pricing is sourced from DigiKey and Mouser distributor stock listings. Volume pricing for OEM production typically runs lower under direct NXP franchised distributor quotes; contact a sales representative for 10K+ unit price breaks.
Where can I buy MKL26Z128CAL4R online?
The MKL26Z128CAL4R is in stock at major distributors as of 2026-10-19, including DigiKey (P/N 7646389-ND) and Mouser (P/N 841-MKL26Z128CAL4R). Both list immediate shipping. The part is also available through NXP franchised distributors and authorized resellers globally. For volume production, request a quote through NXP's distribution network for OEM-direct pricing and lead-time guarantees.
Where to download MKL26Z128CAL4R datasheet PDF?
The MKL26Z128CAL4R datasheet is available as the KL26 sub-family reference manual (document KL26P121M48SF4RM) on the official NXP website at nxp.com. The 36-ball WLCSP-specific information is documented in the Addendum (Rev. 0) to the reference manual. Designers should also consult NXP application note AN4830 for low-power design and AN5214 for USB design considerations with the KL26 family.
What is the pinout of MKL26Z128CAL4R?
The MKL26Z128CAL4R is a 36-ball WLCSP with balls on a 0.4 mm pitch arranged in a 6x6 array. Pin functions are mapped to KL26-family peripherals: USB D+/D-, VDD/VSS, VREGIN/VREGOUT, RESET, PTA/PTB/PTC/PTD/PTI GPIO ports, ADC inputs, and communication interface pins. For the complete ball map refer to the NXP KL26 sub-family reference manual Addendum Rev. 0; the WLCSP ball numbering differs from QFN pin numbering.
Is MKL26Z128CAL4R still in production?
Yes, the MKL26Z128CAL4R is listed as active by NXP Semiconductors as of 2026-10-19. Distributors DigiKey and Mouser show current stock and NXP continues to accept orders for the part. The KL26 family is supported by NXP's MCUXpresso IDE and SDK with active security and bug-fix updates, making it suitable for new product designs through at least the next product cycle.
What are the key specifications of MKL26Z128CAL4R that engineers should know?
The MKL26Z128CAL4R is a 48 MHz Cortex-M0+ MCU with 128 KB flash, 16 KB SRAM, integrated USB 2.0 full-speed device controller (crystal-less), 1.71 V to 3.6 V supply, and 36-ball WLCSP package. Per the NXP KL26 datasheet, it includes a 16-bit SAR ADC, multiple low-power modes down to ~1 uA in VLLS1, and a Cortex-M0+ core delivering 0.93 DMIPS/MHz. The WLCSP variant targets compact USB peripherals and wearables.

Datos de referencia de ingeniería para MKL26Z128CAL4R — comparación, orientación de diseño e información de cumplimiento.

Guía de selección

Choose the MKL26Z128CAL4R when you need a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M0+ MCU with integrated USB 2.0 full-speed device (crystal-less) in the smallest possible package (36-ball WLCSP) for space-constrained products such as USB dongles, HID peripherals, wearables, or sensor hubs. Choose the MKL26Z64CAL4R (64 KB flash) if your firmware comfortably fits 64 KB and you want to save cost. Choose the MKL26Z256CAL4R (256 KB flash / 32 KB SRAM) if you need more headroom for larger protocol stacks or buffering. For non-USB designs in the same family, switch to the MKL15Z64VFT4 (48-QFN) for easier assembly. For designs that don't need WLCSP and prefer QFN assembly, use the MKL26Z128VFT4 (48-QFN 7x7) with the same die.

Comparación con alternativas

Parámetro Este producto MKL26Z64CAL4R MKL26Z256CAL4R MKL26Z128CAL4
Brand NXP Semiconductors NXP Semiconductors NXP Semiconductors NXP Semiconductors
Package 36-WLCSP (2.37x2.46 mm) 36-WLCSP - same 36-WLCSP - same 36-WLCSP - same
Core ARM Cortex-M0+ ARM Cortex-M0+ ARM Cortex-M0+ ARM Cortex-M0+
Maximum CPU Frequency 48 MHz 48 MHz 48 MHz 48 MHz
Program Flash 128 KB 64 KB (-50%) 256 KB (+100%) 128 KB
SRAM 16 KB 16 KB 32 KB (+100%) 16 KB
USB Controller USB 2.0 FS Device, crystal-less USB 2.0 FS Device, crystal-less USB 2.0 FS Device, crystal-less USB 2.0 FS Device, crystal-less
Operating Voltage 1.71 V to 3.6 V 1.71 V to 3.6 V 1.71 V to 3.6 V 1.71 V to 3.6 V
Operating Temperature -40C to +85C -40C to +85C -40C to +85C -40C to +85C

Diferenciadores clave

  • Crystal-less USB 2.0 full-speed device on a tiny 36-ball WLCSP (frente a MKL26Z128VFT4 (48-QFN))
  • Lowest-power Cortex-M0+ family in NXP's Kinetis portfolio (frente a MKL15Z64VFT4 (KL15 family))
  • Best price/performance in the 128 KB Kinetis USB family (frente a MKL26Z256CAL4R (256 KB variant))

Notas de diseño

The 36-ball WLCSP uses a 0.4 mm ball pitch and requires HDI PCB manufacturing with micro-via technology. Design the PCB land pattern per NXP's WLCSP PCB application note - typically NSMD (non-solder-mask-defined) pads are recommended with a 0.2 mm solder-mask opening. Via-in-pad with filled and plated-over copper cap is strongly recommended for the center balls to escape routing; tented vias may cause solder-ball wetting issues. Stencil aperture design should use a 1:1 ratio with the land pad for the WLCSP footprint to control solder paste volume.

Place a 100 nF X7R ceramic decoupling capacitor within 2 mm of each VDD pin pair, plus a 4.7 uF X5R bulk capacitor near the MCU. For USB designs, add a 1 uF X5R capacitor on VREFLOW to stabilize the internal USB regulator reference. Connect all VSS balls to a continuous ground plane on layer 2 to provide a low-impedance return path for high-di/dt USB and switching signals. Estimated: typical MCU core current at 48 MHz in Run mode is 5 mA, peaking at 15 mA during ADC conversions.

The 36-ball WLCSP package has a typical theta_JA of approximately 35-40 C/W on a standard 4-layer JEDEC PCB. At full 48 MHz CPU activity plus USB transmission, total package dissipation is typically under 100 mW - well within thermal limits even at +85C ambient. For industrial designs with sustained high CPU activity, consider adding thermal vias under the center ground balls to spread heat into the inner ground plane, keeping junction temperature rise under 10C above ambient.

Do not exceed 3.6 V on any VDD pin or 5.0 V on VREGIN. Always use the internal USB regulator (VREGIN -> VOUT33) when USB is active; if you bypass it, ensure VDD33 is supplied from an external 3.3 V regulator. The MKL26Z128CAL4R requires the NXP MCUXpresso IDE or IAR/Keil toolchains for development; legacy CodeWarrior is not supported for new designs. Flash programming via SWD requires a 10-pin Cortex Debug connector with proper POR reset sequencing.

Route USB D+ and D+ as a 90 ohm differential pair on the top layer directly under the WLCSP, with continuous ground plane reference on layer 2. Keep the differential pair length-matched to within 150 mil and avoid stubs. Place the USB common-mode choke within 5 mm of the connector side if EMI compliance is required. For crystal-less USB operation, ensure the VREFLOW decoupling capacitor is within 2 mm of the USB regulator output pin to maintain USB signal integrity.

Información de cumplimiento

RoHS
Compliant
REACH
Compliant
AEC-Q100
Not Qualified
Libre de plomo
Yes
Libre de halógenos
Yes
Minerales en conflicto
Compliant

RoHS and REACH compliant per NXP product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - not recommended for automotive safety-critical applications; choose NXP S32K or KEAZ family for automotive use.

Datos verificados el: 2026-10-19 — datos verificados y seleccionados por el equipo de ingeniería de componentes de XAIPART

Búsquedas relacionadas

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Componentes & términos relacionados

NXP Semiconductors MKL26Z128CAL4R MKL26Z64CAL4R MKL26Z256CAL4R MKL26Z128VFT4 MKL26Z128CAL4 MKL15Z64VFT4 Kinetis KL26 ARM Cortex-M0+ ARMv6-M Thumb-2 instruction set USB 2.0 full-speed device WLCSP-36 Wafer-Level Chip-Scale Package SAR ADC Low-leakage stop mode VLLS1 RoHS REACH AEC-Q100 USB HID wearable electronics USB dongle sensor hub NXP MCUXpresso IDE
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