NAFE13388-UIM - 8-Channel Universal AFE Arduino Shield | NXP

PLC Analog Input Module Prototyping

The NAFE13388-UIM lets engineers prototype PLC analog input channels using the NAFE13388's eight universal inputs, which accept up to ±25 V signals directly without external dividers. Channels can be configured from eight single-ended to four differential inputs, matching typical industrial sensor wiring schemes. Placed on an MCX-N or LPC Arduino-connector host board via SPI, the shield emulates a production analog input module so firmware and channel-configuration tables can be validated early. The AFE's integrated diagnostics - covering open-wire and fault conditions - map directly to PLC diagnostic requirements, and measured results can be compared against a precision reference to characterize accuracy before committing to a custom PCB using the bare NAFE13388 chip.

RTD Temperature Measurement

For RTD sensing, the NAFE13388's integrated excitation sources on the UIM shield drive the sensor while the AFE digitizes the resulting voltage with high precision, eliminating discrete current sources and reducing BOM count. The universal inputs and internal AGND reference option simplify 2-, 3-, and 4-wire RTD front-end configurations during evaluation. According to NXP, users can quickly perform temperature measurements, reducing development time for final applications. Engineers use the shield to tune excitation levels, conversion settings, and linearization firmware before porting the configuration to a custom design; the low-power AFE architecture also suits battery-backed remote temperature nodes where excitation duty cycling conserves energy.

Thermocouple Measurement Front-End

The UIM shield demonstrates thermocouple measurement using the NAFE13388's low-leakage, high-voltage inputs and precision conversion path, with cold-junction compensation typically handled via an auxiliary channel or host MCU sensor. Mouser's product notes confirm quick thermocouple measurement capability as a headline feature. During evaluation, engineers characterize noise performance and conversion settings across thermocouple types, then reuse the validated SPI configuration sequences in production firmware. Because the AFE tolerates up to ±25 V at its inputs, accidental overvoltage from miswired probes is less catastrophic than with a bare low-voltage ADC, making the platform forgiving for bench bring-up of industrial temperature measurement systems.

Voltage and Current Monitoring

The NAFE13388-UIM enables rapid evaluation of multi-channel voltage and current monitoring for industrial equipment. The ±25 V universal inputs accept typical 0-10 V, ±10 V, and 4-20 mA-derived signals (via an external sense resistor) directly, and channel-by-channel configuration through the SPI interface lets a single AFE serve mixed signal types simultaneously. NXP's graphical interface and open-CMSIS driver packs allow engineers to sweep gain, conversion rate, and diagnostic settings interactively, shortening the path from concept to validated channel table. The AFE's multiple integrated diagnostic features support fault detection required in process monitoring, and results map directly to a custom board design using the NAFE13388.

Building Automation Sensing

Building automation controllers aggregate many analog signals - temperature sensors, 0-10 V actuators feedback, and current loops - exactly the mixed universal inputs the NAFE13388 provides. The UIM shield lets BMS developers validate that a single configurable AFE can replace multiple discrete conditioning circuits, cutting cost and board area. The low-power AFE profile suits battery-powered wireless sensors and room controllers, while the industrial-grade silicon rating supports wide ambient conditions in mechanical rooms. Via the Arduino shield, firmware teams test SPI driver integration with their real control code on MCX-N or LPC hosts before designing a custom AFE-based controller PCB, reusing the same register-level configuration validated on the shield.

Firmware and Driver Development

Beyond sensing, the UIM is a software development platform: NXP ships universal open-CMSIS driver packs for the NAFE13388, a public Arduino class library (AFE_NXP_Arduino) exposing the NAFE13388_UIM class, and Application Code Hub examples running on FRDM-MCXN947. Teams developing production firmware for the NAFE13388 use the shield as the reference hardware target, validating SPI transaction timing, register maps, and diagnostic handlers with a graphical interface that explores each driver function. Because the silicon on the shield is identical to production NAFE13388 parts, configuration code developed here transfers unchanged to custom boards, dramatically de-risking the firmware schedule for new analog input products.