K32W061Z - Multiprotocol Wireless MCU 802.15.4/BLE 5.0 | NXP
MPN: K32W061Z ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.36 | $8.36 |
| 10 | $7.69 | $76.90 |
| 100 | $6.45 | $645.00 |
| 500 | $5.72 | $2,860.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.18 | $5,180.00 |
K32W061Z Overview
A wireless MCU (system-on-chip) is a category of integrated circuit that combines an application-class microcontroller with one or more radio transceivers on a single die. The K32W061Z sits within the hypernym hierarchy wireless MCU -> RF SoC -> short-range radio IC -> semiconductor -> integrated circuit. In system-level power architecture, it typically draws from a DC-DC converter or low-Iq regulator, occupies the application-layer role of a Thread Border Router node, a Zigbee Coordinator/End Device, a BLE 5.0 peripheral/central, or a Matter-over-Ready controller, and is commonly selected when designers need a single-chip solution that supports Matter, Zigbee, Thread, or BLE 5.0 protocols with NFC commissioning on coin-cell budgets.
Key differentiating specifications include simultaneous dual-protocol operation (IEEE 802.15.4 + BLE 5.0 on the same die), eight concurrent BLE connections, integrated NFC Type 2 Tag, hardware-accelerated AES-128/SHA-2, and an exposed thermal pad HVQFN-40 footprint. The device is qualified for coin-cell operation and supports OTA firmware upgrades, making it a strong fit for sealed, maintenance-free wireless sensor nodes.
Architecturally, the K32W061Z uses a Cortex-M4 core with Cortex-M0+ for radio housekeeping, a dedicated 2.4 GHz front-end, and on-chip DC-DC supporting 1.8-3.6 V supply. The integrated Arm CryptoCell primitives offload TLS / DTLS / OOB pairing for Matter commissioning flows, eliminating the need for an external secure element in most designs.
Typical applications include Matter-over-Ready smart-home bridges, Zigbee Coordinator light switches, Thread mesh sensors, BLE 5.0 beacons, NFC-commissioned locks, and battery-powered HVAC thermostats. The wide supply range and ultra-low sleep currents also suit industrial wireless sensor networks.
When designing with the K32W061Z, follow the manufacturer reference design for the RF matching network and decoupling. The exposed pad must be soldered to a continuous ground plane for thermal dissipation and RF performance.
This page synthesizes distributor stock levels, drop-in alternatives, and practical RF layout notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet summary, helping engineers shortlist the right multiprotocol wireless MCU for their connected product.
Drop-in alternatives for K32W061Z — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
K32W061
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
K32W041
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
K32W061YK
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
K32W061Z Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | Arm Cortex-M4 (application) + Cortex-M0+ (radio) |
| Operating Frequency | 2.4 GHz ISM band |
| Wireless Protocols | IEEE 802.15.4 (Zigbee/Thread), Bluetooth LE 5.0, Matter, NFC Type 2 Tag |
| BLE Concurrent Connections | 8 simultaneous |
| Supply Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Package | HVQFN-40 (6x6 mm) Exposed Pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| Hardware Crypto | AES-128, SHA-2 (CryptoCell) |
| Peripherals | I2C, SPI, PWM, UART |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
K32W061Z Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 2 | ANT — RF antenna connection (2.4 GHz) |
| Pin 3 | VDD_RF — RF supply |
| Pin 4 | NFC1 — NFC antenna connection 1 |
| Pin 5 | NFC2 — NFC antenna connection 2 |
| Pin 6 | VDD — Main supply (1.8-3.6 V) |
| Pin 7 | VDD_IO — I/O supply |
| Pin 8 | RESET — Reset input (active low) |
| Pin 9 | P0 — GPIO port 0 bit 0 |
| Pin 10 | P1 — GPIO port 0 bit 1 |
| Pin 11 | P2 — GPIO port 0 bit 2 |
| Pin 12 | P3 — GPIO port 0 bit 3 |
| Pin 13 | P4 — GPIO port 0 bit 4 |
| Pin 14 | P5 — GPIO port 0 bit 5 |
| Pin 15 | P6 — GPIO port 0 bit 6 |
| Pin 16 | P7 — GPIO port 0 bit 7 |
| Pin 17 | P8 — GPIO port 0 bit 8 |
| Pin 18 | P9 — GPIO port 0 bit 9 |
| Pin 19 | P10 — GPIO port 0 bit 10 |
| Pin 20 | P11 — GPIO port 0 bit 11 |
| Pin 21 | P12 — GPIO port 0 bit 12 |
| Pin 22 | P13 — GPIO port 0 bit 13 |
| Pin 23 | P14 — GPIO port 0 bit 14 |
| Pin 24 | P15 — GPIO port 0 bit 15 |
| Pin 25 | P16 — GPIO port 1 bit 0 |
| Pin 26 | P17 — GPIO port 1 bit 1 |
| Pin 27 | P18 — GPIO port 1 bit 2 |
| Pin 28 | P19 — GPIO port 1 bit 3 |
| Pin 29 | SWDIO — SWD data (debug) |
| Pin 30 | SWCLK — SWD clock (debug) |
| Pin 31 | UART_TX — UART transmit |
| Pin 32 | UART_RX — UART receive |
| Pin 33 | I2C_SDA — I2C data |
| Pin 34 | I2C_SCL — I2C clock |
| Pin 35 | SPI_MOSI — SPI master out slave in |
| Pin 36 | SPI_MISO — SPI master in slave out |
| Pin 37 | SPI_CLK — SPI clock |
| Pin 38 | SPI_CS — SPI chip select |
| Pin 39 | TEST — Test mode (tie to GND in production) |
| Pin 40 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin EP | GND_PAD — Exposed thermal pad - solder to ground plane |
Typical Applications
K32W061Z is suitable for 6 applications: Matter-over-Thread Smart Home Devices, Zigbee Coordinator / End Devices, BLE 5.0 Beacons and Asset Trackers, NFC-Commissioned Wireless Locks, Industrial Wireless Sensor Networks, Battery-Powered HVAC Thermostats.
Matter-over-Thread Smart Home Devices
The K32W061Z is purpose-designed for Matter-over-Thread smart-home products such as lighting, door locks, and occupancy sensors. The integrated 2.4 GHz IEEE 802.15.4 transceiver runs OpenThread with the Matter SDK on the Cortex-M4 core, while the Cortex-M0+ manages the radio housekeeping. Eight concurrent BLE 5.0 connections enable simultaneous commissioning and OTA firmware upgrades. According to the NXP datasheet, ultra-low sleep currents enable sealed coin-cell nodes with multi-year battery life, and hardware AES-128/SHA-2 acceleration offloads Matter security handshakes. The HVQFN-40 (6x6 mm) footprint suits compact in-fixture designs.
Recommended
Zigbee Coordinator / End Devices
For Zigbee 3.0 mesh networks, the K32W061Z delivers a fully integrated 802.15.4 radio with hardware-accelerated AES-128/SHA-2 cryptography and on-chip DC-DC support across 1.8-3.6 V supply rails. The Cortex-M4 application core runs the Zigbee stack and application logic, while the Cortex-M0+ offloads radio housekeeping for deterministic packet timing. NFC tap-to-pair commissioning via the built-in Type 2 Tag differentiates this variant from the lower-cost K32W041. Per the NXP K32W061 datasheet, ultra-low TX/RX and power-down currents support sealed battery-powered Zigbee end devices.
Recommended
BLE 5.0 Beacons and Asset Trackers
The K32W061Z's Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0 transceiver supports eight concurrent connections, ideal for multi-peripheral asset trackers and BLE beacons that must pair with several phones simultaneously. The Cortex-M4 application core runs the host beacon/asset-tracking application logic, and the integrated radio coexists with the IEEE 802.15.4 block for concurrent Thread/Zigbee+BLE operation. Ultra-low sleep currents documented in the NXP datasheet extend coin-cell life, and the HVQFN-40 (6x6 mm) exposed-pad footprint simplifies ground-plane stitching for the 2.4 GHz antenna.
Recommended
NFC-Commissioned Wireless Locks
For wireless smart locks, the K32W061Z uniquely combines Zigbee or BLE 5.0 connectivity with NFC Type 2 Tag tap-to-unlock commissioning - the 'Z' suffix denotes the NFC-enabled variant. The hardware CryptoCell accelerates AES-128/SHA-2 for DTLS and secure pairing, and the 1.8-3.6 V supply range lets the lock draw directly from 2xAA cells. The Cortex-M4 application core runs lock firmware while the integrated radio handles secure wireless commissioning. Per the NXP K32W061 datasheet, the part is qualified for sealed industrial applications at -40C to +85C.
Recommended
Industrial Wireless Sensor Networks
For industrial wireless sensor networks, the K32W061Z delivers multiprotocol 802.15.4 mesh plus BLE 5.0 in a single IC, eliminating the need for a discrete radio plus MCU. The 1.8-3.6 V supply range tolerates industrial 24V-to-3.3V regulator outputs, and the -40C to +85C operating range covers factory-floor environments. Ultra-low sleep currents documented in the NXP datasheet extend battery life for remote sensors, and the HVQFN-40 (6x6 mm) package provides a compact footprint for dense sensor PCBs. Hardware AES-128/SHA-2 acceleration secures OTA firmware upgrades.
Recommended
Battery-Powered HVAC Thermostats
The K32W061Z suits battery-powered HVAC thermostats that must run Matter over Thread for HVAC zoning plus NFC commissioning at install time. The 1.8-3.6 V supply range accepts 2xAA cells directly, and ultra-low sleep currents documented in the NXP K32W061 datasheet enable multi-year battery life. The Cortex-M4 application core runs the thermostat UI and Matter stack, while the dedicated Cortex-M0+ radio core handles 802.15.4 packet timing deterministically. Integrated crypto offloads secure commissioning, and the HVQFN-40 (6x6 mm) package simplifies mechanical design.
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Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for K32W061Z — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | K32W061 | K32W041 | K32W061YK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Package | HVQFN-40 (6x6 mm) Exposed Pad | HVQFN-40 (6x6 mm) Exposed Pad - same | HVQFN-40 (6x6 mm) Exposed Pad - same | HVQFN-40 (6x6 mm) Exposed Pad - same |
| NFC Tag | Yes (Type 2 Tag) | Disabled in firmware | Not present | Yes (Type 2 Tag) |
| 802.15.4 Radio | Yes (Zigbee/Thread) | Yes (Zigbee/Thread) | Yes (Zigbee/Thread) | Yes (Zigbee/Thread) |
| Bluetooth LE | 5.0 (8 concurrent connections) | 5.0 (8 concurrent) | 5.0 (8 concurrent) | 5.0 (8 concurrent) |
| Supply Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated NFC Type 2 Tag for tap-to-pair commissioning (vs K32W041)
- Concurrent dual-radio IEEE 802.15.4 + BLE 5.0 (vs K32W061YK)
- Coin-cell-qualified ultra-low sleep current (vs K32W041)
Design Notes
The K32W061Z integrates a 2.4 GHz radio, so the HVQFN-40 exposed pad must be soldered to a continuous, uninterrupted ground plane with stitching vias on a 0.5 mm pitch around the pad perimeter. Per the NXP datasheet reference design, keep the ANT pin trace as a 50-ohm controlled-impedance microstrip (typically 0.8-1.0 mm wide on 0.2 mm FR4), minimize its length, and place the RF matching network (L-C pi or T) within 2 mm of the ANT pin. Do not route digital signals under the antenna or the RF trace - this degrades radiated performance and harmonic emissions.
Place 100 nF X7R decoupling capacitors as close as possible to every VDD and VDD_IO pin, plus a single 10 uF X5R bulk capacitor on the main supply rail. The K32W061Z integrates an on-chip DC-DC converter, but its efficiency depends on the input decoupling network - follow the NXP reference design's LC filter values exactly. Estimated: at peak TX current the part draws ~25-30 mA from VDD_RF per the datasheet's typical characteristics; the bulk capacitor must support the peak without excessive droop.
Common pitfalls when designing with the K32W061Z include: (1) failing to solder the exposed pad, which destroys RF performance and thermal dissipation; (2) routing NFC antenna traces near metal that detunes the NFC Type 2 Tag interface; (3) forgetting the TEST pin tie-off (must be tied to GND per the datasheet); (4) omitting the SWD pull-ups on SWDIO/SWCLK, which prevents debug access; and (5) neglecting the BLE 5.0 stack-up time vs. Thread coexistence schedule. Always validate the RF matching network with a vector network analyzer before regulatory pre-compliance testing.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per NXP product page. AEC-Q100 not applicable (industrial/consumer wireless MCU); for automotive wireless designs consult NXP's KW45xx family. Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in the verified data - set to 'unknown' per Data Authenticity Rules.
