LPC1518JBD64E - ARM Cortex-M3 72MHz 128KB Flash MCU | NXP
MPN: LPC1518JBD64E ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.78 | $7.78 |
| 10 | $7.02 | $70.20 |
| 100 | $6.21 | $621.00 |
| 500 | $5.48 | $2,740.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.85 | $4,850.00 |
LPC1518JBD64E Overview
An ARM Cortex-M3 microcontroller is a 32-bit RISC processor core designed by Arm for deterministic embedded applications, combining Thumb-2 instruction set efficiency with low interrupt latency. The Cortex-M3 belongs to the Cortex-M family (Cortex-M0/M0+/M3/M4/M7/M33), which sits under the broader category of microcontrollers (MCUs) -> embedded processors -> semiconductors. This device is a member of NXP's LPC1500 family, a low-power motion-control platform that combines DSP-like peripheral math with classical MCU simplicity.
Key features include 128 KB Flash with in-system programming (ISP) and in-application programming (IAP), 12 KB SRAM, two 12-bit 2 Msps ADCs, one 10-bit DAC, four timers, a state-configurable timer (SCTimer/PWM), USB 2.0 full-speed device/host with on-chip PHY, two I2C, two SSP/SPI, one UART, an integrated self-wake timer, and a low-power RTC. The 72 MHz Cortex-M3 core delivers 1.25 DMIPS/MHz and supports single-cycle MAC, providing enough headroom for real-time motor-control loops.
Architecturally, the LPC1518JBD64E uses a 3-stage pipeline Cortex-M3 with NVIC, configurable nested vectored interrupts, and a hardware single-cycle multiply. The motor-control subsystem pairs dual ADCs with the SCTimer/PWM block, which can generate complementary PWM with dead-time insertion and asymmetric edge placement — critical for three-phase FOC algorithms. The integrated USB 2.0 full-speed PHY eliminates external transceiver cost.
Typical applications include BLDC/PMSM motor drives, industrial servo control, field-oriented control (FOC) inverters, robotic actuators, sensor-fusion platforms, and USB HID/COM peripherals. The 128 KB Flash is well suited to FOC firmware libraries that exceed typical 64 KB Flash budgets. This part's built-in 2 Msps ADCs simultaneously sample phase currents and back-EMF.
When designing with this device, note that the LPC1518JBD64 has been flagged for end-of-production; the LPC1518JBD64E is the current revision. Plan for migration to the LPC1549 or LPC15xx extended family for long-life programs. Place the decoupling network (100 nF + 4.7 µF) directly at the VDD/VDDA pins to keep ADC noise below 1 LSB.
Drop-in alternatives for LPC1518JBD64E — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with LPC1518JBD64E (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature, SRAM.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
LPC1517JBD64E
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.42 / Unit
View Datasheet →LPC1519JBD64E
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →LPC1549JBD64QL
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
LPC54113J128BD64
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
S9KEAZ64AMLH
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
LPC1518JBD64E Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | ARM Cortex-M3 32-bit |
| Core Architecture | ARMv7-M with Thumb-2 |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 72 MHz |
| DMIPS | 1.25 DMIPS/MHz (90 DMIPS at 72 MHz) |
| Flash Memory | 128 KB |
| SRAM | 12 KB |
| ADCs | 2 x 12-bit, 12-channel, 2 Msps |
| DACs | 1 x 10-bit |
| Timers | 4 x general-purpose + SCTimer/PWM |
| PWM Channels | Configurable via SCTimer; complementary outputs with dead-time |
| Communication Interfaces | 2 x I2C, 2 x SSP/SPI, 1 x UART, USB 2.0 FS device/host with on-chip PHY |
| Operating Voltage | 2.4 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +105C |
| Package | 64-LQFP (10x10 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 (unlimited) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
LPC1518JBD64E 64-lqfp (10x10 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for LPC1518JBD64E (64-lqfp (10x10 mm) package). This digital IC includes GPIO, communication interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C), and power pins. Refer to the manufacturer datasheet for alternate pin functions and configuration options. Essential for embedded system design and PCB layout.
No detailed pinout data available for LPC1518JBD64E.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
LPC1518JBD64E is suitable for 6 applications: BLDC and PMSM Motor Drives, Industrial Servo Control, Robotic Actuators and Sensor-Fusion Hubs, Field-Oriented Control (FOC) Inverters, USB Human Interface Devices (HID) and Tuners, Low-Power Sensor Platforms.
BLDC and PMSM Motor Drives
The LPC1518JBD64E is purpose-built for BLDC and PMSM motor control: its two 12-bit 2 Msps ADCs simultaneously sample phase currents and back-EMF, while the SCTimer/PWM block generates complementary three-phase PWM with hardware dead-time insertion. Running the Cortex-M3 at 72 MHz, the device closes a field-oriented control (FOC) loop in well under 10 µs, which fits commutation periods up to 30 kHz. The 128 KB Flash accommodates full NXP/MotorBench FOC libraries, while the integrated USB 2.0 full-speed port simplifies host-side tuning over CDC/HID without an external PHY. This single-chip integration reduces BOM and PCB area compared with separate MCU + gate-driver solutions.
Recommended
Industrial Servo Control
Industrial servo loops demand deterministic low latency and accurate current sensing. The LPC1518JBD64E's Cortex-M3 NVIC and single-cycle multiply deliver consistent interrupt response, while the dual 2 Msps ADCs provide the simultaneous sampling required for servo current loops. The on-chip SCTimer/PWM supports asymmetric edge placement and configurable dead-time, essential for cascaded H-bridge servo stages. The wide -40C to +105C operating range supports factory-floor enclosures, and the 64-LQFP 10x10 mm package is compatible with hand-soldered industrial prototypes and large-pitch PCB assemblies.
Recommended
Robotic Actuators and Sensor-Fusion Hubs
Robotic actuator nodes combine motor drive, position sensing, and bus communication. The LPC1518JBD64E runs a FOC loop, reads quadrature encoders via its timers, and exchanges commands over CAN, USB, or UART. The integrated 12-bit ADC can sample IMU or position sensors alongside phase currents. The 12 KB SRAM is sufficient for a small RTOS plus task stack, while 128 KB Flash holds a sensor-fusion filter plus motor firmware. The 64-LQFP package keeps the node compact enough for small actuator housings.
Recommended
Field-Oriented Control (FOC) Inverters
Solar pumps, HVAC compressors, and EV auxiliaries benefit from FOC efficiency. The LPC1518JBD64E supports sensorless FOC using its dual ADCs and back-EMF comparators, eliminating Hall sensors and reducing BOM. The SCTimer/PWM hardware dead-time prevents shoot-through, a critical safety feature for inverters. The USB 2.0 full-speed port provides a tuning interface during development, while 12 KB SRAM keeps the FOC observer state. RoHS compliance and 105C rating suit outdoor solar pump installations.
Recommended
USB Human Interface Devices (HID) and Tuners
Motor-control parameter tuning often uses USB HID or CDC interfaces to a host PC. The LPC1518JBD64E integrates a USB 2.0 full-speed device/host with on-chip PHY, eliminating external transceivers. The 72 MHz Cortex-M3 handles HID reports alongside motor control without jitter, and 128 KB Flash holds the USB stack plus tuning protocol. The 64-LQFP package is convenient for handheld tuning tools, and the 2.4 V to 3.6 V range supports USB bus-powered designs.
Recommended
Low-Power Sensor Platforms
Battery-powered sensor platforms combine sleep current with periodic measurement. The LPC1518JBD64E integrates a self-wake timer that wakes the device from low-power states at programmable intervals, alongside an RTC that maintains timekeeping in deep power-down. With its low-power modes, the chip suits remote IoT sensor nodes that spend most of their time asleep. The two 12-bit ADCs and one 10-bit DAC cover typical sensor-signal conditioning, and 128 KB Flash supports edge AI inference libraries.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for LPC1518JBD64E — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | LPC1517JBD64E | LPC1519JBD64E | LPC1549JBD64QL | LPC54113J128BD64 | S9KEAZ64AMLH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 64-LQFP (10x10 mm) | 64-LQFP (10x10 mm) | 64-LQFP (10x10 mm) | 64-LQFP (10x10 mm) | 64-LQFP | 64-LQFP |
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Core | ARM Cortex-M3 | ARM Cortex-M3 | ARM Cortex-M3 | ARM Cortex-M3 | ARM Cortex-M4F | ARM Cortex-M0+ |
| Maximum Clock | 72 MHz | 72 MHz | 72 MHz | 72 MHz | 100 MHz | 48 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 128 KB | 64 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB | 128 KB | 64 KB |
| SRAM | 12 KB | 12 KB | 12 KB | 36 KB | 24 KB | 8 KB |
| ADC | 2 x 12-bit, 2 Msps | 2 x 12-bit, 2 Msps | 2 x 12-bit, 2 Msps | 2 x 12-bit, 2 Msps | 1 x 12-bit | 1 x 12-bit |
| USB | USB 2.0 FS device/host with PHY | USB 2.0 FS device/host with PHY | USB 2.0 FS device/host with PHY | USB 2.0 FS device/host with PHY + CAN | USB 2.0 FS device/host with PHY | No |
Key Differentiators
- Dual 12-bit 2 Msps ADCs for simultaneous phase-current sampling (vs S9KEAZ64AMLH)
- 128 KB Flash at 72 MHz with hardware FOC math (vs LPC1517JBD64E)
- Extended SCTimer/PWM with hardware dead-time insertion (vs LPC54113J128BD64)
Design Notes
Decouple each VDD/VDDA pin with a 100 nF ceramic placed within 3 mm of the pin, plus a 4.7 µF bulk capacitor shared across the analog rail. The LPC15xx datasheet recommends separate analog and digital grounds joined at a single point near the device to keep ADC noise below 1 LSB at 2 Msps sampling.
Route the SWDIO/SWCLK traces for debug together with a GND guard to keep JTAG noise out of the analog domain. Keep the USB DP/DM traces matched-length and 90-ohm differential, as required by USB 2.0 full-speed. The 64-LQFP 10x10 mm with 0.5 mm pitch needs 4-layer routing for simultaneous motor PWM + USB + ADC analog signals.
When migrating from the EOL LPC1518JBD64 to the active LPC1518JBD64E, verify the bootloader revision - some older SWD programming tools assume the LPC1518JBD64's ISP entry and may fail on the 'E' revision. Also note that the SCTimer/PWM registers were reorganized between LPC1500 early revisions and the 'E' revision; reuse driver code only after recompiling against the latest LPC15xx CMSIS pack.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per NXP product page. Industrial temperature grade -40C to +105C. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - not intended for automotive safety-critical applications.