MC13892VLR2 - PMU for i.MX51/37/35/27, 186-LFBGA | NXP
MPN: MC13892VLR2 ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6.16 | $6.16 |
| 10 | $5.8 | $58.00 |
| 100 | $5.21 | $521.00 |
| 500 | $4.65 | $2,325.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.12 | $4,120.00 |
MC13892VLR2 Overview
A power management IC (PMIC/PMU) is a highly integrated mixed-signal device that consolidates the multiple voltage rails required by an application processor and its peripherals into one package. The PMIC sits between the battery or DC adapter and the SoC, replacing dozens of discrete DC-DC converters and LDOs with a programmable, sequencable solution that improves efficiency, reduces PCB area, and simplifies power-up sequencing. Within the broader taxonomy, the MC13892 belongs to the application-processor-specific PMIC class, sitting between general-purpose multi-rail PMICs and discrete point-of-load regulators.
Key features of the MC13892VLR2 include four synchronous buck converters operating from a 5V/28V input range, multiple LDO outputs, a backup battery charger, programmable startup sequencing via I2C, and integrated LED drivers for display backlighting. The device supports dynamic voltage scaling (DVS) to extend battery life in portable applications by adjusting core voltages to match processor load. According to NXP product documentation, the part targets handheld and mobile devices such as personal media players and GPS navigation units.
The MC13892 uses a mixed-signal architecture combining hysteretic and PWM buck controllers with linear post-regulators, optimized for fast transient response to the variable loads created by modern application processors. Its I2C-programmable output voltages and enable timing allow seamless co-design with the i.MX51/37/35/27 power-on sequence, eliminating the need for external sequencer logic.
Typical applications include portable media players, GPS navigation devices, handheld industrial terminals, and other battery-powered embedded systems based on the supported i.MX processors. The wide input voltage range (5V to 28V boost-capable) also enables designs powered from multi-cell battery packs or 12V automotive rails.
When designing with the MC13892VLR2, pay close attention to the 186-ball LFBGA layout - controlled-impedance routing is needed for the high-current buck inductor nodes. Thermal management requires adequate copper under the exposed die area because the internal MOSFETs dissipate several hundred milliwatts to several watts depending on load and input/output voltage differential.
This page synthesizes distributor stock levels, package-level alternative equivalents, and application reference designs that go beyond the bare datasheet, helping engineers source, second-source, and qualify the MC13892VLR2 more efficiently.
Drop-in alternatives for MC13892VLR2 — 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 MC13892VLR2 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Topology, RoHS Status, Control Interface, Function, Product Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MC13892DJVLR2
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC13892JVLR2
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →MC13892DJVL
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →MC13892CJVLR2
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC13892AJVLR2
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$7.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →MC13892VLR2 Specifications
| Function | PMIC / Power Management Unit for i.MX51/37/35/27 application processors |
| Topology | Multi-rail: Buck / Boost / LDO / Charger / LED Driver |
| Input Voltage Range | Up to 28 V (5 V system bus compatible) |
| Backup Battery Charger | Yes (integrated) |
| LED Drivers | Yes (integrated, display backlight support) |
| Control Interface | I2C (programmable outputs and sequencing) |
| Package | 186-LFBGA (12x12 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (per distributor listings) |
| Lead-Free | Yes (per distributor listings) |
| Compatible Application Processors | NXP i.MX51, i.MX37, i.MX3, i.MX27 |
| Target Applications | Personal media players, GPS / navigation, handheld mobile devices |
MC13892VLR2 186-lfbga (12x12 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for MC13892VLR2 (186-lfbga (12x12 mm) package). Pin numbering, functions, and connection diagrams are defined in the manufacturer datasheet. Refer to it for the exact footprint and soldering guidelines.
No detailed pinout data available for MC13892VLR2.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
MC13892VLR2 is suitable for 6 applications: Personal Media Player (PMP) Power Tree, GPS / Navigation Handheld Device, Industrial Handheld Terminal, Portable Medical Monitor, In-Vehicle Infotainment / Portable Telematics, E-Reader / ePaper Display Terminal.
Personal Media Player (PMP) Power Tree
The MC13892VLR2's 5V/28V-tolerant input, integrated buck and boost converters, LDOs, and LED backlight driver make it a single-chip power tree for portable media players based on i.MX27/i.MX37/i.MX51 SoCs. Its I2C-programmable rails align with the processor's sequencing requirements, eliminating external sequencer logic. In a typical PMP reference design the MC13892VLR2 sits between a single-cell Li-ion battery and the SoC, supplying the core, memory, I/O, and display rails while the integrated LED driver powers the TFT backlight. Compared with a discrete buck/LDO design, the MC13892 reduces PCB area by approximately 60% and BOM count by 30-40 discrete parts, which is critical for the slim form factor of handheld PMPs.
Recommended
GPS / Navigation Handheld Device
GPS navigators require a tight, efficient power tree to maximize run-time on battery while driving the application processor, display, and RF front-end. The MC13892VLR2 was designed by Freescale/NXP explicitly for i.MX-based navigators, with rails pre-mapped to the i.MX37 and i.MX51 power domains. Its dynamic voltage scaling (DVS) lets the system lower core voltage during idle, extending battery life between charges by up to 30% versus fixed-rail designs. The wide 5-28V input range also allows direct connection to 12V automotive accessory rails in portable nav units that dock into car cradles, simplifying the input protection and switching front-end.
Recommended
Industrial Handheld Terminal
Industrial handhelds - barcode scanners, rugged PDAs, field-service terminals - often run i.MX processors and need a robust, integrated PMU that can handle wide input transients from multi-cell battery packs. The MC13892VLR2 supports up to 28V input, integrating buck/boost/LDO rails plus a backup battery charger for RTC retention. Compared with assembling a discrete power design, the MC13892VLR2 reduces design risk by providing a pre-validated power tree that has shipped in millions of i.MX-based products. Its LED driver also supports the keypad backlight common on industrial PDAs.
Recommended
Portable Medical Monitor
Battery-powered medical monitors require clean, low-noise rails for analog front-ends and reliable battery management to support continuous patient monitoring. The MC13892VLR2's LDO outputs provide low-noise supply for ADCs and sensor interfaces, while the integrated backup battery charger maintains RTC and alarm memory during main-battery swap. The I2C interface allows the host processor to read battery status, charger state, and fault flags for safety reporting. Compared with discrete power solutions, the MC13892VLR2's single-chip integration reduces board area - a key requirement for wearable or bedside monitors - and lowers the BOM risk in a regulated medical device BOM.
Recommended
In-Vehicle Infotainment / Portable Telematics
Portable telematics devices that dock into vehicles need a power tree tolerant of 12V automotive rails while remaining efficient on internal Li-ion batteries. The MC13892VLR2's 28V input range and buck/boost converters handle the transition between battery and 12V adapter seamlessly, while its DVS capability lets the i.MX51/i.MX37 SoC throttle down during standby to extend parked-vehicle run-time. The LED driver supports display backlight dimming via I2C for night-mode operation. In reference designs, the MC13892VLR2 is paired with an i.MX51 to deliver full infotainment features (navigation, hands-free, media) from a compact, automotive-grade power tree.
Recommended
E-Reader / ePaper Display Terminal
E-readers and similar low-power display terminals use i.MX processors for their balance of performance and power efficiency, and they need a PMU that can deliver sequenced rails to the SoC, display controller, and Wi-Fi module. The MC13892VLR2's I2C programmability allows the system designer to optimize rail voltages for the ePaper display's refresh cycles, extending battery life to weeks rather than hours. Its wide input range supports both USB charging and high-capacity Li-ion packs used in e-readers. Compared with discrete solutions, the MC13892VLR2's integrated LED driver can also handle front-light LEDs if the design later migrates to a backlit ePaper panel.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MC13892VLR2 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MC13892DJVLR2 | MC13892JVLR2 | MC13892DJVL | MC13892CJVLR2 | MC13892AJVLR2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 186-LFBGA (12x12) | 186-LFBGA (12x12) - same | 186-LFBGA (12x12) - same | 186-LFBGA (12x12) - same | 186-LFBGA (12x12) - same | 186-LFBGA (12x12) - same |
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Function | PMU for i.MX51/37/35/27 | Same PMU family (revised silicon) | Same PMU family | Same PMU family (tray) | Same PMU family | Same PMU family |
| Input Voltage Range | 5V / up to 28V | 5V / up to 28V (same family) | 5V / up to 28V (same family) | 5V / up to 28V (same family) | 5V / up to 28V (same family) | 5V / up to 28V (same family) |
| Compatible Application Processors | i.MX51, i.MX37, i.MX3, i.MX27 | Same i.MX families | Same i.MX families | Same i.MX families | Same i.MX families | Same i.MX families |
| Control Interface | I2C | I2C (same) | I2C (same) | I2C (same) | I2C (same) | I2C (same) |
| LED Driver / Battery Charger | Integrated | Integrated (same) | Integrated (same) | Integrated (same) | Integrated (same) | Integrated (same) |
| Silicon Revision / Firmware | Base MC13892 | DJ revision (newer firmware patches) | J revision | DJ revision, tray pack | CJ revision | AJ revision |
| Packaging Form | Tape & Reel (VLR2 suffix) | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel | Tray | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel |
Key Differentiators
- Single-chip integration of buck/boost/LDO/charger/LED-driver for i.MX51/37/3/27 (vs Discrete buck + LDO + charger design)
- Wide 5V/28V input range with boost-capable architecture (vs Other i.MX PMICs limited to 5V input)
- Drop-in compatibility with MC13892 family variants (DJVLR2, JVLR2, CJ, AJ, DJ tray) (vs Cross-brand PMICs)
Design Notes
Estimated: at V_in=5V and full i.MX51 load (~2 A aggregate buck current), the MC13892VLR2 dissipates roughly 1-1.5 W internally. The 186-LFBGA package requires a thermal pad with adequate via-array stitching to internal ground planes; without this, junction temperature can rise 40-60 C above ambient at 1 W dissipation. Recommended: provide at least 4 thermal vias (0.3 mm drill) under the center die-attached pad, tying to a continuous ground plane on inner layers.
Route high-current buck inductor nodes with short, wide traces to minimize parasitic inductance that couples switching noise into analog rails. Place input bulk capacitors (typically 22 uF ceramic + 100 uF electrolytic) within 5 mm of the VIN balls. Keep the I2C SCL/SDA traces away from switching nodes and add 4.7 kohm pull-ups to a quiet rail. The LFBGA 0.8 mm pitch demands 4-layer PCB with microvia-in-pad if backside components are needed.
Power-on sequencing is controlled via I2C default register settings loaded from an optional external EEPROM; verify the sequencer is configured for your specific i.MX variant (i.MX51 boot sequence differs from i.MX27). Failing to program the sequencing registers correctly can cause latch-up or inrush currents exceeding the inductor saturation rating. Always validate the startup sequence on the bench with an oscilloscope before finalizing the BOM.
Do not assume pin-compatibility between MC13892VLR2 and the MC13892CJVLR2 / MC13892AJVLR2 silicon revisions without checking the latest NXP revision guide - firmware changes can shift I2C register defaults. The backup-battery charging circuit requires an external Schottky diode; omitting it allows reverse current that drains the coin cell within days. Finally, the integrated LED driver is current-limited but not open-drain - do not connect LEDs to voltages above its rated compliance without a series resistor.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free confirmed via distributor listings (DigiKey, Mouser). AEC-Q100 not applicable - this is a consumer/industrial portable PMU, not an automotive-qualified part; for AEC-Q100 PMICs, NXP offers other families.
