MC9328MX21CVK - i.MX21 ARM926EJ-S MPU 266MHz | NXP
MPN: MC9328MX21CVK ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $28.5 | $28.50 |
| 10 | $25.2 | $252.00 |
| 100 | $22.1 | $2,210.00 |
| 500 | $19.8 | $9,900.00 |
| 1,000 | $17.95 | $17,950.00 |
MC9328MX21CVK Overview
An applications processor (AP) is a System-on-Chip variant of a microprocessor that integrates peripherals and accelerators oriented toward a target end-application rather than general-purpose computing. Applications processors sit at the hierarchy of microprocessor -> embedded MPU -> applications processor -> SoC, and they typically pair a high-performance CPU core with image, display, connectivity, and multimedia peripherals.
Key features include the ARM926EJ-S 32-bit RISC core with a 16KB instruction cache, 16KB data cache, and tightly-coupled memory for deterministic interrupt latency. Memory is supported externally through SDRAM, NOR flash, NAND flash, and PCMCIA/CF interfaces. The integrated LCD controller supports TFT panels up to SVGA resolution, the CMOS sensor interface connects directly to image sensors, and USB On-The-Go allows the device to act as either host or peripheral. An on-chip video accelerator offloads MPEG-4/H.263 encoding/decoding, and a hardware security module provides a secure boot flow.
Technical depth: the ARM926EJ-S core is a five-stage pipeline Harvard architecture with MMU support for full Linux and Windows CE. Power management integrates dynamic voltage and frequency scaling with multiple low-power modes (Run, Wait, Doze, Stop, Standby). Operating voltage is typically 1.5V core / 1.8V/2.8V/3.3V I/O. Industrial-grade operating range is -40C to +85C.
Typical applications include portable media players, point-of-sale terminals, industrial human-machine interfaces, single-board computers, GPS personal navigation devices, and biometric/medical data terminals. The combination of LCD controller, CMOS sensor interface, and USB OTG allows system designers to build self-contained units without external companion chips.
When designing with this device, allocate generous decoupling on all supply rails and respect the 289-ball BGA keep-out regions in PCB layout. Consider the latest i.MX28 or i.MX6 parts for new designs, since the i.MX21 family has been declared End-of-Life.
This page consolidates distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, lifecycle notes and PCB design guidance not all available on the manufacturer product page.
Drop-in alternatives for MC9328MX21CVK — 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 MC9328MX21CVK (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Architecture, Mounting Type, Package, LCD Controller, On-chip Modules.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MC9328MX21CVKR2
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC9328MX21CVM
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$11.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →MC9328MX21DVK
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$20.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →MCIMX27CVOP4A
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC9328MXSCVP10
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC9328MX21CVK Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| MPU Family | i.MX21 |
| Core Architecture | ARM926EJ-S (32-bit RISC) |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 266 MHz |
| Number of Cores | 1 |
| Data Bus Width | 32-bit |
| L1 Instruction Cache | 16 KB |
| L1 Data Cache | 16 KB |
| On-chip Modules | LCD controller, USB OTG, video accelerator, CMOS sensor interface, 1-Wire, SSI, MMC/SD, PCMCIA/CF |
| External Memory Bus | SDRAM, NOR flash, NAND flash, PCMCIA/CF |
| USB | USB On-The-Go (host + peripheral) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| Package | 289-LFBGA (14x14 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-free | Yes |
MC9328MX21CVK 289-lfbga (14x14 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for MC9328MX21CVK (289-lfbga (14x14 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 MC9328MX21CVK.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
MC9328MX21CVK is suitable for 6 applications: Portable Media Player, Point-of-Sale Terminal, GPS Personal Navigation Device, Industrial Human-Machine Interface, Biometric Data Terminal, Single-Board Computer / Embedded Gateway.
Portable Media Player
The MC9328MX21CVK is well-matched to portable media players because its ARM926EJ-S core handles audio/video decoding workloads while the integrated LCD controller drives a TFT display directly and the USB OTG port allows drag-and-drop media transfer. The on-chip video accelerator offloads MPEG-4/H.263 decoding at up to 30 fps at CIF resolution, freeing the CPU for UI and audio mixing. Designers typically place the MPU with 64 MB SDRAM and 32 MB NOR/NAND flash; the chip's low-power modes enable 8-12 hours of playback on a single Li-ion cell.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale Terminal
The MC9328MX21CVK fits POS terminals because the LCD controller drives the operator display, the CMOS sensor interface connects to a 2D barcode imager, and the USB OTG port accepts peripheral accessories such as receipt printers or customer displays. The 266 MHz ARM926EJ-S executes encryption and payment protocols with the hardware security module supporting secure boot and key storage. Operating temperature -40C to +85C covers the wider thermal envelope of POS deployments in unconditioned retail spaces.
Recommended
GPS Personal Navigation Device
In GPS PND designs the MC9328MX21CVK drives the LCD touchscreen, interfaces with a GPS receiver over UART or SSI, and renders vector maps via the hardware-accelerated 2D engine. The 16KB/16KB cache hierarchy keeps map tile rendering responsive while the integrated LCD controller with TFT support simplifies the BOM. Real-world units typically add 32-64 MB mobile SDRAM and an MMC/SD slot for offline map storage, both of which the i.MX21 supports natively.
Recommended
Industrial Human-Machine Interface
The MC9328MX21CVK's industrial -40C to +85C operation and integrated LCD + touchscreen interface make it a fit for factory HMI panels and equipment status displays. USB OTG enables field-service software updates via USB stick, eliminating the need for a network connection during commissioning. The MMU-supported ARM926EJ-S allows full Linux with Qt or similar toolkits; software reuse from other ARM9 designs shortens time-to-market. The 289-ball LFBGA is well-suited to high-vibration factory environments.
Recommended
Biometric Data Terminal
The MC9328MX21CVK pairs naturally with fingerprint and palm-vein sensors because the CMOS sensor interface accepts sensor data directly without external bridge chips and the hardware security module safeguards biometric templates. The 266 MHz core runs matching algorithms in 200-400 ms for typical databases, and the USB OTG port enables enrollment upload to a host PC. Designers add an LCD + keypad for standalone operation and an encrypted SD card slot for audit logging.
Recommended
Single-Board Computer / Embedded Gateway
Engineering single-board computers is straightforward with the MC9328MX21CVK because it exposes PCMCIA/CF, USB OTG, MMC/SD, Ethernet MAC, and multiple serial interfaces directly. Linux/WinCE BSPs from NXP accelerate boot. Power consumption is low enough to allow fanless SBC operation with a small aluminium heatsink or none at all, suitable for industrial gateways, kiosk controllers, and remote sensor aggregation devices.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MC9328MX21CVK — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MC9328MX21CVKR2 | MC9328MX21CVM | MC9328MX21DVK | MCIMX27CVOP4A | MC9328MXSCVP10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 266 MHz | 266 MHz | 266 MHz | 266 MHz | up to 400-532 MHz | 100 MHz |
| Core Architecture | ARM926EJ-S | ARM926EJ-S | ARM926EJ-S | ARM926EJ-S | ARM926EJ-S | ARM920T |
| L1 Instruction Cache | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB |
| L1 Data Cache | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB |
| USB OTG | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| LCD Controller | Yes (TFT up to SVGA) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lifecycle Status | EOL | EOL | EOL | EOL | EOL | EOL |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
Key Differentiators
- EOL status with established NXP BSP (vs newer i.MX28/i.MX6 parts)
- Integrated USB OTG and 1-Wire (vs MC9328MXSCVP10 at 100 MHz)
- Same-package drop-in variants available (vs MCIMX27CVOP4A (different package))
Design Notes
The 289-ball LFBGA at 0.8 mm pitch demands a multi-layer PCB with controlled-impedance routing. Use at least 4 layers with dedicated power and ground planes. Escape routing under the BGA should fan-out on the top layer with microvias; avoid vias in pads when possible to reduce solder joint stress. Reference designators should be silkscreened outside the package keep-out region.
Decouple each supply rail with a 0.1 uF X7R ceramic placed as close to the corresponding ball as possible, plus a bulk 10-22 uF tantalum or polymer. The i.MX21 power sequencing requires core voltage to come up before I/O rails; verify against the datasheet sequence diagram before bringing the system out of reset. Inrush during PLL lock can exceed steady-state by 30-50%.
The LFBGA package exposes a thermal pad that must be soldered to a copper pour on the top layer connected via thermal vias to inner ground planes. Without a thermal pad, junction temperature can exceed 100C at moderate activity. Estimated: at 266 MHz core activity and 1.5V core, expect 0.5-0.9W power dissipation under typical Linux workloads; pad-attached copper pour should spread this efficiently.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free compliance per NXP product page material declarations. AEC-Q100 not applicable - this is an applications processor, not an automotive-grade discrete. Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in retrieved data.