MC9328MX21SCVKR2 - i.MX21 32-Bit 266MHz ARM9 MPU | NXP
MPN: MC9328MX21SCVKR2 ✗ End of LifeMC9328MX21SCVKR2 Overview
An ARM926EJ-S microprocessor is a 32-bit RISC core that combines the ARM9 instruction set with a five-stage pipeline, an MMU for virtual memory, and tightly-coupled AMBA peripherals. As an applications processor (AP) within the broader system-on-chip (SoC) taxonomy, the i.MX21S integrates CPU, memory controller, and I/O onto a single die - one tier above a bare microcontroller and a generation ahead of older ARM7TDMI designs in performance-per-mW. It is the SC variant of the i.MX21 family, lacking the video/graphics engines of the full i.MX21 (no LCD controller, no CMOS sensor interface, no MPEG-4 hardware) - making it a cost-down choice for industrial HMI, handheld terminals, and embedded control loops.
Key features include 192 GPIO lines, an external oscillator input, ARM926EJ-S core with DSP extensions, and a wide operating voltage range typical of i.MX21 silicon. The 289-LFBGA package is a Micro-Profile Ball Grid Array with 0.8 mm pitch designed for high-density four-layer PCBs; its 14x14 mm footprint balances routability against board area. The R2 suffix denotes the tape-and-reel packaging option for high-volume assembly.
Architecturally, the i.MX21S integrates the ARM926EJ-S core, 128 KB of internal SRAM, a multi-mode memory controller for SDRAM/Flash/NOR/NAND, USB 2.0 full-speed, three UARTs, I2C, SPI, and PWM/timer blocks. DSP-style ARM instructions (enhanced DSP extensions) accelerate signal-processing tasks that would otherwise require a dedicated DSP coprocessor.
Typical applications include industrial HMI panels, portable data terminals, handheld barcode scanners, embedded web terminals, and remote-control point-of-sale terminals. The 266 MHz ARM9 throughput is well-matched to mid-2000s UI stacks such as embedded Linux or WinCE 5.0/6.0. Designers choose the i.MX21S when they need CPU performance but the LCD/Camera peripherals of the full i.MX21 would consume cost and board area without being used.
When designing, ensure the four-layer PCB stack-up supports the 0.8 mm BGA escape routing and that decoupling is placed adjacent to each BGA quadrant. The 192 GPIO lines enable flexible peripheral mapping, but unused pins should be left as No-Connects rather than grounded to avoid internal pull-up contention.
Drop-in alternatives for MC9328MX21SCVKR2 — 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 MC9328MX21SCVKR2 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Architecture, MSL Level, Package / Case, Packaging.
MC9328MX21SCVK
✅ Drop-InContact for price
View Datasheet →MC9328MX21CVKR2
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC9328MX21SCVK
✅ Drop-InContact for price
View Datasheet →MC9328MX21SCVKR2G
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MCIMX21SCVKR2
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC9328MX21SCVKR2 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | ARM926EJ-S |
| Core Count | 1 |
| Data Bus Width | 32-bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 266 MHz |
| Family | i.MX21 |
| Variant | i.MX21S (cost-down, no LCD/Camera engine) |
| Number of I/O Lines | 192 |
| Package / Case | 289-LFBGA (MAPBGA) 14x14 mm |
| Oscillator Type | External |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (TR) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 3 (per JEDEC J-STD-020) |
| BGA Pitch | 0.8 mm |
| Instruction Set Support | ARM9 with DSP extensions |
MC9328MX21SCVKR2 289-lfbga (mapbga) 14x14 mm Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for MC9328MX21SCVKR2 (289-lfbga (mapbga) 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 MC9328MX21SCVKR2.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
MC9328MX21SCVKR2 is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial HMI Panels, Portable Data Terminals, Handheld Barcode Scanners, Embedded Web Terminals, Remote-Control POS Terminals, Embedded Industrial Controllers.
Industrial HMI Panels
The MC9328MX21SCVKR2 fits industrial HMI panels because its 266 MHz ARM926EJ-S core can drive WinCE 5.0/6.0 and embedded Linux graphical stacks at acceptable frame rates for non-display-peripheral tasks. The 192 GPIOs expose enough pins for keypad scan, status LEDs, and multiple serial peripherals (UART, I2C, SPI) common on operator panels. The 289-MAPBGA package supports compact panel designs; the SC variant strips the LCD controller because panels typically use an external TFT controller or LVDS bridge. Compared to a full Cortex-A SoC, the i.MX21S keeps bill-of-materials cost low while delivering adequate UI throughput for text-based menus and 2D industrial screens.
Recommended
Portable Data Terminals
Portable data terminals benefit from the MC9328MX21SCVKR2's ARM926EJ-S core running at 266 MHz, which delivers enough compute for barcode decoding firmware, wireless protocol stacks (Bluetooth/802.11 host-side), and local LCD refresh. The 192 GPIOs accommodate keypad matrix scan, battery monitor ADC, and PWM backlight control. The i.MX21S variant removes unused LCD/Camera peripherals that a portable terminal would not need, reducing silicon cost. Power dissipation scales with core utilization, so battery-life design typically gates CPU clock dynamically based on workload.
Recommended
Handheld Barcode Scanners
The MC9328MX21SCVKR2 suits handheld barcode scanner designs where the ARM926EJ-S can decode 1D/2D symbology in firmware while managing keypad, trigger input, and wireless uplink. The 266 MHz clock is adequate for typical image-processing and decoding algorithms; many scanner designs pair the i.MX21S with an external CMOS sensor via SPI rather than the integrated camera interface (which the SC variant omits). The 289-MAPBGA package keeps the PCB small enough for handheld form factors, and the 192 GPIOs simplify multi-button and LED indicator wiring.
Recommended
Embedded Web Terminals
The MC9328MX21SCVKR2 supports embedded web terminals running an HTTP server, MQTT client, or thin-client web UI on embedded Linux. The 266 MHz ARM926EJ-S can sustain tens of kilobytes of HTML/CSS/JS rendering and an SSL/TLS handshake for cloud telemetry. The 192 GPIOs handle Ethernet PHY strap pins, status LEDs, and field I/O. The SC variant omits LCD/Camera to keep the BOM lean when the human interface is web-based rather than panel-based. External SDRAM (via the i.MX21 multi-mode memory controller) provides the working memory for browser stacks.
Recommended
Remote-Control POS Terminals
The MC9328MX21SCVKR2 fits remote-control point-of-sale terminals where the CPU handles transaction authorization, encrypted PIN pad I/O, receipt printer control, and TCP/IP backhaul. The 266 MHz ARM9 with DSP extensions accelerates encryption routines; 192 GPIOs expose UART links to peripherals like receipt printers and barcode imagers. The 289-MAPBGA package enables compact POS enclosure designs. The SC variant's cost-down philosophy aligns with POS economics, where bill-of-materials cost matters more than integrated multimedia.
Recommended
Embedded Industrial Controllers
The MC9328MX21SCVKR2 serves as a CPU in industrial controllers such as PLCs, motor-control gateways, and protocol-conversion bridges. Its 266 MHz ARM926EJ-S core can run a real-time Linux kernel with PREEMPT-RT patches, plus IEC 61131-3 soft-PLC runtimes for sub-millisecond control loops. The 192 GPIOs handle digital I/O, encoder counters, and fieldbus transceivers; UART/SPI/I2C peripherals integrate Modbus, CANopen, or EtherCAT gateways. The SC variant's stripped feature set fits deterministic control loops that do not need video processing.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MC9328MX21SCVKR2 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MC9328MX21SCVK | MC9328MX21CVKR2 | MC9328MX21SCVKR2G | MCIMX21SCVKR2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 289-LFBGA (MAPBGA) 14x14 mm | 289-LFBGA (MAPBGA) - same | 289-LFBGA (MAPBGA) - same | 289-LFBGA (MAPBGA) - same | 289-LFBGA (MAPBGA) - same |
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Core | ARM926EJ-S | ARM926EJ-S | ARM926EJ-S | ARM926EJ-S | ARM926EJ-S |
| Max Clock Frequency | 266 MHz | 266 MHz | 266 MHz | 266 MHz | 266 MHz |
| Family / Variant | i.MX21S (cost-down) | i.MX21S (cost-down) | i.MX21 (full, with LCD/Camera) | i.MX21S (cost-down), RoHS | i.MX21S (cost-down) |
| Number of I/O | 192 | 192 | 192 | 192 | 192 |
| Packaging Form | Tape & Reel | Tray | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel (RoHS) | Tape & Reel |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND |
Key Differentiators
- Cost-down i.MX21S variant without LCD/Camera engine (vs MC9328MX21CVKR2)
- Same 289-MAPBGA footprint and 192 GPIOs as the full i.MX21 (vs MC9328MX21SCVK)
- Mature NXP i.MX21 software ecosystem (vs AT91SAM9G10-CU)
Design Notes
Estimated: The 289-MAPBGA package with 0.8 mm pitch requires a four-layer PCB stack-up with microvia or via-in-pad escape from inner balls. Place at least one full GND plane directly beneath the BGA to provide a low-impedance return path and a thermal spreader. Decoupling capacitors should be placed in the four BGA quadrants, with 100 nF X7R parts within 2 mm of the supply balls and bulk 10 uF tantalum or polymer capacitors at the PCB edge connector.
Do not use the SC (i.MX21S) variant in designs that require the integrated LCD controller or CMOS sensor interface - those peripherals are disabled on the SC die. If your firmware references the LCDIF or CSI registers, migrate to MC9328MX21CVKR2 instead. Also avoid leaving unused GPIO pins floating; configure them as outputs or enable internal pull-ups in the IOMUX controller to prevent leakage through the input buffers during deep-sleep modes.
Estimated: At 266 MHz with the core fully active, the MC9328MX21SCVKR2 dissipates approximately 0.5-0.8 W depending on workload and peripheral activity. With a typical MAPBGA theta_JA of 30-40 C/W on a four-layer 1 oz PCB, junction temperature rise is 15-32 C above ambient. The industrial operating range of -40C to +85C ambient is achievable without an external heatsink if the design keeps the CPU duty cycle below 70 percent.
Compliance Information
AEC-Q100 not applicable - this is an applications microprocessor for industrial/commercial use, not automotive grade. RoHS/REACH/lead-free status not stated in verified web data; check NXP product page or distributor listing for current compliance certificates.
