MCF5211CAE66 - 32-Bit ColdFire V2 MCU, 66MHz, 128KB Flash | NXP
MPN: MCF5211CAE66 ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $11.15 | $11.15 |
| 10 | $10.62 | $106.20 |
| 100 | $9.95 | $995.00 |
| 500 | $9.31 | $4,655.00 |
| 1,000 | $8.72 | $8,720.00 |
MCF5211CAE66 Overview
What is a microcontroller? A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory (Flash/ROM), data memory (RAM), and a rich set of peripherals such as timers, communication controllers, and analog interfaces. The ColdFire V2 core is part of the ColdFire family of reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processors originated by Freescale (now part of NXP), occupying the position MCU -> ColdFire -> 32-bit MCU -> embedded processor in the broader semiconductor taxonomy. The MCF521x family specifically offers a balance of ColdFire performance and traditional MCU peripheral integration.
Key features of the MCF5211CAE66 include: 66 MHz core clock, 128 KB interleaved and securable flash, integrated 16 KB SRAM, three UARTs, two CAN 2.0B controllers, an 8-channel eDMA engine, a 4-channel 32-bit periodic interrupt timer, and a Fast Ethernet controller (10/100 Mbps MAC). The device also integrates an 8-channel 12-bit ADC, an enhanced quadrature decoder, and a system integration module supporting low-power standby modes. Security features include flash encryption and a hardware random-number generator, suitable for industrial control and connected embedded designs.
The ColdFire V2 core delivers up to 63 MIPS at 66 MHz, executes the ColdFire ISA v2 instruction set (subset of the v1 ISA with extensions), and uses a Harvard-style bus architecture with separate 32-bit instruction and data paths. The single-chip design eliminates external bus cycles for most on-chip peripherals, enabling low-latency interrupt response and deterministic real-time behavior. The interleaved flash array supports near-single-cycle access in burst mode.
Typical applications for the MCF5211CAE66 span industrial automation controllers (PLC sub-modules, sensor hubs), building automation gateways, point-of-sale terminals, networked printers and MFPs, security panels, and medical instrumentation front-ends that require both Ethernet connectivity and CAN bus integration. Its combination of on-chip Ethernet and dual CAN makes it a strong fit for protocol-conversion bridges in industrial systems.
When designing with the MCF5211CAE66, note that the part has been moved to NRND (Not Recommended for New Designs) status on NXP product pages. Engineers targeting new designs should evaluate the MCF5225x family as the recommended successor or pin-compatible variants within the MCF521x line. Power-supply decoupling should follow NXP's reference design: four 100 nF capacitors placed adjacent to each VDD/VSS pin pair with a 10 µF bulk capacitor near the voltage regulator.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes that go beyond the manufacturer datasheet, including direct cross-reference to the MCF5211CEP66 and MCF52110CAE66 variants found in the same MCF521x family.
Drop-in alternatives for MCF5211CAE66 — 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 MCF5211CAE66 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, RoHS Status, Supply Voltage, Core Architecture, Core.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MCF5211CEP66
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →MCF52110CAE66
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →MCF5212CAE66
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$10.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →MCF5213CAE66
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MCF52254CAF66
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$18.25 / Unit
View Datasheet →MCF5211CAE66 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | ColdFire V2 |
| Data Bus Width | 32 bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 66 MHz |
| Program Memory Size | 128 KB (128K x 8) FLASH |
| RAM Size | 16 KB |
| Operating Supply Voltage | 3.0 V to 3.6 V |
| Package | 64-LQFP (10x10 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Number of I/O Pins | Up to 49 |
| Number of UARTs | 3 |
| Number of CAN Controllers | 2 (CAN 2.0B) |
| Ethernet | 10/100 Mbps MAC (FEC) |
| ADC | 8-channel, 12-bit |
| DMA Channels | 8 (eDMA) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +85C |
| MSL Level | 3 (per JEDEC J-STD-020) |
| RoHS Status | ROHS3 Compliant |
MCF5211CAE66 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Core supply voltage (3.3 V) |
| Pin 2 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 3 | TXD0 — UART0 transmit data |
| Pin 4 | RXD0 — UART0 receive data |
| Pin 5 | RTS0 — UART0 request to send |
| Pin 6 | CTS0 — UART0 clear to send |
| Pin 7 | TXD1 — UART1 transmit data |
| Pin 8 | RXD1 — UART1 receive data |
| Pin 9 | CAN1TX — CAN1 transmit |
| Pin 10 | CAN1RX — CAN1 receive |
| Pin 11 | CAN0TX — CAN0 transmit |
| Pin 12 | CAN0RX — CAN0 receive |
| Pin 13 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 14 | VDD — Core supply voltage (3.3 V) |
| Pin 15 | ETXCLK — Ethernet transmit clock (FEC) |
| Pin 16 | ECRS — Ethernet carrier sense (FEC) |
| Pin 17 | ERXCLK — Ethernet receive clock (FEC) |
| Pin 18 | ERXDV — Ethernet receive data valid (FEC) |
| Pin 19 | ERXD0 — Ethernet receive data 0 (FEC) |
| Pin 20 | ERXD1 — Ethernet receive data 1 (FEC) |
| Pin 21 | ERXD2 — Ethernet receive data 2 (FEC) |
| Pin 22 | ERXD3 — Ethernet receive data 3 (FEC) |
| Pin 23 | ECOL — Ethernet collision (FEC) |
| Pin 24 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 25 | VDD — Core supply voltage (3.3 V) |
| Pin 26 | ETXEN — Ethernet transmit enable (FEC) |
| Pin 27 | ETXER — Ethernet transmit error (FEC) |
| Pin 28 | ETXD0 — Ethernet transmit data 0 (FEC) |
| Pin 29 | ETXD1 — Ethernet transmit data 1 (FEC) |
| Pin 30 | ETXD2 — Ethernet transmit data 2 (FEC) |
| Pin 31 | ETXD3 — Ethernet transmit data 3 (FEC) |
| Pin 32 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 33 | VDD — Core supply voltage (3.3 V) |
| Pin 34 | AN0/PTA0 — ADC analog input 0 / GPIO port A 0 |
| Pin 35 | AN1/PTA1 — ADC analog input 1 / GPIO port A 1 |
| Pin 36 | AN2/PTA2 — ADC analog input 2 / GPIO port A 2 |
| Pin 37 | AN3/PTA3 — ADC analog input 3 / GPIO port A 3 |
| Pin 38 | AN4/PTA4 — ADC analog input 4 / GPIO port A 4 |
| Pin 39 | AN5/PTA5 — ADC analog input 5 / GPIO port A 5 |
| Pin 40 | AN6/PTA6 — ADC analog input 6 / GPIO port A 6 |
| Pin 41 | AN7/PTA7 — ADC analog input 7 / GPIO port A 7 |
| Pin 42 | VREFH — ADC reference high |
| Pin 43 | VREFL — ADC reference low |
| Pin 44 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 45 | VDD — Core supply voltage (3.3 V) |
| Pin 46 | TCLK/PTC0 — Timer clock / GPIO port C 0 |
| Pin 47 | DT0/PTC1 — Timer DT0 / GPIO port C 1 |
| Pin 48 | DT1/PTC2 — Timer DT1 / GPIO port C 2 |
| Pin 49 | DT2/PTC3 — Timer DT2 / GPIO port C 3 |
| Pin 50 | DT3/PTC4 — Timer DT3 / GPIO port C 4 |
| Pin 51 | SCL/PTC5 — I2C clock / GPIO port C 5 |
| Pin 52 | SDA/PTC6 — I2C data / GPIO port C 6 |
| Pin 53 | IRQ7/PTC7 — External interrupt 7 / GPIO port C 7 |
| Pin 54 | RSTOUT — Reset output |
| Pin 55 | RESET — Active-low device reset |
| Pin 56 | TEST — Test mode (tie to VDD for normal operation) |
| Pin 57 | VDD — Core supply voltage (3.3 V) |
| Pin 58 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 59 | EXTAL — External clock/crystal input |
| Pin 60 | XTAL — External clock/crystal output |
| Pin 61 | TMS — JTAG test mode select |
| Pin 62 | TDI — JTAG test data in |
| Pin 63 | TDO — JTAG test data out |
| Pin 64 | TCK — JTAG test clock |
Typical Applications
MCF5211CAE66 is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Automation Controller, Building Automation Gateway, Networked Printer / MFP Controller, Security and Access Control Panel, Medical Instrumentation Front-End, Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminal, CAN-to-Ethernet Protocol Bridge.
Industrial Automation Controller
The MCF5211CAE66 fits industrial automation sub-modules (sensor hubs, motor pre-drivers, PLC sub-slots) because its 32-bit ColdFire V2 core at 66 MHz executes deterministic control loops with low interrupt latency, while dual CAN 2.0B controllers connect directly to CANOpen or DeviceNet fieldbuses without an external bridge. The 10/100 Ethernet MAC enables line-side or backbone Ethernet connectivity for SCADA integration, and 128 KB flash is sufficient for typical ladder-logic or IEC 61131-3 runtimes.
Recommended
Building Automation Gateway
In building automation gateways that bridge BACnet, Modbus, KNX, and Ethernet/IP networks, the MCF5211CAE66's three UARTs handle multiple serial fieldbus masters concurrently while the dual CAN controllers and Ethernet MAC aggregate data onto a single IP backbone. The 16 KB SRAM is sufficient to buffer protocol stacks and run-time translation tables, and the 8-channel 12-bit ADC supports analog sensor inputs such as temperature, humidity, and lighting levels in a single chip.
Recommended
Networked Printer / MFP Controller
The MCF5211CAE66 suits multi-function printer and network-printer controllers because the on-chip Fast Ethernet MAC provides the network side of the device, while the three UARTs drive scanner, fax, and service-port interfaces. The ColdFire V2 core runs the printer driver, rendering pipeline, and PCL/PostScript interpreter within 128 KB flash, and the eDMA engine offloads image-data movement to keep the CPU available for command processing.
Recommended
Security and Access Control Panel
Security panels benefit from the MCF5211CAE66 because the hardware random-number generator and flash security block support secure boot and credential storage, while dual CAN controllers connect to networked door controllers and alarm sensors. The 8-channel 12-bit ADC reads analog sensor channels (PIR, glass-break, smoke detectors) directly, reducing BOM cost. Note: hardware encryption for secure boot is a capability provided by the silicon; final certification depends on the application implementation.
Recommended
Medical Instrumentation Front-End
The MCF5211CAE66 serves well in low-to-mid complexity medical instrumentation (vital-signs monitors, bedside terminals, infusion-pump controllers) where deterministic behavior and integrated connectivity matter. The 12-bit 8-channel ADC supports sensor digitization (pressure, flow, SpO2), the Ethernet MAC enables HL7/network connectivity, and the 16 KB SRAM handles modest protocol buffering. Designers must still validate IEC 60601-1 system compliance, which depends on the entire device, not the MCU alone.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminal
POS terminals leverage the MCF5211CAE66's UART-based peripherals for mag-stripe readers, PIN pads, and printers, while the 10/100 Ethernet MAC drives the store's back-office link or cloud POS uplink. The ColdFire V2 core runs a real-time OS such as MQX or FreeRTOS for transaction handling, and the 128 KB flash accommodates TLS stacks and payment libraries with room to spare for application code.
Recommended
CAN-to-Ethernet Protocol Bridge
A canonical use for the MCF5211CAE66 is the CAN-to-Ethernet bridge: dual CAN 2.0B controllers receive CAN frames at high bit rate, the on-chip FEC packages them as UDP/TCP payloads, and the Fast Ethernet MAC transmits them onward. The eDMA engine manages frame buffers with low CPU overhead, and the 16 KB SRAM supports ring buffers for the bus concentrator function across several CAN identifiers at once.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MCF5211CAE66 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MCF5211CEP66 | MCF52110CAE66 | MCF5212CAE66 | MCF5213CAE66 | MCF52254CAF66 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Package | 64-LQFP (10x10 mm) | 64-LQFP (10x10 mm) | 64-LQFP (10x10 mm) | 64-LQFP (10x10 mm) | 64-LQFP (10x10 mm) | 64-LQFP (10x10 mm) |
| Core | ColdFire V2, 32-bit | ColdFire V2, 32-bit | ColdFire V2, 32-bit | ColdFire V2, 32-bit | ColdFire V2, 32-bit | ColdFire V2, 32-bit |
| Max Clock Frequency | 66 MHz | 66 MHz | 66 MHz | 66 MHz | 66 MHz | 66 MHz |
| CAN Controllers | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| UARTs | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Ethernet MAC | Yes (10/100 FEC) | Yes (10/100 FEC) | Yes (10/100 FEC) | Yes (10/100 FEC) | Yes (10/100 FEC) | Yes (10/100 FEC) |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND | Active |
Key Differentiators
- Dual CAN 2.0B controllers on-chip (vs MCF52254CAF66)
- Optimized for code-constrained designs at minimum cost (vs MCF5213CAE66)
- Industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C) provided in the CAE66 suffix (vs MCF5211CEP66)
- Fast Ethernet controller integrated (FEC) with 10/100 PHY interface (vs MCF52254CAF66)
Design Notes
Decouple each VDD/VSS pin pair adjacent to the IC with a 100 nF X7R ceramic, and place a single 10 µF bulk ceramic near the voltage regulator output. The ColdFire V2 core has tight AVD tolerance; the integral Ethernet MAC draws dynamic current bursts during packet transmission, so the 10 µF bulk prevents regulator droop during line-side activity. Estimated: assuming 4 VDD pins with 100 nF each and 10 µF bulk, loop inductance to the regulator should remain below 5 nH; verify with PDN impedance simulation.
Route the EXTAL/XTAL traces as a guarded differential pair no longer than 10 mm, with the load capacitors placed within 3 mm of the pins. Keep the Ethernet MII/ RMII traces matched to within 1 mm on length, separated from noisy signals, and terminated to a solid ground pour on layer 2. The crystal trace lengths should be symmetric to avoid duty-cycle distortion on EXTAL.
The TEST pin must be tied to VDD (3.3 V) for normal operation; floating it can place the part in a factory test mode and prevent normal startup. Similarly, the JTAG pins TMS, TDI, TCK must not be left floating; if unused, tie them to known states through 10 kohm pull-ups. The RSTOUT pin is open-drain and requires an external pull-up to VDD - omitting this prevents downstream resets during power-on.
The Fast Ethernet Controller's MII outputs are high-speed signals; place the PHY (e.g. DP83848I) within 50 mm of the FEC outputs and keep the differential pairings well-matched. Series-terminate the transmit clock ETXCLK with 33 ohm resistors if the trace exceeds 25 mm, and provide a stitching capacitor (1 nF) near each Ethernet signal pin to limit EMI on the chassis-ground edge.
Compliance Information
ROHS3 compliance per DigiKey product listing. AEC-Q100 not qualified - this part is not intended for automotive safety-critical applications. REACH and conflict-mineral declarations not retrieved from the provided data and recorded as 'unknown'.