MCF52256AG80 - 32-bit 80MHz ColdFire V2 MCU | NXP
MPN: MCF52256AG80 ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $14.5 | $14.50 |
| 10 | $13.8 | $138.00 |
| 100 | $13.01 | $1,301.00 |
| 500 | $12.4 | $6,200.00 |
| 1,000 | $11.85 | $11,850.00 |
MCF52256AG80 Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single integrated circuit that combines a processor core, memory, and peripherals into one chip, forming the lowest tier of the embedded processor hierarchy: MCU -> embedded processor -> microprocessor -> system-on-chip. MCUs execute dedicated control tasks in real time, and the ColdFire V2 architecture is a 32-bit RISC-derived instruction set originally derived from the Motorola 68000 family.
Key features of the MCF52256AG80 include the 32-bit ColdFire V2 processor core, 80 MHz maximum operating frequency, 256 KB (256K x 8) of on-chip flash for code storage, and integrated communication peripherals covering USB, Ethernet MAC, and CAN. NXP supplies the complete MQX RTOS software at no additional cost for this family, which shortens software development cycles significantly.
Technically, the MCF5225x family integrates the V2 core with a multiply-accumulate unit for DSP-like operations, a flexible clock module with PLL, and a rich peripheral set (UARTs, timers, ADC, DMA, interrupt controller). The unified single-chip integration reduces external component count and board area compared with discrete CPU-plus-peripheral solutions.
Typical applications include industrial control nodes, building automation gateways using the on-chip Ethernet, medical instrument communication interfaces using USB, and CAN-based automotive or factory bus systems.
Design consideration: because the part is designated NRND (Not Recommended for New Designs) on NXP's product page, new designs should evaluate migration paths within NXP's portfolio, while the part remains fully supported for existing production.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives within the MCF5225x family, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for MCF52256AG80 — 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 MCF52256AG80 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Flash Memory, Core Processor, Maximum Clock Frequency, Package, RTOS Support.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MCF52258AG80
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MCF52259CAG80
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$25.59 / Unit
View Datasheet →MCF52264AF80
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
Contact for price
View Datasheet →MCF52252CAF66
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$6.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →MCF5213CAF80
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.6 / Unit
View Datasheet →MCF52256AG80 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | ColdFire V2 |
| Core Size | 32-bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 80 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB (256K x 8) |
| Program Memory Type | FLASH |
| Data Bus Width | 32 bit |
| Processor Series | MCF522x |
| Package | 144-LQFP (20x20 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Integrated Peripherals | USB, Ethernet, CAN, encryption functions |
| RTOS Support | MQX RTOS (free of charge) |
| RoHS Status | ROHS3 Compliant |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND (Not Recommended for New Designs) |
MCF52256AG80 144-lqfp (20x20 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for MCF52256AG80 (144-lqfp (20x20 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 MCF52256AG80.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
MCF52256AG80 is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Nodes, Ethernet-Connected Gateways, USB Device Peripherals, CAN Bus Networking, Medical Instrumentation Communication, Legacy Product Sustainment.
Industrial Control Nodes
The MCF52256AG80 fits industrial control nodes because its 80 MHz ColdFire V2 core delivers deterministic 32-bit processing for real-time I/O handling, while the on-chip CAN controller connects directly to factory fieldbuses without an external CAN transceiver controller. The 256 KB flash accommodates control firmware plus a lightweight protocol stack, and the free MQX RTOS provides preemptive scheduling and a TCP/IP stack out of the box. In a typical node, the MCU scans sensors through its ADC, executes the control loop, and reports status over CAN or UART; the single-chip integration of USB, Ethernet, CAN, and encryption eliminates multiple external ICs, reducing board area and BOM cost. Because it is NRND, new industrial designs should plan a migration path, but the part remains fully viable for sustaining existing installed fleets with proven firmware.
Recommended
Ethernet-Connected Gateways
Building automation and protocol-conversion gateways benefit directly from the MCF52256AG80's integrated 10/100 Ethernet MAC, which pairs with an external PHY to create a single-chip networked node. The 80 MHz core has sufficient headroom to run the MQX RTOS TCP/IP stack while simultaneously servicing a secondary bus such as CAN or USB, making the device a compact bridge between IT networks and field systems. The 256 KB flash holds the full stack plus application logic in the reference architecture; memory-constrained designs can move to the footprint-compatible MCF52258AG80 with 512 KB. Hardware encryption accelerators offload security processing for authenticated communications. Designers should budget external magnetics and PHY (for example an SMSC or Micrel 10/100 PHY) and verify RMS jitter and magnetics compliance against the Ethernet PHY datasheet during layout.
Recommended
USB Device Peripherals
The MCF52256AG80's on-chip USB controller makes it a strong fit for USB device-class peripherals such as data loggers, lab instruments, and commissioning tools. The ColdFire V2 core at 80 MHz services full-speed USB transactions while running the main application, and the MQX USB device stack supplies HID, CDC, and mass-storage class drivers at no additional license cost. Typical usage connects the MCU's USB pins through the standard 22-ohm series resistors to a USB-B connector, enumerating as a virtual COM port for PC-side software. The 256 KB flash stores class descriptors and firmware updates delivered over USB itself. Compared with adding a discrete USB interface chip, the integrated controller saves board space and eliminates inter-chip protocol latency. Designs requiring USB host or OTG functionality should evaluate the MCF52259CAG80 family variant instead.
Recommended
CAN Bus Networking
The MCF52256AG80's integrated CAN 2.0B controller suits industrial and mobile CAN networking nodes where messages must be filtered, timestamped, and forwarded under hard real-time constraints. Running at 80 MHz, the ColdFire V2 core keeps CAN ISR latency low enough for 1 Mbit/s bus traffic while the on-chip FlexCAN-style message buffers reduce CPU overhead versus software-based mailbox schemes. The free MQX RTOS includes CAN driver support, shortening integration time. A typical node connects the CAN controller through an external transceiver (for example an NXP TJA1050-class device) to the differential bus, implementing J1939- or CANopen-style application layers in the 256 KB flash. Designers must place the transceiver close to the MCU and add proper common-mode choke and split termination at the bus connector for EMC compliance in automotive-adjacent environments.
Recommended
Medical Instrumentation Communication
Benchtop and portable medical instruments use the MCF52256AG80 where multiple communication interfaces are needed in one certified platform: USB for PC connectivity, Ethernet for networked patient-data systems, and CAN for internal module buses. The hardware encryption functions help protect data in transit, supporting the security expectations of connected medical devices. The 80 MHz ColdFire V2 core provides headroom for calibration algorithms, filtering, and UI servicing, while MQX RTOS task isolation keeps communication stacks separate from measurement code. The 144-LQFP 20x20 mm package offers enough I/O for front-panel controls, displays, and analog front-end interfacing without pin-multiplexing compromises. Because the part is NRND, new medical designs should treat it as a sustaining platform choice only; long-term availability planning is essential for products with multi-year certification and service lifetimes.
Recommended
Legacy Product Sustainment
The most pragmatic application of the MCF52256AG80 today is sustaining existing products already designed around the MCF5225x family. Since the device carries NRND status, the goal is not new design-in but reliable procurement and disciplined change management. Distributor channels including DigiKey and aggregated sources on Octopart (5 distributors) still carry stock as of 2026-10-18, and the footprint-compatible MCF52258AG80 and MCF52259CAG80 provide flash upgrades (512 KB versus 256 KB) without PCB revision, useful when firmware outgrows the original memory plan. Teams should secure last-time-buy quantities, qualify the 512 KB family members as form-fit-function alternates, and document a migration plan toward NXP's current-generation ARM Cortex-M based devices before final obsolescence. Purchasing through franchised distributors preserves traceability for regulated industries.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MCF52256AG80 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MCF52258AG80 | MCF52259CAG80 | MCF52264AF80 | MCF52252CAF66 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 144-LQFP (20x20 mm) | 144-LQFP (20x20 mm) - same | 144-LQFP (20x20 mm) - same | 144-LQFP - same family footprint | 144-LQFP - same family footprint |
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors (Freescale) | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Core / Frequency | ColdFire V2, 80 MHz | ColdFire V2, 80 MHz | ColdFire V2, 80 MHz | ColdFire V2, 80 MHz | ColdFire V2, 66 MHz |
| Data Bus Width | 32 bit | 32 bit | 32 bit | 32 bit | 32 bit |
| RTOS Support | MQX RTOS (free) | MQX RTOS (free) | MQX RTOS (free) | MQX RTOS (free) | MQX RTOS (free) |
Key Differentiators
- Single-chip USB + Ethernet + CAN integration (vs MCF5213CAF80)
- Cost-optimized 256 KB flash point (vs MCF52258AG80)
- Free MQX RTOS with full connectivity stacks (vs MCF52252CAF66)
Design Notes
The MCF52256AG80 is NRND on NXP's official product page. Do not start new designs with this part: NRND status precedes obsolescence and places future supply at risk. For sustaining designs, secure a last-time-buy forecast, qualify the footprint-compatible MCF52258AG80/MCF52259CAG80 (512 KB flash) as form-fit-function alternates, and register for NXP Product Change Notices so PCN/EOL announcements reach your supply chain early.
The 144-LQFP (20x20 mm) package uses a 0.5 mm pin pitch. Use 4-mil trace/space routing with via-in-pad avoided on leads; fan out on all four sides with a minimum 2-layer breakout. Decouple each VDD pair with 100 nF ceramics placed within 2 mm of the pin, plus bulk 10 uF near the regulator. Follow the layout guidance in the MCF5225x reference manual and NXP application notes for the family before finalizing stackup.
Estimated: the MCF5225x family typically operates from a single 3.3 V supply with an internal regulator for the core, but the exact supply voltage range for this part was not found in the verified data - confirm against the manufacturer datasheet before finalizing the power tree. Budget supply current assuming worst-case 80 MHz operation plus peripheral load, and sequence the USB VBUS sensing per the family reference manual when USB device mode is used.
Compliance Information
ROHS3 Compliant and lead-free per distributor listing (IC Components). REACH, halogen-free, and conflict minerals status were not found in the provided data - consult NXP's environmental quality page for the MCF52256AG80.
