MCIMX250CJM4A - i.MX25 ARM926EJ-S 400MHz MPU | NXP | MAPBGA-400
MPN: MCIMX250CJM4A ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $32.5 | $32.50 |
| 10 | $29.25 | $292.50 |
| 100 | $26.4 | $2,640.00 |
| 500 | $23.55 | $11,775.00 |
| 1,000 | $21.1 | $21,100.00 |
MCIMX250CJM4A Overview
An application processor, or MPU, is a microprocessor device (without integrated user-accessible Flash) designed for high-level operating systems such as Linux, WinCE, or embedded RTOS. The i.MX25 family sits in NXP's low-power multimedia processor lineage, sitting between basic microcontrollers and full Cortex-A application processors in the taxonomy: ARM926EJ-S core -> ARM9 family -> 32-bit RISC microprocessor -> application processor -> system-on-chip family. Its integrated peripherals, combined with the ARM9 instruction set, make it well suited to legacy Linux kernel targets and long-life industrial deployments.
Key features of the MCIMX250CJM4A include an ARM926EJ-S core with 32 KB instruction cache and 32 KB data cache, MMU for full Linux support, integrated LCD controller up to SVGA resolution, 10/100 Ethernet MAC, USB 2.0 full-speed On-the-Go, up to 4 chip selects for external memory, and a 10-bit ADC. Per NXP's product page, this variant is qualified for industrial temperature operation and supports a wide range of external DDR/DDR2 and NAND/NOR memory configurations through a flexible external memory interface.
The architecture leverages the mature ARM9EJ-S pipeline with Jazelle Java bytecode acceleration, providing deterministic real-time performance alongside rich OS support. The integrated VFP (Vector Floating Point) unit accelerates signal-processing math while keeping power dissipation moderate - a key consideration when the part is specified for industrial temperature ranges where passive cooling is mandatory.
Typical applications include human-machine interface (HMI) panels, industrial control terminals, factory automation controllers, point-of-sale (POS) terminals, medical patient monitors, automotive infotainment accessories, and connected barcode scanners. The 400 MHz core clock, on-chip peripherals, and Linux-friendly architecture make the MCIMX250CJM4A especially attractive where long product lifecycles and stable software ecosystems matter.
When designing with the MCIMX250CJM4A, allocate careful PCB layout effort to the MAPBGA breakout, with controlled-impedance routing on the DDR memory bus. Provide a high-quality 24 MHz system clock source, boot configuration resistors on the boot mode pins, and a JTAG header for debug - per the NXP reference design checklist, the JTAG signals must be length-matched and routed away from switching power supplies to avoid noise coupling.
This page synthesizes distributor inventory, parametric comparison vs i.MX family siblings, and practical design considerations that supplement the datasheet package information.
Drop-in alternatives for MCIMX250CJM4A — 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 MCIMX250CJM4A (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Architecture, Package, RoHS Status, Mounting Type, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MCIMX250DJM4A
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MCIMX257DJM4A
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$16.54 / Unit
View Datasheet →MCIMX257CJM4A
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$15.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →MCIMX251CJM4A
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MCIMX253CJM4A
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$22.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →MCIMX250CJM4A Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | NXP Semiconductors |
| Series | i.MX25 |
| Core Processor | ARM926EJ-S |
| Core Architecture | ARM9 (32-bit RISC) |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 400 MHz |
| FPU / Coprocessor | Vector Floating Point (VFP) |
| Caches | 32 KB I-cache + 32 KB D-cache (per ARM926EJ-S) |
| Package | MAPBGA-400 |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature Grade | Industrial |
| Graphics / Display | Integrated LCD controller (per NXP i.MX25 family) |
| Connectivity | Ethernet (10/100 MAC), USB 2.0 FS OTG, I2C, SPI, UART, I2S, SD/MMC |
| External Memory Bus | DDR/DDR2, NAND, NOR (per family datasheet) |
| On-chip ADC | 10-bit (per family datasheet) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (per NXP product page) |
| Lead-Free Reflow Capable | Yes (per NXP product page) |
MCIMX250CJM4A mapbga-400 Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for MCIMX250CJM4A (mapbga-400 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 MCIMX250CJM4A.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
MCIMX250CJM4A is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Human-Machine Interface (HMI), Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminal, Factory Automation Controller, Connected Medical Patient Monitor, Industrial Barcode Scanner, Connected Smart Energy Gateway.
Industrial Human-Machine Interface (HMI)
The MCIMX250CJM4A is well suited to industrial HMI panels because its ARM926EJ-S core can drive the integrated LCD controller and respond to touch events in real time. Designers pair the MPU with an external 800x480 or higher-resolution LCD panel and route RGB/Sync signals through the on-chip display interface. At 400 MHz it handles Qt/Embedded, GTK, or web-based HMI applications without saturating CPU utilization. Performance-wise, the on-chip LCD controller arbitrates framebuffer reads from external DDR memory, leaving the CPU free to handle network stacks and protocols. Versus a microcontroller-class part, this i.MX25 design benefits from the full MMU, enabling mature embedded Linux deployments across long product lifecycles.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminal
POS terminals rely on the MCIMX250CJM4A's combination of LCD, USB, Ethernet and Secure Digital host interfaces. The MPU drives a colour touchscreen display, connects to bar-code scanners over USB, and transmits transactions over the integrated 10/100 Ethernet MAC. The 400 MHz core keeps transaction latency low even when the application stack is doing TLS, EMV, and printer control simultaneously. Versus a generic MCU, the i.MX25's MMU and VFP simplify the port of an embedded Linux POS application, while DDR/DDR2 support allows large user-interface buffers and transaction logs to be stored in fast external memory without off-chip controllers.
Recommended
Factory Automation Controller
In a factory automation controller the MCIMX250CJM4A serves as the main CPU that aggregates fieldbus traffic, executes the control loop, and presents diagnostics on a local HMI. Its ARM926EJ-S pipeline at 400 MHz comfortably runs EtherCAT, Modbus TCP, and CANopen stacks in parallel; the on-chip UART/I2C/SPI interfaces bridge to remote sensors and motor drivers. Compared to discrete MCU solutions, the i.MX25 reduces the BOM by integrating Ethernet and USB transceivers' MAC layers alongside the CPU. Industrial temperature grading and NXP's long-term supply policy make this part a stable platform for 10+ year automation deployments.
Recommended
Connected Medical Patient Monitor
Medical patient monitors use the MCIMX250CJM4A to drive the bedside display, sample vital-sign data, and forward alarms over Ethernet to a hospital network. The 400 MHz ARM9 core plus VFP unit processes ECG / SpO2 waveform math in real time without offloading to a DSP. The integrated 10-bit ADC can be used for slow analog channels, while the on-chip Ethernet MAC delivers HL7 / DICOM framing. Versus a general-purpose PC, the i.MX25 design fits a fanless, low-EMI footprint that simplifies IEC 60601-1 EMC compliance. NXP's longevity program supports the long after-sales commitments typical of medical device manufacturers.
Recommended
Industrial Barcode Scanner
Industrial barcode scanners marry an image sensor with the MCIMX250CJM4A, which decodes 1D/2D symbologies and exposes USB/Ethernet to the host system. The MPU integrates USB 2.0 FS OTG and 10/100 Ethernet directly, reducing the BOM relative to discrete MCU plus external bridge chips. At 400 MHz, the on-chip decoders run comfortably under CPU load even with encrypted protocols on the host link. Compared to a small Cortex-M-based scanner, the i.MX25 design trades cost for full-Linux ecosystem compatibility, easier OTA update workflows, and integration of higher-complexity factory-floor protocols.
Recommended
Connected Smart Energy Gateway
Energy gateways aggregate smart-meter data over wireless M-Bus, PLC, or RS-485 and forward it to a cloud backend via Ethernet. The MCIMX250CJM4A's ARM926EJ-S core runs protocol stacks and encryption, while the integrated Ethernet MAC terminates the wide-area link. Industrial temperature grading and Linux support allow outdoor deployments and OTA firmware management. Versus a microcontroller-only gateway, the i.MX25 design brings a full MMU so the gateway can run a hardened embedded Linux distribution with up-to-date TLS libraries. The DDR/DDR2 controller connects to memory modules large enough for log buffering without slowing throughput.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MCIMX250CJM4A — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MCIMX250DJM4A | MCIMX257DJM4A | MCIMX257CJM4A | MCIMX251CJM4A | MCIMX253CJM4A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Package | MAPBGA-400 | MAPBGA-400 - same | MAPBGA-400 - same | MAPBGA-400 - same | MAPBGA-400 - same | MAPBGA-400 - same |
| Core | ARM926EJ-S | ARM926EJ-S | ARM926EJ-S | ARM926EJ-S | ARM926EJ-S | ARM926EJ-S |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 400 MHz | 400 MHz | 400 MHz | 400 MHz | 400 MHz | 400 MHz |
| i.MX Family | i.MX25 (i.MX250) | i.MX25 (i.MX250) | i.MX25 (i.MX257) | i.MX25 (i.MX257) | i.MX25 (i.MX251) | i.MX25 (i.MX253) |
| Operating Temperature Grade | Industrial | Industrial | Industrial | Industrial | Industrial | Industrial |
| LCD Controller | Yes (per i.MX25 family) | Yes | Yes (enhanced features) | Yes (enhanced features) | Yes | Yes |
| Ecosystem / OS Support | Embedded Linux BSP from NXP | Embedded Linux BSP from NXP | Embedded Linux BSP from NXP | Embedded Linux BSP from NXP | Embedded Linux BSP from NXP | Embedded Linux BSP from NXP |
Key Differentiators
- Industrial temperature i.MX25 family part (vs MCIMX257DJM4A)
- Long-life NXP i.MX25 product (vs MCIMX251CJM4A)
- MAPBGA-400 shared across the i.MX25 family (vs MCIMX250DJM4A)
Design Notes
The MCIMX250CJM4A is a 400-ball MAPBGA device requiring strict PCB layout discipline. Per the NXP i.MX25 hardware reference manual, route the DDR/DDR2 memory bus with controlled-impedance traces, matched-length clocks, and uninterrupted ground planes under the BGA. Power pins should be decoupled with 100 nF X7R ceramic caps placed within 1 mm of each ball, paired with bulk caps on the regulator outputs to minimize switching noise coupling into the ARM926EJ-S core.
Configure boot-mode pins (BOOT_MODE) before applying power to select the boot source (NOR, NAND, SD/MMC, USB serial download). Once software is running, the boot mode is locked in. Adding 0-ohm isolation resistors or jumpers around these pins keeps the design flexible for engineering builds while still allowing clean production BOMs.
Bring the JTAG signals (TDI, TDO, TMS, TCK, TRST) and RTCK back to a 0.05" header or Tag-Connect footprint. NXP's i.MX25 reference design recommends a 20-pin 0.05" JTAG header with a 4.7 kohm pull-up on TRST. Length-match the JTAG signals with the RTCK return and keep them away from the DDR switching signals, on-chip ADC, and Ethernet MII/RMII buses to avoid noise coupling that can break boundary-scan debugging.
The MCIMX250CJM4A requires a sequenced power supply (core VCC first, then I/O VCC, then analog supplies, per the i.MX25 datasheet). Use a multi-rail PMIC or discrete regulators with Power-Good handshaking and PG outputs tied to POR signals. Build the analog supply rail (AVCC) with a ferrite bead + 10 uF bulk + 100 nF bypass to keep ADC noise low; this is especially important when the 10-bit ADC is used for measurement applications.
A common pitfall is omitting the 24 MHz system clock source or leaving the reset pin floating. The i.MX25 has a warm-reset state machine that holds the CPU in reset until its 24 MHz crystal is stable, the POR pin is high, and the power rails are sequenced correctly. A missing pull-up on POR will block boot entirely. Always verify your schematic against the NXP i.MX25 reference design before committing to a layout.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free status per the NXP product page. Industrial temperature grade only - AEC-Q100 automotive qualification is NOT claimed. Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in the verified data; see NXP environmental compliance letter.
