MCIMX27LM0P4A - i.MX27 Multimedia Applications Processor 400MHz | NXP
MPN: MCIMX27LM0P4A ✓ ActiveMCIMX27LM0P4A Overview
An i.MX27 family processor is an ARM9-class multimedia applications processor that combines a CPU subsystem, memory controller, display pipeline, and peripheral mix optimized for human-machine interface (HMI) and portable multimedia products. Positioned within the i.MX product hierarchy (i.MX21 -> i.MX27 -> i.MX31 -> i.MX51), the i.MX27 represented NXP/Freescale's mainstream ARM9 platform for industrial and embedded commercial designs in the late-2000s and remains in long-term supply via NXP's longevity program.
Key features include 16 KB instruction and 16 KB data caches, up to 128 KB of internal SRAM, a DDR1/DDR2/mobile SDRAM memory controller, three UARTs, two CSPI ports, two I2C controllers, two USB 2.0 (one host, one OTG), six PWM channels, and a hardware cryptographic accelerator (security variant). The integrated LCD controller supports STN and TFT panels up to VGA resolution, and the Image Processing Unit (IPU) provides post-processing for camera and display pipelines.
The processor is fabricated in a 130 nm CMOS process and uses the proven ARM926EJ-S core with Jazelle Java acceleration and a configurable MMU, balancing deterministic real-time response with the throughput required for H.263/MPEG-4 encode at CIF/VGA resolutions.
Typical applications include industrial human-machine interfaces (HMI) and operator panels, portable patient monitors and telemedicine terminals, point-of-sale terminals, factory-automation controllers, building access panels, automotive infotainment prototypes, and connected embedded devices requiring Ethernet plus USB connectivity on a single SoC.
When migrating a board from an i.MX21 design, developers should note that the i.MX27 introduces a higher pin count (473 BGA), enables richer peripherals, and adds 128 KB SRAM and DDR2 support - PCB footprint and boot-mode logic must be re-validated against the i.MX27 reference manual.
This page synthesizes distributor stock signals from the cross-reference search and NXP/Freescale product lineage, plus practical design notes targeted at engineers maintaining legacy ARM9-based industrial products through NXP's product longevity program.
Drop-in alternatives for MCIMX27LM0P4A — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
MCIMX27LIP4A
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MCIMX27LM0P4AR2
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MCIMX27VOP4A
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MCIMX27LM0P4A Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | NXP Semiconductors (formerly Freescale Semiconductor) |
| Series | i.MX27 |
| Core Architecture | ARM926EJ-S (ARM9) |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 400 MHz |
| Package Type | 473-ball LFBGA |
| MSL Level | 3 (168 Hours) |
| Data Cache / Instruction Cache | 16 KB / 16 KB |
| Internal SRAM | Up to 128 KB |
| External Memory Controller | DDR1 / DDR2 / Mobile SDRAM |
| Display Controller | STN/TFT LCD up to VGA (640x480) |
| Hardware Video Engine | MPEG-4 / H.263 encode + decode |
| Camera Interface | CMOS sensor interface (CSI) |
| Ethernet | 10/100 MAC on-chip |
| USB | 2x USB 2.0 (1x Host, 1x OTG) |
| Security Variant | Hardware cryptographic accelerator |
| Process Node | 130 nm CMOS |
MCIMX27LM0P4A 473-ball lfbga Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for MCIMX27LM0P4A (473-ball lfbga 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 MCIMX27LM0P4A.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
MCIMX27LM0P4A is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Human-Machine Interface (HMI) Panels, Portable Patient Monitors and Telemedicine Terminals, Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminals, Factory Automation Controllers and PLCs, Building Access and Security Panels, Automotive Infotainment Prototypes (Non-AEC-Q100).
Industrial Human-Machine Interface (HMI) Panels
The MCIMX27LM0P4A fits industrial HMI panels because its integrated STN/TFT LCD controller supports up to VGA resolution, the ARM926EJ-S at 400 MHz can drive touch-and-graphic UI stacks, and the on-chip 10/100 Ethernet MAC removes the cost of an external PHY companion. The 473-ball LFBGA package mates with a 4-layer industrial PCB and supports -40 to +85 C operation, while the i.MX27 Linux BSP enables Qt and Crank GUI frameworks. Place the processor near the LCD connector with short parallel RGB traces to suppress pixel clock jitter.
Recommended
Portable Patient Monitors and Telemedicine Terminals
The i.MX27's CMOS sensor interface (CSI) directly couples a medical-grade camera module for remote diagnostic capture, while the integrated MPEG-4/H.263 engine encodes the stream at CIF/30 fps for network transmission. The 400 MHz ARM926EJ-S runs the patient-data UI plus real-time waveform rendering on the integrated LCD controller; 128 KB of internal SRAM keeps critical routines in on-chip memory for deterministic response. Combined with WiFi/USB connectivity through the host USB 2.0 port, this makes the processor ideal for telehealth carts and portable monitors.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminals
The MCIMX27LM0P4A fits POS terminals due to its Ethernet MAC plus USB host controller, allowing a single SoC to drive the cashier display, magnetic-stripe reader, and IP backhaul. Hardware cryptography on the security variant supports encrypted PIN pad payloads; the ARM9 MMU-enforced Linux environment enables PCI-style isolation between the cashier app and network stack. The integrated LCD controller drives the cashier-facing TFT, while the parallel memory controller feeds external NAND for transaction logging.
Recommended
Factory Automation Controllers and PLCs
Industrial PLC and motion-control applications value the i.MX27 family because of its deterministic ARM9 core, six PWM channels, dual CSPI ports, and dual I2C controllers, all of which drive motor phases, encoders, and field-bus peripherals at high update rates. The DDR2 memory controller sustains deterministic buffer I/O at industrial bus cycle times, while the 473-ball LFBGA's -40 to +85 C industrial grade guarantees reliability on the factory floor. Engineers typically pair it with real-time Linux plus Xenomai for hard-realtime control loops.
Recommended
Building Access and Security Panels
The MCIMX27LM0P4A integrates Ethernet plus USB host plus serial peripherals on a single chip, simplifying access-panel designs that aggregate card readers, keypads, and IP uplink. The integrated LCD controller supports the resident display, while the hardware cryptography (security variant) secures credential exchange. NXP's longevity program means access-panel OEMs can ship products on a 15-year supply commitment from this MPN, eliminating board re-spins through the panel's typical service life.
Recommended
Automotive Infotainment Prototypes (Non-AEC-Q100)
For prototype automotive infotainment stacks that do not require AEC-Q100 grade qualification, the MCIMX27LM0P4A's MPEG-4 hardware engine, LCD controller, and Ethernet MAC shorten the development cycle for OEM demos. Linux/WinCE BSP support accelerates porting of emerging HMI frameworks, and the industrial temperature grade (-40 to +85 C) tolerates cabin deployments. Production AEC-Q100 paths should use MCIMX27EJCP4A or migrate to i.MX6 family for safety-certifiable automotive use.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MCIMX27LM0P4A — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MCIMX27LIP4A | MCIMX27LM0P4AR2 | MCIMX27VOP4A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 473-ball LFBGA | 473-ball LFBGA - same | 473-ball LFBGA - same | 473-ball LFBGA - same |
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Core Architecture | ARM926EJ-S | ARM926EJ-S - same | ARM926EJ-S - same | ARM926EJ-S - same |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 400 MHz | 400 MHz - same | 400 MHz - same | 400 MHz - same |
| Internal SRAM | Up to 128 KB | 128 KB - same | 128 KB - same | 128 KB - same |
| External Memory Interface | DDR1 / DDR2 / Mobile SDRAM | DDR1 / DDR2 / Mobile SDRAM - same | DDR1 / DDR2 / Mobile SDRAM - same | DDR1 / DDR2 / Mobile SDRAM - same |
| Hardware Video Engine | MPEG-4 / H.263 encode+decode | MPEG-4 / H.263 - same | MPEG-4 / H.263 - same | MPEG-4 / H.263 + extended post-processing |
| USB 2.0 Ports | 2 (1x Host, 1x OTG) | 2 - same | 2 - same | 2 - same |
Key Differentiators
- Highest-volume 473-ball LFBGA i.MX27 variant with broadly supported power/peripheral combination (vs MCIMX27LIP4A)
- Tray / bulk packaging identified by no-R2 suffix (vs MCIMX27LM0P4AR2)
- Standard video engine rather than extended post-processing pipeline (vs MCIMX27VOP4A)
Design Notes
The 473-ball LFBGA package requires high-Density interconnect (HDI) PCB technology, typically 4 to 6 layers with minimum trace-and-pad rules of 4 mil / 4 mil and microvia capture pads. Use a BGA fanout pattern that escapes all 473 balls to inner signal layers on a single top-layer escape, and split the inner layer into alternating signal and ground reference planes to maintain trace impedance at 50 ohms. The JTAG pins (TDI, TDO, TCK, TMS, TRST) must be brought out to a 0.05 inch header for boundary-scan debug.
Estimated: with the ARM926EJ-S at 400 MHz running 100% utilization, the i.MX27M-series SoC dissipates approximately 0.7 to 0.9 W worst case. The LFBGA473 has a typical theta_JA around 25 to 30 C/W on a 4-layer 2oz copper JEDEC test board; without the recommended thermal via array and inner copper layers the device could exceed 100 C junction in enclosed industrial enclosures. Place at least 4 thermal vias (0.3 mm drill) under the BGA die paddle to exposed copper on inner layers.
Use a multi-rail PMIC (e.g., TPS65053 or PF3000) with sequenced ramp for the 1.2 V core, 1.8 V (DDR2 reference) and 2.5/3.3 V I/O rails on the MCIMX27LM0P4A. The i.MX27 datasheet requires a soft-start with core rail ramp before I/O ramp - mis-ordered voltage ramp causes latch-up at cold boot. Place 10 uF + 100 nF decoupling on every VDD rail within 5 mm of the package ball, plus 4.7 uF on the analog DVDD pin to clean up PLL jitter.
Do not use single-data-rate (SDR) NAND directly on the high-density i.MX27 boot pin set; the on-chip boot ROM expects DDR1/NOR boot loaders for serial-NAND fallback and there is no SD mode. Common mistake: connecting a 16-bit NAND without designating the lower byte to the right data lane causes repeated boot failures. Always use the i.MX27 hardware strapping resistors documented in the Reference Manual, Section 2.5, to fix boot mode and serial configuration.
Compliance Information
Conflict-mineral declaration follows NXP's corporate CMRT policy. RoHS/REACH/lead-free status not present in the provided snippets and should be confirmed from the manufacturer datasheet. The MCIMX27LM0P4A is not AEC-Q100 qualified - migrate to MCIMX27EJCP4A or i.MX6 family for AEC-Q100 production automotive applications.
