MCIMX31VKN5 - i.MX31 ARM1136 MPU 532MHz 457-LFBGA | NXP
MPN: MCIMX31VKN5 ⚠ Last Time Buy| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $28.5 | $28.50 |
| 10 | $26.1 | $261.00 |
| 100 | $23.4 | $2,340.00 |
| 500 | $21.05 | $10,525.00 |
| 1,000 | $18.9 | $18,900.00 |
MCIMX31VKN5 Overview
An applications processor (AP) is a System-on-Chip class of integrated circuit that integrates a CPU core, graphics, memory controllers, peripherals, and connectivity on a single die. The i.MX31 family sits within the multimedia processor hierarchy as: ARM11 core -> applications processor -> multimedia SoC -> embedded computing platform. By collapsing multiple discrete functions onto one die, the i.MX31 reduces board complexity, lowers BOM cost, and shrinks time-to-market for portable and connected devices.
Key features include hardware-accelerated MPEG-4/H.263 video encode/decode, an integrated Image Processing Unit (IPU) supporting up to VGA-class camera input, an enhanced LCD controller supporting up to SXGA displays, and a 16-bit DDR mobile SDRAM interface. Peripherals include USB 2.0 On-The-Go, three MMC/SD/SDIO controllers, and a 10/100 Mbps Ethernet MAC, all routed through a multi-layer AHB/AXI bus matrix.
Architecture depth: the ARM1136JF-S core implements the ARMv6 instruction set with SIMD media extensions, branch prediction, and a hardware VFP unit for floating-point acceleration. The dual AHB-lite bus matrix provides simultaneous access between the CPU, DMA channels, and peripherals, eliminating contention at high bus loads. The integrated GPU accelerates 2D and 3D rendering at low MHz to keep power dissipation under 1 W in typical video playback scenarios.
Typical applications include portable media players, automotive infotainment head units, industrial human-machine interface panels, and early-generation e-readers and smart appliances. The wide peripheral mix also supports digital signage controllers and point-of-sale terminals where an integrated display pipeline and Ethernet are required.
Design consideration: pay close attention to PCB layout for the 14x14 mm MAPBGA - 0.5 mm pitch demands 4-layer stack-up with controlled-impedance traces, microvia-in-pad is recommended for the inner rows, and the exposed-die paddle must be thermally bonded to a continuous ground plane for reliable operation.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives from the same i.MX31 family, and practical design notes not collected in any single manufacturer document.
Drop-in alternatives for MCIMX31VKN5 — 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 MCIMX31VKN5 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Manufacturer, Mounting Type, Package / Case.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MCIMX31VJN5
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MCIMX31CKN5C
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MCIMX31EKN5
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MCIMX31LVKN5
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$15.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →MCIMX31LJN5
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MCIMX31VKN5 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | NXP Semiconductors (formerly Freescale Semiconductor) |
| Series | i.MX31 |
| Core Processor | ARM1136JF-S |
| Number of Cores / Bus Width | 1 Core, 32-Bit |
| Speed (Max) | 532 MHz |
| RAM Size / Type | 16K x 8 internal SRAM; external DDR/mobile SDRAM controller |
| Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) | Integrated (i.MX31 - not present on i.MX31L) |
| Image Processing Unit (IPU) | Yes, hardware camera and display pipeline |
| Video Codec Support | Hardware MPEG-4/H.263 encode/decode |
| Display Controller | Up to SXGA resolution |
| USB Interface | USB 2.0 On-The-Go (OTG) and USB Host |
| Ethernet MAC | 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet |
| Storage I/O | 3 x MMC/SD/SDIO controllers |
| Operating Temperature Range | 0C to +70C (commercial) |
| Package / Case | 457-LFBGA (MAPBGA, 14x14 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Packaging | Tray |
| Oscillator Type | External |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (lead-free) |
MCIMX31VKN5 457-lfbga (mapbga, 14x14 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for MCIMX31VKN5 (457-lfbga (mapbga, 14x14 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) 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 MCIMX31VKN5.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
MCIMX31VKN5 is suitable for 6 applications: Portable Media Player (PMP), Automotive Infotainment Head Unit, Industrial Human-Machine Interface (HMI) Panel, Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminal, Digital Signage Controller, E-Reader / Smart Appliance HMI.
Portable Media Player (PMP)
The MCIMX31VKN5 fits PMP designs because its ARM1136JF-S core at 532 MHz combined with hardware H.263/MPEG-4 codec offload delivers smooth VGA-to-SVGA video playback at typical battery drain under 400 mW. The integrated IPU handles camera input and LCD output to a TFT panel without external graphics chips. The 457-MAPBGA package is footprint-compatible across i.MX31 family variants, so designers can tune cost-versus-GPU presence via OPN. USB 2.0 On-The-Go allows drag-and-drop file sync with a host PC. XAIPART recommends pairing with the i.MX31 reference DDR SDRAM and a Wolfson or NXP audio CODEC on the I2S bus.
Recommended
Automotive Infotainment Head Unit
The MCIMX31VKN5 suits automotive infotainment head units because its ARM11 core at 532 MHz runs a QNX or Linux infotainment stack, while the integrated IPU drives an SVGA LCD and supports an NTSC/PAL analog video input from a backup camera. Peripherals on-die include three MMC/SD slots (for maps and media), 10/100 Ethernet (for telematics), and USB OTG. The 457-MAPBGA package has wettable flanks that aid optical inspection in automotive PCBA lines. Designers targeting AEC-Q100 compliance should switch to the industrial-temperature MCIMX31CKN5C or MCIMX31EKN5 OPN. Power dissipation stays below 1 W at full multimedia load.
Recommended
Industrial Human-Machine Interface (HMI) Panel
The MCIMX31VKN5 fits industrial HMI panels because its integrated display controller drives SVGA-resolution TFTs directly without an external graphics controller, and the ARM11 core runs graphical HMI stacks (Qt/Embedded) at 532 MHz with headroom for soft-PLC logic. The IPU handles touch overlay capture and on-screen OSD composition in real time. On-board Ethernet enables Modbus TCP and PROFINET connectivity, while three SDIO controllers accept WiFi and storage cards. The 457-MAPBGA package with industrial-temp OPN variants supports factory-floor enclosures. Estimated: power dissipation is approximately 800 mW at full GUI workload.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminal
The MCIMX31VKN5 fits POS terminal designs because its ARM1136JF-S core at 532 MHz handles transaction processing, encrypted card swipe (via USB or serial), and graphical receipt rendering on a built-in LCD. The integrated IPU drives a customer-facing display in parallel with the operator display. The on-chip 10/100 Ethernet MAC connects to store LAN for inventory sync and signature capture. MMC/SDIO slots accept microSD for local database caching. The 457-MAPBGA package reduces PCB area versus a CPU-plus-discrete-graphics implementation, enabling compact all-in-one POS form factors. Designers should select the commercial-temp OPN for indoor retail.
Recommended
Digital Signage Controller
The MCIMX31VKN5 fits digital signage controllers because its hardware MPEG-4 decode and integrated GPU drive full-screen 720p video playback and ticker overlays from a single SoC, eliminating external media players. The integrated IPU supports split-screen compositing across two LCD panels, while USB OTG enables content push from a flash drive. Ethernet allows remote content scheduling and proof-of-play logging. The 457-MAPBGA package supports fanless designs at 1 W typical dissipation when paired with a heat-spreader PCB. Industrial-temp OPN variants allow outdoor kiosk deployment. The 10/100 Ethernet MAC handles signage network connectivity without external PHY design work.
Recommended
E-Reader / Smart Appliance HMI
The MCIMX31VKN5 fits early-generation e-readers and smart-appliance HMIs because its ARM11 core at 532 MHz renders E-Ink refresh cycles and supports WiFi stack via SDIO, while the integrated IPU handles touch and pen input. Power dissipation during page-refresh peaks around 600 mW and idles to 50 mW, extending battery life on e-readers. The integrated GPU accelerates menu transitions on smart-appliance touchscreens. The 457-MAPBGA package is footprint-compatible with cost-reduced i.MX31L OPN variants once a design is stable. USB OTG supports sideloaded ePub files and appliance firmware updates.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MCIMX31VKN5 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MCIMX31VJN5 | MCIMX31CKN5C | MCIMX31EKN5 | MCIMX31LVKN5 | MCIMX31LJN5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Package | 457-LFBGA (MAPBGA, 14x14 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) | 457-LFBGA (MAPBGA, 14x14 mm) - same | 457-LFBGA (MAPBGA, 14x14 mm) - same | 457-LFBGA (MAPBGA, 14x14 mm) - same | 457-LFBGA (MAPBGA, 14x14 mm) - same | 457-LFBGA (MAPBGA, 14x14 mm) - same |
| Core | ARM1136JF-S | ARM1136JF-S | ARM1136JF-S | ARM1136JF-S | ARM1136JF-S | ARM1136JF-S |
| GPU | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No (i.MX31L - no GPU) | No (i.MX31L - no GPU) |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (commercial) | 0C to +70C (commercial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C (industrial/extended) | 0C to +70C (commercial) | 0C to +70C (commercial) |
| Family Variant | i.MX31 (with GPU) | i.MX31 | i.MX31 | i.MX31 | i.MX31L | i.MX31L |
| Lifecycle Status | Last-time-buy | Last-time-buy | Last-time-buy | Last-time-buy | Last-time-buy | Last-time-buy |
| Packaging | Tray | Tray | Tray | Tray | Tray | Tray |
Key Differentiators
- Same-package 532 MHz with integrated GPU (vs MCIMX31LVKN5)
- Commercial temperature grade with verified multimedia speed bin (vs MCIMX31CKN5C)
- Integrated IPU and hardware video codec (vs MCIMX31VJN5)
Design Notes
The 457-ball MAPBGA at 0.5 mm pitch on a 14x14 mm body requires a 4-layer PCB stack-up minimum, with continuous reference planes on layers 2 and 3 beneath the BGA. Use 0.4 mm drilled microvias-in-pad for the inner rows and standard 0.2 mm dog-bone fan-out for outer rows. Escape routing density on a 0.5 mm pitch BGA is 1 line per channel between balls, so place decoupling capacitors on the bottom side directly under their respective balls. Avoid routing long parallel traces across the BGA shadow to keep impedance controlled.
Estimated: at full multimedia load (CPU 532 MHz + GPU + IPU + DDR active), the MCIMX31VKN5 dissipates approximately 1.0 W. The 457-MAPBGA exposes a central die paddle that must be soldered to a continuous copper pad connected to a ground plane - this is the primary thermal path. A minimum 25 mm x 25 mm copper pour tied to the paddle, plus 9 thermal vias in a 3x3 array at 0.3 mm drill, keeps theta-JA below 25 C/W. For sealed enclosures, derate ambient by 15 C.
Route the DDR/mobile SDRAM interface with 50 ohm single-ended controlled impedance (100 ohm differential for clock). Match the DDR clock, address, and command traces within 50 mils to preserve timing margin. Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of every VDD pin and a 4.7 uF bulk capacitor within 25 mm. The USB 2.0 OTG D+/D- lines require 90 ohm differential routing and a common-mode choke to meet USB-IF compliance; route over an unbroken ground reference.
Do not confuse MCIMX31VKN5 (with GPU) with MCIMX31LVKN5 (no GPU) - the L suffix removes the graphics processing unit per the family datasheet. PCB firmware must be rebuilt for the L variant because display pipelines reference GPU registers. Also avoid using commercial-temp OPNs in industrial enclosures; switch to MCIMX31CKN5C or MCIMX31EKN5 for -40C to +85C operation. Lastly, because the part is in last-time-buy, design in a verified second source from this page's alternatives list to mitigate supply risk.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant and lead-free per NXP product page. AEC-Q100 is not qualified for the VKN5 commercial OPN; select MCIMX31CKN5C or MCIMX31EKN5 for harsh-environment/automotive applications. REACH and halogen-free status not explicitly documented in the verified web data - set to 'unknown'.
