MCIMX516AJM6 - i.MX51 ARM Cortex-A8 600MHz MPU | NXP
MPN: MCIMX516AJM6 ✓ ActiveMCIMX516AJM6 Overview
An applications processor (AP) is a system-on-chip (SoC) class microprocessor that integrates one or more CPU cores with peripheral controllers, memory interfaces, and graphics/multimedia blocks on a single die. The i.MX family sits within the broader hierarchy of microprocessors (MPU) and SoCs, targeting applications that need richer OS support (Linux, Android, WinCE) and richer I/O than typical microcontrollers (MCU) provide. The i.MX51 specifically targets the multimedia-rich infotainment segment with hardware video accelerators, an integrated image processing unit (IPU), and an LCD controller.
Key features of the MCIMX516AJM6 include the 600MHz Cortex-A8 core with NEON SIMD and VFPv3 floating-point extensions, integrated DDR2/LPDDR memory controller supporting up to 200MHz, on-chip Image Processing Unit (IPU), Enhanced Multimedia Accelerator (eMMA) for pre-/post-processing, and dedicated automotive peripherals such as CAN, MLB, and FlexCAN. The SoC also integrates an LCD controller supporting up to XGA resolution, a hardware video processing block (VPU), and multiple connectivity options including USB, Ethernet, and SD/MMC interfaces.
Architecturally, the i.MX51 leverages ARM's Cortex-A8 superscalar pipeline with out-of-order execution, paired with dedicated hardware accelerators that offload video decode/encode and image processing from the CPU. This heterogeneous compute approach enables full-rate 720p video playback while keeping the CPU available for application logic, OS scheduling, and graphics rendering. The 529-ball BGA package provides the I/O density needed for automotive dual-display cluster/instrument panel designs.
Typical applications include automotive infotainment head units, in-vehicle navigation systems, rear-seat entertainment, industrial human-machine interfaces (HMI), and portable medical imaging devices. The automotive-grade process technology and extended temperature range make it well suited for under-hood and dashboard environments where consumer-grade parts would fail.
When designing with the MCIMX516AJM6, ensure the PCB has a minimum 4-layer stackup with continuous ground planes under the BGA, and follow NXP's reference design for DDR2 routing (matched-length, 50-ohm single-ended impedance). Thermal management via copper pours and a heatsink or thermal interface material is recommended when sustained CPU utilization exceeds 50%.
This page synthesizes NXP datasheet parameters, distributor stock status, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design notes not consolidated on the manufacturer product page, with all data last verified on 2026-10-17.
Drop-in alternatives for MCIMX516AJM6 — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
No drop-in alternatives available for this product.
Request AlternativesMCIMX516AJM6 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | ARM Cortex-A8 |
| Number of Cores | 1 |
| Data Bus Width | 32-bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 600 MHz |
| Package | 529-BGA (19x19 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Series | i.MX51 |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (automotive) |
| Supply Voltage | 1.2 V (core) / 1.8 V / 3.3 V |
| Memory Interface | DDR2 / LPDDR |
| Graphics Accelerator | Integrated (OpenGL ES 1.1/2.0) |
| Video Processing | VPU + IPU hardware acceleration |
| Display Support | Up to XGA resolution LCD controller |
| Automotive Peripherals | CAN, MLB, FlexCAN |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0, Ethernet, SD/MMC, UART, SPI, I2C |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| MSL Level | 3 (168 hours) |
MCIMX516AJM6 529-bga (19x19 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for MCIMX516AJM6 (529-bga (19x19 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 MCIMX516AJM6.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
MCIMX516AJM6 is suitable for 6 applications: Automotive Infotainment Head Unit, In-Vehicle Navigation System, Industrial Human-Machine Interface (HMI), Rear-Seat Entertainment (RSE) Display, Portable Medical Imaging Device, Connected Telematics Control Unit.
Automotive Infotainment Head Unit
The MCIMX516AJM6 is purpose-built for automotive infotainment head units, where its 600 MHz Cortex-A8 core with NEON SIMD delivers the CPU throughput needed to drive Linux/QNX infotainment stacks while the integrated IPU and VPU handle hardware-accelerated H.264 video decode for rear-seat entertainment. The SoC's LCD controller supports up to XGA resolution and dual-display operation, which matches the dual-cluster/instrument-panel designs common in modern vehicles. The integrated CAN and MLB automotive peripherals let the head unit communicate with body control modules and MOST infotainment networks without external bridge ICs. At typical 12V automotive supply with the recommended NXP PMIC reference design, total system power stays within the 5-8W envelope suitable for head-unit thermal budgets. Compared with discrete CPU + external video processor designs, the MCIMX516AJM6 reduces PCB area by ~40% and BOM cost by ~30%.
Recommended
In-Vehicle Navigation System
The MCIMX516AJM6 fits portable and dash-mount in-vehicle navigation systems because its 600 MHz Cortex-A8 can run full-feature navigation software (with map rendering, route calculation, and turn-by-turn voice guidance) at update rates above 30 fps. The hardware graphics accelerator (OpenGL ES 2.0) accelerates 3D map rendering, while the DDR2 memory controller feeds the display pipeline with low-latency framebuffer access. The integrated GPS interface (via SSI/I2S peripherals) simplifies connection to external GNSS receivers, reducing the need for a dedicated baseband processor. Operating temperature range of -40C to +85C matches automotive cabin and dash-mount thermal requirements across cold-start winter and direct-sun summer conditions. The mature Linux BSP ecosystem for i.MX51 shortens time-to-market for navigation software porting.
Recommended
Industrial Human-Machine Interface (HMI)
The MCIMX516AJM6 is suitable for industrial HMI panels where its 600 MHz Cortex-A8 supports touch-driven graphical interfaces with sub-100 ms response times while the LCD controller drives displays up to XGA (1024x768). The hardware video acceleration offloads H.264 playback for instructional/training videos shown to operators on factory-floor equipment. The CAN peripheral enables integration with industrial CANopen and DeviceNet networks commonly used on machine tools and process controllers. Extended temperature range of -40C to +85C supports deployment in unheated warehouses and outdoor industrial enclosures without active cooling. Compared with ARM9-based legacy HMIs, the i.MX516 reduces UI latency by approximately 4x and supports modern Qt/HTML5 HMI frameworks.
Recommended
Rear-Seat Entertainment (RSE) Display
The MCIMX516AJM6 drives rear-seat entertainment displays where the integrated VPU handles H.264 720p video decode at full frame rate while leaving the Cortex-A8 core free to manage the UI, audio mixing, and parental-control logic. Its LCD controller can drive dual displays independently, supporting left/right RSE screens from a single SoC and reducing the bill of materials versus two discrete display controllers. The MLB (Media Local Bus) peripheral streams lossless compressed audio from the head unit, enabling synchronized multi-seat audio playback without external audio processors. At idle (display on, no video playback) the part consumes approximately 1.2 W, allowing passive cooling in seat-back enclosures. Compared with using a full i.MX6 for RSE, the i.MX516 cuts BOM cost by 25-35%.
Recommended
Portable Medical Imaging Device
The MCIMX516AJM6 is suitable for portable medical imaging devices such as handheld ultrasound and point-of-care diagnostic tools, where the 600 MHz Cortex-A8 with VFPv3 floating-point runs beamforming and image-reconstruction algorithms in software. The hardware IPU accelerates Bayer-to-RGB conversion and image scaling, offloading the CPU to maintain real-time frame rates at 30+ fps on the integrated LCD. The SoC's low power envelope (typ 2-3 W during active imaging) supports battery-powered operation for 4-6 hours per charge, matching typical clinical shifts. The -40C to +85C operating range handles sterilizer-room temperature excursions and cold-chain transport. Compared with x86-based portable imaging PCs, the i.MX516 reduces system weight by ~60% and fanless operation eliminates acoustic noise in clinical settings.
Recommended
Connected Telematics Control Unit
The MCIMX516AJM6 anchors a connected telematics control unit (TCU) for fleet management and eCall emergency-call systems, where the 600 MHz Cortex-A8 runs the telematics application stack while CAN peripherals communicate with the vehicle CAN bus to extract diagnostic and GPS data. Hardware crypto accelerators (ARM TrustZone + on-chip encryption) protect OTA firmware updates and vehicle data privacy, satisfying automotive cybersecurity requirements. The integrated Ethernet MAC supports 100-Mbit automotive Ethernet for high-bandwidth V2X or sensor data uplink over LTE/5G modems connected via USB. Power consumption during sleep mode (vehicle parked) is typically <50 mW, preserving 12V battery over weeks of inactivity. Compared with microcontroller-based TCUs, the i.MX516 enables richer OTA update UX and on-device ML-based anomaly detection.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MCIMX516AJM6 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MCIMX516AJM6C | MCIMX515AJM6C | MCIMX517AJM6C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Package | 529-BGA (19x19) | 529-BGA (19x19) - same | 529-BGA (19x19) - same | 529-BGA (19x19) - same |
| Core | ARM Cortex-A8 | ARM Cortex-A8 | ARM Cortex-A8 | ARM Cortex-A8 |
| Clock Frequency | 600 MHz | 600 MHz | 600 MHz | 800 MHz |
| L2 Cache | 256 KB | 256 KB | 128 KB | 256 KB |
| Graphics | OpenGL ES 2.0 | OpenGL ES 2.0 | OpenGL ES 1.1 | OpenGL ES 2.0 |
| Memory Interface | DDR2/LPDDR | DDR2/LPDDR | DDR2/LPDDR | DDR2/LPDDR |
| Automotive Grade | Yes (-40C to +85C) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- Silicon revision C with bug fixes (vs MCIMX516AJM6 (original))
- Reduced cost with same BGA footprint (vs MCIMX515AJM6C)
- Higher clock in same BGA-529 footprint (vs MCIMX517AJM6C)
Design Notes
Use a minimum 4-layer PCB stackup with continuous ground planes directly under the 529-BGA footprint to provide a low-impedance reference for the high-speed DDR2 interface. Route all DDR2 traces with matched lengths (target delta < 50 mils within each byte lane), 50-ohm single-ended impedance, and length-matched differential clock pair. Via-in-pad with filled-and-plated vias is recommended for the inner balls of the BGA to break out signals to inner routing layers without dog-bone stubs.
Estimated: at 600 MHz with 100% CPU utilization, the i.MX51 SoC dissipates approximately 2-3 W typical (per NXP i.MX51 datasheet thermal characteristics). A copper-pour heatsink on the top layer plus thermal vias to internal ground planes is required for fanless operation at sustained high load. For automotive head unit enclosures with limited airflow, attach a small aluminum heatsink (10x10x5 mm) with thermal interface material to keep junction temperature below 100C at +85C ambient. Always validate with a thermal probe in the actual enclosure during EMC testing.
Use NXP's recommended PMIC reference design (e.g., PF0100) to generate the 1.2V core, 1.8V DDR, and 3.3V I/O rails. Sequence the rails in the order specified by the NXP i.MX51 hardware design guide - core voltage first, then DDR, then I/O - to prevent latch-up. Place input/output bulk capacitors within 5 mm of the BGA power balls, with 0.1 uF decoupling capacitors placed as close as possible to each power ball group.
Do not skip the bootstrap configuration pins - the i.MX51 boot mode (NOR/NAND/SD/eMMC/USB) is selected by sampling certain balls at POR; incorrect bootstrap values result in no-boot behavior. The DDR2 calibration resistors (RREF) on the memory controller interface must use 1% tolerance parts with the values specified in the datasheet, or DDR2 training will fail. Always connect all unused BGA balls to ground or No Connect per the reference manual to avoid floating-input leakage.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per NXP product page. Automotive-grade temperature range -40C to +85C qualifies for automotive infotainment use; AEC-Q100 formal qualification status not explicitly stated for this variant in provided data - set to not_applicable as conservative default.
