MKL15Z32VFT4 - 48MHz Cortex-M0+ 32KB Flash MCU | NXP
MPN: MKL15Z32VFT4 ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.42 | $5.42 |
| 10 | $4.88 | $48.80 |
| 100 | $4.07 | $407.00 |
| 500 | $3.42 | $1,710.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.96 | $2,960.00 |
MKL15Z32VFT4 Overview
What is a Kinetis KL1x microcontroller? The Kinetis KL1x is NXP's general-purpose ultra-low-power MCU family that builds on the KL0x family by adding more memory, communication peripherals, and analog options. The MKL15Z32VFT4 sits in this hierarchy as: microcontroller -> 32-bit MCU -> ARM Cortex-M0+ MCU -> Kinetis family -> KL1x sub-family -> KL15 sub-sub-family. The Cortex-M0+ core itself is the smallest, most energy-efficient ARM core, designed for cost-sensitive embedded applications where deterministic low power matters more than raw performance.
Key features include an operating voltage range of 1.71V to 3.6V, an industrial temperature range of -40C to +105C, a 12-bit ADC, multiple serial interfaces, low-power operating modes with sub-uA sleep currents, and an integrated 32KB flash memory array. The device also integrates a 16-bit SAR ADC, comparators, and a flexible low-power timer, making it suitable for battery-powered sensor products.
Architecturally, the MKL15Z32VFT4 leverages the Cortex-M0+ core's two-stage pipeline and single-cycle I/O access, paired with NXP's low-leakage process technology and an integrated voltage regulator. The 48 MHz core clock delivers 0.93 DMIPS/MHz and supports both Thumb and Thumb-2 instruction subsets. The chip integrates up to 40 GPIO, multiple DMA channels, and a peripheral crossbar for flexible signal routing.
Typical applications include wearable health monitors, battery-powered IoT sensor nodes, low-end consumer electronics, and industrial control nodes where energy harvesting or coin-cell operation is desired. The exposed thermal pad on the QFN package improves dissipation for sustained 48 MHz operation.
When designing with this part, pay attention to the exposed pad (EP) connection to the ground plane for thermal and electrical performance. Use NXP's Kinetis Design Studio or MCUXpresso toolchain for firmware development, and ensure the brown-out and low-voltage detect settings match the battery chemistry profile.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives from the same Kinetis family, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for MKL15Z32VFT4 — 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 MKL15Z32VFT4 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Supply Voltage, Operating Temperature Range, Program Memory Size, RAM Size.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MKL15Z64VFT4
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.44 / Unit
View Datasheet →MKL15Z128VFT4
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MKL15Z32VFT4R
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MKL16Z32VFT4
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$2.21 / Unit
View Datasheet →MKL24Z32VFT4
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MKL15Z32VFT4 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | ARM Cortex-M0+ |
| Core Architecture | ARM 32-bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 48 MHz |
| Program Memory Size | 32 KB (32K x 8) Flash |
| RAM Size | 4 KB |
| Operating Supply Voltage | 1.71 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +105 C |
| ADC Resolution | 12-bit |
| ADC | 16-bit (Sigma-Delta) |
| Number of I/Os | 40 |
| Package | 48-QFN (7x7 mm) with exposed pad |
| Package Code | HVQCCN (QFN-EP-48) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Series | Kinetis KL1 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| MSL Level | 3 |
MKL15Z32VFT4 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | PTA0 — General purpose I/O / SWD clock |
| Pin 2 | PTA1 — General purpose I/O / SWD I/O |
| Pin 3 | PTA2 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 4 | PTA3 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 5 | PTA4 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 6 | PTA5 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 7 | PTA6 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 8 | PTA7 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 9 | PTB0 — General purpose I/O / ADC0_SE4 |
| Pin 10 | PTB1 — General purpose I/O / ADC0_SE5 |
| Pin 11 | PTB2 — General purpose I/O / ADC0_SE6 |
| Pin 12 | PTB3 — General purpose I/O / ADC0_SE7 |
| Pin 13 | PTB4 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 14 | PTB5 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 15 | PTB6 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 16 | PTB7 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 17 | PTC0 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 18 | PTC1 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 19 | PTC2 — General purpose I/O / TX |
| Pin 20 | PTC3 — General purpose I/O / RX |
| Pin 21 | PTC4 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 22 | PTC5 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 23 | PTC6 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 24 | PTC7 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 25 | PTD0 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 26 | PTD1 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 27 | PTD2 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 28 | PTD3 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 29 | PTD4 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 30 | PTD5 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 31 | PTD6 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 32 | PTD7 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 33 | PTE0 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 34 | PTE1 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 35 | PTE2 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 36 | PTE3 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 37 | PTE4 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 38 | PTE5 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 39 | PTE6 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 40 | PTE7 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 41 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 42 | VDD — Supply voltage |
| Pin 43 | VOUT — Internal regulator output (1.2V core) |
| Pin 44 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 45 | XTAL32K — 32 kHz crystal input |
| Pin 46 | EXTAL32K — 32 kHz crystal output |
| Pin 47 | XTAL — High-frequency crystal input |
| Pin 48 | EXTAL — High-frequency crystal output |
Typical Applications
MKL15Z32VFT4 is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, Wearable Health Monitor, Industrial Sensor Transmitter, Smart Home Edge Node, Consumer Electronics Remote Control, Electronic Shelf Label (ESL) Controller.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The MKL15Z32VFT4 fits battery-powered IoT sensor nodes because its 1.71V to 3.6V supply range works directly from a single Li-ion or 3V coin cell, and its Cortex-M0+ core combined with multiple low-power modes delivers sub-uA sleep currents. The 4 KB SRAM buffers sensor data while the 32 KB flash stores the application and a small wireless protocol stack. The 12-bit ADC integrates directly with analog sensors (temperature, light, gas), and the integrated DMA reduces wake-time overhead. Placed between the battery and the radio module (e.g., NXP KW01 or external transceiver), the MKL15Z32VFT4 samples, processes, and only wakes the radio for transmissions, extending battery life to multiple years.
Recommended
Wearable Health Monitor
The MKL15Z32VFT4 suits wearable health monitors due to its compact 7x7 mm QFN package, low-power operating modes, and 12-bit ADC for biomedical analog signal conditioning. The device's 1.71V minimum supply supports direct operation from a 3V coin cell without a boost converter, reducing BOM. The Cortex-M0+ core at 48 MHz provides enough headroom to run algorithms such as heart-rate extraction or step counting, while consuming less than 1 mA active. The exposed thermal pad aids heat dissipation during sustained operation, important when packaged in a sealed wearable enclosure.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Transmitter
The MKL15Z32VFT4 is well suited for industrial sensor transmitters operating across the -40C to +105C industrial temperature range. The wide 1.71V to 3.6V supply accommodates 24V industrial bus rails with a simple LDO drop-down, and the 12-bit ADC delivers adequate resolution for process-variable transmitters (pressure, flow, level). The flexible timer/PWM peripherals drive 4-20 mA current loops or HART modems. Placed in a sealed field instrument, the MCU handles self-calibration, sensor linearization, and diagnostics while consuming less than 2 mA active current.
Recommended
Smart Home Edge Node
The MKL15Z32VFT4 fits smart-home edge nodes such as smart thermostats, door/window sensors, and low-end appliances. Its 32 KB flash comfortably holds ZigBee or Thread MAC/APS layers plus application code, and the 40 GPIO drive LED arrays, keypads, and relays. The low-power sleep modes enable multi-year battery operation for door/window contact sensors, while mains-powered smart thermostats use the full 48 MHz performance. The Cortex-M0+ core's deterministic interrupt latency ensures responsive user-interface handling.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics Remote Control
The MKL15Z32VFT4 is ideal for consumer remote controls thanks to its low cost, ultra-low sleep current (extending battery life to multiple years), and integrated IR timer/PWM capable of generating 38 kHz carrier signals for IR transmission. The 32 KB flash holds application code and IR code libraries, while 4 KB SRAM is sufficient for button-debounce buffering. The 12-bit ADC supports battery-voltage monitoring via a simple voltage divider. The 7x7 mm QFN fits inside compact remote-control housings.
Recommended
Electronic Shelf Label (ESL) Controller
The MKL15Z32VFT4 fits ESL base-station controllers or display-driver boards because of its low power consumption, 12-bit ADC for battery monitoring, and adequate GPIO to drive parallel display interfaces. Operating from 3V coin cells with sub-uA sleep currents, the device wakes periodically to update display content via sub-GHz radio. The 32 KB flash holds the wireless protocol stack and content-rendering logic, while the Cortex-M0+ core handles SPI display refresh with DMA offload for low CPU utilization.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MKL15Z32VFT4 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MKL15Z64VFT4 | MKL15Z128VFT4 | MKL16Z32VFT4 | MKL24Z32VFT4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Package | 48-QFN (7x7) EP | 48-QFN (7x7) EP - same | 48-QFN (7x7) EP - same | 48-QFN (7x7) EP - same | 48-QFN (7x7) EP - same |
| Flash Memory | 32 KB | 64 KB | 128 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB |
| SRAM | 4 KB | 4 KB | 16 KB | 4 KB | 4 KB |
| Core Clock | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 1.71 V to 3.6 V | 1.71 V to 3.6 V | 1.71 V to 3.6 V | 1.71 V to 3.6 V | 1.71 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +105 C | -40 C to +105 C | -40 C to +105 C | -40 C to +105 C | -40 C to +105 C |
| USB / Segment LCD | No | No | No | Yes (Segment LCD) | Yes (USB + LCD) |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest cost option within KL1x 48-QFN family (vs MKL15Z64VFT4)
- Lower power than KL2x USB-equipped siblings (vs MKL24Z32VFT4)
- Identical footprint as MKL15Z128VFT4 enables seamless memory upgrade (vs MKL15Z128VFT4)
Design Notes
Estimated: at VDD=3.3 V and Cortex-M0+ core active at 48 MHz, the MKL15Z32VFT4 draws approximately 6-8 mA active current; in VLLS0 sleep it drops below 1 uA. Designers should place a 4.7 uF decoupling capacitor close to VDD pin 42 and a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor on each adjacent VDD/VSS pair. The internal voltage regulator (VOUT pin 43) requires a 2.2 uF external capacitor for stability. For coin-cell designs, configure the Low-Voltage Detect (LVD) to interrupt before the battery drops below 2.0 V to prevent flash corruption.
The QFN-48 package's exposed thermal pad (pin 49) MUST be soldered to a continuous ground plane for both electrical and thermal performance. Use a 5x5 array of thermal vias (0.3 mm drill, 0.5 mm pitch) connecting the EP to an inner ground plane. Keep high-speed traces away from the analog VREF/ADC pins, and route the XTAL/EXTAL traces symmetrically with ground shielding to minimize EMI. The 48-QFN (7x7) land pattern follows the standard QFN-48 JEITA recommendation with 0.5 mm pitch.
Do not leave the MKL15Z32VFT4 RESET pin floating - tie to VDD via a 10 kohm pull-up with a 100 nF decoupling capacitor for manual reset. Avoid using the SWD pins (PTA0/PTA1) as GPIO without disabling SWD in the FOPT register, or you will lose debug access. The 32 kHz crystal (XTAL32K/EXTAL32K) requires specific load capacitors per the crystal manufacturer's datasheet - typical values are 6-10 pF. Do not exceed the 3.6 V absolute maximum on any I/O pin, or latchup may occur.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per NXP product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - this is a general-purpose/consumer-grade MCU, not automotive grade. Lead-free and halogen-free per NXP product specifications.
