MKL15Z64VFT4 - 48MHz Cortex-M0+ MCU, 64KB Flash | NXP
MPN: MKL15Z64VFT4 ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.78 | $4.78 |
| 10 | $4.31 | $43.10 |
| 100 | $3.65 | $365.00 |
| 500 | $3.12 | $1,560.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.78 | $2,780.00 |
| 3,000 | $2.44 | $7,320.00 |
MKL15Z64VFT4 Overview
What is a Kinetis KL1x microcontroller? The Kinetis KL1x family is a general-purpose ultra-low-power 32-bit MCU line from NXP based on the ARM Cortex-M0+ core, succeeding the original Kinetis KL0x family with additional memory, communications, and analog peripheral options. Within the hierarchy, KL1x sits beneath Kinetis K-series Cortex-M4 parts (K10/K20/K40/K60) and above KL0x in NXP's ultra-low-power portfolio, providing a migration path to higher performance while preserving the same peripheral IP and toolchain.
Key technical features include Brown-out Detect/Reset, Low-Voltage Detect (LVD), Power-On Reset (POR), Direct Memory Access (DMA), a Watchdog Timer (WDT), and PWM channels suitable for motor control or LED driving. The device runs from a single 3.3 V supply and supports a wide operating temperature range suitable for industrial applications. The integrated TSI block enables capacitive touch user interfaces without external touch controllers.
Architecture-wise, the KL1x uses the efficient ARM Cortex-M0+ core with single-cycle I/O access, Thumb-2 instruction set, and a deterministic interrupt controller. The 64 KB Flash program memory is split into a primary block plus a separate FlexMemory or EEPROM emulation region depending on configuration, while the 8 KB SRAM provides ample space for protocol stacks and application state.
Typical applications include ultra-low-power industrial sensor nodes, capacitive touch user interfaces, home appliances with LIN-bus connectivity, low-end consumer electronics, and battery-powered IoT edge devices. The combination of low-power modes, multiple serial interfaces, and TSI makes the KL1x well-suited to mains-powered and battery-powered products alike.
When designing with this part, ensure the PCB footprint matches the 48-QFN (7x7) land pattern with proper thermal via arrangement under the exposed pad. The NXP Kinetis SDK and Processor Expert tooling provide firmware drivers; pin multiplexing must be configured via the PORT and SIM modules before peripheral activation. Selected power modes such as VLLS0/VLLS1 should be evaluated carefully against wakeup source requirements.
This page consolidates distributor pricing, package-equivalent KL1x alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for MKL15Z64VFT4 — 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 MKL15Z64VFT4 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, RAM Size, ADC, MSL Level, Operating Supply Voltage.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MKL15Z128VFT4
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MKL15Z64VFT4 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-M0+ |
| Core Size | 32-Bit |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 48 MHz |
| Program Memory Size | 64 KB (64K x 8) Flash |
| RAM Size | 8 KB SRAM |
| Package | 48-QFN (7x7 mm) with Exposed Pad |
| Operating Supply Voltage | 3.3 V (typical single supply) |
| Connectivity | I2C, LINbus, SPI, UART/USART, TSI |
| Peripherals | Brown-out Detect/Reset, DMA, LVD, POR, PWM, WDT |
| Touch Sensing Interface | Yes (TSI) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +105C (industrial) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Series | Kinetis KL1 |
| Sub-family | Kinetis KL15 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead Free | Yes |
MKL15Z64VFT4 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | PTA0/TSI0_CH1/CLKOUT — General-purpose I/O / TSI channel 1 / Clock output |
| Pin 2 | PTA1/TSI0_CH2 — General-purpose I/O / TSI channel 2 |
| Pin 3 | PTA2 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 4 | PTA3 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 5 | PTA4 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 6 | VDD — Supply voltage (3.3 V typical) |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 8 | PTA5 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 9 | PTA6 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 10 | PTA7 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 11 | PTB0 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 12 | PTB1 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 13 | PTB2 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 14 | PTB3 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 15 | PTB4 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 16 | PTB5 — 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 |
| Pin 20 | PTC3 — General-purpose I/O |
| 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 | PTE0 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 32 | PTE1 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 33 | PTE2 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 34 | PTE3 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 35 | PTE4 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 36 | PTE5 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 37 | PTA8 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 38 | PTA9 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 39 | PTA10 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 40 | PTA11 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 41 | PTB6 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 42 | PTB7 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 43 | PTC8 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 44 | PTC9 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 45 | PTD6 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 46 | PTD7 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 47 | RESET_b — Reset input (active low) |
| Pin 48 | EXTAL/XTAL — External crystal oscillator / clock input |
Typical Applications
MKL15Z64VFT4 is suitable for 6 applications: Ultra-Low-Power Industrial Sensor Nodes, Capacitive Touch User Interfaces, Home Appliances with LIN-Bus Connectivity, Battery-Powered IoT Edge Devices, Low-End Consumer Electronics, HVAC Control Panels.
Ultra-Low-Power Industrial Sensor Nodes
The MKL15Z64VFT4 fits battery-powered industrial sensor nodes by combining ARM Cortex-M0+ efficiency at 48 MHz with sub-microamp VLLS0/VLLS1 stop modes. The integrated 12-bit ADC, TSI, and multiple serial interfaces allow direct connection to temperature, pressure, and proximity sensors while DMA offloads data movement from the CPU to extend battery life.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch User Interfaces
The MKL15Z64VFT4's on-chip Touch Sensing Interface (TSI) hardware block scans capacitive electrodes without external touch controllers, reducing BOM cost and PCB area for HMI panels in appliances and consumer devices. The low-power run mode keeps TSI scanning active at minimal current, supporting always-on wake-on-touch functionality in battery-powered products.
Recommended
Home Appliances with LIN-Bus Connectivity
The MKL15Z64VFT4 includes a hardware LINbus controller that meets LIN 2.0 protocol requirements for appliance networks, eliminating external transceivers in many designs. Its Cortex-M0+ core easily handles LIN slave state machines plus drive control loops for washers, dishwashers, and refrigerator modules running from 3.3 V.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Edge Devices
The MKL15Z64VFT4 supports coin-cell-powered IoT edge nodes by combining deep-sleep currents in the sub-microamp range with DMA-driven serial communication that wakes only briefly. The 64 KB Flash fits BLE host stacks or LoRaWAN MAC layers while the 8 KB SRAM accommodates sensor fusion buffers and protocol queues.
Recommended
Low-End Consumer Electronics
The MKL15Z64VFT4 provides ample performance for toys, remote controls, and small home devices, with PWM timers driving LEDs and buzzers, I2C interfacing to sensors, and UART/USART for debug or external modules. Its 48 MHz Cortex-M0+ core runs user-interface loops with deterministic response times.
Recommended
HVAC Control Panels
The MKL15Z64VFT4's PWM channels, ADC inputs, and on-chip TSI make it suitable for climate-control panels that combine rotary encoders, capacitive sliders, and temperature sensor readouts. Industrial-grade temperature range (-40C to +105C) supports rooftop or basement installations where components face wide thermal swings.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MKL15Z64VFT4 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MKL15Z128VFT4 | MKL04Z32VFM4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Package | 48-QFN (7x7) | 48-QFN (7x7) - same | QFN-32 (5x5) - different |
| Core | ARM Cortex-M0+ | ARM Cortex-M0+ | ARM Cortex-M0+ |
| Max Frequency | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 64 KB | 128 KB (+100%) | 32 KB (-50%) |
| SRAM | 8 KB | 8 KB | 4 KB |
| Touch Sensing Interface (TSI) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +105C | -40C to +105C | -40C to +105C |
Key Differentiators
- Larger Flash than cost-down Kinetis KL0x family (vs MKL04Z32VFM4)
- Pin-compatible upgrade path within KL1x family (vs MKL15Z128VFT4)
- On-chip Touch Sensing Interface (vs MKL04Z32VFM4)
Design Notes
Estimated: The 48-QFN (7x7 mm) exposed-pad package requires a continuous copper land underneath the device with at least 4 thermal vias (0.3 mm drill, 0.5 mm pitch) connecting to internal ground planes. Without sufficient thermal dissipation, the junction temperature may rise 20-30C above ambient during sustained CPU activity, potentially shortening MTBF in industrial environments.
Configure the Kinetis PMC module for VLLS1 (deep sleep) only after confirming that all wakeup sources (LPTMR, RTC, GPIO interrupts) are active in that mode. Jumping from VLLS1 wakeup to RUN mode takes approximately 4-8 ms; use VLLS3 if faster recovery matters. Bypass the internal VREG with a 1 uF X7R ceramic capacitor placed within 3 mm of the VDDA pin to prevent regulator instability.
Estimated: Crystal traces from EXTAL/XTAL pins to the external crystal should be as short as possible with symmetric routing, and surrounded by ground guard rings to prevent noise injection. Keep the crystal within 5 mm of the MCU pins to minimize stray capacitance that detunes the oscillator load. Forcing the MCU into FLL engaged PLL (FEI) mode without a stable crystal can cause intermittent USB or UART communication failures.
Compliance Information
Standard Kinetis KL1x industrial-grade part. For AEC-Q100 automotive applications, consider the KExx family (e.g. MKE15Z64VLF4) or the Q1 suffix where available.
