PCA9420UKZ - 5V PMIC, 2 Buck + 2 LDO + Charger | NXP
MPN: PCA9420UKZ ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
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| 1 | $0 | $0.00 |
| 10 | $0 | $0.00 |
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| 500 | $0 | $0.00 |
| 1,000 | $0 | $0.00 |
PCA9420UKZ Overview
A Power Management IC (PMIC) is a specialized power management integrated circuit that consolidates multiple voltage regulators, battery charging circuitry, and housekeeping functions onto one silicon die. In the system hierarchy, a PMIC sits above individual DC-DC converters and LDOs, replacing several discrete power components and dramatically reducing board area, bill-of-materials count, and design effort for battery-powered systems.
Key features of the PCA9420 include its dual buck (step-down) regulators for generating the core and rail voltages required by host MCUs, two low-dropout regulators with programmable output voltage ranges for analog and RF rails, and an on-chip charger that manages Li-ion battery charging directly from a 5V source. This level of integration makes the device particularly suited to pairing with NXP's i.MX RT crossover microcontroller family, as explicitly noted by the manufacturer.
Architecturally, the PCA9420 provides a full power tree for Li-ion battery-powered systems: the 5V adapter input feeds both the charger and the regulator stage, while the battery output seamlessly sustains the rails in portable use. Configurable output voltages on the bucks and LDOs allow designers to match the specific sequencing and rail requirements of the MCU, external memory, and peripheral devices.
Typical applications include i.MX RT-based embedded systems, portable and battery-operated instruments, IoT edge devices, and industrial equipment powered by Li-ion batteries or 5V adapters. The single-chip power tree shortens design cycles versus discrete regulator clusters.
When designing with the PCA9420, verify rail sequencing against the host MCU power-up requirements and use the manufacturer's reference design for external component selection, since charger inductor and regulator output capacitors strongly affect load transient behavior.
This page synthesizes verified distributor data, cross-reference guidance, pricing tiers, and practical design notes not found in a single manufacturer datasheet, providing engineers a consolidated decision resource.
Drop-in alternatives for PCA9420UKZ — 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 PCA9420UKZ (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Applications, Battery Chemistry, Buck Converters, Function, Package.
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View Datasheet →PCA9420UKZ Specifications
| Product Type | Power Management IC (PMIC) |
| Topology | 2 Buck + 2 LDO + Battery Charger |
| Input Voltage (adapter) | 5 V |
| Battery Chemistry | Li-ion |
| Buck Converters | 2 |
| LDO Regulators | 2 |
| LDO Output Voltage | Programmable range |
| Buck Output Voltage | Programmable |
| Target Platform | i.MX RT low-power microcontrollers |
| Applications | Li-ion battery powered / 5V adapter powered portable devices |
| Package Pin Count | 52 |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
PCA9420UKZ 52 Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for PCA9420UKZ (52 package). Pin numbering, functions, and connection diagrams are defined in the manufacturer datasheet. Refer to it for the exact footprint and soldering guidelines.
No detailed pinout data available for PCA9420UKZ.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
PCA9420UKZ is suitable for 6 applications: i.MX RT Crossover MCU Power Supply, Li-ion Battery-Powered Portable Instruments, 5V Adapter-Powered Embedded Systems, IoT Edge Devices and Wireless Nodes, Industrial Handheld HMI and Control Terminals, Medical Wearables and Portable Health Monitors.
i.MX RT Crossover MCU Power Supply
The PCA9420UKZ is explicitly positioned by NXP as the power management IC for i.MX RT crossover microcontrollers. Its two buck converters supply the core and system rails that i.MX RT devices require, while the two programmable LDOs generate the analog, PLL, and peripheral rails whose voltages vary across the i.MX RT family. The programmable output voltage range allows the same PCB to support multiple MCU speed grades by changing regulator settings, which simplifies product variants. Using the PCA9420 also removes the sequencing design burden: the PMIC architecture is matched to i.MX RT power-up requirements, reducing risk versus hand-built discrete regulator trees. Designers should follow NXP's reference design for external inductor and capacitor selection, since buck transient response and LDO stability directly affect MCU core-voltage ripple tolerance.
Recommended
Li-ion Battery-Powered Portable Instruments
Battery-powered instruments benefit from the PCA9420's single-chip power tree: the integrated Li-ion charger manages cell charging directly from a 5V adapter, while the two bucks and two LDOs keep analog signal chains clean through the LDO rails and digital processing efficient through the buck rails. This architecture replaces a discrete charger IC plus multiple regulators, cutting board area and BOM cost in handheld measurement and data-logging products. The programmable LDO outputs let engineers tune analog rail voltages for maximum ADC or sensor performance, and the battery input path sustains all rails during portable operation without switchover circuitry. Because all power functions are on one die, thermal design is concentrated in one PCB zone with a solid ground plane, simplifying layout for compact enclosures.
Recommended
5V Adapter-Powered Embedded Systems
For non-portable embedded designs running from a standard 5V adapter, the PCA9420 operates as a compact multi-rail regulator system, per NXP's description covering '5V adapter non-portable applications'. The two buck converters derive efficient low-voltage digital rails from the 5V input, and the LDOs supply sensitive analog circuitry with low ripple. The charger section remains available for backup-battery implementations, giving designs a ride-through capability during adapter removal. This makes the part attractive for networked sensors, gateways, and factory modules that normally run from adapter power but must survive brief outages. Designers should size the buck inductors for the full adapter input range and verify LDO dropout headroom at the lowest adapter voltage to guarantee regulation across input tolerance.
Recommended
IoT Edge Devices and Wireless Nodes
IoT edge nodes combine radios, sensors, and MCUs whose rails must stay quiet for RF performance while maximizing battery life. The PCA9420 addresses this with LDO rails for the radio and analog front-end and efficient buck rails for the processor and memory. The Li-ion charger enables rechargeable field deployments from USB or 5V adapters. Single-chip integration reduces quiescent overhead versus multiple discrete ICs, extending standby battery life, an important metric for duty-cycled wireless sensors. Layout guidance places the PMIC near the battery connector and keeps LDO output capacitors adjacent to radio supply pins. Because rail voltages are programmable, the same hardware supports different radio module voltage requirements across product families, amortizing PCB development cost.
Recommended
Industrial Handheld HMI and Control Terminals
Handheld industrial terminals with displays, touch controllers, and processors need several regulated rails plus battery charging, exactly the combination the PCA9420 integrates. The bucks drive the processor and I/O rails efficiently from the Li-ion pack, while LDOs feed display analog and touch-sensing circuitry where switching ripple would degrade measurement accuracy. On-device charging from a 5V adapter cradle keeps batteries topped up between shifts. Consolidating power management into the 52-connection package frees PCB area in the grip-mounted board and reduces the component count exposed to industrial vibration and thermal cycling. Engineers should verify charger thermal behavior at maximum charge current within the sealed enclosure, and follow NXP application guidance on PCB copper area for heat spreading around the package.
Recommended
Medical Wearables and Portable Health Monitors
Portable medical monitors require low-noise rails for biopotential front-ends, efficient digital rails for the MCU, and safe Li-ion charging, all of which the PCA9420 provides in one certified-footprint device. The programmable LDOs allow precise analog supply tuning that improves measurement resolution of ECG/PPG front-ends, while buck efficiency preserves multi-day battery runtime. The integrated charger simplifies compliance-relevant charging design since the charge path is factory-configured rather than built from discretes. Low component count also aids reliability analyses required in medical device documentation. Designers must validate the complete power tree, including charger behavior during faults, against the target medical electrical equipment standard for the final product and confirm thermal performance within the wearable enclosure.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PCA9420UKZ — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PCA9421 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Buck Converters | 2 | 2 |
| LDO Regulators | 2 (programmable output range) | 2 (programmable output range) |
| Battery Charger | Integrated Li-ion | Integrated Li-ion |
| Input Source | 5V adapter and/or Li-ion battery | 5V adapter and/or Li-ion battery |
| Target Platform | i.MX RT low-power MCUs | Low-power MCUs (i.MX RT family) |
Key Differentiators
- Single-chip full power tree with integrated Li-ion charger (vs PCA9421)
- Native i.MX RT power pairing (vs PCA9421)
- Programmable LDO outputs for analog rail tuning (vs Fixed discrete LDO stacks)
Design Notes
Place the buck converter inductors and output capacitors as close as possible to the PCA9420 package, keeping the high-current charging and buck loops physically small. Use a continuous ground plane under the PMIC and connect the package ground connections directly with multiple vias. Follow the external component values in NXP's reference design rather than substituting generic values, because buck compensation and LDO stability depend on the exact capacitance and ESR assumed in the datasheet design.
Estimated: total power loss is the sum of charger losses (VIN minus battery voltage times charge current) plus buck and LDO conduction losses. Because the PCA9420 concentrates charging and four regulators in one package, maximum charge current combined with simultaneous full rail loading can create the hottest operating point. Compute worst-case dissipation at minimum battery voltage and maximum load, then verify the PCB copper area keeps the junction within the datasheet limit per the NXP thermal application guidance.
Confirm the i.MX RT (or other host MCU) rail sequencing and default LDO/buck output voltages before finalizing the design: the PCA9420's programmable outputs must be set to the voltages the host expects, and an incorrect default configuration is a common bring-up failure. Also verify that the 5V adapter input tolerance, including cable drop and transients, stays within the PMIC input rating under maximum charge current.
Compliance Information
Compliance status not present in retrieved verified data. Authoritative RoHS/REACH/environmental status is listed on the NXP PCA9420UK product page under the Environmental Quality tab.
