MCX A Series Microcontrollers

The NXP MCX A series optimizes critical functionality for a variety of applications

Image of NXP's MCX A Essential SeriesNXP MCX A microcontrollers address a wide range of applications with scalable device options, low power consumption, and intelligent peripherals. As the foundation of the MCX portfolio for general-purpose and intelligent edge applications, the MCX A series delivers an optimized, cost‑effective balance of performance, integration, and autonomous operation.

The MCX A portfolio spans a broad performance range, leveraging Arm® Cortex®‑M33 cores operating up to 240 MHz with flexible memory configurations and high levels of integration. Devices include rich analog, motor control, connectivity, and security capabilities, enabling designers to scale performance, functionality, and system cost across a wide range of industrial, consumer, and embedded applications.

These microcontrollers feature advanced intelligent peripherals, including flexible motor control subsystems with FlexPWM and ADC synchronization, high-speed analog integration with multiple ADCs and op amps, and SmartDMA for efficient data handling and reduced CPU load. A comprehensive set of communication interfaces, including USB, CAN FD, I3C, and FlexIO supports modern connectivity needs.

The innovative power architecture supports high I/O utilization and energy efficiency through a simplified supply design. With scalable package options, increased GPIO density, and integrated functionality, MCX A devices enable simplified board design, reduced footprint, and lower system BOM costs.

MCX A devices also integrate safety and security capabilities, including IEC 60730 Class B and IEC 61508 support frameworks, along with advanced security features such as secure boot, lifecycle management, and tamper detection.

The MCX A series is supported by the MCUXpresso developer ecosystem, including low-cost, compact FRDM development boards and software tools that enable rapid prototyping and streamlined embedded development. In addition, MCX A devices are supported within the Zephyr RTOS ecosystem, providing developers with access to open-source software, scalable real-time capabilities, and a growing set of middleware and connectivity frameworks for modern embedded and IoT designs.

Features
  • Core and performance
    • Arm Cortex-M33 core operating from low-power configurations up to 240 MHz
    • Scalable memory options with up to 1 MB Flash, cache, and up to 256 kB RAM with ECC support
    • Integrated ROM for system boot and programming support
  • Intelligent peripherals and analog integration
    • Autonomous peripherals, including SmartDMA, to reduce CPU load and improve system efficiency
    • Advanced motor control subsystem with FlexPWM, ADC synchronization, and control loop optimization
    • High-speed analog integration with multiple ADCs (up to 4 Msps with averaging and windowing) and optional op amps
    • Rich communication interfaces, including USB, CAN FD, I3C, FlexIO, SPI, I2C, and UART
  • I/O capability
    • Up to eight hi-drive 20 mA pins
    • 50 MHz I/Os on select ports
    • 5 V tolerant I/Os on select pins
    • Scalable GPIO count with high I/O utilization for flexible system design
 
  • Power and operation
    • Capless LDO power architecture
    • Operating voltage: 1.7 V to 3.6 V
    • Temperature range: -40°C to +125°C (device-dependent)
    • Low-power operation with multiple power modes and efficient peripherals
  • Safety and security
    • Support for IEC 60730 Class B and IEC 61508 safety frameworks
    • Integrated security features including secure boot, lifecycle management, and tamper detection
  • Software and ecosystem
    • Supported by the MCUXpresso developer ecosystem for rapid development
    • Zephyr RTOS support enabling scalable, open-source real-time software development
  • Package options
    • Broad range of scalable package options from compact QFN to high pin-count LQFP and BGA
    • Designed to enable pin compatibility and simplified platform scalability across devices
Applications
  • Power and energy
    • HVAC control
    • Smart circuit breakers
    • Solar inverters
    • Power conversion and energy management
    • Edge nodes
  • Factory automation and industrial
    • AC and BLDC motor drives
    • Water pumps and compressors
    • Process control and industrial automation
    • Instruments and metering systems
    • Sensor gateways and data acquisition
  • Home and building
    • Home appliances and white goods
    • Building control and automation systems
    • Smart lighting
    • Fan and HVAC control
    • Capacitive touch interfaces
  • General embedded and IoT
    • IoT nodes and connected edge devices
    • Embedded controllers and HMI systems
    • USB accessories and PC peripherals
    • Smart home devices
  • Medical and portable devices
    • Portable healthcare devices
    • Medical pumps
    • Handheld and battery-powered devices
    • Power tools

MCX A Series MCUs

ImageManufacturer Part NumberDescriptionAvailable QuantityPriceView Details
IC MCX 96MHZ SGL CR 128KB LQFP64MCXA153VLHIC MCX 96MHZ SGL CR 128KB LQFP64143 - Immediate$2.31View Details
IC MCX 48MHZ SGL CORE 64KB QFN32MCXA142VFMIC MCX 48MHZ SGL CORE 64KB QFN32346 - Immediate$2.45View Details
IC MCX 48MHZ SGL CORE 64KB QFN48MCXA142VFTIC MCX 48MHZ SGL CORE 64KB QFN48243 - Immediate$2.60View Details
IC MCX 48MHZ SGL CR 64KB LQFP64MCXA142VLHIC MCX 48MHZ SGL CR 64KB LQFP64154 - Immediate$2.66View Details
IC MCX 48MHZ SGL CR 128KB QFN32MCXA143VFMIC MCX 48MHZ SGL CR 128KB QFN32408 - Immediate$2.74View Details
IC MCX 48MHZ SGL CR 128KB QFN48MCXA143VFTIC MCX 48MHZ SGL CR 128KB QFN48260 - Immediate$2.80View Details
IC MCX 48MHZ SGL CR 128KB LQFP64MCXA143VLHIC MCX 48MHZ SGL CR 128KB LQFP64146 - Immediate$2.95View Details
IC MCX 96MHZ SGL CORE 64KB QFN32MCXA152VFMIC MCX 96MHZ SGL CORE 64KB QFN32485 - Immediate$3.32View Details
IC MCX 96MHZ SGL CORE 64KB QFN48MCXA152VFTIC MCX 96MHZ SGL CORE 64KB QFN48210 - Immediate$3.37View Details
IC MCX 96MHZ SGL CR 64KB LQFP64MCXA152VLHIC MCX 96MHZ SGL CR 64KB LQFP64160 - Immediate$3.51View Details
New at DigiKey
MCXA20-256, 32QFN
MCXA173VFMMCXA20-256, 32QFN2450 - Immediate$2.19View Details
New at DigiKey
MCXA20-256, 32QFN
MCXA174VFMMCXA20-256, 32QFN2450 - Immediate$2.31View Details
New at DigiKey
MCXA20-256, 32QFN
MCXA343VFMMCXA20-256, 32QFN2450 - Immediate$2.44View Details
New at DigiKey
MCXA20-256, 48LQFP
MCXA173VLFMCXA20-256, 48LQFP1240 - Immediate$2.44View Details
New at DigiKey
MCXA20-256, 48LQFP
MCXA174VLFMCXA20-256, 48LQFP1245 - Immediate$2.56View Details

Evaluation Kits

ImageManufacturer Part NumberDescriptionAvailable QuantityPriceView Details
FREEDOM MCXA153 EVAL BRDFRDM-MCXA153FREEDOM MCXA153 EVAL BRD303 - Immediate$11.67View Details
New at DigiKey
FREEDOM MCXA346 EVAL BRD
FRDM-MCXA346FREEDOM MCXA346 EVAL BRD96 - Immediate$16.04View Details
FREEDOM MCXA156 EVAL BRDFRDM-MCXA156FREEDOM MCXA156 EVAL BRD53 - Immediate$11.67View Details
New at DigiKey
MCX A DEV KIT
FRDM-MCXA174MCX A DEV KIT62 - Immediate$15.56View Details
New at DigiKey
MCX A DEV KIT
FRDM-MCXA344MCX A DEV KIT79 - Immediate$15.56View Details
New at DigiKey
MCX A DEV KIT
FRDM-MCXA366MCX A DEV KIT90 - Immediate$23.34View Details
New at DigiKey
MCX A DEV KIT
FRDM-MCXA266MCX A DEV KIT74 - Immediate$23.34View Details
New at DigiKey
FRDM-MCXA166
FRDM-MCXA166FRDM-MCXA1660 - Immediate$17.12View Details
Updated: 2026-06-05
Published: 2023-12-15