The NXP MKL15Z128VLK4R is a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M0+ microcontroller from the Kinetis KL1 series, clocked at 48 MHz with 128 KB of Flash program memory and 16 KB of RAM. It is rated from -40°C to 105°C and operates from a 1.71 V to 3.6 V supply. The 80-LQFP package exposes 70 I/O lines, plus a 16-channel 16-bit ADC and a single 12-bit DAC.
48 MHz Cortex-M0+ — what the clock buys you
At 48 MHz, this core handles deterministic control loops, Modbus polling, and basic signal processing without a cache or FPU. The Cortex-M0+ is a single-cycle I/O and interrupt-response architecture.
128 KB Flash and 16 KB RAM — sizing the firmware budget
128 KB of Flash is the mid-density option in the KL1x family — enough for a full bootloader, a Modbus or CANopen stack, and a moderate application layer. The 16 KB RAM supports a handful of large buffers or a small RTOS heap.
Industrial temperature range — deployment context
Rated for -40°C to 105°C ambient, this part goes into outdoor telecom cabinets, engine-bay controllers, and factory-floor PLC I/O modules without a commercial-grade derating. The 105°C upper limit covers self-heating inside a sealed enclosure; the -40°C floor handles cold-start in northern-climate installations. The 1.71 V minimum supply ensures the MCU stays operational as a battery pack nears end-of-discharge.
On-chip peripherals and connectivity
The peripheral set includes I²C, SPI, UART/USART, and LINbus for serial communication, plus a touch-sensing interface (TSI) for capacitive touch panels. The 16-channel 16-bit ADC samples at sufficient rate for multi-sensor acquisition; the single 12-bit DAC handles one analog output channel. Brown-out detect, low-voltage detect, power-on reset, and a watchdog timer are integrated — no external supervisor needed for basic safety monitoring.
Lifecycle and sourcing
The MKL15Z128VLK4R carries an Active product status, meaning NXP continues to manufacture and support it for new designs. It is available through independent distribution channels; availability and current pricing are confirmed at quote time against an RFQ.