ARM926EJ-S at 454 MHz — what it means for your system
The NXP MCIMX287CVM4B is an i.MX28 series applications processor built around a single ARM926EJ-S core running at 454 MHz. This is a 32-bit RISC core with a 5-stage pipeline, MMU for full OS support (Linux, RTOS), and DSP instruction extensions for basic signal processing. It is not a Cortex-A class part — expect it to handle HMI, protocol bridging, and data logging, not heavy multimedia or high-frame-rate graphics. The 454 MHz clock is the practical ceiling for sustained integer workloads in this process node. For a control-loop or protocol-stack application, you will typically run it below that to balance power. The part includes a DCP (Data Co-Processor) for cryptographic offload — AES, SHA, RSA — which keeps the ARM core free for application code when encrypting data streams or validating firmware signatures.
Industrial temperature range — field-ready from the start
Rated for -40°C to 85°C ambient, this part is specced for factory-floor controllers, outdoor telecom base stations, and any enclosure that sees seasonal temperature swings. No commercial-grade derating needed — the silicon and package are qualified for the full industrial band. If your system lives in a conditioned server room, you are paying for margin you do not need, but for anything with a fan or a roof, this is the right grade.
Integrated connectivity — USB and Ethernet on-chip
Two USB 2.0 ports with integrated PHY and a single 10/100 Mbps Ethernet MAC are built into the die. That means no external PHY for the USB (saves a chip and a crystal), and one Ethernet PHY chip on the BOM instead of a separate MAC+PHY combo. For a dual-USB host or OTG design, the on-chip PHY keeps the routing tight and the USB signal integrity predictable. The Ethernet MAC supports MII/RMII, so you can pick a PHY that matches your board's layer count.
Memory interface — LVDDR, LVDDR2, DDR2
The memory controller supports LVDDR, LVDDR2, and DDR2 SDRAM. That is a wider range than many MPUs of this generation — you are not locked into a single memory type. For cost-sensitive designs, LVDDR (1.8 V) keeps the PCB simpler; for higher bandwidth, DDR2 gives you faster data rates. The 289-MAPBGA package routes the DDR signals cleanly on a 4-layer board if you follow the layout guidelines for trace length matching.
Package and footprint — 289-MAPBGA, 14x14 mm
Housed in a 289-ball MAPBGA measuring 14x14 mm with a 0.8 mm ball pitch. That pitch is manageable with standard PCB fab — no micro-vias or HDI required, though a 4-layer board with via-in-pad might need filled vias. The package is RoHS3 compliant and MSL 3 out of the bag, so bake before reflow if the moisture barrier bag has been open longer than the floor-life window.
Security features — boot security and cryptography on-chip
Includes boot security (secure boot from NAND or SD), cryptography acceleration via the DCP, and a hardware unique ID. For a product that needs firmware anti-cloning or encrypted OTA updates, these blocks save you an external secure element. The hardware ID can be used for node authentication in an IoT or edge-compute network.
Lifecycle and sourcing — active, no end-of-life pressure
The MCIMX287CVM4B carries an active lifecycle status from NXP.