In the world of embedded systems, having the right development platform is crucial. NXP's FRDM development boards offer a versatile range of options tailored for applications from ultra-low-power IoT devices to high-performance industrial controls.
Whether you're building battery-powered sensor nodes or full-blown AI-capable edge devices, these next-gen platforms deliver the tools, horsepower, and flexibility to get there — faster.
Let's explore each board's capabilities to help you choose the perfect fit for your next innovation.
FRDM i.MX 93 Development Board – Powerful MPU for AI and Multimedia Applications
- Core: Dual Arm Cortex-A55 + Cortex-M33
- Features: Integrated NPU for machine learning, rich multimedia interfaces
- Connectivity: USB, Ethernet, MIPI-CSI, MIPI-DSI, SPI, I²C, UART
- Debugger: On-board debugger with CMSIS-DAP, JTAG/SWD connector
The FRDM i.MX 93 Development Board (030-9806) board is tailored for developers working on AI, machine learning, and multimedia applications, offering high processing capabilities and comprehensive interface options.
FRDM MCX C041 Development Board – Compact and Cost-Effective for Entry-Level Applications
- Core: Arm Cortex-M0+
- Memory: 32 KB Flash, 2 KB RAM
- Connectivity: USB Type-C (FS), SPI, I²C, UART, microbus/PMOD/Wi-Fi connectors
- Sensors: FXLS8974CFR3 3-axis accelerometer, NTC temperature sensor
- Debugger: On-board MCU-Link with CMSIS-DAP, SWD connector
Ideal for developers seeking a low-cost, energy-efficient solution, the FRDM MCX C041 Development Board (030-9796) provides essential features for basic embedded applications, including sensor integration and standard communication interfaces.
FRDM MCX C242 Development Board– Enhanced Memory for More Demanding Tasks
- Core: Arm Cortex-M0+
- Memory: 64 KB Flash, 16 KB RAM
- Connectivity: USB Type-C (FS), SPI, I²C, UART, microbus/PMOD/Wi-Fi connectors
- Sensors: FXLS8974CFR3 3-axis accelerometer, NTC temperature sensor
- Debugger: On-board MCU-Link with CMSIS-DAP, SWD connector
Building upon the MCXC041, the FRDM MCX C242 Development Board (030-9797) offers increased memory, making it suitable for applications requiring more complex processing and additional code space.
FRDM MCX C444 Development Board – Advanced Features for Complex Applications
- Core: Arm Cortex-M0+
- Memory: 256 KB Flash, 32 KB RAM
- Connectivity: USB Type-C (FS), SPI, I²C, UART, microbus/PMOD/Wi-Fi connectors
- Sensors: FXLS8974CFR3 3-axis accelerometer, visible light sensor
- Debugger: On-board MCU-Link with CMSIS-DAP, JTAG/SWD connector
The FRDM MCX C444 Development Board (030-9799) is designed for developers tackling more sophisticated projects, offering substantial memory and additional sensor capabilities for applications like environmental monitoring and advanced control systems.
FRDM MCX A153 Development Board – Secure and Versatile for IoT Applications
- Core: Arm Cortex-M33
- Memory: 128 KB Flash, 32 KB RAM (including 8 KB ECC)
- Connectivity: USB Type-C (FS and HS), SPI, I²C, UART, CAN FD, I3C, microbus/PMOD/Wi-Fi connectors
- Sensors: P3T1755DPJ I3C/I²C temperature sensor
- Debugger: On-board MCU-Link with CMSIS-DAP, JTAG/SWD connector
With enhanced security features and diverse connectivity options, the FRDM MCX A153 Development Board (030-9800) is tailored for IoT applications requiring reliable communication and data integrity.
FRDM MCX A156 Development Board – High Memory Capacity for Data-Intensive Tasks
- Core: Arm Cortex-M33
- Memory: 1 MB Flash, 128 KB RAM (including 8 KB ECC)
- Connectivity: USB Type-C (FS and HS), SPI, I²C, UART, CAN FD, I3C, microbus/PMOD/Wi-Fi connectors
- Sensors: P3T1755DPJ I3C/I²C temperature sensor
- Debugger: On-board MCU-Link with CMSIS-DAP, JTAG/SWD connector
The FRDM MCX A156 Development Board (030-9801) caters to applications demanding substantial memory resources, such as data logging, complex algorithm processing, and secure communications.
FRDM MCX N236 Development Board – High-Performance for Real-Time Control Systems
- Core: Arm Cortex-M33
- Memory: 1 MB Flash, 128 KB RAM (including 8 KB ECC)
- Connectivity: USB Type-C (FS and HS), SPI, I²C, UART, CAN FD, I3C, microbus/PMOD/Wi-Fi connectors
- Sensors: P3T1755DPJ I3C/I²C temperature sensor
- Debugger: On-board MCU-Link with CMSIS-DAP, JTAG/SWD connector
Designed for real-time control and industrial applications, the FRDM MCX N236 Development Board (030-9803) offers robust processing power and extensive connectivity to manage complex systems efficiently.
FRDM MCX N947 Development Board – Dual-Core Processing for Advanced Applications
- Core: Dual Arm Cortex-M33
- Memory: Up to 2 MB Flash, 512 KB RAM (including 8 KB ECC)
- Connectivity: USB Type-C (FS and HS), SPI, I²C, UART, CAN FD, I3C, microbus/PMOD/Wi-Fi connectors
- Sensors: P3T1755DPJ I3C/I²C temperature sensor
- Debugger: On-board MCU-Link with CMSIS-DAP, JTAG/SWD connector
The FRDM MCX N947 Development Board (030-9804) is equipped for applications requiring parallel processing and multitasking, such as advanced motor control, sensor fusion, and edge computing.
NXP's Unified Software Ecosystem
All NXP FRDM boards are supported by the MCUXpresso IDE and SDK, providing a consistent and efficient development environment. With features like on-board debuggers, standard expansion connectors, and comprehensive software support, these boards are designed to streamline your development process.
Find Your Perfect NXP MCU Platform
NXP MPU FRDM Tech Specs:
| Board | FRDM i.MX 93 (309-806) |
|---|---|
| Core | 2x Cortex-A55, 1x Cortex-M33, 0.5 TOPS NPU |
| eMMC | 5.1, 32 GB |
| DRAM | 2 GB |
| PMIC | YES |
| Wi-Fi Module | Onboard WiFi 6/ BT5.3 module |
| ENET | 2xGbE |
| USB | 1x Type-C, 1x Type-A |
| M.2 | YES |
| Display Interface | HDMI, MIPI DSI/22 Pins FPC HDR |
| Camera | MIPI CSI/22 Pins FPC HDR |
| Power Connector | USB Type-C |
| Audio | MQS |
| Headers | 40-pin Expansion Interface, NXP Custom Interface |
NXP MCU FRDM Comparison:
| Board | MCU | Wired Connectivity | Memory | HMI | Other Headers | Sensor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRDM MCX C041 (309-796) | Cortex-M0+, 48 MHz | - | 32 kB Flash | - | FRDM | Accel |
| FRDM MCX C242 (309-797) | Cortex-M0+, 48 MHz | USB | 64 kB Flash | - | FRDM | Accel |
| FRDM MCX C444 (309-799) | Cortex-M0+, 48 MHz | USB | 256 kB Flash | SLCD | FRDM | Accel and Light |
| FRDM MCX A153 (309-800) | Cortex-M33 96 MHz | USB | 128 kB Flash | - | FRDM | Temp |
| FRDM MCX A156 (309-801) | Cortex-M33 96 MHz | USB | 1 MB Flash | - | FRDM | Temp |
| FRDM MCX N236 (309-803) | Cortex-M33 96 MHz | USB | 1 MB Flash | Camera and display header | FRDM | Accel |
| FRDM MCX N947 (309-804) | Dual Cortex-M33 150 MHz + PowerQuad | USB, Ethernet, CAN | 2 MB Flash, Ext flash, SD Card slot (not populated) | Camera, display header and touch Pad | FRDM | Temp |
Whether you're developing a simple sensor node or a complex AI-driven system, NXP's FRDM development boards offer scalable solutions to meet your needs. Explore the range and accelerate your development journey today and keep an eye on our Development Kits hub for the latest tools, insights, and updates.
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