NXP Semiconductors MCX-N9 EVK Series User manual

UM12036
MCX-N9XX-EVK Board User Manual
Rev. 1 — 20 January 2024 User manual
Document information
Information Content
Keywords MCX-N9XX-EVK, UM12036, MCX N94x
Abstract The NXP MCX N9XX Evaluation Kit (MCX-N9XX-EVK) board is a full-featured evaluation and
development board for application prototyping and demonstration of the MCX N94x family of
devices. This document describes the hardware for the MCX-N9XX-EVK development board.

NXP Semiconductors UM12036
MCX-N9XX-EVK Board User Manual
1 MCX-N9XX-EVK overview
The NXP MCX N9XX Evaluation Kit (MCX-N9XX-EVK) board is a full-featured evaluation and development
board for application prototyping and demonstration of the MCX N94x family of devices.
The MCX N94X integrates a dual Arm Cortex-M33 MCU and a neural processing unit (NPU) into a single
package. NXP supports MCX N94X with tools and software that include hardware evaluation boards, software
development IDE, example applications, and drivers.
The MCX-N9XX-EVK development board consists of the MCX N94X device with a 64-Mbit external serial flash
(provided by Winbond), FXLS8964AF accelerometer, P3T1755DP I3C temperature sensor, visible light sensor,
onboard CAN PHY, Ethernet PHY, SDHC circuit, general-purpose RGB LED, touch slider, FS and HS USB
circuits, general-purpose push buttons, and onboard MCU-Link debug probe circuit with energy monitoring. The
board is compatible with the Arduino and FRDM ecosystem shield modules and Mikroe click boards.
The onboard MCU-Link debug probe is based on the LPC55S69 MCU. Before using the MCU-Link functionality,
ensure that it is programmed with the required firmware. For details, see Section 3.5.
The board is a standalone PCB and supports application development with the NXP SDK software package.
Note:
•The MCX N94x represents the MCX N947 and MCX N946 devices in this document.
•For simplicity, the MCU-Link debug probe is referred to as "MCU-Link" and the MCX N94X MCU is referred to
as "target MCU" in this document.
1.1 Block diagram
Figure 1 shows the MCX-N9XX-EVK block diagram.
Figure 1. MCX-N9XX-EVK block diagram
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1.2 Board features
Table 1 describes the features of the MCX-N9XX-EVK board.
Board feature Target MCU features used Description
MCX N94x MCU
(target MCU)
The MCX N94x is based on dual high-performance Arm
Cortex-M33 cores running up to 150 MHz, with 2 MB of
Flash with optional full ECC RAM, a DSP coprocessor and
an integrated proprietary neural processing unit (NPU).
For details, see the MCX Nx4x Reference Manual.
Power supply •P5V0 (5 V) input power supply using one of the following
power sources:
–MCU-Link USB micro-B connector (default source)
–Full-speed (FS) micro USB connector
–High-speed (HS) micro USB connector
–Arduino Shield compatible header
–5 V regulator populated at 3-pin jumper
•A 10-pin jumper (J26) is used for the 5 V power source
selection
•PCA9420 PMIC for flexible voltage selections
•Jumpers for different power sources selection
Clock Two crystal oscillators for:
•24 MHz system reference clock
•32.768 kHz real-time clock (RTC)
USB USB full-speed (FS) and high-speed
(HS) modules
•One USB Micro-AB connector interfaced with USB HS
host / device mode module
•One USB Micro-AB connector interfaced with USB FS
host / device mode module
Flash memory FlexSPI controller One 1.8 V 64-Mbit (8 MB) serial flash memory with dual and
quad SPI
3D Accelerometer Low-power inter-integrated circuit
(LPI2C) module
Supports NXP FXLS8964AF accelerometer for motion
sensing
Temperature sensor Improved inter-integrated circuit (I3C) Supports NXP P3T1755DP temperature sensor
Ethernet Ethernet controller (ENET0) 10 / 100 Mbit/s (RMII) LAN8741 Ethernet PHY and RJ45
connector
I/O headers Headers compatible with:
•Arduino shields
•Mikroe click boards
Light sensor ADC One ambient light sensor, consisting of a phototransistor in a
miniature SMD
Wi-Fi / Bluetooth
interface
SDIO, I2S, UART, I2C, and GPIO •One M.2 Key E mini card 75-pin connector supporting
SDIO, I2S, UART, I2C, and Vendor-defined SPI interfaces
•Compatible with Murata IW416 Wi-Fi card module
CAN FlexCAN controller One 4-pin CAN FD connector
Mass storage uSDHC MicroSD card connector
Touch slider Touch sensing input (TSI) One Touch Slider for touch sensing detection; connects to
TSI input channels through the P1_10 and P1_12 pins
Table 1. MCX-N9XX-EVK features
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MCX-N9XX-EVK Board User Manual
Board feature Target MCU features used Description
Debug •Onboard MCU-Link debug probe with CMSIS-DAP and
SEGGER J-Link protocol options. It can connect to the
target MCU through a USB-to-UART, USB-to-SPI, or USB-
to-I2C bridge.
•10-pin Arm JTAG/SWD connector for connecting an
external debug probe
PCB 6” 3/4 x 4” 5/16 x 1/16”
Orderable part
number
MCX-N9XX-EVK
Table 1. MCX-N9XX-EVK features...continued
1.3 Board kit contents
The MCX-N9XX-EVK board kit contains the following items:
•MCX-N9XX-EVK board hardware assembly
•A 3 ft micro USB A to micro USB B cable
•Nylon screws (4-40 x ¼”)
•Nylon standoffs (4-40 x 1.25, 3/16 Hex)
1.4 Board pictures
Figure 2 shows the top view of MCX-N9XX-EVK.
MCX N947
processor
Figure 2. MCX-N9XX-EVK top view
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NXP Semiconductors UM12036
MCX-N9XX-EVK Board User Manual
Figure 3 shows the top-side view of the MCX-N9XX-EVK board, with connectors, push buttons, and LEDs
highlighted.
J21
(PMIC
controller)
J5
(MCU-Link USB)
J11
(Debug and trace)
J27
(HS USB)
J28
(FS USB)
J13
(MCU-Link
GPIO header)
J14
(DMIC EXP.)
J25
(SDHC)
J9
(External Flash)
J29
(CAN Bus)
J2 J1
(Arduino)
J3 J4
(Arduino)
J19
(MikroBUS)
J22
(MikroBUS)
J20
(FlexIO)
J12
(M.2)
J15
(MCU-Link SWD)
J8
(10 / 100 Mbit/s RJ45)
E1
(Touch slider)
SW1
(MCX N9
Reset)
SW6
(MCU-Link
Reset)
SW3
(NMI)
SW3
(ISP)
SW4
(Wakeup)
SW5
(PMIC RST)
D22
(RGB LED)
D25
D24
D7
D21
D13 D14 D8 D12 D10 D11 D9
MCU-Link
LEDs
Figure 3. MCX-N9XX-EVK connectors, push buttons, and LEDs (top-side view)
Figure 4 shows the jumpers of the MCX-N9XX-EVK board.
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MCX-N9XX-EVK Board User Manual
J26 JP43
JP44
JP46
JP41
JP48
J24
JP4
JP28
JP30
JP34
JP39
JP45
JP17
JP21
J17 J18
JP25
JP26
JP29
JP32 JP33
JP40
JP27
JP35
JP31
JP36JP37
JP47
JP42
JP13
JP15
JP14
JP18
JP16 (DNP)
JP20 (DNP)
JP1 (DNP)
JP3 (DNP)
JP6
JP5
JP9
JP10
(DNP)
JP11
(DNP) JP12
J23 (DNP) JP49
JP19
JP38
JP2 (DNP)
JP7 JP8
(DNP)
JP22
JP24
JP23
Figure 4. MCX-N9XX-EVK jumpers
1.5 Connectors
Table 2 describes the MCX-N9XX-EVK connectors. The connectors are shown in Figure 3.
Part
identifier
Connector type Description Reference section
BT1 Coincell battery holder Holder for 3 V CR2025 or CR 2032 lithium
coincell battery required for PMIC Battery
backup (VBAT_BKUP)
Note: This holder is at the bottom of the board
underneath the MCU RST button (SW1).
J24 1 x 2 pin header Lithium-ion/external battery connector
For more information on this
connector, see MCX-N9XX-
EVK schematics
J1 2 x 8 pin header
J2 2 x 10 pin header
J3 2 x 8 pin header
J4 2 x 6 pin header
Arduino compatible I/O header Section 2.12
J5 USB connector MCU-Link USB connector Section 3.7
Table 2. MCX-N9XX-EVK connectors
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Part
identifier
Connector type Description Reference section
J8 RJ45 connector Shielded RJ45 connector jack with magnetic
built-in
Section 2.6
J9 (DNP) 2 x 14 pin header To connect external flash daughter card Section 2.5
J11 2 x 10 pin header Debug (JTAG / SWD) and trace connector to
connect an external debug probe or external
debug target
Section 3.8
J12 75-pin connector M.2 Key E module connector Section 2.11
J13 1 x 6 pin header MCU-Link GPIO header Section 3.12
J15 (DNP) 2 x 5 pin header MCU-Link SWD connector For more information on this
connector, see MCX-N9XX-
EVK schematics
J16 1 x 1 header To monitor CLKOUT clock output on P0_6 For more information on this
connector, see MCX-N9XX-
EVK schematics
J19 1 x 8 position receptacles mikroBUS socket connectors Section 2.14
J20 2 x 14 pin header FlexIO header for LCD screen connection Section 2.13
J21 1 x 6 pin header To connect a PMIC controller for regulating
PMIC (U2) regulator outputs
For more information on this
connector, see MCX-N9XX-
EVK schematics
J22 1 x 8 position receptacles mikroBUS socket connectors Section 2.14
J25 SDHC connector To connect an external SD card Section 2.4
J27 USB micro-AB connector USB1 high-speed connector Section 2.3
J28 USB micro-AB connector USB0 full-speed connector Section 2.3
J29 1 x 4 pin header Connects to the CAN bus and allows external
connection with the bus
Section 2.9
JP42 2 x 3 pin header Used for tamper different mode test Section 2.15
Table 2. MCX-N9XX-EVK connectors...continued
1.6 Jumpers
Table 3 describes the MCX-N9XX-EVK jumpers. The jumpers are shown in Figure 4.
Part
identifier
Jumper type Description Reference section
J26 2x5 pin header P5V0 input power selection
•Pin 1-2 shorted (default setting): P5V_MCU_LINK_USB
supply from MCU-Link USB micro-B connector (J5)
•Pin 3-4 shorted: P5V_HDR_IN from 5 V regulator
populated at 3-pin jumper (J23)
•Pin 7-8 shorted: VREG_IN_USB1 supply from HS micro
USB connector (J27)
•Pin 9-10 shorted: VREG_IN_USB0 supply from FS micro
USB connector (J28)
Section 2.1
Table 3. MCX-N9XX-EVK jumpers
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MCX-N9XX-EVK Board User Manual
Part
identifier
Jumper type Description Reference section
JP4 1x2 pin header •Pin 1-2 open: Disconnects the P3V3 supply from the
LAN8741 Ethernet PHY circuit
•Pin 1-2 shorted (default setting): Connects the P3V3
supply to the VDD analog pins of the LAN8741 Ethernet
PHY
Section 2.6
JP5 1x2 pin header •Open (default setting): Enables the onboard MCU-Link
USBSIO bridge feature for SPI
•Shorted: Sends a low signal on HW_VER_2 to disable the
onboard MCU-Link USBSIO bridge feature for SPI
Section 3.9
JP6 1x2 pin header •Open (default setting): Enables the MCU-Link SWD
feature
•Shorted: Sends a low signal on HW_VER_7 to disable the
onboard MCU-Link SWD feature
Note: This configuration is required to enable target MCU
debug through an external debug probe.
Section 3.3
JP9 1x2 pin header •Open (default setting): No JTAG connection
•Shorted: Connects TDI signal to P0_3 port for JTAG
connection
For more information
on this jumper, see
MCX-N9XX-EVK
schematic
JP12 1x3 pin header Target power selection jumper
•1-2 shorted (default setting): Onboard target MCU is
used as a debug target or an external target MCU is used
as a debug target but it uses board power
•2-3 shorted: An external target MCU is used as a debug
target and it uses its own power
Section 3.3
JP13 1x3 pin header •Pin 1-2 shorted (default setting): Port P1 pin 21 (P1_21)
connects to the DA7212 audio codec (DNP) through dual-
supply translating transceiver NTS0302
•Pin 2-3 shorted: Port P1 pin 21 connects to the MDIO
interface of the LAN8741 Ethernet PHY
For more information
on this jumper, see
MCX-N9XX-EVK
schematic
JP14 1x2 pin header Pin 1-2 shorted (default setting): VDD_MCU is sourced
from MCU_PWR supply
For more information
on this jumper, see
MCX-N9XX-EVK
schematic
JP15 (DNP) 1x3 pin header •Pin 1-2 shorted: VDD_P3 is sourced from the P3V3 power
supply
•Pin 2-3 shorted (default setting): VDD_P3 is sourced
from P1V8 supply
Note: VDD_P3 must be 1.8 V for QSPI flash and SIM card
interfaces.
Section 2.1.1
JP17 1x3 pin header •Pin 1-2 shorted (default setting): Port P0 pin 11 (P0_11)
connects to SD connector power switch
•Pin 2-3 shorted: Port P0 pin 11 connects to the VBUS
controller (NX5P3090UK) of USB FS
Section 2.4
JP18 1x3 pin header •Pin 1-2 shorted: VDD_LDO_CORE_IN is sourced from
MCU_PWR power supply
•Pin 2-3 shorted (default setting): VDD_LDO_CORE_IN is
sourced from VDD_CORE supply
Section 2.1.1
Table 3. MCX-N9XX-EVK jumpers...continued
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Part
identifier
Jumper type Description Reference section
Note: Default setting for LDO_CORE disable case.
JP19 1x2 pin header •Open (default setting): Enables serial port connection
(VCOM) between MCU-Link and the target MCU
(connected through pins P1_8 and P1_9)
•Shorted: Sends a low signal on HW_VER_6 to disable
serial port connection (VCOM) available between the
MCU-Link LPC55S69 and the MCX N94X MCU
Section 3.8
JP21 1x3 pin header •Pin 1-2 shorted (default setting): Port P1 pin 11 (P1_11)
connects to P3T1755DP temperature sensor if jumper
JP23 is shorted
•Pin 2-3 shorted: Port P1 pin 11 (P1_11) connects to the
FlexIO header
For more information
on this jumper, see
MCX-N9XX-EVK
schematic
JP22 1x2 pin header MCU-Link debug probe target selection jumper:
•Open (default setting): The MCU-Link debug probe
or an external debug probe can be connected to the
onboard target MCU. Use this setting when the target
MCU operates in Normal mode (its SWD interface is
enabled).
•Shorted: The MCU-Link debug probe can be connected to
an external target MCU. Use this setting when using the
MCU-Link debug probe for debugging an external target
MCU.
Section 3.3
JP23 1x2 pin header •Open (default setting): To disable external pull-up
resistance on the I3C SDA
•Shorted: To enable external pull-up resistance on I3C SDA
Section 2.8
JP24 1x2 pin jumper MCU-Link (LPC55S69) force ISP mode jumper:
•Open (default setting): MCU-Link follows the normal
boot sequence (MCU-Link boots from internal flash if a
boot image is found). With the internal flash erased, the
MCU-Link normal boot sequence falls through to ISP boot
mode.
•Shorted: MCU-Link is forced to ISP mode (USB). Use this
setting to reprogram the MCU-Link internal flash with a
new image or use the MCUXpresso IDE with the CMSIS-
DAP protocol.
Note: By default, MCU-Link flash is preprogrammed with a
version of CMSIS-DAP firmware.
Installing device
drivers and updating
MCU-Link firmware
JP25 1x2 pin header USB-to-I2C bridge enable/disable jumper
•Open: The USB-to-I2C bridge between MCU-Link and the
target MCU is disabled
•Shorted (default setting): MCU-Link is connected to the
target MCU through a USB-to-I2C bridge
Section 3.9
JP26 1x2 pin header Pin 1-2 shorted (default setting): VDD_BRD is sourced
from MCU_PWR_SRC supply
For more information
on this jumper, see
MCX-N9XX-EVK
schematic
JP27 2x3 pin header •Pin 1-2 shorted (default setting): VDD_DCDC is sourced
from the MCU_PWR power supply
•Pin 3-4 shorted: VDD_DCDC is pulled down to GND
Section 2.1.1
Table 3. MCX-N9XX-EVK jumpers...continued
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Part
identifier
Jumper type Description Reference section
•Pin 5-6 shorted: VDD_DCDC is pulled down to GND
Note: In DC-DC bypass mode, open pin 1-2 and short pins
3-4 and 5-6.
JP28 1x2 pin header •Pin 1-2 open (default setting): Voltage reference output
(VREFO) does not connect to Pin 16 of Arduino connector
J1
•Pin 1-2 shorted: VREFO connects to Pin 16 of Arduino
connector J1
Section 2.12
JP30 1x2 pin header Pin 1-2 shorted (default setting): VREFH is sourced from
VDDA supply
For more information
on this jumper, see
MCX-N9XX-EVK
schematic
JP31 1x2 pin header Pin 1-2 shorted (default setting): VDD_SYS is sourced from
VDD_LDO_SYS_IN supply
Note: This is shorted in LDO_BYPASS mode.
Section 2.1.1
JP29
JP32
JP33
1x2 pin header MCU-LINK current measurement circuit jumpers.
Pins 1-2 shorted (default setting)
Section 3.10
JP34 1x2 pin header •Pin 1-2 open: No input voltage to ambient light sensor
•Pin 1-2 shorted (default setting): Input voltage VDDA
connects to ambient light sensor
Section 2.10
JP35 1x3 pin header •Pin 1-2 shorted (default setting): VDD_CORE is sourced
from the DCDC_VDDCORE power supply
•Pin 2-3 shorted: VDD_CORE supply is sourced from P1V1
supply
Note: VDD_CORE is powered by DC-DC, LDO_core is
disabled.
Section 2.1.1
JP36 1x3 pin header •Pin 1-2 shorted (default setting): VDD_LDO_SYS_IN is
sourced from MCU_PWR power supply
•Pin 2-3 shorted: VDD_LDO_SYS_IN supply is sourced
from P1V8 supply
Section 2.1.1
JP37 1x3 pin header •Pin 1-2 shorted (default setting): VDD_BAT is sourced
from the MCU_PWR power supply
•Pin 2-3 shorted: VDD_BAT is sourced from PMIC LDO1_
OUT supply
Section 2.1.1
JP38 1x3 pin header MCU-LINK current measurement circuit jumper
•Pin 1-2 shorted (default setting): MCU_PWR and MCU_
PWR_SRC are sourced from P3V3 supply
•Pin 2-3 shorted: MCU_PWR and MCU_PWR_SRC are
sourced from P1V8 supply
Section 3.10
JP39 1x2 pin header Pin 1-2 shorted (default setting): VDDA is sourced from
VDD_P4 supply
For more information
on this jumper, see
MCX-N9XX-EVK
schematic
JP40 1x2 pin header Pin 1-2 shorted (default setting): VDD_USB is sourced
from the P3V3 power supply
For more information
on this jumper, see
Table 3. MCX-N9XX-EVK jumpers...continued
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