Purpose-built for value- and cost-sensitive designs, the MCX C Series delivers the simplicity expected of an entry-level microcontroller (MCU) while delivering the performance demanded by today’s embedded designs. The “essential” family of the MCX C Series—aptly named the MCX C1 family—is optimized for simplicity, efficiency and long-term scalability.
The MCX C1 is designed to bring the entry-level essentials, but without the entry-level limitations, delivering low-cost, general-purpose MCUs with high efficiency analog and control peripherals for a wide variety of industrial and IoT applications.
To expand the MCX C1 family, NXP is announcing the launch of the Arm® Cortex® -M23-based MCX C15 and MCX C16 MCUs.
The new MCX C15 and MCX C16 deliver advanced peripherals and precision analog into the entry-level MCU class. This includes high-resolution 16-bit Successive Approximation Register (SAR)analog-to-digital (ADC)with 18 channels, high-speed comparator with internal 8-bit digital-to-analog (DAC) and a flexible PWM (FlexPWM) module for motor control.
Along with the precision analog, the MCX C15 and MCX C16 also offer Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI), Inter-Integrated Circuit (I²C) and Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter (UART)for general communication—up to 45 general-purpose input/outputs (GPIO)—and an extended industrial temperature range of -40 °C to 125 °C. To reduce bill of materials (BOM)costs, the MCX C15 and MCX C16 MCUs include internal frequency reference oscillator (FRO), internal OpAmp and capless power management.
Currently, variants are available with up to 64 KB of flash, with the family expected to expand to 512 KB flash in the future.
NXP announces the latest addition to the MCX C Series—the MCX C15 and MCX C16 entry-level MCUs with precision analog. Explore more features and specs here.
With integrated precision analog and control features, the MCX C15 and MCX C16 make advanced analog capabilities accessible in the low-cost, entry-level MCU space. These built-in peripherals enable developers to sense, measure and respond with accuracy, all within a single, low-cost device.
The 16 bit SAR ADC delivers high resolution and a high sampling rate of 2.4 MSPS in 16-bit mode and 3 MSPS in 12-bit mode, making this MCU well suited for applications such as sensor measurement, energy monitoring and industrial control. The on chip comparator with internal DAC enables precise threshold generation and monitoring without external references while a FlexPWM module supports fine-grained output control for power, motor and actuation use cases. Together, these precision analog features position the MCU as a robust yet cost-effective platform for accurate sensing, real-time control and efficient analog-to-digital interaction.
The MCX C15 and MCX C16 are designed to bring high-performance analog capability to the entry-level MCU class and address cost-sensitive industrial and IoT applications such as simple motor control, smart lighting, handheld devices and power/energy systems.
The MCX C1 family is NXP’s entry-level essential, offering a low-end and low-cost option for MCUs. 8-bit and 16-bit devices simply no longer meet the demands of today’s embedded applications, which require higher performance and integration for more complex use cases. However, these Arm Cortex-M23-based MCUs provide an upgrade from legacy 8-bit and 16-bit processors as well as Arm Cortex-M0+ MCUs, bringing more features and capability without increasing cost.
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Within the NXP MCU portfolio, migration paths from the widely used LPC800, LPC1100, and Kinetis MCUs along with pin-to-pin compatible options within the newer MCX A Series provide seamless transition and scalability.
The MCX C Series is designed as an accessible entry point into the MCX portfolio, offering an easy-to-use platform for low-end or cost-sensitive control and analog intensive applications. As system requirements grow, MCX C provides a natural pathway to MCX A devices, preserving architectural familiarity while unlocking higher performance, expanded memory and richer feature sets. This alignment allows developers to build early prototypes or cost optimized designs— based on MCX C and later—scale without rearchitecting their software or rethinking core system design.
All of NXP’s MCX MCUs share a common software ecosystem—the MCUXpresso Developer Experience. Developers starting on the MCX C can reuse code and tools while gaining access to the MCX A’s advanced capabilities. This scalable approach reduces risk, shortens development cycles and supports a product strategy that can evolve from simple control nodes to more complex, connected and intelligent systems.
Haley Vu is a Wireless Connectivity Product Marketer specializing in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and 802.15.4 solutions for Industrial and IoT applications. Drawing on her experience with the NXP Technical Sales Team, Haley brings support and enablement to the broad Mass Market. She holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from UC Davis and is based in the Silicon Valley.