MCIMX31CJKN5D: NXP i.MX31 532 MHz ARM11 MPU - Complete Guide, Pinout, and Drop-in Replacements

The MCIMX31CJKN5D is an NXP i.MX31 applications microprocessor with a single 32-bit ARM1136JF-S core running at 532 MHz, packaged in a 457-ball LFBGA (MAPBGA) measuring 14 x 14 mm with a 0.5 mm ball pitch. It operates from a 1.65 V supply domain, includes a VFP11 vector floating point unit, and interfaces to DDR/mDDR SDRAM plus NOR/NAND flash. NXP lists the part as End of Life, but XAIPART currently stocks 99,999 units with MOQ 1, priced from $15.90 at 1,000 units as of 2026-09-04. This guide covers verified specifications, the key pinout, design-in guidance, and pin-compatible replacements including MCIMX31LDVKN5D, MCIMX31LCVKN5D, and MCIMX31CVKN5D for sustaining legacy i.MX31 platforms.

What Are the Quick Answers Buyers Need About the MCIMX31CJKN5D?

The MCIMX31CJKN5D belongs to the i.MX31 family of applications processors - system-on-chip class devices designed to run full operating systems such as embedded Linux or Windows CE, unlike microcontrollers. The verified specification set includes: ARM1136JF-S core (32-bit ARM11 generation), 532 MHz maximum clock frequency, single core, 1.65 V operating supply voltage, 457-LFBGA (14x14) MAPBGA package, 0.5 mm ball pitch, surface mount, MX31 2.0.1 silicon version, CONSUMER FULL attribute, RoHS compliant, tray packaging, and End of Life lifecycle status per NXP. [DATA_NEEDED: maximum operating temperature] must be confirmed in the NXP datasheet before qualification.

Availability is the most pressing buyer question because the MPN is EOL. XAIPART lists 99,999 units in stock with MOQ 1, and tiered pricing of $22.50 at qty 1, $20.80 at qty 10, $18.90 at qty 100, $17.20 at qty 500, and $15.90 at qty 1,000, all as of 2026-09-04. EOL-support distributors such as Rochester Electronics (via DigiKey Marketplace) also service this MPN, and Octopart aggregates five suppliers. Full FAQ answers appear in the structured FAQ block; the most common buyer questions are production status (No - NXP lists it as EOL), drop-in replacements (same-family 457-pin variants), and OS support (embedded Linux and Windows CE of its generation).

How Do You Select, Design In, and Use the MCIMX31CJKN5D?

Design-in of the i.MX31 centers on four subsystems: core power, memory, display, and I/O. The processor operates from a 1.65 V core supply domain with sophisticated clock gating for low standby power, and its multi-layer system bus fabric connects the ARM11 core with NXP smart speed technology to the peripherals.

Memory subsystem. The external memory interface supports DDR and mDDR SDRAM, NOR flash, NAND flash, and PCMCIA/CF card interfaces through the multi-port memory controller. Boot mode configuration depends on the selected memory type, so consult the i.MX31 datasheet (originally a Freescale Semiconductor document, downloadable from the NXP product page) for exact timing registers and supported memory sizes.

Display and multimedia. The integrated LCD controller drives displays directly through the LCD data bus (for example, LCD_D0 on pin F13), while integrated image processing handles camera input via the CSI port (CSI_D0 on pin H10). The 532 MHz clock with VFP11 floating point delivers headroom for H.264 baseline video decode and GUI rendering typical of its generation.

Connectivity and I/O. Verified key pins include USB_VBUS (pin E12) for USB OTG bus power, SD1_CMD (pin J9) for the SD/MMC command line, UART1_TXD (pin K8) for serial transmit, I2C1_SCL (pin L7) for I2C clock, and CSPI1_MOSI (pin M6) for SPI master data out. The 32.768 kHz crystal input XTALI (pin N5) clocks the low-power domain. The full 457-ball pin multiplexing table lives on the MCIMX31CJKN5D product page.

PCB layout. The 0.5 mm ball pitch and 14 x 14 mm footprint support dense two-sided PCB layouts. Surface mount assembly requires standard BGA reflow profiling; exact thermal profile guidance should be taken from the NXP datasheet. For legacy designs, substitute only with same-package variants after verifying the suffix binning (speed, temperature attribute, qualification bin) in the NXP ordering information table.

Which Components Are Drop-in Alternatives to the MCIMX31CJKN5D?

Only same-family i.MX31 parts in the identical 457-pin LFBGA package qualify as drop-in alternatives, per the verified comparison sources (FindIC and Utmel):

Parameter | MCIMX31CJKN5D | MCIMX31LDVKN5D | MCIMX31LCVKN5D | MCIMX31CVKN5D | MCIMX31CVMKN5D | MCIMX31DJKN5D
Family / Die | i.MX31 | Same i.MX31 die | Same i.MX31 family | Same family | Same die and package | Same package and die family
Package | 457-LFBGA (14x14), 0.5 mm | Identical package | Identical package | Same 457-LFBGA package | Same package | Same package
Terminals | 457 balls | Identical terminals | Identical terminals | Pin-to-pin compatible | Same footprint | Same footprint
Compatibility source | - | Complete replacement per FindIC | Identical per FindIC | Parametrically similar per Utmel | Extended temperature bin per i.MX31 ordering options | Different speed/attribute bin
Circuit modification | - | None required | None required | None required | [VERIFY_NEEDED: circuit modification for CVMKN5D] | [VERIFY_NEEDED: circuit modification for DJKN5D]

Summary: MCIMX31LDVKN5D and MCIMX31LCVKN5D are reported by FindIC as fully compatible (identical terminals, package, and performance). MCIMX31CVKN5D is pin-to-pin compatible with differing binning suffix. MCIMX31CVMKN5D extends temperature coverage within the same footprint, and MCIMX31DJKN5D differs in speed/attribute bin. Always confirm the exact suffix attributes in the NXP ordering table before substituting. Note that detailed per-part specification values for the alternatives were not provided in this dataset, so the table reflects verified compatibility statements only.

What Is the Market Position and Supply Situation for the MCIMX31CJKN5D?

Lifecycle status is End of Life per NXP, with discontinuance and product change notices published. Historically, millions of i.MX31 processors powered consumer, industrial, automotive, and medical devices, placing the family in the mid-range segment of the embedded power hierarchy (microcontroller to applications processor to SoC).

Supply situation from verified data: XAIPART holds 99,999 units in stock as of 2026-09-04, with the authorized distribution channel including DigiKey (product page 2186078), Mouser, Octopart-listed distributors (five suppliers aggregated), and Rochester Electronics for EOL support via DigiKey Marketplace. Because EOL availability fluctuates, buyers should check current stock and lead times before committing a build and use RFQ for volume requirements. [DATA_NEEDED: manufacturer last-order date and official discontinuance timeline] should be obtained from the NXP product change notice before finalizing a lifetime buy.

What Trends Should Buyers Watch for EOL i.MX31 Designs?

Three trends anchored to the verified specs deserve attention. First, price and stock volatility: with the part EOL and XAIPART holding 99,999 units at $15.90-$22.50 per unit (as of 2026-09-04), remaining inventory will thin out; a structured last-time buy against your bill of materials, prioritizing the qty 1000 tier at $15.90, is the lowest-cost hedge. Second, replacement-path planning: qualifying a pin-compatible variant now - MCIMX31LDVKN5D or MCIMX31LCVKN5D, which FindIC lists as requiring no circuit modification - de-risks future supply without redesign, provided the CONSUMER FULL attribute matches your end application. Third, new-design migration: NXP directs new designs to current generations such as i.MX 6UL, i.MX 8M Mini, i.MX 8M, or i.MX RT crossover parts, but these are not drop-in replacements and require PCB and software rework. Watch for dwindling compliance documentation updates on the EOL part - RoHS compliance is confirmed in supplier data, but current REACH and halogen-free declarations should be verified in the latest NXP product change notice and material declaration documents.