KL4x: Kinetis^® KL4x-48 MHz, USB, Segment LCD, Ultra-Low-Power Microcontrollers (MCUs) based on Arm^® Cortex^®-M0+ Core

Overview

The Kinetis^® KL4x MCU family combines ultra-low-power performance with a rich suite of analog, communication, timing and control peripherals (including a segment LCD controller) for applications like electronic scales, flow meters, smart meters, and thermostats.

Includes multiple flexible low-power modes, including new compute mode which reduces dynamic power by placing peripherals in an asynchronous stop mode
Features security circuitry to prevent unauthorized access to RAM and flash contents
Provides a migration path to lower and higher performance and feature integration through compatibility with other Kinetis families
Backed by robust development tools and software

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Features

Ultra-Low-Power

Next-generation 32-bit Cortex^®-M0+ core: 2x more CoreMark/mA than the closest 8/16-bit architecture.
Single-cycle fast I/O access port facilitates bit banging and software protocol emulation, maintaining an 8-bit look and feel?
Multiple, flexible low-power modes including new compute mode that reduces dynamic power by placing peripherals in an asynchronous stop mode
LPUART, SPI, I²C, ADC, DAC, LP timer and DMA support low-power mode operation without waking up the core

Memory

Up to 256 KB flash with 64-byte flash cache, up to 32 KB RAM
Security circuitry to prevent unauthorized access to RAM and flash contents
16 KB ROM and built-in bootloader simplifies the effort to program MCU and allows for easy flash upgrades

Performance

Arm^® Cortex^®-M0+ core, 48 MHz core frequency over full voltage and temperature range (-40ºC to +105ºC)
Bit manipulation engine for improved bit handling of peripheral modules
Thumb instruction set combines high code density with 32-bit performance
Up to 4-ch. DMA for peripheral and memory servicing with reduced CPU loading and faster system throughput
Independent-clocked COP guards against clock skew or code runaway for fail-safe applications

Mixed-Signal

Up to 16-bit ADC with configurable resolution, sample time and conversion speed/power
Integrated temperature sensor
Single or differential input mode operation in order to achieve improved noise rejection
High-speed comparator with internal 6-bit DAC
12-bit DAC with DMA support

Timing and Control

Two 6-ch. and one 2-ch., 16-bit low-power timer PWM modules with DMA support
2-ch. 32-bit periodic interrupt timer provides time base for RTOS task schedule or trigger source for ADC conversion
Low-power timer allows operation in all power modes except for VLLS0
Real-time clock with calendar

Human-Machine Interface

Segment LCD interface
Capacitive touch-sensing inputs support up to 16 external electrodes and DMA data transfer
GPIO with pin interrupt support, DMA request capability and other pin control options

Connectivity and Communications

USB 2.0 On-The-Go (full-speed) with integrated USB low-voltage regulator supplies up to 120 mA off-chip at 3.3 volts to power external components from 5-volts input or USB 2.0 Device (full-speed) with clock recovery feature without the need of external crystal
Two I²C with DMA support, up to 1Mbps and compatible with SMBus V2 features
One LPUART and two UART with DMA support
Two SPI with DMA support
I²S module for audio applications
FlexIO for universal or customized serial peripheral emulation
High accuracy internal clock reference to support high-performance communication