FRDM-MCXC162 Development Board

Introduction

NXP Semiconductors’ FRDM-MCXC162 is a compact development board for prototyping with MCXC15 and MCXC16 microcontrollers based on the Arm Cortex-M23 core. It combines a broad selection of expansion formats with integrated programming and debug hardware, allowing a single board to support peripheral evaluation, embedded control development, and MCU bring-up.

The platform is notable for bringing Arduino, mikroBUS, Qwiic, FRDM, and Pmod expansion options together with an onboard MCU-Link debugger and high-speed USB Type-C connectivity. Its supported MCUs provide up to 64 kB of Flash and up to 12 kB of RAM, including 8 kB with ECC.

What it does

The FRDM-MCXC162 provides a hardware platform for developing applications around MCXC15 and MCXC16 devices. Access to MCU I/Os and integrated serial connectivity supports connection to external modules and interfaces, while the onboard MCU-Link debugger with CMSIS-DAP supports programming and debug workflows without requiring a separate probe.

The board exposes the MCU family’s LPLUART, LPSPI, LPI²C, DMA, and LDO capabilities. It also includes a high-speed USB Type-C connector and a separate JTAG/SWD connector for external debugging arrangements.

For interactive evaluation, the board provides an RGB user LED plus reset, ISP, and wake-up buttons. Integrated analog and motor-control features make it suitable for exploring sensing, industrial-control, and motor-control functions. Temperature-sensing development can use the supported P3T1755DP digital temperature sensor, which supports I3C/I²C-bus communication and is specified with ±0.5 °C accuracy.

Applications

• Rapid prototyping with MCXC15 or MCXC16 microcontrollers
• Evaluation of Cortex-M23 embedded-control firmware
• Sensor-interface development using I²C, I3C, SPI, or UART peripherals
• Temperature-sensing prototypes using the supported P3T1755DP sensor
• Motor-control and industrial-control development
• Expansion-module evaluation through Arduino, mikroBUS, Qwiic, FRDM, or Pmod interfaces

Design considerations

The FRDM-MCXC162 supports several expansion ecosystems, but integration should account for the specific connector and module format being used: Arduino header, FRDM header, mikroBUS, Qwiic, or the Pmod DNP interface. The board’s USB Type-C connection and onboard MCU-Link debugger provide a direct development connection, while the JTAG/SWD connector is available where an external debug interface is required.

Developers working with the supported MCUs should also consider the available memory configuration—up to 64 kB Flash and up to 12 kB RAM, with 8 kB ECC—when selecting firmware features and buffering requirements.

Availability and further information

The Mouser Electronics source link on this page provides further distributor information for the FRDM-MCXC162. Datasheet links provided on the page can be used for detailed board documentation, connector information, and MCU-specific technical references.