Implementation Outline: Using NXP FRDM MCX A & MCX N Development Kits
This post outlines the design and implementation of an adaptive environmental monitoring and smart access control system using NXP FRDM MCX A153 (central hub) and MCX N236 (edge node) development kits. The idea stemmed from a need for intelligent building automation—one that adapts to environmental changes while managing secure access. The goal was to combine adaptive monitoring and smart access control in a distributed architecture.
It is a brief outline to aid myself in what is possible for eventually implementing my idea in a spart spaces project for the challenge. I tried to cover the project’s motivation, concept-to-design progression, in-depth comparison of both development boards, development environment, possible sensor selection, and implementation outline from unboxing to integration. I will be using these forum post to construct my final Project. Hope you find this interesting and will review my project when it is submitted.
Basic Design
- Central Hub: Select the NXP FRDM MCX A153 board for its processing power and connectivity, serving as the main coordinator.
- Edge Nodes: Deploy NXP FRDM MCX N236 boards in various building zones to interface with environmental sensors.
- System Layout: Design the network such that edge nodes monitor local conditions and relay data to the central hub, which aggregates and acts on this information.
- Connectivity: UART will be used to connect the two devices.
- Sensors & Control: Choose sensors for temperature, humidity, motion, and air quality; include relays for lighting and HVAC.
Comparison: NXP FRDM MCX A153 vs. NXP FRDM MCX N236 Development Kits
Similarities
|
Feature |
FRDM MCX A153 |
FRDM MCX N236 |
|
MCU Architecture |
Arm Cortex-M33 |
Arm Cortex-M33 |
|
Debug Capability |
MCU-Link onboard debugger |
MCU-Link onboard debugger |
|
Expansion Connectors |
Arduino UNO R3 headers, mikroBUS |
Arduino UNO R3 headers, mikroBUS |
|
User Interaction |
Push buttons, RGB/power LEDs |
Push buttons, RGB/power LEDs |
|
Communication Protocols |
I2C, SPI, UART |
I2C, SPI, UART, CAN |
|
Development Environment |
MCUXpresso IDE |
MCUXpresso IDE |
|
Power Supply |
USB (Type-C or microUSB) |
USB (Type-C or microUSB) |
Both kits are designed for rapid prototyping, use the same IDE/software tools, support rich peripheral expansion, and offer plug-and-play sensor integration.
Differences
|
Feature |
FRDM MCX A153 |
FRDM MCX N236 |
|
Physical Size |
More compact |
Larger, with more densely packed features |
|
MCU Model |
MCX A153VLH |
MCXN236VDFT (TrustZone security enabled) |
|
Onboard Sensors |
None built-in |
3-axis accelerometer, visible light sensor, digital microphone |
|
Flash Memory |
Internal only |
+ 64Mbit QSPI flash onboard |
|
CAN Bus Support |
No |
Yes, with onboard CAN transceiver (TJA1057) |
|
Multimedia Hardware |
No direct support |
LCD (FlexIO), camera interface |
|
Developed Use Cases |
Low-power industrial, secure IoT hub |
Sensor-rich IoT and AI edge applications |
|
Connectivity Types |
Standard USB Type-C |
Micro USB Type-A to Type-C |
Sensors
- FRDM MCX A153:
No built-in sensors; relies on expansion via Arduino sockets, mikroBUS, or Pmod for external sensors (environmental, motion, etc.). - FRDM MCX N236:
Built-in 3-axis FXLS8974CFR3 accelerometer, visible light sensor, digital microphone, and supports sensor add-ons via headers.
Pins & Expansion
Both boards offer:
- 4x Arduino UNO R3-compatible sockets/headers for shields
- 2x mikroBUS sockets/headers for click modules
- 1x Pmod header for Digilent Pmod peripherals
- MCX N236 adds:
- FlexIO header for LCD
- Camera header for image applications
- Dedicated CAN header
Development Environment
- MCUXpresso IDE is used by both boards for firmware development, debugging, and demo application deployment.
- Both boards are detected via MCU-Link CMSIS-DAP interface.
- SDK examples and board support files are available for each.
Step-by-Step Implementation Guide
- Unbox the Kits
- Unpack both MCX A153 (hub) and MCX N236 (edge node) boards.
- Check for all necessary cables (USB Type-C, Micro USB), Quick Start Guides, and accessories.
- Inspect the Boards
- Carefully look for any bent pins or loose components.
- Identify expansion headers for sensors: Arduino R3, mikroBUS, Pmod on MCX A, sensor connectors on MCX N.
- Connect to Power
- Plug the provided cables from MCU-Link ports to your PC.
- Ensure the green power LEDs illuminate on both boards.
- Confirm your PC recognizes the debug interfaces (CMSIS-DAP/J-Link).
- Install Development Software
- Download MCUXpresso IDE from NXP.
- Install board support packages and required drivers for both boards.
- Verify Board Communication
- Open MCUXpresso IDE; verify both boards are detected under debug probes.
- Flash a basic “Hello World” or LED blink demo to confirm setup and firmware flashing.
- Connect and Test Sensors
- Attach basic sensors (temperature, humidity, light, motion) to MCX N boards per the manual.
- Use NXP’s demo applications to read sensor outputs within the IDE.
- Plan Network Architecture
- Deploy MCX A as the central hub, aggregating sensor data from MCX N nodes.
- Define connections—UART, SPI, I2C, CAN—for data movement between hub and edge nodes.
- Integrate cloud connectivity for remote monitoring/control.
- Begin Full Integration
- Start coding your building automation logic; MCX A manages central control and cloud comms.
- Edge MCX N boards handle local sensor data and respond to events.
- Continually document the process: take hardware photos, save code samples, and post regular updates to the challenge forum.
Tips:
- Seek troubleshooting help via NXP’s Quick Start Guides and community forums.
- Favor media-rich posts—photos, videos, and technical documentation—for higher challenge scores.