---
title: "NXP's MCX FRDM Board Hands-On"
description: "Check out NXP's latest microcontroller boards. These boards of their new MCX-A and MCX-N microcontrollers. The form factor is what NXP calls Freedom (FRDM.) The…"
canonical: "https://www.baldengineer.com/nxps-mcx-frdm-board-hands-on.html"
author: "James Lewis"
date: "2024-05-01T16:59:43Z"
lastmod: "2024-06-05T16:44:10Z"
categories: ["blog","element14","workbench-wednesdays","videos"]
tags: ["frdm","mcx-a","mcx-n","nxp","vs-code"]
---

# NXP's MCX FRDM Board Hands-On


Check out NXP's latest microcontroller boards. These boards of their new MCX-A and MCX-N microcontrollers. The form factor is what NXP calls Freedom (FRDM.)

The [MCX line of microcontrollers](https://www.hackster.io/news/nxp-all-purpose-mcx-a-microcontroller-and-frdm-development-boards-are-now-available-8220059968e9), each with its unique set of features, caters to a wide range of projects. The MCX-A, a general-purpose microcontroller, is ideal for entry-level projects, while the high-performance MCX-N is designed for advanced AI/machine learning tasks. NXP recently started shipping the MCX-N, adding to its versatility and appeal.

The FRDM boards, with their various connection options, provide a high level of flexibility in design. NXP's inclusion of an onboard simplifies the programming and debugging process, ensuring a smooth development experience. However, I did encounter some issues with the development environment.

The VS Code install was not smooth, and some of the examples from NXP's Application Hub would not load. The Eclipse-based MCUXpresso fared slightly better, but it refused to program the MCX-N board for some reason.

With onboard debuggers, versatile connectivity options, and an affordable price range, these boards are an exciting option for any embedded designer.

[See full post on the element14 community](https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/element14-presents/workbenchwednesdays/w/documents/71792/hands-on-with-nxp-s-mcx-frdm-boards---workbench-wednesdays-84)