MC68030FE20C - 20MHz 32-Bit M68000 MPU | Motorola
MPN: MC68030FE20C ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $145 | $145.00 |
| 10 | $132 | $1,320.00 |
| 100 | $118 | $11,800.00 |
| 500 | $105 | $52,500.00 |
| 1,000 | $92 | $92,000.00 |
MC68030FE20C Overview
A 32-bit microprocessor (MPU) is a CPU whose internal registers, data bus, and address bus are all 32 bits wide, enabling single-cycle operations on 32-bit operands and direct addressing of up to 4 GB of physical memory. Within the broader taxonomy, an MPU sits above microcontrollers (MCUs) in compute hierarchy: MCUs integrate memory and peripherals on-chip for compact control loops, while MPUs require external memory and bus logic and target higher-performance operating-system-style workloads. The M68000 family in particular popularized a flat, linear 32-bit address space and orthogonal register model that influenced subsequent RISC and CISC designs.
Key features of the MC68030FE20C include dual on-chip caches, a six-stage instruction pipeline with parallel dispatch, full IEEE 1149.1 JTAG boundary-scan support, and a 32-bit data bus with dynamic bus sizing for 8/16/32-bit peripherals. The device is fabricated in HCMOS technology, dissipating roughly 1.5 W at 20 MHz, and supports both synchronous and asynchronous bus cycles. Burst-mode memory transfers can move up to four 32-bit words per arbitration, materially improving sustained throughput versus the MC68020.
In the system architecture, the MC68030FE20C serves as the central processing unit in VMEbus boards, Sun-3 era workstations, laser printer controllers, and aerospace/defense embedded platforms. Its integrated MMU runs the same translation tables as the MC68851, allowing existing System V Unix ports to run unmodified. Software ecosystems include pSOS, VxWorks, OS-9, and early Linux/Mach variants.
Designers should note that the ceramic CQFP132 windowed package (FE suffix) is erasable and intended for prototype development; production runs typically migrate to the RC package (plastic). Decoupling requires 0.1 uF ceramic capacitors on every Vcc pin pair, and the 20 MHz clock must meet the duty-cycle and jitter spec of 5 ns or less. The 'C' speed grade temperature range should be verified against the target environment's ambient.
This page synthesizes distributor stock, exact replacement equivalents, and application notes that complement the original Motorola datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for MC68030FE20C — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with MC68030FE20C (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Maximum Clock Frequency, Operating Voltage, Package.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MC68EC030FE20C
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC68030FE25C
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$57.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →MC68030FE16C
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC68EC030FE16C
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC68EC030FE25C
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC68030FE20C Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | M68000 (68k) |
| Core | MC68030 (second-generation 32-bit) |
| Data Bus Width | 32-bit |
| Address Bus Width | 32-bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Cache | 256 bytes |
| Data Cache | 256 bytes |
| MMU | Integrated, hardware paged |
| Package | 132-pin CQFP (ceramic, windowed) |
| Package Dimensions | 24 x 24 mm |
| Process Technology | HCMOS |
| Operating Voltage | 5 V +/- 5% |
| JTAG Support | IEEE 1149.1 boundary-scan |
| Bus Modes | Dynamic bus sizing (8/16/32-bit) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
MC68030FE20C 24 x 24 mm Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for MC68030FE20C (24 x 24 mm package). This digital IC includes GPIO, communication interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C), and power pins. Refer to the manufacturer datasheet for alternate pin functions and configuration options. Essential for embedded system design and PCB layout.
No detailed pinout data available for MC68030FE20C.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
MC68030FE20C is suitable for 7 applications: VMEbus Single-Board Computers, Laser Printer Controllers, Industrial Process Control, Aerospace and Defense Embedded Systems, Workstation and Graphics Terminals, Medical Imaging Equipment, Telecommunications Switching.
VMEbus Single-Board Computers
The MC68030FE20C's 32-bit data bus, integrated MMU, and dynamic bus sizing made it the dominant MPU for VMEbus single-board computers (SBCs) throughout the late 1980s and 1990s. Its hardware paged MMU provides the virtual-memory support required to run System V Unix, VxWorks, and pSOS real-time operating systems. The 20 MHz clock delivers 7 MIPS sustained throughput, while dual 256-byte on-chip caches reduce external memory bus traffic by 40-60% in typical interrupt-driven embedded workloads. The 132-pin CQFP package suits conduction-cooled VME backplanes. Designers should pair the part with the MC68882 FPU for floating-point workloads and the MC68450 DMA controller for high-bandwidth peripherals.
Recommended
Laser Printer Controllers
High-end laser printers in the early 1990s used the MC68030FE20C as the page-description-language interpreter (PostScript, PCL5) and engine controller. Its 32-bit address space mapped the entire frame buffer in physical memory without banking tricks, while the integrated MMU isolated interpreter tasks for fault containment. The 20 MHz clock renders 300 dpi A4 pages at approximately 8 pages per minute in software-only PostScript interpreters. The CQFP132 package's ceramic construction supports the elevated ambient temperatures inside printer enclosures. The part's deterministic bus arbitration is critical for the real-time video data path to the print engine.
Recommended
Industrial Process Control
Ruggedized industrial process controllers and DCS (Distributed Control System) nodes used the MC68030FE20C for PID loop execution and HMI rendering. The hardware MMU provides memory protection between the OS kernel and control tasks, enabling SIL-2 safety architectures when paired with watchdog timers. The 20 MHz throughput executes 32-bit floating-point PID loops at 1 kHz update rates. The ceramic CQFP package withstands the -40C to +85C industrial temperature range. The integrated dual caches eliminate external wait states for deterministic interrupt response within 200 ns. RS-232/RS-485 interfaces via the MC68681 dual UART complete the typical node design.
Recommended
Aerospace and Defense Embedded Systems
The MC68030FE20C was widely deployed in military and aerospace embedded systems including avionics mission computers, radar signal pre-processors, and flight control test equipment. Its MIL-STD-883 processing and radiation-tolerant variants (68030RCFE) supported satellite payload processing. The integrated MMU enables secure partitioned multi-level security (MILS) architectures required in red/black crypto systems. Long-term availability through Rochester Electronics supports 20-30 year defense program lifecycles. The part's deterministic interrupt latency and absence of speculative execution make it preferred over modern OoO processors for hard-real-time flight control applications.
Recommended
Workstation and Graphics Terminals
Sun-3 era workstations, NeXT computers, and high-end graphics terminals used the MC68030FE20C as the central processor running SunOS, NeXTSTEP, and custom windowing systems. The 32-bit linear address space mapped framebuffers up to 16 MB without bank switching, simplifying display driver code. The integrated MMU enables demand-paged executable loading, reducing application startup time versus the MC68020 era. The 20 MHz clock renders X11/Motif windows at acceptable frame rates for 1024x768 displays. The ceramic package's thermal characteristics suit fan-cooled workstation enclosures.
Recommended
Medical Imaging Equipment
Early MRI, CT scanner, and ultrasound image processors used the MC68030FE20C for control-plane processing while dedicated DSPs handled the signal-processing pipeline. The hardware MMU provides memory isolation between the patient-data acquisition task and the user-interface task, supporting FDA 510(k) submission requirements. The deterministic bus arbitration ensures predictable image-acquisition timing. The 20 MHz clock and 32-bit data path suffice for control-plane work; pixel data routes through dedicated high-speed frame grabbers. Long-term Rochester Electronics availability supports 15-25 year medical equipment service contracts.
Recommended
Telecommunications Switching
Central-office telecom switches and PBX systems in the early 1990s used the MC68030FE20C as the call-processing controller, handling signaling protocols like ISDN PRI and SS7. The hardware MMU enables robust process isolation between call-handling tasks, while the deterministic interrupt response supports tone generation and DTMF detection. The 20 MHz clock executes call-setup state machines within the 100 ms post-dial delay requirement. The part's long-term availability through authorized distributors supports 20+ year telecom infrastructure lifecycles still in service today.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MC68030FE20C — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MC68EC030FE20C | MC68030FE25C | MC68030FE16C | MC68EC030FE16C | MC68EC030FE25C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Package | 132-pin CQFP (24x24 mm) | 132-pin CQFP (24x24 mm) - same | 132-pin CQFP (24x24 mm) - same | 132-pin CQFP (24x24 mm) - same | 132-pin CQFP (24x24 mm) - same | 132-pin CQFP (24x24 mm) - same |
| Clock Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 25 MHz | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 25 MHz |
| MMU | Integrated (hardware paged) | Removed (embedded controller variant) | Integrated | Integrated | Removed | Removed |
| On-chip Cache | 256B I-cache + 256B D-cache | 256B I-cache + 256B D-cache | 256B I-cache + 256B D-cache | 256B I-cache + 256B D-cache | 256B I-cache + 256B D-cache | 256B I-cache + 256B D-cache |
| Data Bus Width | 32-bit (with dynamic bus sizing) | 32-bit (with dynamic bus sizing) | 32-bit (with dynamic bus sizing) | 32-bit (with dynamic bus sizing) | 32-bit (with dynamic bus sizing) | 32-bit (with dynamic bus sizing) |
| Supply Voltage | 5 V +/- 5% | 5 V +/- 5% | 5 V +/- 5% | 5 V +/- 5% | 5 V +/- 5% | 5 V +/- 5% |
| Process Technology | HCMOS | HCMOS | HCMOS | HCMOS | HCMOS | HCMOS |
| JTAG Support | IEEE 1149.1 | IEEE 1149.1 | IEEE 1149.1 | IEEE 1149.1 | IEEE 1149.1 | IEEE 1149.1 |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated hardware MMU with same translation table format as MC68851 (vs MC68EC030FE20C)
- 20 MHz clock speed balanced against power dissipation (vs MC68030FE25C)
- Dual on-chip caches versus MC68020 (vs MC68020FE16E)
Design Notes
The MC68030FE20C operates from a single 5 V +/- 5% supply and requires 0.1 uF ceramic decoupling capacitors on every Vcc/GND pin pair, plus a bulk 47-100 uF tantalum capacitor at the power connector. Power dissipation at 20 MHz is approximately 1.5 W (typical, HCMOS technology). During reset and clock-startup transients, current can spike to 600 mA, requiring the supply to source at least 800 mA sustained. Decoupling must be placed within 5 mm of each supply pin with short, wide traces.
Route the 32-bit data bus with matched trace lengths (within 25 mm on a 4-layer FR-4 PCB) to preserve dynamic bus-sizing timing margins. Place the 20 MHz clock oscillator within 50 mm of the CLK pin with a guard trace connected to ground. JTAG boundary-scan pins (TCK, TMS, TDI, TDO, TRST*) require 10 kohm pull-ups on TMS and TDI, and a pull-down on TRST*. The ceramic CQFP132 windowed package needs socketing if EPROM erasure is required during development.
Do not confuse the MC68030FE20C (132-pin CQFP, ceramic, with MMU) with the MC68030RC20C (128-pin PGA, plastic, with MMU) - the packages are NOT pin-compatible and require different PCB footprints. Do not omit the reset configuration write to the CACR (Cache Control Register) during initialization, or the on-chip caches will not function. Do not connect the address bus to 5 V tolerant logic only; the MC68030 outputs drive full CMOS levels and will interface correctly with HCT or ACT logic families.
Compliance Information
Original Motorola datasheet predates RoHS directive compliance certification; ceramic CQFP package may contain lead. Compliance status unknown - confirm with Rochester Electronics for current RoHS/REACH documentation.
