MPC8248CVRTIEA - PowerQUICC II 400MHz 760MIPS MPU | NXP
MPN: MPC8248CVRTIEA ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $65 | $65.00 |
| 10 | $58.5 | $585.00 |
| 100 | $51 | $5,100.00 |
| 500 | $44.5 | $22,250.00 |
| 1,000 | $39 | $39,000.00 |
MPC8248CVRTIEA Overview
A PowerQUICC II processor is a 32-bit integrated communications processor that combines a PowerPC core with a dedicated communications processor module, designed for routers, switches, and embedded systems. The PowerQUICC II family sits within the broader hierarchy of PowerPC microprocessors -> RISC microprocessors -> embedded microprocessors -> system-on-chip processors, originally pioneered by Motorola and continued by Freescale and NXP. PowerQUICC II extended the original PowerQUICC architecture with deeper pipelines (G2_LE core) and integrated security engines, enabling line-rate encryption for VPN, IPSec, and secure VoIP gateways.
Key features of the MPC8248 include a CPU core operating at 400 MHz (760 MIPS at 2.0 V core), a 100 MHz system bus with 64-bit data width, integrated DDR memory controller, PCI interface, Fast Ethernet MAC, and a flexible CPM with multiple serial protocols. The 'VRTIEA' suffix denotes a 400 MHz CPU speed grade, operating temperature range of -40C to +85C (industrial), and HiP7 0.13-micron process. Hardware security acceleration is provided through the integrated SEC (Security Engine) supporting DES, 3DES, AES, and SHA algorithms, making it suitable for VPN and secure routing.
Architecturally, the MPC8248 employs separate instruction and data MMU units with 32-entry TLBs, dual on-chip 16K/16K Level-1 caches, and a high-bandwidth 60x bus interface. The CPM offloads serial communication handling (up to 3 fast Ethernet ports, HDLC/PPP, ATM, USB, I2C, SPI) from the core, freeing the PowerPC for routing, QoS, and security tasks. The integrated security engine accelerates cryptographic operations in hardware, an early example of dedicated crypto silicon in embedded networking processors.
Typical applications include small/medium enterprise routers, VPN gateways, DSLAM line cards, industrial Ethernet switches, and secure communications equipment. Designers choose the MPC8248 when deterministic wire-speed throughput, integrated security, and a mature PowerPC toolchain matter more than raw single-thread performance.
When designing with this part, ensure proper PowerQUICC II reference board schematics are followed for the 60x bus termination and DDR clock distribution; the 27x27 mm PBGA requires 8-layer PCB with controlled impedance. Engineering samples and reference designs from the Freescale/NXP PowerQUICC II BSP accelerate bring-up.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing from DigiKey and Mouser, PowerQUICC II family pin-compatible alternatives, and practical design notes not found on a single manufacturer or distributor page.
Drop-in alternatives for MPC8248CVRTIEA — 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 MPC8248CVRTIEA (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, Package, Performance, Process Technology, Number of Cores.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MPC8272CVRMIBA
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$62.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →MPC8247CVRTIEA
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MPC8271CVRPIEA
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$65 / Unit
View Datasheet →MPC8248VRPIEA
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$36.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →MPC8248CVRTIEA
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$39 / Unit
View Datasheet →MPC8248CVRTIEA Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | NXP Semiconductors (formerly Freescale) |
| Series | PowerQUICC II |
| Core Processor | PowerPC G2_LE |
| Core Architecture | Power Architecture, 32-bit |
| Number of Cores | 1 |
| Core Speed | 400 MHz |
| Performance | 760 MIPS |
| Package | 516-BPBGA (27x27 mm) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Bus Speed | 100 MHz (60x bus) |
| Data Bus Width | 64-bit |
| Process Technology | 0.13 um HiP7 CMOS |
| Supply Voltage - Core | 1.8 V to 2.0 V |
| Supply Voltage - I/O | 3.3 V |
| Integrated Security | SEC engine (DES, 3DES, AES, SHA) |
| Memory Controller | DDR SDRAM, 32-bit |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Security Engine | Yes (hardware SEC) |
| CPM Serial Protocols | Fast Ethernet, HDLC, ATM, USB, I2C, SPI |
MPC8248CVRTIEA 516-bpbga (27x27 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for MPC8248CVRTIEA (516-bpbga (27x27 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 MPC8248CVRTIEA.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
MPC8248CVRTIEA is suitable for 7 applications: Small/Medium Enterprise Router, VPN / Secure Communications Gateway, DSLAM Line Card Processor, Industrial Ethernet Switch / Router, Network Attached Storage Controller, Embedded Industrial Control Platform, Legacy Telecom Base Station Controller.
Small/Medium Enterprise Router
The MPC8248CVRTIEA is well suited for SME routers requiring wire-speed packet forwarding with hardware-accelerated IPSec VPN. At 400 MHz (760 MIPS), the G2_LE core plus integrated SEC engine can sustain several hundred Mbps of encrypted throughput, well above T1/E1 WAN rates typical of branch-office routers. Its DDR memory controller and dual Fast Ethernet MACs handle WAN/LAN routing with QoS queueing, while the CPM offloads HDLC/PPP framing for legacy serial uplinks. Reference designs in the NXP PowerQUICC II BSP accelerate board bring-up and Linux BSP porting.
Recommended
VPN / Secure Communications Gateway
The MPC8248CVRTIEA's integrated SEC engine supports DES, 3DES, AES-128/192/256, SHA-1 and MD5 in hardware, making it ideal for VPN gateways, IPSec concentrators, and secure VoIP appliances. Hardware crypto offload frees the PowerPC core from bit-twiddling, allowing 200+ Mbps of AES-encrypted throughput even at 400 MHz. The CPM provides multiple fast serial channels for high-availability WAN links. Designed-in with NXP's BSDL files and reference firmware, security-certified VPN appliances based on PowerQUICC II are common in industrial and defense installations.
Recommended
DSLAM Line Card Processor
In DSLAM (Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer) line cards, the MPC8248CVRTIEA aggregates traffic from many ADSL/VDSL channels while performing encryption, traffic shaping, and ATM-to-Ethernet conversion. The integrated ATM and HDLC support in the CPM efficiently handles legacy DSL link-layer framing without consuming core CPU cycles. With 64-bit/100 MHz 60x bus, the MPU can read/write aggregated traffic to shared DDR with headroom for QoS and per-VC queuing. Industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C) handles the controlled-environment telecom equipment room without additional thermal conditioning.
Recommended
Industrial Ethernet Switch / Router
Factory-floor Ethernet switches benefit from the MPC8248CVRTIEA's combination of dual Fast Ethernet MACs, hardware QoS queueing in the CPM, and the industrial -40C to +85C temperature range. The PowerPC core runs deterministic real-time packet processing while the CPM manages PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, and Modbus TCP traffic simultaneously. The integrated DDR controller pairs with industrial-grade DDR-333 memory for robust operation under EMI and voltage transients typical in motor-control cabinets.
Recommended
Network Attached Storage Controller
NAS controllers and small business storage servers benefit from the MPC8248CVRTIEA's integrated PCI, Fast Ethernet, and DDR memory interfaces combined with the PowerPC software ecosystem. Operating systems like VxWorks, Linux 2.6, and embedded BSD derivatives run mature file-system stacks (ext3, JFFS2, NFS) on the G2_LE core. Hardware SEC accelerates encrypted file-system reads/writes for IP-SAN appliances. PowerQUICC II reference designs include SATA expansion bridges via PCI, allowing compact SOHO/SMB storage designs.
Recommended
Embedded Industrial Control Platform
Industrial control gateways and programmable automation controllers (PACs) benefit from the MPC8248CVRTIEA's combination of robust industrial temperature support, mature Linux/VxWorks BSPs, and rich peripheral mix. The PowerPC core runs deterministic real-time logic for PLC sequencing while the CPM manages serial fieldbus protocols (Modbus RTU, Profibus, CAN). Industrial-grade DDR support and wide input voltage tolerance make it deployable in motor cabinets and outdoor control enclosures with minimal external power conditioning.
Recommended
Legacy Telecom Base Station Controller
The MPC8248CVRTIEA's ATM and HDLC peripherals in the CPM make it a natural fit for legacy 2G/3G base station controllers and pico-cell BSC routers. The G2_LE core runs Layer-2/Layer-3 packet processing while the CPM terminates Abis/Iub framing. Hardware AES offload secures backhaul links. Although newer LTE designs have moved to QorIQ, the PowerQUICC II family remains active in sustaining installations and replacement-part channels through NXP's long-term support programs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MPC8248CVRTIEA — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MPC8272CVRMIBA | MPC8247CVRTIEA | MPC8271CVRPIEA | MPC8248VRPIEA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Package | 516-PBGA (27x27 mm) | 516-PBGA (27x27 mm) - same | 516-PBGA (27x27 mm) - same | 516-PBGA (27x27 mm) - same | 516-PBGA (27x27 mm) - same |
| Core Speed | 400 MHz | 266 MHz | 400 MHz | 450 MHz | 400 MHz |
| Process Technology | 0.13 um HiP7 | 0.13 um HiP7 | 0.13 um HiP7 | 0.13 um HiP7 | 0.13 um HiP7 |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | 0C to +85C |
| SEC Hardware Encryption | Yes (DES/3DES/AES/SHA) | Yes | Yes (lower throughput) | Yes | Yes |
| Bus Speed | 100 MHz | 83 MHz | 100 MHz | 100 MHz | 100 MHz |
| Lifecycle Status | EOL (per NXP) | EOL - last time buy | EOL | EOL | EOL |
| Pin-to-pin Compatible | Yes (this MPN) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated SEC hardware crypto engine at this speed grade (vs MPC8245ARZU400D)
- Industrial -40C to +85C temperature range (vs MPC8248VRPIEA)
- HiP7 0.13-um process with low power (vs MPC8272CVRMIBA)
- Mature PowerQUICC II BSP and Linux support (vs Generic ARM Cortex-A MPU)
Design Notes
The 516-ball PBGA at 1.0 mm pitch requires an 8-layer PCB with matched-impedance (50 ohm single-ended) routing for the 60x bus and DDR signals per the NXP reference design stackup. Use the BSDL/IBIS models from the NXP PowerQUICC II BSP to validate signal integrity pre-layout. Decoupling: place 100 nF X7R caps adjacent to each VDD/VSS ball pair, plus 10 uF bulk tantalums within 1 inch. Heat dissipation through the thermal land pattern is critical - use 4 thermal vias per land under the central balls.
The MPC8248 requires three separate rails - 1.8 V-2.0 V core, 3.3 V I/O, and a 2.5 V reference. Power-on reset sequencing per the datasheet mandates VDD core before VDD I/O, with a 100 ms minimum delay between rails. Use a TPS65200 or equivalent multi-rail PMIC; an inrush-controlled soft-start prevents latch-up during hot-plug. Estimated: at 400 MHz with SEC active, total power is approximately 3-4 W - design for 5 W worst-case thermal dissipation at 70C ambient.
Do not confuse the MPC8248 (single G2_LE core) with the dual-core MPC8272 family - the boot ROM, reset configuration words, and CPM base addresses differ. Also note that 'VRTIEA' vs 'VRPIEA' differs only in temperature grade; firmware behavior is identical but customers often misorder when refactoring. Verify BSDL boundary-scan vectors against your specific speed-grade datasheet before production test programming. The DDR controller requires level-shifted 2.5 V SSTL-compatible DIMMs - do not substitute 3.3 V LVTTL SDRAM modules.
At full 400 MHz operation with SEC + dual Ethernet active, junction temperature can reach 95-105C in a sealed enclosure. Use a thermal interface material (TIM) between the package and a heatsink; PBGA packages rely on the PCB copper plane for thermal relief. Estimated: theta-JA on a standard 4-layer JEDEC board is 15 C/W, giving roughly 60C rise at 4 W. Provide forced-air cooling or thermal pad contact for chassis-mounted designs above 70C ambient.
The 100 MHz 64-bit 60x bus couples strongly with adjacent DDR signals - keep 60x traces on dedicated inner layers and maintain a continuous ground reference plane beneath. Series-stamp source termination (22-33 ohm) on 60x data/address lines improves setup/hold margins at the 100 MHz target. For the PCI interface, follow the 3.3 V, 33/66 MHz PCI Local Bus specification for trace length matching; maximum stub length is 1.5 inches. Use the IBIS model from the NXP PowerQUICC II BSP for simulation.
Compliance Information
RoHS/REACH/lead-free status not stated in the searched distributor listings. Per NXP legacy PowerQUICC II labeling, most 2008+ production runs were lead-free/RoHS compliant - request a Pb-free declaration from your distributor before shipping to EU markets.
