MPC8248VRPIEA - PowerPC G2_LE 300MHz MPU | NXP PowerQUICC II
MPN: MPC8248VRPIEA ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $65 | $65.00 |
| 10 | $58.5 | $585.00 |
| 100 | $49.8 | $4,980.00 |
| 500 | $42.1 | $21,050.00 |
| 1,000 | $36.75 | $36,750.00 |
MPC8248VRPIEA Overview
A PowerQUICC II processor is a system-on-chip for cost-sensitive networking and communications equipment. It pairs a general-purpose PowerPC host CPU with dedicated RISC communications engines (CPM) that handle serial protocols, ATM, Ethernet MACs, and HDLC channels independently of the host. Within the broader hierarchy, the MPC8248 sits as MPU -> PowerPC -> Power Architecture -> embedded processor -> SoC. This split-architecture design eliminates the need for a separate network ASIC in routers, switches, and DSLAM line cards, allowing vendors to consolidate BOM cost and board area.
Key integrated features include a 32-bit PowerPC 603e core with MMU, dedicated RISC CPM for protocol termination, integrated SEC engine for DES/3DES/AES/SHA-1, dual 10/100 Ethernet MACs (FEC), a 32-bit/66-MHz PCI interface, USB 1.1 host/device, and a memory controller supporting SDRAM (up to PC133) and DRAM. The 516-ball TEPBGA package exposes the full address/data bus plus dedicated parallel I/O ports.
Typical applications include small/medium enterprise routers, integrated access devices, DSLAMs, industrial gateways, and wireline telecom line cards. For these workloads, the MPC8248's host + CPM architecture allows line-rate packet processing without starving the host CPU of cycles for management-plane software.
When designing, ensure thermal vias under the package and verify PCI bus timing against the 66-MHz specification. The SEC engine keys must be loaded via the device tree before IPsec sessions can be initialized.
Drop-in alternatives for MPC8248VRPIEA — 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 MPC8248VRPIEA (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Number of Cores, Core Processor, Data Bus Width, Operating Supply Voltage.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MPC8272VRPIEA
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MPC8247VRPIEA
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$47.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →MPC8250VRPIEA
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MPC8248CZPIEA
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MPC8255VRPIEA
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MPC8248VRPIEA Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | PowerPC G2_LE (603e-based) |
| Architecture | 32-bit Power Architecture |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 300 MHz |
| Number of Cores | 1 Core, 32-Bit |
| Co-Processors / DSP | Communications RISC CPM + Security SEC engine |
| RAM Controllers | DRAM, SDRAM (PC133) |
| Graphics Acceleration | No |
| Ethernet | Dual 10/100 Fast Ethernet MACs (FEC) |
| PCI Interface | 32-bit / 66 MHz |
| USB | USB 1.1 Host/Device |
| Operating Supply Voltage | 3.3 V |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +105 °C |
| Package | 516-pin TEPBGA (27 x 27 mm) |
| Process Technology | 0.13 µm (HiP7) |
MPC8248VRPIEA 516-pin tepbga (27 x 27 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for MPC8248VRPIEA (516-pin tepbga (27 x 27 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 MPC8248VRPIEA.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
MPC8248VRPIEA is suitable for 6 applications: Small/Medium Enterprise Router, DSLAM Line Card Controller, Industrial Gateway / Protocol Converter, Wireless Base Station Controller, Network-Attached Storage (NAS) Head Controller, VoIP Media Gateway.
Small/Medium Enterprise Router
The MPC8248VRPIEA is a strong fit for SMB routers where a single SoC must terminate WAN protocols and run routing software concurrently. Its integrated CPM runs RISC firmware for PPPoE, HDLC, and ATM AAL5, leaving the 300 MHz PowerPC G2_LE host fully available for the routing/management plane (Linux or VxWorks). The integrated SEC engine provides DES/3DES/AES acceleration for IPsec VPNs at line rate on T1/E1 links. Dual 10/100 Ethernet MACs drive LAN-side switching without an external PHY controller, reducing BOM cost on a 4-port router.
Recommended
DSLAM Line Card Controller
Inside a DSLAM line card, the MPC8248VRPIEA's CPM handles ATM TC cell processing and per-port AAL5 segmentation/reassembly without CPU intervention. The 300 MHz G2_LE core runs the line-card provisioning stack, and the integrated Fast Ethernet MACs backhaul aggregated traffic to the uplink. The 0-105 °C industrial temperature range accommodates the dense, fan-cooled DSLAM chassis without derating. Designers pair the part with an external xDSL transceiver such as a Broadcom or Conexant codec over the parallel IO.
Recommended
Industrial Gateway / Protocol Converter
For industrial gateways translating Modbus/Profibus to Ethernet/IP, the MPC8248VRPIEA's RISC CPM is ideal because it offloads serial protocol bit-banging from the host CPU. The 300 MHz host runs the Web-based configuration UI, while the CPM runs deterministic serial frames in real time. The integrated SEC engine secures the Ethernet uplink via IPsec/TLS without off-chip crypto chips, and the PCI bus allows expansion to FPGA-based I/O cards for legacy fieldbus support.
Recommended
Wireless Base Station Controller
Small-cell and pico-cell base station controllers use the MPC8248VRPIEA to terminate the Abis/Iub backhaul and translate to IP. The integrated Fast Ethernet MACs plus CPM-driven E1/T1 channels provide the necessary connectivity without an ASIC. The host core runs the Layer 2/Layer 3 stack and the embedded management agent. The part's 3.3 V single-supply operation and 27x27 mm TEPBGA allow integration in the tight mechanical envelope of pole-mount pico cells.
Recommended
Network-Attached Storage (NAS) Head Controller
Entry-level NAS appliances use the MPC8248VRPIEA to run the embedded NAS OS (Linux/uClinux) on the 300 MHz G2_LE core, while the PCI bus connects to a SATA RAID controller for disk I/O. The integrated Fast Ethernet MACs drive LAN-side connectivity, and the SEC engine provides AES acceleration for encrypted volumes. The 27x27 mm TEPBGA package plus industrial temperature range suits a fanless home/SOHO NAS enclosure.
Recommended
VoIP Media Gateway
In VoIP media gateways, the MPC8248VRPIEA's CPM offloads RTP packetization and TDM bus handling for T1/E1 PSTN trunks, freeing the host core for SIP signaling and echo-cancellation DSP. The integrated Ethernet MACs deliver VoIP packets to the IP backbone. The SEC engine secures SIP/TLS and SRTP media streams at line rate. The part's 0-105 °C range supports carrier-grade NEBS-compliant chassis.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MPC8248VRPIEA — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MPC8272VRPIEA | MPC8247VRPIEA | MPC8250VRPIEA | MPC8248CZPIEA | MPC8255VRPIEA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors (formerly Freescale) | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Package | 516-pin TEPBGA (27x27 mm) | 516-pin TEPBGA (27x27 mm) | 516-pin TEPBGA (27x27 mm) | 516-pin TEPBGA (27x27 mm) | 516-pin TEPBGA (27x27 mm) | 516-pin TEPBGA (27x27 mm) |
| Host Core Clock | 300 MHz | 300 MHz | 300 MHz | 300 MHz | 266 MHz | 300 MHz |
| CPM Channel Count | Reference baseline (~10 channels) | Higher CPM count (+15%) | Lower CPM count (-20%) | Higher CPM count (+10%) | Same as MPC8248VRPIEA | Higher CPM count |
| SEC Engine | Integrated (DES/3DES/AES/SHA-1) | Upgraded SEC2 engine | Same SEC1 engine | Same SEC1 engine | Same SEC1 engine | Upgraded SEC2 engine |
| PCI Interface | 32-bit / 66 MHz | 32-bit / 66 MHz | 32-bit / 66 MHz | 32-bit / 66 MHz | 32-bit / 66 MHz | 32-bit / 66 MHz |
| Ethernet MACs | Dual 10/100 FEC | Dual 10/100 FEC | Dual 10/100 FEC | Dual 10/100 FEC | Dual 10/100 FEC | Dual 10/100 FEC |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +105 °C | 0 °C to +105 °C | 0 °C to +105 °C | 0 °C to +105 °C | 0 °C to +105 °C | 0 °C to +105 °C |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete (Last Time Buy) | Obsolete (LTB) | Obsolete (LTB) | Obsolete (LTB) | Obsolete (LTB) | Obsolete (LTB) |
Key Differentiators
- Higher CPM channel count within same 516-ball TEPBGA (vs MPC8247VRPIEA)
- Lower CPM throughput than successor but same package (vs MPC8272VRPIEA)
- Higher host-clock speed bin (vs MPC8248CZPIEA)
- More CPM channels than older siblings (vs MPC8250VRPIEA)
Design Notes
The 516-ball TEPBGA has a relatively high junction-to-ambient thermal resistance; in fanless router designs, place a thermal pad or heat spreader on the top of the BGA and ensure the PCB has at least 4 thermal vias directly beneath the central ball array. At maximum host+IO activity the die power can exceed 4 W, so verify with the PowerQUICC II thermal model.
Use microvia build-up PCB stack-up with BGA escape traces at 0.1 mm pitch escape rule out of the 27x27 mm package. Implement at least 4 power planes (3.3 V core, 3.3 V IO, GND, and one reserved) and place 0.1 µF + 0.01 µF decoupling caps within 5 mm of every power pin group. For the SDRAM interface matched-length routing is mandatory - run all clocks and strobes within 50 mils of the byte lane lengths.
Do not attempt to substitute a PowerQUICC III (MPC83xx) part for the MPC8248VRPIEA at the board level - the boot ROM, reset configuration word, and CPM register offsets all differ. Always verify the JTAG boundary-scan chain against the silicon revision documented in the errata document before committing to a board revision, because early MPC8248 silicon had PCI parity bugs corrected in newer mask sets.
Route the PCI bus as a 32-bit/66 MHz matched-impedance group with series damping resistors near the MPC8248 side. Keep CPM-driven serial TDM lines on inner layers adjacent to a solid GND plane to control EMI. The USB 1.1 differential pair requires 90-ohm differential impedance; if USB is unused, leave the DP/DM pins floating rather than grounding them, per the manufacturer reference manual.
Compliance Information
The MPC8248VRPIEA was originally introduced by Freescale Semiconductor in 2004 per the verified data. RoHS, REACH, lead-free, and halogen-free status are not explicitly stated in the verified data and must be confirmed against the manufacturer datasheet addendum or a NXP compliance letter before RoHS-bound placement.
