MPC8536EAVTATHA - PowerQUICC III 1.25GHz 32-Bit MPU | NXP
MPN: MPC8536EAVTATHA ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $185.69 | $185.69 |
| 10 | $178.25 | $1,782.50 |
| 100 | $162.5 | $16,250.00 |
| 500 | $148 | $74,000.00 |
| 1,000 | $132.75 | $132,750.00 |
MPC8536EAVTATHA Overview
A microprocessor (MPU) is a single-chip CPU containing the arithmetic logic unit, control unit, registers, cache, and memory management logic that executes operating systems and application code. Within the IC hierarchy it sits above microcontrollers (which integrate peripherals on the same die) and below application processors; in networking it forms the control plane or data plane brain in routers, switches, and base stations. PowerQUICC III specifically targets embedded communications processors where deterministic I/O, encryption offload, and high-bandwidth peripheral integration matter more than raw benchmark scores.
Key features include a 32-bit e500 core at 1.25 GHz, integrated DDR2/DDR3 memory controller with ECC, dual Gigabit Ethernet with SGMII support, two SATA ports, PCI/PCIe interfaces, SDHC, USB 2.0, an integrated security engine (SEC 4.0) for cryptography, and IEEE 1588 hardware timestamping. The 783-FCPBGA package exposes a rich set of high-speed serial and parallel interfaces while supporting 1V core operation with 1.5V/1.8V/2.5V/3.3V I/O.
Architecturally the device pairs a high-performance e500 superscalar core with a high-bandwidth system bus connecting to dedicated engines for networking, DMA, encryption, and memory access. This SoC-style integration removes the need for an external northbridge, simplifying board layout and reducing bill-of-materials cost in mid-range networking designs. The included product longevity program assures a minimum 10-year supply.
Typical applications include enterprise routers and switches, network attached storage (NAS) controllers, IPTV and media gateways, industrial control and automation gateways, and secure access equipment where the integrated SEC engine offloads AES, 3DES, and hashing workloads. Designers choose this part when deterministic packet processing, hardware encryption, and a long-lived supply commitment outweigh the need for higher clock rates or newer ARM cores.
When designing with this device, allocate adequate PCB area for the 29x29 mm BGA, follow the manufacturer's thermal management guidelines for the 1V core, and verify DDR3 signal integrity with IBIS-AMI simulations before committing the layout. The security engine can be skipped via JTAG if not needed, but disabling SEC after boot removes a significant performance advantage for VPN and IPsec workloads.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, NXP/Freescale PowerQUICC III family drop-in options, and practical pin-side design notes that go beyond the manufacturer datasheet to help engineers select the right variant for long-lifecycle embedded networking designs.
Drop-in alternatives for MPC8536EAVTATHA — 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 MPC8536EAVTATHA (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Architecture, Memory Controller, Operating Temperature, Package, Operating Voltage (Core).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MPC8536EBVJATHA
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$162.99 / Unit
View Datasheet →MPC8536EAVJATHA
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MPC8536EAVTATH
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$182.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →MPC8536EAVJATH
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MPC8536EBVJATH
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MPC8548EVTAUJB
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$195 / Unit
View Datasheet →MPC8569CVJAQLJB
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MPC8536EAVTATHA Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | NXP Semiconductors (formerly Freescale) |
| Processor Type | MPC85xx PowerQUICC III, 32-Bit PowerPC e500 |
| Core Count | 1 |
| Core Frequency | 1.25 GHz |
| Core Architecture | PowerPC e500, superscalar |
| Operating Voltage (Core) | 1 V |
| I/O Voltage | 1.5V / 1.8V / 2.5V / 3.3V |
| Memory Controller | DDR2 / DDR3 with ECC |
| Ethernet | 2x Gigabit (SGMII) |
| SATA | 2x SATA (multiplexed with SGMII) |
| PCI / PCIe | PCI and PCIe interfaces |
| Storage I/O | SD / MMC (SDHC) |
| Security Engine | SEC 4.0 (AES, 3DES, hashing, RNG) |
| Hardware Timestamping | IEEE 1588 |
| Package / Case | 783-FCPBGA (29x29 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (BGA) |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +90C |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
MPC8536EAVTATHA 783-fcpbga (29x29 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for MPC8536EAVTATHA (783-fcpbga (29x29 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 MPC8536EAVTATHA.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
MPC8536EAVTATHA is suitable for 6 applications: Enterprise Router Control Plane, Network Attached Storage (NAS) Controller, Secure VPN and IPsec Gateway, Industrial Control and Automation Gateway, IPTV and Media Streaming Gateway, Telecom Base Station Control and Baseband.
Enterprise Router Control Plane
The MPC8536EAVTATHA's 1.25 GHz e500 core, DDR2/DDR3 controller with ECC, and integrated SEC 4.0 engine make it well suited for mid-range router control planes. At 1.25 GHz it sustains line-rate forwarding table updates and IPsec termination while the on-die encryption engine offloads AES-GCM and 3DES, freeing the e500 core for routing protocols like OSPF and BGP. The 783-FCPBGA exposes PCI/PCIe for attachment to a switch fabric ASIC, while dual SGMII gigabit Ethernet ports provide management and data plane uplinks without external PHYs in SGMII-attached designs. Estimated performance: at 1 Gbps encrypted throughput, the SEC engine handles the bulk of cryptographic work, leaving CPU cycles for control-plane daemons.
Recommended
Network Attached Storage (NAS) Controller
The MPC8536EAVTATHA integrates two SATA ports and dual Gigabit Ethernet, making it an efficient controller SoC for entry-level and mid-range NAS appliances. The e500 core runs filesystem and RAID management software, while the DDR2/DDR3 controller with ECC protects data integrity during heavy I/O workloads. The SEC engine accelerates encrypted volumes via AES-XTS without measurable throughput loss for typical home/SMB workloads. The 783-FCPBGA provides sufficient I/O for two SATA drives plus expansion PCIe slots. Estimated benefit: a single MPC8536EAVTATHA replaces a discrete CPU plus southbridge plus crypto chip in cost-optimized NAS designs.
Recommended
Secure VPN and IPsec Gateway
With SEC 4.0 hardware acceleration for AES, 3DES, SHA-1/256, and public-key algorithms, the MPC8536EAVTATHA sustains multi-hundred-Mbps IPsec tunnels far beyond what the e500 core alone could achieve. The integrated security engine offloads encryption handshakes, allowing the 1.25 GHz core to manage routing, NAT, and policy decisions. The device supports hardware random number generation essential for cryptographic key creation, and IEEE 1588 timestamping enables accurate logging of secure sessions. Estimated throughput: 400-600 Mbps IPsec depending on packet size and cipher selection, sufficient for branch-office VPN concentrators.
Recommended
Industrial Control and Automation Gateway
The MPC8536EAVTATHA's long product longevity (10+ years assured supply per NXP's program) and 0C to 90C operating temperature make it suitable for industrial gateways bridging Ethernet to fieldbuses. The e500 core runs deterministic control software while the integrated peripherals (PCI/PCIe, SDHC, USB 2.0, SGMII) connect to PLC backplanes, HMI panels, and sensor networks. The hardware IEEE 1588 timestamping synchronizes distributed control nodes across sub-microsecond accuracy. Estimated reliability advantage: industrial-grade supply commitment plus integrated peripherals removes the need for companion chips in hazardous-environment certified designs.
Recommended
IPTV and Media Streaming Gateway
The MPC8536EAVTATHA's processing headroom and rich I/O set enable set-top box and IPTV media gateway designs. The e500 core at 1.25 GHz handles media protocol stacks and conditional access, while the SEC engine accelerates the DRM and CAS subsystems required for premium content. Dual Gigabit Ethernet supports downstream LAN connectivity and upstream WAN trunking, and the integrated SATA interface attaches to local storage for DVR functionality. Estimated capability: suitable for SD/HD IPTV middleware with hardware-assisted CAS; 4K/UHD streaming would require a more powerful successor such as the MPC8569.
Recommended
Telecom Base Station Control and Baseband
Small-cell and pico-cell base stations benefit from the MPC8536EAVTATHA's deterministic processing, integrated SEC engine for cellular ciphering (Kasumi, Snow3G via software), and IEEE 1588 timestamping for radio network synchronization. The DDR2/DDR3 controller with ECC protects against soft errors in elevated operating temperatures typical of outdoor small-cell enclosures. The 783-FCPBGA provides abundant I/O for CPRI or SGMII links to radio units. Estimated fit: ideal for low-to-mid capacity LTE small cells where the SEC engine offloads ciphering work and the long product lifecycle supports 5-10 year carrier deployments.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MPC8536EAVTATHA — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MPC8536EBVJATHA | MPC8536EAVJATHA | MPC8536EAVTATH | MPC8536EAVJATH | MPC8536EBVJATH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 783-FCPBGA (29x29) | 783-FCPBGA (29x29) - same | 783-FCPBGA (29x29) - same | 783-FCPBGA (29x29) - same | 783-FCPBGA (29x29) - same | 783-FCPBGA (29x29) - same |
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Core Architecture | PowerPC e500, 32-bit | PowerPC e500, 32-bit - same | PowerPC e500, 32-bit - same | PowerPC e500, 32-bit - same | PowerPC e500, 32-bit - same | PowerPC e500, 32-bit - same |
| Core Frequency | 1.25 GHz | 1.25 GHz (same family) | 1.25 GHz | 1.25 GHz | 1.25 GHz | 1.25 GHz (same family) |
| Security Engine | SEC 4.0 | SEC 4.0 - same | SEC 4.0 - same | SEC 4.0 - same | SEC 4.0 - same | SEC 4.0 - same |
| DDR Controller | DDR2/DDR3 with ECC | DDR2/DDR3 with ECC - same | DDR2/DDR3 with ECC - same | DDR2/DDR3 with ECC - same | DDR2/DDR3 with ECC - same | DDR2/DDR3 with ECC - same |
| Ethernet Interfaces | 2x SGMII Gigabit | 2x SGMII Gigabit - same | 2x SGMII Gigabit - same | 2x SGMII Gigabit - same | 2x SGMII Gigabit - same | 2x SGMII Gigabit - same |
| SATA Ports | 2x SATA | 2x SATA - same | 2x SATA - same | 2x SATA - same | 2x SATA - same | 2x SATA - same |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +90C | 0C to +90C - same | 0C to +90C - same | 0C to +90C - same | 0C to +90C - same | 0C to +90C - same |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated SEC 4.0 hardware cryptography engine (vs MPC8569CVJAQLJB)
- Mature PowerQUICC III software ecosystem with 10-year longevity (vs MPC8569CVJAQLJB)
- Dual SATA plus dual Gigabit Ethernet integrated (vs MPC8548EVTAUJB)
Design Notes
The MPC8536EAVTATHA dissipates significant power at 1.25 GHz with all peripherals enabled; the 783-FCPBGA package relies on the PCB copper area and thermal vias for heat removal. Designers must follow NXP's thermal management reference design and place thermal vias directly under the package center per the hardware specifications. Estimated: a 6-layer PCB with 1-oz copper and full thermal via array under the BGA keeps junction temperatures within the 90C commercial limit; derate ambient temperature by 10C if the enclosure is sealed with no airflow.
High-speed serial interfaces (PCIe, SGMII, SATA) require controlled-impedance routing with impedance targets per the MPC8536E hardware specifications chapter. Use 85-ohm differential impedance for PCIe/SGMII and 100-ohm differential for SATA. Estimated: route high-speed traces on the top layer adjacent to a continuous ground plane; avoid layer transitions on serial pairs to minimize stubs. Place the decoupling capacitor network within 100 mils of each BGA power ball per NXP layout guidelines.
A common design pitfall is failing to properly sequence the power rails (1V core, then 1.5V/1.8V I/O, then 2.5V/3.3V I/O) at power-up, which can latch-up the device. Use a power management IC with sequenced outputs such as the NXP MC34712 or equivalent, and validate the sequence on prototype hardware with an oscilloscope before committing to production. Estimated: a 10ms delay between rail assertions is typically safe based on NXP's recommended power-up profile.
DDR3 signals are highly sensitive to skew and impedance discontinuities; engineers should run IBIS-AMI simulations before fab to validate the layout. The DDR3 controller supports fly-by topology but requires termination tuning per the NXP reference design. Estimated: target a 40-ohm impedance for single-ended DDR3 traces with 80-ohm differential for DQS pairs; place VTT termination at the far end of the address/command bus.
The 783-FCPBGA has a 1 mm pitch which demands microvia stackups for breakout routing; a 6-layer board with sequential lamination is the minimum recommended stackup. Avoid routing signals between BGA balls in the inner rows; use the inner BGA rows for power/ground vias only. Estimated: a 6-layer stackup (sig/gnd/pwr/sig/sig/gnd) supports full breakout with two signal traces between balls on outer layers.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per NXP/Freescale product documentation. AEC-Q100 not applicable - this is an embedded networking MPU, not an automotive-qualified IC. Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in verified web data; consult NXP's material declaration for confirmation. Part is included in NXP's product longevity program with 10+ year assured supply.