MPC8544EVTALF - PowerPC e500 MPU 667MHz 783-FCPBGA | NXP
MPN: MPC8544EVTALF ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $95 | $95.00 |
| 10 | $88 | $880.00 |
| 100 | $78.5 | $7,850.00 |
| 500 | $70 | $35,000.00 |
| 1,000 | $62 | $62,000.00 |
MPC8544EVTALF Overview
A microprocessor (MPU) is a single-chip CPU that contains the arithmetic logic unit, control unit, register file, and on-chip caches, and exposes external buses for memory and peripherals. Embedded MPUs in the PowerQUICC family target networking, telecom, and storage equipment where deterministic throughput, hardware cryptography, and packet-processing acceleration are required. The MPC85xx sits hierarchically as an embedded MPU -> communications processor -> PowerPC family -> NXP networking silicon lineage.
Key features of the MPC8544EVTALF include a 32-bit PowerPC e500 core with out-of-order issue and execution, integrated DDR/DDR2 memory controller with ECC, on-chip L1 I-cache and D-cache, four Gigabit Ethernet controllers, dual PCI/PCI-X interfaces, and hardware-accelerated signal processing (SPE) and security (SEC 2.0+) engines. It also integrates a local bus controller (LBC) for glueless connection to Flash, NAND, and SRAM.
Architecturally the device combines a high-frequency e500 core with multiple independent I/O controllers via a multi-master Coherent Bus/Processor Bus topology, allowing simultaneous traffic on Gigabit Ethernet, PCI-X, and DMA channels without starving the core. The integrated SEC engine accelerates DES/3DES/AES/SHA/RSA operations, offloading the core from crypto-intensive flows.
Typical applications include wired networking routers and switches, network-attached storage (NAS) controllers, industrial control and factory automation gateways, secure VPN/IPsec acceleration appliances, and telecom line cards. The combination of GbE ports and SEC acceleration makes it particularly well suited for IPsec/SSL VPN gateways and secure router platforms.
When designing with this part, mind the 1 mm-pitch 783-ball FCBGA land pattern, which demands multi-layer PCB stack-up with controlled-impedance routing, blind/buried vias, and a reflow profile matched to the large 29x29 mm die. Junction temperature must be computed from the published thermal resistance and worst-case application power dissipation.
This page synthesizes distributor availability, parametric drop-in alternatives, and engineering design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, giving embedded-systems teams a single source for sourcing and second-source decisions on long-lifecycle PowerQUICC designs.
Drop-in alternatives for MPC8544EVTALF — 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 MPC8544EVTALF (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Ethernet, Package, Co-Processors / DSP, Number of Cores, Series.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MPC8544EVJALFA
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MPC8544VJALFA
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MPC8544EVTANGA
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$195 / Unit
View Datasheet →MPC8544EVJAQFA
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MPC8544EVTALF Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Series | MPC85xx (PowerQUICC III) |
| Core Processor | PowerPC e500 |
| Number of Cores | 1 |
| Data Bus Width | 32-bit |
| Core Speed | 667 MHz |
| Co-Processors / DSP | Signal Processing (SPE); Security (SEC) |
| RAM Controllers | DDR, DDR2, SDRAM |
| Graphics Acceleration | No |
| Ethernet | Up to 4x Gigabit Ethernet controllers (per family datasheet) |
| PCI / PCI-X | 2x PCI / PCI-X interfaces (per family datasheet) |
| Local Bus Controller (LBC) | Yes - Flash/ NAND/ SRAM/ EPROM |
| Package | 783-FCPBGA, 29 x 29 mm, 1 mm pitch |
| RoHS Status | Lead-free BGA (per datasheet package code) |
| Architecture | RISC |
MPC8544EVTALF 783-fcpbga, 29 x 29 mm, 1 mm pitch Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for MPC8544EVTALF (783-fcpbga, 29 x 29 mm, 1 mm pitch 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 MPC8544EVTALF.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
MPC8544EVTALF is suitable for 6 applications: Wired Networking Routers and Switches, Network-Attached Storage (NAS) Controllers, Secure VPN / IPsec Gateway Appliances, Industrial Control and Factory Automation Gateways, Telecom Line Cards and Access Equipment, Single-Board Computers (SBC) for Embedded Linux.
Wired Networking Routers and Switches
The MPC8544EVTALF's quad Gigabit Ethernet controllers and hardware SEC engine make it a strong fit for managed Layer 2/3 switches and edge routers. At 667 MHz the e500 core sustains forwarding-table lookups in software while the on-die SEC accelerates IPsec/SSL flows, offloading the main thread from crypto-bound bottlenecks. The integrated DDR2 controller with ECC keeps packet buffers reliable in 24/7 carrier-class deployments, and the local bus controller glues in boot Flash and front-panel management EEPROM without external glue logic. Compared with discrete CPU + NIC designs, this single-chip integration cuts BOM cost, board area, and idle power - all critical in dense top-of-rack switching fabrics.
Recommended
Network-Attached Storage (NAS) Controllers
The MPC8544EVTALF serves as the main CPU in mid-range NAS controllers, where its DDR2 memory controller feeds a deep read/write cache and its dual PCI-X/PCI lanes attach to disk I/O controllers. The e500 core at 667 MHz runs embedded Linux with file-system stacks (ext4, btrfs) and RAID software acceleration, while the SEC engine secures SMB/NFS sessions. The local bus provides an 8/16-bit interface for legacy IDE or NAND bridging, enabling hybrid HDD/SSD designs. Compared with ARM-based NAS SoCs, the PowerPC e500 offers stronger deterministic interrupt latency, which matters for SATA/SAS hot-swap event handling in RAID rebuilds.
Recommended
Secure VPN / IPsec Gateway Appliances
The integrated SEC 2.0+ engine in the MPC8544EVTALF accelerates IPsec ESP, IKE, and SSL/TLS handshakes at line rate, offloading the e500 core so it can handle routing and policy enforcement. At 667 MHz the core sustains up to several hundred Mbps of IPsec throughput depending on cipher suite, which is well-matched to SMB site-to-site VPN appliances. The DDR2 memory controller stores IPsec SAD entries and routing tables in high-bandwidth external RAM with ECC for reliability. Compared with general-purpose x86 VPN gateways, this single-chip design reduces idle power, eliminates the need for a discrete crypto card, and simplifies thermal management in fanless desktop VPN appliances.
Recommended
Industrial Control and Factory Automation Gateways
The MPC8544EVTALF's combination of GbE, PCI-X, and LBC makes it well suited for industrial protocol gateways that bridge Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP, Profinet, and legacy fieldbus traffic. The e500 core runs real-time Linux (with PREEMPT_RT patches) for deterministic fieldbus scheduling, while the SEC engine secures Modbus TLS and OPC UA sessions. The wide operating-temperature screening implied by the 'T' suffix enables deployment in factory cabinets with -40C to +85C ambient, and the 783-FCBGA package supports the long lifecycle typical of industrial designs (10-15 years). Compared with consumer-grade x86 SBCs, the Freescale/NXP device offers longer guaranteed supply and stronger ECC memory support for 24/7 industrial operation.
Recommended
Telecom Line Cards and Access Equipment
The MPC8544EVTALF is a common CPU on telecom line cards for xDSL, GPON, and carrier Ethernet aggregation, where it terminates subscriber traffic and forwards it upstream. Its quad GbE ports provide uplink/downlink density, the SEC engine secures MACsec/PPPoE sessions, and the PCI-X bus attaches framer/DSL PHY ASICs. The DDR2 controller supports the deep packet buffers required for QoS shaping and traffic policing on aggregated DSLAM/PON links. Compared with newer multicore SoCs, the MPC8544EVTALF remains attractive for cost-sensitive legacy line-card retrofits thanks to its mature firmware ecosystem and proven interoperability with carrier-side OLT/DSLAM silicon.
Recommended
Single-Board Computers (SBC) for Embedded Linux
The MPC8544EVTALF is widely used on VME, CompactPCI, and custom SBC form factors for industrial, defense, and transportation embedded-Linux applications where PowerPC code bases and toolchains are entrenched. The 783-FCBGA fits comfortably on a 6-layer SBC with space for PMC/XMC mezzanine sites, and the LBC plus PCI-X expose ample peripheral expansion. Long-term support distributions (Yocto, Wind River VxWorks, Green Hills INTEGRITY) maintain board-support packages for the e500 core, simplifying firmware updates over the device's 10+ year deployment horizon. Compared with newer ARM64 SBCs, the PowerPC-based board ecosystem offers superior MIL-STD-1553 and ARINC 429 support for avionics and military SBCs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MPC8544EVTALF — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MPC8544EVJALFA | MPC8544VJALFA | MPC8544EVTANGA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 783-FCPBGA (29x29 mm, 1 mm pitch) | 783-FCPBGA (29x29 mm, 1 mm pitch) - same | 783-FCPBGA (29x29 mm, 1 mm pitch) - same | 783-FCPBGA (29x29 mm, 1 mm pitch) - same |
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors (formerly Freescale) | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Core | PowerPC e500 | PowerPC e500 (same die family) | PowerPC e500 (same die family) | PowerPC e500 (same die) |
| Data Bus Width | 32-bit | 32-bit | 32-bit | 32-bit |
| Co-Processors | SPE + SEC | SPE + SEC | SPE + SEC | SPE + SEC |
| RAM Controllers | DDR, DDR2, SDRAM | DDR, DDR2, SDRAM | DDR, DDR2, SDRAM | DDR, DDR2, SDRAM |
| Lifecycle | Obsolete | Obsolete (long-tail) | Obsolete (long-tail) | Obsolete (long-tail) |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated SEC + SPE hardware accelerators (vs MPC8544EVJALFA)
- Same 783-FCBGA footprint as the family (vs MPC8544VJALFA)
- Single-chip quad GbE + crypto integration (vs Discrete CPU + NIC designs)
Design Notes
The 783-FCBGA at 1 mm pitch and 29x29 mm body requires a 6+ layer PCB stack-up with matched-length traces for DDR2 source-synchronous clocks and Gigabit Ethernet GMII/RGMII. Use micro-vias (blind/buried) under the BGA escape region, and follow Freescale/NXP AN2934 routing guidelines for impedance-controlled 50 ohm SE and 100 ohm diff pairs. Confirm PCB fabrication tolerance with your board house to avoid BGA pad-to-pad shorts from registration drift.
Estimate worst-case power dissipation from Vcore x Icore at the maximum sustained e500 throughput, plus I/O bank current for Gigabit Ethernet and DDR2. Use the FCBGA theta-JA from the Freescale/NXP hardware specifications to compute junction temperature rise at your chassis' worst-case inlet air temperature. For fanless industrial designs, a 1-2 oz copper inner-plane spreader plus thermal vias under the die pad is typically required.
Do not assume MPC8544EVTALF, MPC8544EVJALFA, and MPC8544VJALFA are pin-compatible without verifying against the ordering-information table in the hardware specifications document. Suffix letters ('E' vs 'V', 'T' vs 'J') denote different speed grades, temperature grades, and feature integration levels. Always confirm SEC engine version, DDR2 bus width, and SERDES configuration before PCB rework.
Compliance Information
Lead-free FCBGA per datasheet package code 'ALF'. RoHS and REACH compliant per Freescale/NXP product page. AEC-Q100 not applicable for communications processor MPU. Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in retrieved data - set to 'unknown'.
