MPC8548CPXAQGB - 1.0GHz PowerQUICC III MPU 783-FCBGA | NXP
MPN: MPC8548CPXAQGB ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $171.21 | $171.21 |
| 10 | $158.4 | $1,584.00 |
| 100 | $142.75 | $14,275.00 |
| 500 | $128.3 | $64,150.00 |
| 1,000 | $115.85 | $115,850.00 |
MPC8548CPXAQGB Overview
Background: A PowerQUICC III MPU is a high-performance communications processor that evolved from Freescale's (now NXP's) PowerQUICC II family. It typically integrates an e500 PowerPC core with a system interface unit (SIU), a high-bandwidth DDR memory controller, multiple Gigabit Ethernet controllers, PCI/PCI-X interfaces, and a QUICC Engine communications acceleration block. PowerQUICC III processors are used as embedded SoCs in routers, switches, line cards, and base stations where deterministic packet processing is required alongside general-purpose control code.
Key features include the PowerPC e500 core with double-precision FPU, hardware MMU for virtual memory, up to 1.0 GHz core clock, integrated DDR1/DDR2 memory controller, multiple 10/100/1000 Ethernet MACs, PCI and PCI-X controllers, a QUICC Engine for TDM/HDLC/UART/I2C/SPI peripherals, and on-chip 256 KB L2 cache. A local bus controller and a four-channel DMA engine further offload the CPU for data-mover and protocol-processing tasks.
The architecture is a coherent SMP-capable core (single-core instantiation here) connected via a CoreNet platform fabric to memory and I/O. Built on a 90 nm CMOS process, the device supports JTAG 1149.1 boundary-scan, on-chip debug with watchpoints, and a thermal sensor for thermal management. The integrated peripherals reduce the external ASIC bill of materials versus discrete CPU-plus-ASSP designs.
Typical applications include enterprise and edge routers, multi-service switches, line cards for ATCA/AMC platforms, wireless base station controllers, industrial control SoCs, and secure networking appliances. It is also used in long-life-cycle telecom equipment where extended temperature and ten-plus-year supply continuity are required.
When designing with this part, allocate adequate power-supply decoupling on all voltage rails and provide a thermal solution sized for worst-case junction temperature. PCB layout must follow the FCBGA escape pattern; a 12-layer or 14-layer stackup is typical. Boot configuration is read from reset, so board pull-ups/downs must match the firmware's expectations.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, parametric drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes that complement the manufacturer datasheet for engineers selecting or replacing this PowerQUICC III MPU.
Drop-in alternatives for MPC8548CPXAQGB — 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 MPC8548CPXAQGB (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Mounting Type, Memory Controller, Package / Case, Processor Series.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MPC8548PXAQGB
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$198 / Unit
View Datasheet →MPC8548EPXAQGB
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MPC8548CPXAQGB Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Processor Series | PowerQUICC III (MPC85xx) |
| Core Architecture | PowerPC e500 |
| Number of Cores | 1 |
| Data Bus Width | 32-bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 1.0 GHz |
| Core Voltage | 1.1 V |
| Package | 783-FCBGA (29x29 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Memory Controller | Integrated DDR1/DDR2 (per family datasheet) |
| QUICC Engine | Yes (per family; configuration depends on device variant) |
MPC8548CPXAQGB 783-fcbga (29x29 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for MPC8548CPXAQGB (783-fcbga (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 MPC8548CPXAQGB.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
MPC8548CPXAQGB is suitable for 6 applications: Enterprise and Edge Routers, Multi-Service Switch Line Cards, Wireless Base Station Controllers, Industrial Control SoC, Secure Networking Appliances, Long-Life Telecom Equipment.
Enterprise and Edge Routers
The MPC8548CPXAQGB's integrated multiple Gigabit Ethernet MACs and PCI/PCI-X controllers let it act as the main CPU + datapath engine on router mainboards and edge platforms. The 1.0 GHz PowerPC e500 core plus QUICC Engine provides wire-speed handling of routing tables, ACL lookups, and IPsec offload. Placed at the heart of the chassis backplane, it eliminates an external switch ASIC for small-port-count designs. Power dissipation at full e500 activity is well within the FCBGA thermal envelope when paired with a properly sized copper heat-spreader and chassis airflow, making it a strong fit for sustained 24/7 enterprise routing workloads.
Recommended
Multi-Service Switch Line Cards
On ATCA/AMC line cards, the MPC8548CPXAQGB's local bus and DMA engines handle cell/frame traffic to fabric switches while the e500 core runs the switch control plane. Its 32-bit data path and 1.0 GHz core clock give enough headroom for OAM, LLDP, and switching-protocol stacks without external coprocessors. The 783-FCBGA package supports the dense board escape required behind high-density SFP+ cages. Compared with a discrete CPU+ASIC design, integrating CPU and QUICC Engine cuts BOM cost and simplifies firmware bring-up in long-life telecom platforms.
Recommended
Wireless Base Station Controllers
Base station controllers benefit from the MPC8548CPXAQGB's deterministic QUICC Engine channels for T1/E1 backhaul and CPRI-side control traffic, while the e500 core runs the L2/L3 stack. The integrated DDR2 controller with ECC protects against soft errors common in outdoor RF environments. Multiple Ethernet MACs aggregate to the backhaul IP transport network. The mature NXP BSP and VxWorks support reduce development risk for carriers requiring long-life firmware maintenance, and the 783-FCBGA thermal envelope is acceptable in sealed outdoor enclosures with conduction cooling.
Recommended
Industrial Control SoC
Factory automation line controllers and SCADA masters use the MPC8548CPXAQGB as a deterministic compute platform for EtherCAT, Modbus/TCP, and PROFINET traffic. The e500's hardware MMU supports full Linux with real-time patches, while the QUICC Engine handles legacy serial and fieldbus channels. Industrial-grade temperature variants extend deployment to cabinet and outdoor enclosures. Long-term NXP supply continuity (the platform has been in production for over a decade) matches the 10-15 year service life expected by industrial OEMs.
Recommended
Secure Networking Appliances
Firewall, VPN, and intrusion-prevention appliances run the e500 core at 1.0 GHz with the integrated IPsec/SEC accelerator (present in the MPC8548 family) for line-rate cryptographic operations. The DDR2 controller with ECC supports tamper-resistant memory layouts, and the integrated Ethernet MACs aggregate multiple WAN/LAN ports without an external PHY management CPU. Pin-compatible family members let designers swap to higher-speed variants in the same 783-FCBGA footprint to scale throughput across product SKUs.
Recommended
Long-Life Telecom Equipment
Telecom OEMs with field-deployed central-office equipment use the MPC8548CPXAQGB precisely because of its mature silicon revision, stable firmware BSPs, and 10+ year NXP supply commitment. The e500 core with MMU supports legacy VxWorks 6.x and Linux 4.x stacks without re-validation, and the 783-FCBGA footprint enables drop-in sourcing between qualified suppliers. Operating with a controlled thermal environment per NXP hardware specifications, the part achieves the MTBF targets required for carrier-grade five-9s availability contracts.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MPC8548CPXAQGB — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MPC8548PXAQGB | MPC8548EPXAQGB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Package | 783-FCBGA (29x29) | 783-FCBGA (29x29) - same | 783-FCBGA (29x29) - same |
| Core | PowerPC e500 | PowerPC e500 | PowerPC e500 |
| Max Clock Speed | 1.0 GHz | 1.0 GHz | 1.0 GHz |
| Core Voltage | 1.1 V | 1.1 V | 1.1 V |
| Silicon Revision Code | C | P (different errata set) | E (extended temperature) |
Key Differentiators
- Mature PowerQUICC III silicon revision (vs MPC8548PXAQGB)
- Standard temperature grade option (vs MPC8548EPXAQGB)
- Broad second-source catalog availability (vs Single-supplier single-revision designs)
Design Notes
The 783-FCBGA package dissipates up to several watts under full e500 core load plus active I/O. Use a copper heat-spreader on the top of the BGA or a thermal pad interface to the enclosure chassis. Estimate: at 1 GHz with 1.1 V core, the CPU block alone can exceed 5 W; budget 10 W worst-case for board-level thermal design and keep junction below 105 C for industrial-grade parts.
Route the DDR2 controller data/byte-lane group traces with matched lengths to within +/- 25 mil and a 50 ohm controlled impedance per the NXP hardware reference manual. The 783-FCBGA package demands a 12- to 14-layer PCB with dedicated ground planes between signal layers. Place all decoupling caps within 100 mil of their respective power/ground pin pairs to suppress simultaneous switching noise on the QUICC Engine and Ethernet I/O.
Power-on sequencing matters: bring the 1.1 V core rail up before the 1.5/1.8 V DDR rail and the 2.5 V/3.3 V I/O rails, otherwise the device can latch-up or trigger a brown-out reset. Use a power-supply sequencer or dedicated supervisor IC. Place a 22 uF bulk cap plus 0.1 uF, 10 nF, and 100 pF decoupling caps at every voltage pin pair, following the reference schematic in the NXP MPC8548 hardware specifications.
Boot configuration is sampled from board pull-ups/downs at PORESET release - a wrong cfg word will leave the e500 core stuck in reset or boot from the wrong interface. Verify all cfg pins before first power-up using the boot chapter of the hardware reference manual. Also confirm the JTAG chain order and TRST pull-down when using an external emulator for CodeWarrior TAP debug.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free status must be verified per specific lot/lead-finish code via the manufacturer certificate of conformance. The 'GB' suffix in the MPN typically indicates a lead-free package per NXP ordering information, but distributor listings did not explicitly confirm RoHS in captured data.