MPC8548EVTAVHD - PowerQUICC III 1.5GHz SoC MPU | NXP
MPN: MPC8548EVTAVHD ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $240.1 | $240.10 |
| 10 | $220 | $2,200.00 |
| 100 | $198.5 | $19,850.00 |
| 500 | $180 | $90,000.00 |
| 1,000 | $165 | $165,000.00 |
MPC8548EVTAVHD Overview
A PowerQUICC III SoC is a communications-focused microprocessor that combines a Power Architecture CPU core with integrated peripheral controllers (Gigabit Ethernet, PCI Express, Serial RapidIO, security engine) traditionally found on companion chipsets. It sits in the broader taxonomy: MPU (microprocessor unit) -> communications processor -> embedded SoC -> semiconductor. This integration targets routers, switches, base stations, and other wired/wireless infrastructure where deterministic packet handling at multi-gigabit line rates is mandatory.
Key features include hardware-accelerated security via the SEC 2.0 engine (AES, DES, 3DES, Kasumi, SHA, MD5, public-key), four GbE interfaces, two PCI Express interfaces, two Serial RapidIO ports, two 64-bit PCI/PCI-X interfaces, and an integrated DDR2 SDRAM controller with ECC supporting up to 16GB of addressable memory. Local bus and enhanced SPI/I2C provide legacy and slow-speed connectivity for boot ROM and management.
The architecture combines a Book-E hypervisor-aware MMU, 36-bit physical addressing, and a coherency fabric that ties the L1 caches (32KB I-cache and 32KB D-cache per core) with the unified 512KB on-chip L2. This makes the device capable of running embedded Linux, VxWorks, and Green Hills INTEGRITY with deterministic performance.
Typical applications include multi-service routers, edge/core networking switches, LTE/UMTS base stations, network-attached storage (NAS), industrial control with secure communications, and defense/aerospace command-and-control systems. The integrated SEC engine allows line-rate IPSec, SSL/TLS, and 3GPP confidentiality/integrity algorithms without burdening the core.
When designing with this device, plan a 4+ layer PCB with matched-impedance routing for DDR2 (50 ohm single-ended, 100 ohm differential), dedicated ground islands beneath the FCBGA, and bulk decoupling within 5mm of each voltage pin. Thermal management at full 1.5GHz with all SerDes active must include a heatsink; junction-to-ambient thermal resistance for the 783-FCBGA is approximately 14 C/W with adequate airflow.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in NXP alternatives, application references, and PCB layout notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet - a one-stop reference for hardware engineers, BOM managers, and embedded software leads sourcing the MPC8548EVTAVHD.
Drop-in alternatives for MPC8548EVTAVHD — 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 MPC8548EVTAVHD (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, Ethernet, Package, Core Architecture, PCI / PCI-X.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MPC8548VTAQGD
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$98.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →MPC8548ECVTAQGD
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$99.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →MPC8548EVTAUHD
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MPC8536CVJAULA
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
S32G254AABK0VUCR
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MPC8548EVTAVHD Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Series | PowerQUICC III |
| Core Architecture | Power Architecture e500 v2 |
| Core Count | 1 |
| Bit Width | 32-bit |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 1.5 GHz |
| Process Technology | 0.09 um CMOS |
| L1 Cache | 32 KB I-cache + 32 KB D-cache |
| L2 Cache | 512 KB unified on-chip |
| Memory Controller | 64-bit DDR2 SDRAM with ECC, up to 533 MT/s |
| Security Engine | SEC 2.0 (AES, DES, 3DES, Kasumi, SHA, MD5, public-key) |
| Ethernet | 4x Gigabit Ethernet (SGMII/RGMII/TBI/RTBI) |
| PCI Express | 2x PCIe interfaces |
| Serial RapidIO | 2x SRIO ports |
| PCI / PCI-X | 2x 64-bit PCI/PCI-X |
| Operating Supply Voltage | 1.8 V / 2.5 V / 3.3 V |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +105C |
| Package | 783-FCBGA (29x29 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Silicon Revision | R3 |
MPC8548EVTAVHD 783-fcbga (29x29 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for MPC8548EVTAVHD (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 MPC8548EVTAVHD.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
MPC8548EVTAVHD is suitable for 6 applications: Multi-Service Routers, LTE/UMTS Base Station Baseband, Network-Attached Storage (NAS), Industrial Secure Gateway, Defense Command-and-Control Systems, Edge Computing Appliances.
Multi-Service Routers
The MPC8548EVTAVHD's 1.5 GHz e500 v2 core, four Gigabit Ethernet ports, and hardware-accelerated IPSec (AES/SHA via SEC 2.0) make it ideal for enterprise and edge multi-service routers. The device terminates VPN tunnels at line rate while the CPU runs routing daemons (Quagga, Bird) and management stacks. Compared to general-purpose CPUs, the integrated GbE MACs and security engine eliminate external crypto ASICs, reducing BOM and PCB area while sustaining multi-gigabit forwarding throughput.
Recommended
LTE/UMTS Base Station Baseband
The MPC8548EVTAVHD is widely deployed in small-cell and macro-cell LTE base stations. The 1.5 GHz e500 v2 core handles PDCP/RLC layer 2 processing, while the SEC 2.0 Kasumi engine performs 3GPP confidentiality (f8) and integrity (f9) at line rate. Dual Serial RapidIO ports connect to radio units (RRH/RRU) for CPRI or OBSAI fronthaul, and the DDR2 controller with ECC provides deterministic memory bandwidth for HARQ retransmission buffers.
Recommended
Network-Attached Storage (NAS)
The MPC8548EVTAVHD's four Gigabit Ethernet ports enable link-aggregation NAS controllers delivering 4 Gbps aggregate throughput. The 64-bit DDR2 controller with ECC supports large ZFS or RAID parity caches with reliable memory operation, and the PCI Express interface connects to external SAS/SATA controllers (e.g., LSISAS2008). Linux with btrfs/ZFS or FreeNAS deployment provides enterprise file services for SMB and remote-buyer backup workloads.
Recommended
Industrial Secure Gateway
Industrial gateways require deterministic real-time performance with hardware crypto for OPC-UA, IEC 62443, and Modbus-TCP security. The MPC8548EVTAVHD's SEC 2.0 engine accelerates TLS 1.2 handshakes and AES-GCM bulk encryption, while the dual PCI Express lanes connect to industrial I/O cards. Operating temperature 0C to +105C supports enclosed cabinet deployment in factory automation and SCADA systems.
Recommended
Defense Command-and-Control Systems
The MPC8548EVTAVHD is qualified for defense applications requiring extended temperature operation and MIL-STD-810 environmental compliance. The integrated SEC engine provides FIPS 140-2 capable cryptography for tactical radios, and the dual Serial RapidIO ports enable low-latency mesh networking across battlefield nodes. The Book-E hypervisor-aware MMU supports secure partitioning of trusted and untrusted workloads on a single SoC.
Recommended
Edge Computing Appliances
Edge appliances aggregating IoT sensor data benefit from the MPC8548EVTAVHD's quad GbE and PCI Express. The 1.5 GHz core runs containerized workloads (Docker on Linux) for protocol translation (MQTT, CoAP, OPC-UA), while the SEC engine provides TLS termination for thousands of concurrent sensor sessions. Low power relative to x86 alternatives makes the device attractive for fanless edge enclosures.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MPC8548EVTAVHD — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MPC8548VTAQGD | MPC8548ECVTAQGD | MPC8548EVTAUHD | MPC8536CVJAULA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Package | 783-FCBGA (29x29 mm) | 783-FCBGA (29x29 mm) - same | 783-FCBGA (29x29 mm) - same | 783-FCBGA (29x29 mm) - same | 783-FCPBGA - same family |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 1.5 GHz | 1.0 GHz | 1.0 GHz | 1.5 GHz | 1.5 GHz |
| Core Count | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Security Engine | SEC 2.0 | SEC 2.0 | SEC (alternate) | SEC 2.0 | SEC 2.0 |
| DDR2 Controller | 64-bit with ECC | 64-bit with ECC | 64-bit with ECC | 64-bit with ECC | 64-bit DDR2 |
Key Differentiators
- Highest clock grade within the MPC8548 family (vs MPC8548VTAQGD)
- Hardware security offload (SEC 2.0) at line rate (vs General-purpose CPUs)
- Quad Gigabit Ethernet + Dual Serial RapidIO (vs MPC8536CVJAULA)
Design Notes
The 783-FCBGA (29x29 mm) package demands a high-density 4+ layer PCB with microvia stackups (e.g., 1-2-1 or 1-2-2-1). Matched-impedance routing is critical for DDR2 (50 ohm SE, 100 ohm diff), Serial RapidIO, and PCI Express (85 ohm diff). All SerDes lanes require AC-coupling capacitors within 5 mm of the BGA balls and a continuous reference ground plane beneath the entire package. Use escape routing with via-in-pad for the inner rows to maintain signal integrity.
Estimated: at 1.5 GHz core with all four SerDes active, total power dissipation approaches 8-12 W. The 783-FCBGA has theta_JA of approximately 14 C/W with 200 LFM airflow, yielding a junction-to-ambient rise of approximately 110-170 C at 10 W. A heatsink (e.g., 25x25 mm aluminum with 10 mm fin height) plus minimum 200 LFM airflow is mandatory. Do not rely on conduction cooling alone for production deployments above 5 W dissipation.
Common pitfalls include: (1) omitting the 100 ohm differential reference resistors on SerDes lanes, which causes link-training failure; (2) using incorrect DDR2 fly-by topology instead of the required T-branch for the 533 MT/s speed grade; (3) failing to initialize the I/O voltage selection via POR configuration, which can damage the device if 3.3V is applied to 1.8V-only balls; (4) ignoring the platform's e500 v2 MMU Book-E configuration, leading to Linux kernel panic on boot.
DDR2 interface length matching must follow the byte-lane rule: DQS to clock skew within +/-25 ps, DQ to DQS within +/-50 ps. Use IBIS simulation (NXP provides MPC8548 IBIS models) to validate setup/hold margins at 533 MT/s. Add series-damping resistors on heavily loaded address/command nets if reflections exceed 8% overshoot. Place VTT termination resistors (50 ohm to VDDIODDR) at the far end of each address/control fly-by branch.
Compliance Information
Specific RoHS/REACH/lead-free status was not present in the verified web data. Industrial-grade communications SoC; AEC-Q100 not applicable for non-automotive infrastructure parts. Contact NXP directly for current compliance certificates.