SC8544CPXAQGA - PowerQUICC III MPC8544 MPU | NXP | Industrial
MPN: SC8544CPXAQGA ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $168.47 | $168.47 |
| 2 | $168.47 | $336.94 |
| 3 | $144.74 | $434.22 |
| 10 | $149.3 | $1,493.00 |
| 100 | $149.3 | $14,930.00 |
SC8544CPXAQGA Overview
A microprocessor (MPU) is an integrated central processing unit that fetches, decodes, and executes instructions from memory and orchestrates peripherals. The MPC8544 sits in the system hierarchy as: SoC -> communications processor -> microprocessor -> integrated circuit. PowerQUICC III devices were NXP/Freescale's flagship communications processors targeting routers, switches, and embedded control planes where deterministic throughput, multi-protocol I/O, and integration density all matter.
Key features attributed to this part family include a Power Architecture e500 core, hardware acceleration blocks for encryption and pattern matching, DDR memory controllers, multiple Gigabit Ethernet MACs, and PCI Express / RapidIO serial interfaces (as documented in the MPC8544 family datasheet). The part has been observed in distributor listings at indicative unit pricing around USD 144.74 - USD 168.47 across LCSC, Rochester Electronics, FPGACenter, and YIC Electronics, reflecting its position as a long-lifecycle industrial component rather than a high-volume consumer IC.
The SC8544CPXAQGA is widely deployed in legacy router line cards, telecom backplane controller boards, and industrial switching fabrics. Its integration of multiple gigabit interfaces makes it attractive for designs where board area and BOM cost are at a premium. Designers continue to specify it today because the surrounding ecosystem - compilers, RTOS support, and reference schematics - remains mature and stable.
When designing with this part, engineers should plan around the relatively high power dissipation typical of PowerQUICC III devices and ensure the PCB thermal design delivers adequate heat spreading through the exposed thermal features of the package. Long-lifecycle procurement planning is advised because this part is approaching or has entered NRND/EOL in some channels; confirm last-time-buy status with NXP before committing to new production.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing snapshots, drop-in compatibility notes, and design-in considerations specifically for the SC8544CPXAQGA variant, which are not consolidated in any single manufacturer document.
Drop-in alternatives for SC8544CPXAQGA — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MPC8544EPXAQGA
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MPC8544VTAQGA
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MPC8544CPXAQGA
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MPC8544PXAQGA
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
SC8544CPXAQGA Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | NXP Semiconductors (Freescale) |
| Product Family | PowerQUICC III |
| Device Designation | MPC8544 |
| Part Type | Specialized IC / RISC Microprocessor (MPU) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Packaging | Bulk |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (per Rochester Electronics listing) |
SC8544CPXAQGA standard Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for SC8544CPXAQGA (standard 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 SC8544CPXAQGA.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
SC8544CPXAQGA is suitable for 7 applications: Telecom Routing Line Cards, Industrial Control Plane Boards, Network Switch Fabric Controllers, Legacy Aerospace Avionics Systems, Storage Area Network Controllers, Secure VPN Appliances, Enterprise Router Mainboards.
Telecom Routing Line Cards
The SC8544CPXAQGA's PowerQUICC III architecture delivers integrated multi-gigabit Ethernet MACs and PCI Express lanes suited to telecom routing line cards where board area is constrained. Designers using this part pair it with serial RapidIO or PCIe fabric switches to aggregate T1/E1 or Ethernet uplinks; its hardware encryption engine accelerates IPsec tunnels common in carrier-grade routers. Compared to discrete CPU plus network processor designs, this SoC reduces BOM cost by integrating both processing and switching fabric control.
Recommended
Industrial Control Plane Boards
For industrial control planes running deterministic Ethernet and proprietary fieldbus, the SC8544CPXAQGA provides the integration density needed to consolidate multiple legacy processors into one. The part's DDR memory controller and DMA engines allow deterministic latency suitable for industrial automation protocols like PROFINET or EtherCAT. Its long-lifecycle availability through Rochester Electronics supports production runs measured in decades rather than months.
Recommended
Network Switch Fabric Controllers
Layer 2/3 managed switches with high port counts use the SC8544CPXAQGA as the management and forwarding control CPU because its PowerQUICC III architecture supports PCIe and RapidIO links to switch ASICs. This eliminates a dedicated network processor; the device's multi-protocol I/O handles routing tables, ACLs, and management-plane protocols like SNMP and SSH without external acceleration. Stocking this part via Rochester Electronics ensures long-term supply for carrier-grade switches.
Recommended
Legacy Aerospace Avionics Systems
Where long-term logistics support outweighs the need for the newest silicon, the SC8544CPXAQGA via Rochester Electronics serves aerospace and defense programs originally designed around PowerQUICC III. The processor's deterministic interrupt handling and Error Correction Code (ECC) memory support meet the data integrity expectations of avionics. Engineers specify this part for retrofit and re-certification of legacy platforms where redesign is cost-prohibitive.
Recommended
Storage Area Network Controllers
The SC8544CPXAQGA's combination of PCI Express endpoints and hardware-accelerated cryptography addresses RAID controller, SAN switch, and NAS appliance architectures. Its power-efficient e500 core and integrated DMA reduce the parts count of multi-drive enclosures. Engineers value this part's longevity through Rochester Electronics for storage OEM build programs that span years.
Recommended
Secure VPN Appliances
For hardware VPN concentrators and IPsec gateways, the SC8544CPXAQGA's integrated Security Engine (SEC) offloads AES, 3DES, SHA, and public-key operations from the e500 core, freeing CPU cycles for routing logic. This hardware offload is often cited as the reason designers select this part over general-purpose microprocessors that lack crypto acceleration. Combined with multiple gigabit Ethernet interfaces, a single SC8544CPXAQGA can terminate dozens of IPsec tunnels in a compact appliance footprint.
Recommended
Enterprise Router Mainboards
Mid-range enterprise routers leverage the SC8544CPXAQGA to integrate routing, switching-control, and management-plane functions into a single SoC. Its multi-protocol support (Ethernet, PPP, HDLC, ATM) handles WAN interfaces common in branch-office routers, while the e500 core runs the routing stack (e.g., VxWorks, Linux, eCOS). Compared to multi-chip solutions, the PowerQUICC III integration reduces PCB complexity and cost-per-port significantly.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for SC8544CPXAQGA — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MPC8544EPXAQGA | MPC8544VTAQGA | MPC8544CPXAQGA | MPC8544PXAQGA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors (Freescale) | NXP Semiconductors - same | NXP Semiconductors - same | NXP Semiconductors - same | NXP Semiconductors - same |
| Package | PQ38K (KFBA) | PQ38K (KFBA) - same | PQ38K (KFBA) - same | PQ38K (KFBA) - same | PQ38K (KFBA) - same |
| Core Architecture | Power Architecture e500 | Power Architecture e500 - same | Power Architecture e500 - same | Power Architecture e500 - same | Power Architecture e500 - same |
| Packaging Type | Bulk | Bulk | Bulk | Bulk | Bulk |
| RoHS Status | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant |
Key Differentiators
- Long-lifecycle availability via Rochester Electronics (vs Newer QorIQ LS1028A)
- Integrated security engine for IPsec acceleration (vs Generic ARM-based MCU)
- Power Architecture e500 deterministic performance (vs cPCI general-purpose SBC)
Design Notes
Estimated: PowerQUICC III devices at full e500 core load with all peripherals enabled can dissipate 5-12 W depending on frequency and voltage. The PQ38K (KFBA) package uses thermal vias and a ground pad to spread heat into the PCB. Engineers should plan for copper-pour cooling across at least 1 square inch on top layer plus 0.5 square inch on the back side; larger pours are recommended if junction temperature rise must stay below 30 C at maximum ambient.
DDR interface signals (DQ, DQS, CLK, address/control) require length-matched routing within the MPC8544 datasheet tolerances, typically +/-25 mil for byte lanes. Power rails should be decoupled with high-frequency ceramic capacitors placed within 100 mil of each supply pin; bulk decoupling on the order of 47-100 uF low-ESR polymer is recommended at the regulator output. PCI Express lanes should observe 90-ohm differential impedance with reference plane continuity under the lanes.
Do not assume the SC8544CPXAQGA is fully identical to the MPC8544 prefix variant across all firmware; always match the device-tree and u-boot revision to the specific part designation. Confirm last-time-buy status with NXP through authorized distributors for new production runs, because PowerQUICC III has been progressively sunset in favor of the QorIQ and Layerscape families. Validate that the compiler, RTOS BSP, and JTAG probe you plan to use support the exact silicon revision.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance confirmed via Rochester Electronics listing on FPGACenter. Other compliance items (REACH, halogen-free) not provided in source data.
