SPC8548VTAUJB - PowerPC e500 MPU 1.333GHz 783-FCBGA | NXP
MPN: SPC8548VTAUJB ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $285 | $285.00 |
| 10 | $268.5 | $2,685.00 |
| 100 | $245 | $24,500.00 |
| 500 | $225 | $112,500.00 |
| 1,000 | $210 | $210,000.00 |
SPC8548VTAUJB Overview
A PowerQUICC III / PowerPC e500 microprocessor is a 32-bit RISC communications processor designed for embedded applications that require deterministic performance, hardware-accelerated networking, and tight integration of CPU cores, memory controllers, and serial I/O. PowerPC e500 family parts sit within the broader taxonomy of embedded microprocessors (MPU), then CPUs, then microprocessors and SoCs, then the wider semiconductor device family. These processors target line cards, base stations, routers, secure gateways, and other systems where integration reduces BOM and accelerates time-to-market.
The SPC8548VTAUJB is targeted at PowerQUICC III applications including enterprise routers, DSLAM line cards, control-plane processing in base stations, and factory-floor Ethernet switching. NXP/Freescale's PowerQUICC architecture provides a well-known programming model with broad support in Linux, VxWorks, and other RTOS ecosystems, plus a mature toolchain and reference designs. Compared with discrete CPU-plus-ASIC approaches, integrating the e500 core, memory controller, and I/O on one die reduces board complexity and improves reliability.
Typical applications include telecom line cards, edge routers, secure gateways, industrial control, and storage controllers. In each, the e500 core handles control-plane code while integrated peripherals accelerate DMA, PCI Express, Gigabit Ethernet, and security offload. Design engineers should size the thermal solution based on the worst-case VIN/VOUT/load envelope and follow NXP layout guides for FCBGA substrate escape and power-plane stitching.
Drop-in alternatives for SPC8548VTAUJB — 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 SPC8548VTAUJB (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Architecture, Lead-Free, RoHS Status, Series.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MPC8548VTAUJB
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MPC8548VTAUJD
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MPC8548EVTAUJB
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$195 / Unit
View Datasheet →MPC8548ECVJAUJD
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MPC8543VJANGD
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
SPC8548VTAUJB Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | NXP Semiconductors (formerly Freescale) |
| MPN | SPC8548VTAUJB |
| Core Architecture | PowerPC e500 (32-bit) |
| Core Count | 1 |
| Maximum Core Frequency | 1.333 GHz |
| L1 Instruction Cache | 32 KB |
| L1 Data Cache | 32 KB |
| Memory Controller | DDR/DDR2 (64-bit) |
| Package | 783-FCBGA (29x29 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (Pb-Free per part number suffix) |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
| Family | PowerQUICC III |
| Series | SPC8548 |
SPC8548VTAUJB 783-fcbga (29x29 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for SPC8548VTAUJB (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 SPC8548VTAUJB.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
SPC8548VTAUJB is suitable for 6 applications: Telecom Line-Card Design, Edge Router Aggregation, Base Station Control Plane, Industrial Ethernet Switch, Secure Gateway / Firewall Appliance, Storage Controller (NAS/SAN).
Telecom Line-Card Design
The SPC8548VTAUJB's 1.333 GHz e500 core and integrated DDR controller make it ideal for telecom line-card designs where control-plane forwarding, QoS classification, and DMA must operate deterministically. Per NXP PowerQUICC III reference designs, the part aggregates multi-gigabit Ethernet flows and manages routing tables without requiring an external NPU, reducing BOM cost on DSLAM and edge-router line cards. The 783-FCBGA supports the dense PCB escape needed for high-speed SerDes lanes. The SPC8548VTAUJB runs VxWorks and Linux BSPs that telecom software stacks rely on, making it drop-in suitable for brownfield upgrades.
Recommended
Edge Router Aggregation
Edge routers aggregate multiple access links onto uplinks, and the SPC8548VTAUJB fits this role with its 1.333 GHz e500 core, hardware-accelerated DMA, and integrated Gigabit Ethernet MACs. NXP's PowerQUICC III reference design demonstrates multi-port Gigabit routing with PCI Express fan-out to switch fabric ASICs. The part's deterministic interrupt latency and Linux BSP make it suitable for routing daemons such as Quagga or FRRouting. Its 783-FCBGA package enables compact router line cards with high-density signal escape for backplane connectivity.
Recommended
Base Station Control Plane
Cellular base stations split processing between real-time PHY on DSP/FPGA and control-plane logic on an MPU; the SPC8548VTAUJB targets this latter role. The e500 core at 1.333 GHz handles OAM, SON, and backhaul coordination while the integrated peripherals handle Ethernet and CPRI sideband channels. Per NXP application notes, PowerQUICC III devices are deployed in LTE and small-cell base stations with mature VxWorks and Linux support. The FCBGA substrate supports the controlled-impedance layout required for backhaul SerDes links.
Recommended
Industrial Ethernet Switch
Industrial switches require deterministic forwarding and extended temperature operation; the SPC8548VTAUJB's e500 core delivers the throughput for Layer 2/3 switching and management-plane logic. Its integrated Gigabit Ethernet MACs and PCI Express ports allow direct attachment to managed switch ASICs without external glue logic. NXP's industrial networking BSPs include PTP/1588 and PROFINET support, enabling time-sensitive networking on factory floors. The 783-FCBGA package is suited to industrial chassis with front-panel high-density I/O.
Recommended
Secure Gateway / Firewall Appliance
Secure gateways terminate VPN tunnels, run IPSec/TLS, and filter traffic at line rate; the SPC8548VTAUJB fits small-to-mid-range gateways where dedicated NPUs are uneconomical. The e500 core runs openssl and Linux IPsec stacks, and integrated security accelerators offload common algorithms. NXP's PowerQUICC III reference design provides example schematics for tamper-detection, secure-boot, and hardware random number generation. The 783-FCBGA enables compact gateway enclosures with adequate PCB escape for multi-Gigabit Ethernet.
Recommended
Storage Controller (NAS/SAN)
Storage controllers in entry-level NAS or SAN appliances use embedded MPUs like the SPC8548VTAUJB to manage RAID, file systems, and iSCSI/FC targets. The 1.333 GHz e500 core handles metadata operations and protocol stacks, while integrated SATA and PCI Express interfaces attach directly to disk controllers. NXP's BSPs include ZFS and Linux MD support suitable for software-RAID deployments. The 783-FCBGA is ideal for dense backplane designs with multiple SAS/SATA lanes escaping the BGA.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for SPC8548VTAUJB — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MPC8548VTAUJB | MPC8548VTAUJD | MPC8548EVTAUJB | MPC8548ECVJAUJD | MPC8543VJANGD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Package | 783-FCBGA (29x29) | 783-FCBGA (29x29) - same | 783-FCBGA (29x29) - same | 783-FCBGA (29x29) - same | 783-FCBGA (29x29) - same | 783-FCBGA (29x29) - same |
| Core Architecture | PowerPC e500 (32-bit) | PowerPC e500 (32-bit) | PowerPC e500 (32-bit) | PowerPC e500 (32-bit) | PowerPC e500 (32-bit) | PowerPC e500 (32-bit) |
| Core Count | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Memory Controller | DDR/DDR2 (64-bit) | DDR/DDR2 (64-bit) | DDR/DDR2 (64-bit) | DDR/DDR2 (64-bit) | DDR/DDR2 (64-bit) | DDR/DDR2 (64-bit) |
| RoHS / Lead-Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND |
Key Differentiators
- 1.333 GHz maximum core frequency for control-plane performance (vs MPC8543VJANGD)
- Direct NXP/Freescale silicon continuity in same package (vs MPC8548ECVJAUJD)
- Mature Linux and VxWorks BSP ecosystem (vs Generic PowerPC alternatives)
Design Notes
Estimated: at 1.333 GHz with typical core voltage, the SPC8548VTAUJB can dissipate roughly 6 to 10 W depending on workload. The 783-FCBGA exposes a thermal pad; designers must stitch thermal vias directly under the die to a solid internal copper plane and provide adequate airflow to keep junction temperature below the rated maximum. Follow NXP's thermal management guide for FCBGA PowerQUICC III devices and validate with a thermal probe during characterization.
The 783-FCBGA at 1 mm ball pitch demands via-in-pad or dog-bone escape with impedance-matched traces for DDR and SerDes signals. Use a 12-layer or thicker stackup with dedicated power/ground planes, and place decoupling capacitors within 1 mm of each BGA ball cluster. NXP's hardware design guide shows reference break-out patterns that meet DDR2 signal-integrity requirements at the e500's bus speeds.
Do not assume the SPC8548VTAUJB and MPC8548VTAUJB are identical across all errata - check the latest NXP errata document for each revision letter. PowerQUICC III DDR controller requires specific write-leveling calibration during boot; an incorrect sequence prevents memory from initializing. Always reference the latest BSP for the silicon revision actually shipped to avoid silent corruption in production.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per NXP product marking (PB Free suffix). Lead-free FCBGA package. AEC-Q100 not applicable - this is a networking MPU, not an automotive-grade part.