NXP Semiconductors KMPC8248CZQTIEA

Overview

KMPC8248CZQTIEA from Freescale Semiconductor is a PowerQUICC II integrated communications processor featuring a 32-bit Power Architecture® G2_LE core (266–400 MHz), dual 16 KB instruction/data caches, integrated security engine (SEC), PCI bridge, and dual Fast Communication Controllers (FCCs) supporting 10/100 Ethernet. It implements the full CPM subsystem with three Serial Communications Controllers (SCCs), two Serial Management Controllers (SMCs), SPI, I²C, USB 2.0 host/slave, and TDM interfaces - deployed in carrier-grade access gateways and secure edge routers.

For engineers reviewing the KMPC8248CZQTIEA datasheet, KMPC8248CZQTIEA pinout, KMPC8248CZQTIEA application, or KMPC8248CZQTIEA equivalent, key selection criteria include SEC hardware acceleration (AES/DES/SHA-1), dual-FCC 10/100 Ethernet support, PCI 2.2 compliance at 66 MHz, 516-pin PBGA (ZQ package), and separate 1.5 V core / 3.3 V I/O supply domains.

Technical Context

The KMPC8248CZQTIEA integrates a dual-issue G2_LE core with MMU and physically addressed 4-way set-associative caches, paired with a dedicated RISC-based Communications Processor Module (CPM) running microcode for protocol offload. Its clock architecture uses independent PLLs for core and CPM, enabling asynchronous operation at ratios up to 8:1 (core:bus) and 8:1 (CPM:bus).

It supports simultaneous 60x bus (64-bit, up to 133 MHz) and PCI bus (32-bit, 66 MHz) operation via an on-chip bridge, with four DMA channels for PCI↔60x transfers. The integrated Security Engine (SEC) accelerates DES, 3DES, AES, SHA-1, MD-5, RC-4, PKEU, and RNG - accessible only on MPC8272/MPC8248 variants per documentation.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 516-ball PBGA (ZQ package, lead spheres), 27 mm × 27 mm, 1.0 mm ball pitch, RoHS-compliant. Thermal resistance: RθJA = 19°C/W (4-layer board, natural convection).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar integrated communications processor applications.

Compared with MPC8272CZQTIEA, KMPC8248CZQTIEA offers identical feature parity and drop-in replacement capability; versus MPC8313EVRAGDB, it provides proven carrier deployment maturity and UTOPIA II support at lower power and cost - ideal for sustaining engineering and legacy platform refresh.

Availability

KMPC8248CZQTIEA is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for DSLAM line cards, secure branch routers, industrial protocol gateways, and cellular backhaul units requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for KMPC8248CZQTIEA includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Freescale Semiconductor (now part of NXP Semiconductors) is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in embedded processing, connectivity, and analog solutions for automotive, industrial, and networking markets.

KMPC8248CZQTIEA belongs to the PowerQUICC II family - designed specifically for carrier-class communications infrastructure requiring hardware-accelerated security, multi-protocol serial interfaces, and deterministic real-time packet processing.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the KMPC8248CZQTIEA CPU core?

The KMPC8248CZQTIEA CPU core operates at 266–400 MHz, with the upper limit dependent on voltage (1.425–1.575 V) and thermal conditions (max junction temperature 105°C). At 400 MHz, the core requires a 50 MHz CLKIN with 8:1 internal multiplier and stable 1.5 V supply - verified in Freescale's MPC8272EC Rev. 3 specification under "Clock Configuration Modes".

Does the KMPC8248CZQTIEA support USB 2.0 high-speed (480 Mbps) operation?

No, the KMPC8248CZQTIEA supports only USB 2.0 full-speed (12 Mbps) and low-speed (1.5 Mbps) modes, as explicitly stated in Section 1.1 "Features" of the MPC8272EC Rev. 3 document. It lacks the transceiver circuitry and PHY required for high-speed signaling - confirmed by absence of UTMI+ interface signals in the pinout tables.

Is the KMPC8248CZQTIEA pin-compatible with the MPC8272CZQTIEA?

Yes, KMPC8248CZQTIEA and MPC8272CZQTIEA share identical 516-ball ZQ PBGA packaging, pin assignment, and electrical characteristics - both are members of the same PowerQUICC II family silicon revision documented in Table 2 of MPC8272EC Rev. 3. They differ only in mask ROM content and minor test configurations, not physical layout.

What security algorithms are accelerated by the integrated Security Engine in the KMPC8248CZQTIEA?

The KMPC8248CZQTIEA Security Engine (SEC) hardware-accelerates DES, 3DES, AES, SHA-1, MD-5, RC-4, PKEU (public key), and RNG (random number generation), as specified in Section 1.1 "Features" of the MPC8272EC Rev. 3 document. This enables line-rate IPsec and SSL/TLS offload without CPU involvement.

What is the thermal resistance (RθJA) of the KMPC8248CZQTIEA in a four-layer PCB environment?

The KMPC8248CZQTIEA has a junction-to-ambient thermal resistance (RθJA) of 19°C/W under natural convection on a four-layer board, per Table 7 "Thermal Characteristics" in the MPC8272EC Rev. 3 specification. This value assumes standard 2s2p construction with thermal vias to ground planes - critical for maintaining ≤105°C junction temperature at full 1.8 W power dissipation.