NXP Semiconductors MC68EN360CAI25L

Overview

MC68EN360CAI25L from Freescale Semiconductor is a 25 MHz QUICC™ (Quad Integrated Communication Controller) IC integrating CPU32+ core, System Integration Module (SIM60), and Communications Processor Module (CPM). It delivers 4.5 MIPS, supports up to 32-bit data/address buses, features four SCCs (including Ethernet on SCC1), two SMCs, one SPI, and dual TDM channel support. It is used in industrial communications gateways requiring integrated protocol handling and deterministic real-time control.

For engineers reviewing the MC68EN360CAI25L datasheet, MC68EN360CAI25L pinout, MC68EN360CAI25L application, or MC68EN360CAI25L equivalent, key selection criteria include its 240-pin PQFP package, -40°C to +85°C industrial temperature rating, Ethernet-capable SCC1, slave mode for MC68040 companion operation, and CPM-based offload of serial protocol processing from the main CPU.

Technical Context

The MC68EN360CAI25L implements a tightly coupled dual-processor architecture: the CPU32+ core handles general-purpose tasks while the RISC-based CPM independently manages all seven serial channels (four SCCs, two SMCs, one SPI) using 224 buffer descriptors and dedicated IDMA controllers. Its SIM60 provides system-level functions including clock synthesis, periodic interrupt timer, software watchdog, IEEE 1149.1 JTAG test access, and bus arbitration logic.

It supports dynamic bus sizing (8/16/32-bit), operates at 0–25 MHz with full static design, and includes slave mode enabling external master control - critical for MC68040 companion configurations. The time-slot assigner enables independent transmit/receive routing across two TDM buses supporting T1, CEPT, ISDN, and user-defined formats with 1- or 8-bit resolution.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MC68EN360CAI25L is housed in a 240-pin Plastic Quad Flat Pack (PQFP) with 20-mil pitch, designed for industrial temperature operation (-40°C to +85°C). Pin assignments follow Freescale's standardized QUICC pinout layout, with multiplexed signals grouped by function (e.g., address/data bus, serial I/O, CPM control, SIM60 system signals).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MC68EN360RC25 and MC68EN360EM25, the MC68EN360CAI25L uniquely combines industrial temperature rating, 240-pin PQFP packaging, and factory-enabled Ethernet capability on SCC1 - making it the only option for compact, ruggedized communications gateways requiring native 10 Mbps LAN termination.

Availability

MC68EN360CAI25L is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial protocol gateways, telecom access nodes, embedded network routers, and legacy system bridges requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle support.

Supply support for MC68EN360CAI25L 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 microcontrollers, processors, and analog solutions for automotive, industrial, and networking markets.

The MC68EN360CAI25L belongs to the QUICC™ family - designed specifically for embedded communications applications requiring integrated serial protocol acceleration, deterministic real-time performance, and flexible system bus interfacing without external glue logic.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the MC68EN360CAI25L in a system design?

The MC68EN360CAI25L serves as a single-chip integrated communications controller combining a CPU32+ core, System Integration Module (SIM60), and Communications Processor Module (CPM). Its primary function is to offload serial protocol processing - including Ethernet (on SCC1), HDLC, UART, SPI, and TDM - from the main application processor, enabling deterministic real-time control in industrial gateways and telecom nodes. The MC68EN360CAI25L achieves this through dedicated RISC-based CPM execution and 224 hardware buffer descriptors.

Does the MC68EN360CAI25L support Ethernet, and if so, which channel and standard?

Yes, the MC68EN360CAI25L supports IEEE 802.3 10 Mbps Ethernet exclusively on SCC1. This capability is explicitly enabled in the "EN" variant (as indicated by "EN" in MC68EN360), distinguishing it from base MC68360 versions. SCC1 requires an external Ethernet transceiver (e.g., MC68160) for physical layer interfacing. No other SCC supports Ethernet; SCC2–SCC4 are limited to HDLC, UART, BISYNC, and transparent modes.

What package type and temperature range does the MC68EN360CAI25L use?

The MC68EN360CAI25L uses a 240-pin Plastic Quad Flat Pack (PQFP) with 20-mil pitch and is rated for industrial temperature operation from -40°C to +85°C. The "CAI" suffix confirms this industrial-grade PQFP configuration. It is mechanically and electrically distinct from the MC68302's 132-pin PQFP (25-mil pitch) and incompatible with that footprint.

Can the MC68EN360CAI25L operate as a peripheral under an external processor?

Yes, the MC68EN360CAI25L supports slave mode, allowing it to function as an intelligent peripheral controlled by an external bus master such as the MC68040 or MC68EC040. In MC68040 companion mode, the QUICC handles DRAM control, interrupt management, and serial I/O while the host CPU executes application code - enabling high-performance two-chip systems without external bus arbiters or glue logic. The MC68EN360CAI25L retains full CPM and SIM60 functionality in this mode.

How many serial communication channels does the MC68EN360CAI25L provide, and what types are they?

The MC68EN360CAI25L provides seven serial communication channels: four Serial Communication Controllers (SCCs), two Serial Management Controllers (SMCs), and one Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI). SCCs support Ethernet (SCC1 only), HDLC/SDLC, AppleTalk, SS7, UART, BISYNC, and transparent bit-stream modes. SMCs support UART, transparent, and GCI protocols. The SPI is a multimaster-capable interface compatible with MC68302 SCP but enhanced for master/slave flexibility.