NXP Semiconductors MC7447AVU867NB

Overview

MC7447AVU867NB from Freescale Semiconductor is a 1.3 V, 867 MHz PowerPC G4 RISC microprocessor with integrated 512-Kbyte unified L2 cache, superscalar 7-stage pipeline, and AltiVec™ SIMD engine - deployed in high-performance networking and embedded computing systems requiring deterministic real-time processing and IEEE 754-compliant floating-point execution.

For engineers reviewing the MC7447AVU867NB datasheet, MC7447AVU867NB pinout, MC7447AVU867NB application, or MC7447AVU867NB equivalent, key selection criteria include verified DFS (Dynamic Frequency Switching) support, 1.3 V core supply tolerance, 360-ball ceramic BGA package compatibility, thermal diode integration, and MPX/60x bus protocol compliance for legacy PowerPC system upgrades.

Technical Context

The MC7447AVU867NB implements the full PowerPC 32-bit architecture with a superscalar core supporting up to 16 simultaneous in-flight instructions, four integer units, five-stage IEEE 754-1985 FPU, and four vector units including VFPU and VPER. Its memory subsystem features separate 32-Kbyte L1 instruction/data caches and an on-die 512-Kbyte unified L2 cache with 9-cycle L1 miss latency on L2 hit.

It supports hardware-enforced MESI coherency, dual-mode (big/little-endian) operation, JTAG/COP debug interface, and three power-saving states (Nap, Sleep, Deep Sleep) with dynamic frequency switching that halves core clock via software control - all while maintaining precise exception handling and out-of-order completion of up to three instructions per cycle.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MC7447AVU867NB is housed in a surface-mount 360-ball ceramic ball grid array (HCTE) package with 1.27 mm pitch, designed for high-reliability industrial and telecom applications requiring thermal stability and signal integrity.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar RISC microprocessor applications.

Compared with MC7447AVU867NB, the 800 MHz variant offers relaxed thermal design margins while retaining identical feature set and software compatibility, whereas the 900 MHz variant demands stricter voltage regulation and cooling but delivers measurable throughput gain in cache-bound workloads.

Availability

MC7447AVU867NB is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for networking infrastructure, industrial automation, and secure communications systems requiring stable component supply, long-lifecycle support, and proven radiation-tolerant ceramic packaging.

Supply support for MC7447AVU867NB 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 was a leading designer of embedded processors and analog chips, acquired by NXP Semiconductors in 2015; its PowerPC G4 portfolio remains widely deployed in mission-critical infrastructure.

The MC7447AVU867NB belongs to the MPC7447A family - engineered for high-throughput, low-latency embedded computing in telecom, aerospace, and industrial control where deterministic timing and legacy software compatibility are mandatory.

FAQ

What is the maximum validated operating frequency of the MC7447AVU867NB?

The MC7447AVU867NB is factory-sorted and tested to operate reliably at 867 MHz under nominal conditions: 1.3 V ±50 mV core supply, 65°C junction temperature, and compliant MPX bus loading. This frequency is fixed by PLL_CFG[0:4] strap settings and cannot be overclocked beyond specification without violating thermal and timing margins.

Does the MC7447AVU867NB support dynamic voltage scaling in addition to Dynamic Frequency Switching?

The MC7447AVU867NB supports voltage derating per Section 5.3 of its hardware specifications: core voltage may be reduced to 1.2 V ±50 mV to lower power, but only when paired with corresponding frequency reduction (e.g., 867 MHz → 733 MHz). Voltage scaling is not independent of frequency - both must follow Freescale's published derating curves to ensure functional correctness.

Is the MC7447AVU867NB pin-compatible with earlier MPC7447 variants?

Yes - the MC7447AVU867NB is a footprint-compatible, drop-in replacement for MPC7447 designs using 1.3 V core supply, as confirmed in Freescale's Feature section (Note on page 3). No PCB changes are required, though thermal and power delivery must accommodate the added DFS and temperature diode functionality.

What bus protocols does the MC7447AVU867NB natively support?

The MC7447AVU867NB implements the MPX bus protocol and a defined subset of the 60x bus protocol, enabling direct interfacing with Freescale's MPC107 memory controller and compatible third-party northbridges. It does not support PCI Express, RapidIO, or AXI - those require external bridge ICs.

How is the temperature diode in the MC7447AVU867NB calibrated and used?

The MC7447AVU867NB's on-die temperature diode (THERM pin) outputs a voltage linearly proportional to junction temperature. Calibration requires measuring diode voltage at two known temperatures (e.g., 25°C and 85°C) to derive slope/offset per Freescale Application Note AN2812; the resulting equation is then applied in system firmware to convert ADC readings into °C values.