NXP Semiconductors MCF5480CZP166

Overview

MCF5480CZP166 from Freescale Semiconductor is a ColdFire V4e-core microprocessor designed for high-performance embedded networking and industrial control applications. It operates at 166 MHz core frequency (308 MIPS @ 200 MHz scaling), integrates a 32-Kbyte instruction cache, 32-Kbyte data cache, MMU, FPU compliant with IEEE-754 double-precision, and supports DDR/SDR SDRAM up to 1 GB via four chip selects.

For engineers reviewing the MCF5480CZP166 datasheet, MCF5480CZP166 pinout, MCF5480CZP166 application, or MCF5480CZP166 equivalent, key selection considerations include its 388-pin TEPBGA package, 1.5V core/2.5V DDR/3.3V I/O voltage domains, dual FlexCAN 2.0B controllers, two 10/100 Mbps FECs with dedicated 2-Kbyte FIFOs per channel, and integrated USB 2.0 device controller with PHY.

Technical Context

The MCF5480CZP166 implements a limited superscalar ColdFire V4e core with Harvard architecture, separate 32-entry fully-associative instruction and data translation lookahead buffers, and an on-chip memory management unit enabling full Linux OS support. Its internal XLB bus arbiter manages concurrent access from multiple masters including the CPU, DMA, FECs, and USB subsystem.

It integrates a 32-bit DDR/SDR SDRAM controller (66–133 MHz), PCI 2.2 interface (33–66 MHz, five external masters supported), and a flexible multi-function FlexBus operating at 33–66 MHz with six chip selects - all synchronized to a single CLKIN reference clock whose ratio to core/bus clocks is programmable via PLL encoding (e.g., 1:2 or 1:4).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: TEPBGA–388 (27 mm × 27 mm, 1.0 mm ball pitch), thermally enhanced plastic ball grid array with exposed thermal pad.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MCF5484CZP166, the MCF5480CZP166 trades on-chip SRAM for lower BOM cost and greater flexibility in DDR memory sizing; versus MPC8313EVRAGDB, it offers superior deterministic floating-point performance and full MMU support at lower power (<1.5 W), making it better suited for real-time embedded Linux deployments requiring math-intensive workloads.

Availability

MCF5480CZP166 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial Ethernet gateways, secure network appliances, medical imaging control units, and transportation telematics hubs requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle assurance.

Supply support for MCF5480CZP166 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, analog, and connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and networking markets.

The MCF5480CZP166 belongs to the ColdFire MCF548x family, engineered for high-integration, real-time embedded applications demanding MMU-enabled OS support, deterministic Ethernet, and hardware-accelerated security - targeting industrial control, medical devices, and communications infrastructure.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating junction temperature for the MCF5480CZP166?

The MCF5480CZP166 has a maximum operating junction temperature of 105°C, as specified in Table 2 of the MCF5485EC datasheet Rev. 4. This limit must be maintained under all operating conditions, including worst-case ambient temperature (−40°C to <85°C) and full 166 MHz core load. Thermal design must ensure θJA ≤ 19°C/W (for 388-pin TEPBGA on 4-layer board) to avoid exceeding this rating. The MCF5480CZP166 thermal pad must be soldered to a solid copper plane for effective heat dissipation.

Does the MCF5480CZP166 support DDR2 memory?

No, the MCF5480CZP166 supports only DDR and SDR SDRAM, not DDR2. Its SDRAM controller is explicitly designed for SSTL2 and SSTL3 I/O standards compatible with DDR/SDR memories operating at 66–133 MHz, as confirmed in Section 9 of the MCF5485EC datasheet. DDR2 requires different termination, timing, and command protocols unsupported by the MCF5480CZP166's memory controller logic and pin drive characteristics.

Is the MCF5480CZP166 pin-compatible with other MCF548x variants like MCF5485?

Yes, the MCF5480CZP166 is pin-compatible with the full MCF548x family (MCF5480–MCF5485) in the 388-pin TEPBGA package, as stated in the datasheet cover and Figure 31 (Case Outline). All share identical pin assignments, power domains, and AC timing specifications. However, feature enablement (e.g., USB PHY, crypto accelerator, or system SRAM) varies by part number and must be verified in the respective device-specific configuration registers.

What clock input frequency is required to achieve 166 MHz core operation on the MCF5480CZP166?

To achieve 166 MHz core frequency, the MCF5480CZP166 requires a 41.67 MHz CLKIN signal with PLL encoding AD[12:8] = 00011 (1:2 ratio), as defined in Table 8 of the MCF5485EC datasheet. This yields a 83.33 MHz XLB bus clock and 166.66 MHz core clock. The device supports CLKIN range 30–66.67 MHz, but only specific encodings deliver exact 166 MHz - deviation causes non-compliant timing margins.

Does the MCF5480CZP166 include an integrated USB PHY?

Yes, the MCF5480CZP166 includes a fully integrated USB 2.0 physical layer (PHY), as documented in the "Communications I/O subsystem" section and Figure 1 block diagram. It supports full-speed (12 Mbps) and high-speed (480 Mbps) signaling with on-die termination, differential drivers, and receiver circuitry - eliminating the need for an external USB transceiver. The USBVBUS pin requires external voltage division per Figure 4/5 for safe 5 V detection.