NXP Semiconductors MPC8379VRAJFA

Overview

MPC8379VRAJFA from NXP Semiconductors (formerly Freescale) is a PowerQUICC® II Pro communications processor featuring an e300 core operating at 800 MHz, dual Gigabit Ethernet controllers with RGMII/RTBI/MII/ RMII/SGMII support, integrated PCI Express (x1 or x2), and dual SATA I/II (1.5/3.0 Gbps) controllers - deployed in wireless access points, SMB routers, and network-attached storage systems.

For engineers reviewing the MPC8379VRAJFA datasheet, MPC8379VRAJFA pinout, MPC8379VRAJFA application, or MPC8379VRAJFA equivalent, key selection considerations include its 689-pin PBGA package, DDR1/2 memory controller up to 400 MHz, IEEE 1588 time-stamping support, USB 2.0 host/device capability, and optional security engine (not present in non-E variants).

Technical Context

The MPC8379VRAJFA implements a 32-bit superscalar e300 core with dual integer units and a floating-point unit, 32 KB L1 instruction and data cache with parity, and operates at 800 MHz. It integrates a 32/64-bit DDR1/2 memory controller supporting up to 400 MHz data rate and an enhanced local bus controller with NAND/NOR flash boot capability.

It features two independent Gigabit Ethernet MACs supporting MII, RMII, RGMII, RTBI, and SGMII PHY interfaces plus IEEE 1588 hardware timestamping; one USB 2.0 OTG controller; two I²C buses; DUART; SPI; and a 4-channel DMA controller - all managed via a programmable interrupt controller.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 689-ball thin-eutectic Pb-free PBGA (19 mm × 19 mm, 1.0 mm ball pitch). Pinout validated per MPC837XFFS Rev 1 datasheet and NXP MPC8379 reference schematic documentation.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MPC8377VRAJFA and MPC8378VRAJFA, the MPC8379VRAJFA uniquely delivers both dual SATA 2.0 and PCI Express in a single 689-pin PBGA package - making it optimal for space-constrained NAS and SMB router designs requiring internal storage and expansion capability without additional bridge ICs.

Availability

MPC8379VRAJFA is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for wireless access points, SMB routers, and network-attached storage systems requiring stable component supply across extended production lifecycles.

Supply support for MPC8379VRAJFA 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

NXP Semiconductors is a global semiconductor company specializing in secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and IoT applications, with roots in Freescale's Power Architecture portfolio.

The MPC8379VRAJFA belongs to the PowerQUICC® II Pro family - designed specifically for cost-sensitive, highly integrated networking and storage edge devices requiring deterministic real-time performance and multi-interface concurrency.

FAQ

Does the MPC8379VRAJFA include an integrated security engine?

No, the MPC8379VRAJFA does not include the integrated security engine. That feature is exclusive to MPC837xE variants (e.g., MPC8379E), indicated by the "E" suffix. The MPC8379VRAJFA retains all other core, memory, Ethernet, PCIe, and SATA functionality but omits cryptographic acceleration units such as AES, DES, SHA, and PKA blocks. Designers requiring security must select an E-suffix variant or add external crypto ICs.

What is the maximum DDR2 data rate supported by the MPC8379VRAJFA?

The MPC8379VRAJFA supports DDR2 memory operation up to 400 MHz data rate (800 MT/s), compatible with DDR2-800 modules. Its 32/64-bit memory controller includes configurable timing parameters, on-die termination, and ECC support for error detection in mission-critical applications. This allows implementation of 1–2 GB of system RAM using standard JEDEC-compliant DDR2 components.

Which Ethernet PHY interfaces are supported by the MPC8379VRAJFA?

The MPC8379VRAJFA supports five physical layer interfaces across its dual Gigabit Ethernet MACs: MII, RMII, RGMII, RTBI, and SGMII. Each MAC can be independently configured for any of these modes. RGMII is most commonly used for direct connection to external PHYs in SMB routers and NAS devices, while SGMII enables direct chip-to-chip links to switches or SerDes-capable PHYs without external magnetics.

Is the MPC8379VRAJFA pin-compatible with other MPC837x family members?

Yes, the MPC8379VRAJFA is pin-compatible with MPC8377VRAJFA and MPC8378VRAJFA in the 689-ball PBGA package. All three share identical mechanical footprint, power delivery requirements, and core peripheral pin assignments. Differences lie only in functional pin muxing - for example, SATA pins on MPC8379VRAJFA are reserved/no-connect on MPC8378VRAJFA, and vice versa for certain PCIe lane configurations.

What boot sources are supported by the MPC8379VRAJFA?

The MPC8379VRAJFA supports booting from NOR flash via its local bus controller, and also supports NAND flash boot with hardware ECC correction. Boot configuration is controlled by strapping pins (e.g., CFG_BOOT[0:2]) sampled at reset. It does not support booting directly from SATA or PCIe devices - those interfaces require initialization after boot completion from flash memory.