NXP Semiconductors MPC850CZQ50BUR2

Overview

MPC850CZQ50BUR2 from Freescale Semiconductor is a PowerQUICC™ integrated communications processor combining a 32-bit MPC8xx core with a dedicated RISC communications processor (CP), 8-Kbyte dual-port RAM, Ethernet MAC, USB 1.1 controller, two SCCs, two SMCs, SPI, I²C, and PCMCIA interface - all in a single BGA package. It targets cost-sensitive remote-access gateways, DSL/Cable modems, and telecom edge devices operating at up to 50 MHz bus speed and 3.3 V supply.

For engineers reviewing the MPC850CZQ50BUR2 datasheet, MPC850CZQ50BUR2 pinout, MPC850CZQ50BUR2 application, or MPC850CZQ50BUR2 equivalent, this page delivers verified technical context, exact pin-level circuit roles, real-world timing constraints (e.g., CLKOUT jitter ≤ ±0.6 ns at 50 MHz), thermal resistance (θJA = 31 °C/W on multilayer board), and validated alternatives for embedded networking designs.

Technical Context

The MPC850CZQ50BUR2 implements a split-processor architecture: the main MPC8xx core handles system control and application logic, while the independent 32-bit Harvard-architecture communications processor (CP) offloads serial protocol processing (Ethernet, HDLC, USB, I²C, SPI). Its memory controller supports DRAM, SDRAM, SRAM, and flash across eight banks with programmable block sizes (32 KB–256 MB) and boot-selectable 8/16/32-bit interfaces.

Timing-critical operation is governed by a fully static design (0–50 MHz bus), IEEE 1149.1 JTAG debug support, four programmable baud-rate generators, and a time-slot assigner enabling T1/CEPT/ISDN multiplexing. Power states include Doze (core disabled, CPM active), Sleep (only RTC & PIT active), and Deep Sleep (PLL off), with dual-voltage operation (3.3 V logic / 2.2 V low-frequency mode).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 357-ball PBGA (19×19 mm, 1.27 mm pitch), RoHS-compliant, thermally enhanced with exposed die paddle. Pin mapping follows Freescale MPC850EC Rev. 2 mechanical drawings (Table 9, p.63).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MPC850DEZQ50B, the MPC850CZQ50BUR2 saves cost and power in single-WAN applications; versus MPC860PZQ50B, it retains USB integration critical for modem/credential token connectivity but trades off PCI expandability and raw CPU performance.

Availability

MPC850CZQ50BUR2 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for DSL modems, industrial RTUs, VoIP gateways, and secure remote access appliances requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for MPC850CZQ50BUR2 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) pioneered PowerQUICC™ processors for embedded communications, emphasizing integration, low power, and protocol offload.

The MPC850 family was designed specifically for cost-sensitive networking edge devices - integrating Ethernet, USB, HDLC, and PCMCIA into a single chip to replace multi-chip controller solutions in modems, gateways, and telecom terminals.

FAQ

What is the maximum bus frequency supported by the MPC850CZQ50BUR2?

The MPC850CZQ50BUR2 supports a maximum bus frequency of 50 MHz. At higher internal clock speeds (e.g., 66 MHz or 80 MHz), the device must operate in half-speed bus mode - meaning a 66 MHz part uses a 33 MHz bus interface. This constraint is enforced by internal timing margins and documented in Table 6 of the MPC850EC Rev. 2 specification.

Does the MPC850CZQ50BUR2 support USB host functionality?

Yes, the MPC850CZQ50BUR2 includes a full-speed (12 Mbps) and low-speed (1.5 Mbps) USB 1.1 controller that operates in both host and slave modes. It integrates USB transceiver logic but requires an external USB PHY for physical layer signaling - confirmed in Section 2 Features and Figure 1 block diagram of the MPC850EC Rev. 2 document.

What power supply voltages does the MPC850CZQ50BUR2 require?

The MPC850CZQ50BUR2 requires four separate 3.3 V supply inputs: VDDH (core high-voltage), VDDL (core low-voltage), KAPWR (keep-alive power), and VDDSYN (synthesizer power). At frequencies ≥40 MHz, the operating range is strictly 3.135–3.465 V per Table 5; operation outside this window risks timing violation or functional failure.

How is the communications processor (CP) in the MPC850CZQ50BUR2 programmed?

The CP in the MPC850CZQ50BUR2 executes microcode stored in on-chip ROM and loaded into its local instruction RAM. Protocol-specific command sets (e.g., GRACEFUL STOP TRANSMIT, CLOSE RXBD) are invoked via mailbox registers from the main MPC8xx core - detailed in Section 2 Features and CPM Electrical Characteristics (Section 8) of the MPC850EC Rev. 2 spec.

Is the MPC850CZQ50BUR2 pin-compatible with other MPC850 variants?

The MPC850CZQ50BUR2 uses the standard 357-ball PBGA package common to the MPC850 family, and shares identical pinout with MPC850DEZQ50B and MPC850SRZQ50B per Freescale's mechanical drawings. However, functional pin assignments differ - for example, MPC850CZQ50BUR2 has one SCC, while MPC850DEZQ50B exposes two, making them electrically compatible but not functionally interchangeable without PCB revision.