NXP Semiconductors MPC850DEVR50BU

Overview

MPC850DEVR50BU from Freescale Semiconductor is a PowerQUICC™ integrated communications processor featuring a 32-bit MPC8xx core, dual-port RAM (8 Kbytes), one Ethernet-capable serial communications controller (SCC), USB 1.1 host/slave support, and a dedicated RISC communications processor (CP) for offloading peripheral tasks. It operates at up to 50 MHz with 3.3-V core logic and 5-V-tolerant I/O, targeting cost-sensitive remote-access and telecom edge devices.

For engineers reviewing the MPC850DEVR50BU datasheet, MPC850DEVR50BU pinout, MPC850DEVR50BU application, or MPC850DEVR50BU equivalent, key selection criteria include its single-SCC Ethernet interface, USB 1.1 controller, CPM-based serial channel offload capability, 50-MHz maximum frequency rating, and BGA-352 package thermal performance under industrial ambient conditions.

Technical Context

The MPC850DEVR50BU implements a Harvard-architecture MPC8xx core with 2-Kbyte instruction cache and 1-Kbyte data cache, MMU with 8-entry TLBs supporting multiple page sizes (4–8 Mbytes), and static operation from 0 to 50 MHz. Its communications processor module (CPM) integrates a separate 32-bit RISC CP, four baud-rate generators, and 20 SDMA channels for serial data movement.

It supports IEEE 802.3 10-Mbps Ethernet via SCC1, USB 1.1 at 1.5/12 Mbps in host or slave mode, two SMCs, one SPI, one I²C port, and time-slot assigner for TDM multiplexing. The memory controller manages eight banks with glueless support for SDRAM, SRAM, flash, and PCMCIA-ATA interfaces.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 352-ball plastic ball grid array (PBGA), 27 mm × 27 mm, 1.27-mm pitch, RoHS-compliant. Thermal pad on underside requires solder paste stencil opening and ground plane connection.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MPC850DEVR50BU, MPC850DEVR66BU delivers higher CPM throughput within the same BGA-352 footprint, while MPC860PZQ50B adds dual-SCC and PCI at the cost of board-level incompatibility - making MPC850DEVR50BU optimal for single-port, cost-constrained edge nodes.

Availability

MPC850DEVR50BU is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for DSL modems, industrial protocol gateways, remote access routers, and secure telephony appliances requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for MPC850DEVR50BU 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™ architecture for embedded communications, emphasizing integration, real-time determinism, and low-power networking silicon.

The MPC850 family was designed specifically for cost-sensitive, remote-access, and telecommunications edge devices - balancing Ethernet connectivity, USB host capability, and CPM offload in a single-chip solution.

FAQ

What is the maximum supported bus speed for MPC850DEVR50BU?

The MPC850DEVR50BU supports a maximum bus speed of 50 MHz. When operated at higher internal frequencies (e.g., 66 MHz), it must be configured in half-speed bus mode (33 MHz). This constraint arises from timing margins in the memory controller and external bus interface, as verified in Table 6 of the hardware specifications document. MPC850DEVR50BU maintains full functionality at 50 MHz without bus-mode derating.

Does MPC850DEVR50BU support IEEE 802.3 Ethernet?

Yes, MPC850DEVR50BU supports IEEE 802.3 10-Mbps Ethernet via its single serial communications controller (SCC1), as confirmed in the MPC850 Functionality Matrix and Features section. It implements full MAC-layer functions including CRC generation, preamble insertion, and collision detection - requiring only an external PHY for physical layer interfacing. MPC850DEVR50BU does not support 100-Mbps Fast Ethernet.

What power supply requirements apply to MPC850DEVR50BU?

MPC850DEVR50BU requires four independent 3.3-V supplies: VDDH (core), VDDL (low-voltage logic), KAPWR (kernel), and VDDSYN (PLL). At 50 MHz, operating voltage must be 3.135–3.465 V per Table 5. Each supply needs local 0.1-µF ceramic bypass capacitors placed within 5 mm of respective balls. MPC850DEVR50BU does not support dynamic voltage scaling below 3.135 V at full speed.

Is MPC850DEVR50BU pin-compatible with other MPC850 variants?

MPC850DEVR50BU uses the standard MPC850 BGA-352 package and shares identical pinout with all MPC850 family members (e.g., MPC850, MPC850DE, MPC850SR), as confirmed by mechanical data in Section 9 of the hardware specifications. Signal mapping, power ball allocation, and thermal pad layout are consistent across revisions - enabling drop-in replacement where peripheral configuration matches.

What debug capabilities does MPC850DEVR50BU provide?

MPC850DEVR50BU includes IEEE 1149.1 JTAG test access port with eight hardware watchpoint comparators (four instruction address, two data address, two data value), supporting non-intrusive breakpoints and real-time trace. It also features advanced on-chip emulation mode for instruction stepping and register inspection without halting CPM operation. These capabilities are fully documented in Sections 7 and 8 of the hardware specifications for MPC850DEVR50BU.