NXP Semiconductors MPC857TVR50B

Overview

MPC857TVR50B from Freescale Semiconductor is a PowerQUICC™ family integrated communications processor combining a 32-bit MPC8xx PowerPC core, Communications Processor Module (CPM), and System Integration Unit (SIU) in a single 357-pin PBGA package. It operates at 50 MHz, features 4-Kbyte instruction and 4-Kbyte data caches, one Fast Ethernet controller (FEC), one SCC (SCC1) dedicated to Ethernet, one SMC (SMC1) for UART, and supports UTOPIA Level 2 and MII interfaces for ATM/DSL edge applications.

For engineers reviewing the MPC857TVR50B datasheet, MPC857TVR50B pinout, MPC857TVR50B application, or MPC857TVR50B equivalent, key selection criteria include its 50 MHz CPU frequency, 3.3 V operation with 5-V TTL-compatible I/O, 100°C max junction temperature, and support for enhanced SAR (ESAR) mode with OAM/PM, AAL2/VBR, and multi-PHY UTOPIA-critical for DSL access concentrators and ATM edge routers.

Technical Context

The MPC857TVR50B implements a single-issue 32-bit PowerPC architecture core with MMU, 32-entry ITLB/DTLB, and physically addressed caches. Its CPM executes serial communication tasks independently via a 32-bit RISC controller and 10 SDMA channels, offloading the main core.

It integrates a Fast Ethernet Controller supporting simultaneous MII (10/100Base-T) and UTOPIA (half-duplex) operation on a multiplexed bus, plus ESAR-mode enhancements including ATM port-to-port switching without RAM-based microcode, ROM-resident AAL2/VBR, and optional statistical cell counters per PHY.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 357-pin plastic ball grid array (PBGA), RoHS-compliant, 27 mm × 27 mm footprint, 1.27 mm pitch.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MPC857TVR66B and MPC857DSLVR50B, the MPC857TVR50B delivers optimal balance of thermal efficiency, pin compatibility, and ESAR feature set for single-PHY DSL access nodes-making it the preferred choice for cost-sensitive, thermally constrained deployments where 50 MHz throughput suffices.

Availability

MPC857TVR50B is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for DSL access concentrators, ATM edge routers, residential gateways, and industrial protocol converters requiring stable component supply across long-lifecycle telecom infrastructure programs.

Supply support for MPC857TVR50B 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 processors, analog, and connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and networking markets.

The MPC857TVR50B belongs to the PowerQUICC™ family-designed specifically for integrated communications processing in ATM, DSL, and packet-switched edge equipment where deterministic real-time performance and hardware-accelerated protocol offload are essential.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MPC857TVR50B?

The MPC857TVR50B is rated for 50 MHz operation in 1:1 CPU-to-bus mode. While the silicon supports higher nominal frequencies (e.g., 66 MHz), the MPC857TVR50B variant is characterized and guaranteed only up to 50 MHz. Attempting to run it at 66 MHz violates its electrical specifications and may cause timing violations in the memory controller and CPM subsystems. The MPC857TVR50B must be configured with a 50 MHz bus clock and corresponding PLL settings to ensure reliable operation across temperature and voltage corners.

Does the MPC857TVR50B support UTOPIA Level 2 and MII simultaneously?

Yes, the MPC857TVR50B supports simultaneous MII (10/100Base-T) and UTOPIA Level 2 operation using a multiplexed bus architecture. This capability is explicitly documented in Section 2 ("Features") and Figure 2 of the MPC862/857T/857DSL Hardware Specifications (Rev. 3). The UTOPIA interface provides half-duplex ATM cell transport with added FIFO buffering, while the MII interface handles Ethernet MAC-layer framing-enabling dual-protocol line cards without external glue logic.

How many serial communication controllers (SCCs) does the MPC857TVR50B include?

The MPC857TVR50B includes exactly one Serial Communication Controller (SCC), designated SCC1. As confirmed in Table 1 and Figure 2 of the hardware specification, SCC1 is dedicated exclusively to Ethernet functionality and does not support HDLC, UART, or other serial protocols. Unlike the MPC862P/T variants, the MPC857TVR50B omits SCC2–SCC4 and does not implement the Time Slot Assigner (TSA), limiting its serial channel flexibility to a single Ethernet MAC interface.

What power supply voltages are required for the MPC857TVR50B?

The MPC857TVR50B requires four distinct supply voltages: VDDH (I/O power, 3.135–3.465 V), VDDL (core logic, 3.135–3.465 V), KAPWR (power-down retention, 2.0–3.6 V), and VDDSYN (PLL, 3.135–3.465 V). All supplies must ramp monotonically from 0 V during power-up. I/O pins tolerate 5 V only when VDDH ≥ 2.5 V above the input voltage-applying 5 V to an unpowered device violates this constraint and risks latch-up. Decoupling requires ≥4 × 0.1 µF capacitors placed within 12.7 mm of the PBGA package corners.

Is the MPC857TVR50B pin-compatible with other members of the MPC857T family?

The MPC857TVR50B shares the same 357-pin PBGA package and pinout with the MPC857TVR66B and MPC857TVR80B, enabling drop-in frequency upgrades within the same thermal envelope. However, it is not pin-compatible with the MPC857DSLVR50B due to additional SMC2 signals and reassignment of ball functions. Pin compatibility is limited to the MPC857T subfamily (excluding DSL variants); migration to MPC857DSL requires PCB redesign and firmware adaptation for the second SMC and four-PHY UTOPIA support.