NXP Semiconductors MPC860DEVR50D4

Overview

MPC860DEVR50D4 from NXP (formerly Freescale) is a PowerQUICC™ integrated communications controller combining a 32-bit Power Architecture™ CPU core and a RISC-based Communications Processor Module (CPM) in a single PBGA357 package. It delivers 50 MHz system clock operation, 4 KB instruction/4 KB data cache, dual 10/100 Mbps Ethernet MACs, and supports HDLC, UART, SPI, I²C, and ATM over UTOPIA. It is deployed in industrial gateways, legacy telecom access equipment, and protocol-conversion routers requiring deterministic real-time packet processing.

For engineers reviewing the MPC860DEVR50D4 datasheet, MPC860DEVR50D4 pinout, MPC860DEVR50D4 application, or MPC860DEVR50D4 equivalent, key selection considerations include its 50 MHz CPU frequency, 357-pin PBGA thermal profile (RθJA = 34°C/W), IEEE 802.3u-compliant dual Ethernet MACs, CPM offload capability for serial protocols, and support for DRAM/SRAM/Flash memory interfaces with up to 8 banks and programmable wait states.

Technical Context

The MPC860DEVR50D4 implements a dual-core architecture: a 32-bit Power Architecture CPU with MMU, 4 KB instruction and 4 KB data caches, and a separate RISC CPM handling serial communications, timers, and DMA-enabling concurrent protocol stack execution without CPU intervention. Its memory controller supports 32-bit dynamic bus sizing, eight memory banks, and boot-from-8/16/32-bit flash.

It integrates four Serial Communications Controllers (SCCs), two Serial Management Channels (SMCs), one SPI, one I²C port, four baud-rate generators, and a Time-Slot Assigner (TSA) for TDM routing. The CPM executes HDLC, UART, AppleTalk, IrDA, and transparent bit-stream protocols at up to 2 Mbps per channel, while the CPU handles TCP/IP stack and application logic.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 357-ball Plastic Ball Grid Array (PBGA), 25 mm × 25 mm, 1.27 mm pitch, ZQ/VR case code (5058), exposed thermal pad.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MPC860T and MPC855T, the MPC860DEVR50D4 uniquely balances dual 10/100 MACs, 4 SCCs, and full CPM offload-making it optimal for protocol gateways needing simultaneous serial and Ethernet throughput without ATM complexity or cost reduction compromises.

Availability

MPC860DEVR50D4 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial gateways, telecom access nodes, and secure RTUs requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles and obsolescence-sensitive deployments.

Supply support for MPC860DEVR50D4 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 leader in secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and IoT applications, formed from the acquisition of Freescale Semiconductor in 2015.

The MPC860DEVR50D4 belongs to the PowerQUICC™ family-designed specifically for embedded communications controllers requiring real-time protocol offload, deterministic Ethernet/MAC handling, and long-lifecycle industrial reliability.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the MPC860DEVR50D4?

The MPC860DEVR50D4 is rated for a maximum system clock frequency of 50 MHz in 1:1 mode (CPU = bus speed). While the MPC860 family supports up to 66 MHz, the MPC860DEVR50D4 variant is characterized and guaranteed at 50 MHz. Operating beyond this violates the device's validated thermal and timing specifications, risking setup/hold violations on the memory bus and CPM peripherals. Always refer to the "DC Characteristics" and "Bus Signal Timing" tables in the Rev. 10 hardware specification for 50 MHz timing margins.

Does the MPC860DEVR50D4 include an integrated Ethernet PHY?

No, the MPC860DEVR50D4 does not include an integrated Ethernet PHY. It provides two fully compliant IEEE 802.3u Media Independent Interfaces (MII) - MII_TXD[0:3]/MII_RXD[0:3], MII_MDC/MII_MDIO, and associated control signals - requiring external 10/100 PHY ICs such as the DP83848 or LAN8720. The MPC860DEVR50D4 handles MAC-layer framing, CRC generation/checking, and flow control, but physical layer signaling, auto-negotiation, and analog transceivers must be implemented externally.

How many serial communication channels does the MPC860DEVR50D4 support?

The MPC860DEVR50D4 supports four Serial Communications Controllers (SCCs) and two Serial Management Channels (SMCs), all managed by the CPM. Each SCC supports multiple protocols including HDLC, UART, AppleTalk, IrDA, and transparent bit-stream modes at up to 2 Mbps. The SMCs provide additional UART and transparent serial interfaces, often used for out-of-band management or modem control. This enables concurrent operation of up to six independent serial links without CPU intervention.

What memory types and configurations are supported by the MPC860DEVR50D4 memory controller?

The MPC860DEVR50D4 memory controller supports DRAM, SRAM, Flash EPROM, EPROM, and PCMCIA devices across eight independently configurable banks. It enables glueless interfacing with variable block sizes (32 KB to 256 MB), programmable wait states (0–15 per bank), and boot selection for 8-, 16-, or 32-bit memory width. DRAM support includes RAS-only and chip-select modes, CAS/WE line control, and compatibility with standard SIMMs and DIMMs - verified in the "Memory Controller" section of the Rev. 10 hardware spec.

Is the MPC860DEVR50D4 pin-compatible with other MPC860 family members like the MPC860T or MPC860DP?

No, the MPC860DEVR50D4 is not pin-compatible with MPC860T or MPC860DP. Although all share the 357-ball PBGA ZQ/VR package, signal assignments differ significantly - especially for UTOPIA, ATM, and PCMCIA interfaces. For example, MPC860T dedicates pins to UTOPIA_CLK/UTOPIA_DATA that are assigned to general-purpose I/O or SCC functions on MPC860DEVR50D4. PCB layout and schematic must be designed specifically for MPC860DEVR50D4; no mechanical or electrical drop-in replacement exists within the family.