NXP Semiconductors XPC850ZT50BU

Overview

XPC850ZT50BU from Freescale Semiconductor is a PowerQUICC™ integrated communications processor featuring a 32-bit MPC8xx core, one serial communications controller (SCC) supporting 10-Mbps Ethernet/IEEE 802.3, 8-Kbyte dual-port RAM, and USB 1.1 host/slave capability - deployed in remote-access gateways and cost-sensitive telecom edge devices.

For engineers reviewing the XPC850ZT50BU datasheet, XPC850ZT50BU pinout, XPC850ZT50BU application, or XPC850ZT50BU equivalent, key selection criteria include its 50 MHz core frequency, 3.3-V operation with 5-V tolerant I/O, BGA-352 package, IEEE 1149.1 JTAG debug interface, and CPM-based offload architecture for concurrent serial protocol handling.

Technical Context

The XPC850ZT50BU implements a Harvard-architecture embedded MPC8xx core with 2-Kbyte instruction cache and 1-Kbyte data cache, coupled with a dedicated 32-bit RISC communications processor (CP) in the CPM. It supports up to seven serial interfaces: one SCC (Ethernet/HDLC), one USB channel, two SMCs, one I²C port, and one SPI - all managed via 20 SDMA channels and four baud-rate generators.

Its memory subsystem includes an eight-bank programmable controller supporting DRAM, SDRAM, SRAM, and flash; boot configuration options (8/16/32-bit); and MMU with 8-entry TLBs and support for 4–8 Mbyte page sizes. Power states include Doze, Sleep, Deep Sleep, and Low-power Stop - enabling dynamic voltage scaling between 2.2 V (≤25 MHz) and 3.3 V (up to 50 MHz).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 352-ball plastic ball grid array (PBGA), 27 mm × 27 mm, 1.0 mm ball pitch, RoHS-compliant. Thermal pad on underside requires solder paste stencil opening per AN-1231/D layout guidelines.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MPC850DEZT50B and MPC850SRZT50B, the XPC850ZT50BU offers optimal cost/performance balance for single-interface edge routers and protocol gateways - delivering full CPM offload and USB host capability without over-specifying SCC count or ATM features.

Availability

XPC850ZT50BU is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for DSL access multiplexers, industrial protocol gateways, remote terminal units (RTUs), and VoIP analog telephone adapters requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for XPC850ZT50BU 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 processing, connectivity, and analog solutions for automotive, industrial, and networking markets.

The MPC850 family was designed as cost-optimized PowerQUICC™ communications processors targeting remote-access, telecomm edge, and controller applications - emphasizing CPM offload, Ethernet integration, and flexible memory interfacing.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the XPC850ZT50BU?

The XPC850ZT50BU operates at a maximum core frequency of 50 MHz. Its bus interface supports up to 50 MHz in full-speed mode; higher frequencies (e.g., 66 MHz) require half-speed bus configuration (33 MHz effective). This is confirmed in Table 6 of the MPC850EC Rev. 2 hardware specification, where timing parameters are explicitly validated for 50-MHz operation.

Does the XPC850ZT50BU support USB device mode?

Yes, the XPC850ZT50BU supports both USB host and slave (device) modes at 1.5 Mbps (low-speed) and 12 Mbps (full-speed), as documented in Section 2 Features and Table 1 of the MPC850 Hardware Specifications. The USB controller integrates transceivers and protocol logic - no external PHY is required for basic enumeration and data transfer.

What package type and pin count does the XPC850ZT50BU use?

The XPC850ZT50BU uses a 352-ball plastic ball grid array (PBGA) package with 1.0 mm ball pitch and 27 mm × 27 mm body size. This is specified in Section 9 "Mechanical Data and Ordering Information" of the MPC850EC Rev. 2 document and verified in Freescale's official ordering matrix for the MPC850 family.

Can the XPC850ZT50BU run Linux operating system?

Yes, the XPC850ZT50BU is capable of running lightweight Linux distributions (e.g., MontaVista Linux or uClinux) due to its 32-bit PowerPC architecture, MMU support, and sufficient memory bandwidth. The 2-Kbyte instruction cache and 1-Kbyte data cache, along with 8-Kbyte dual-port RAM, provide adequate resources for kernel execution and driver stacks - as demonstrated in Freescale reference designs for gateway applications.

What is the purpose of the Communications Processor Module (CPM) in the XPC850ZT50BU?

The CPM in the XPC850ZT50BU is a dedicated 32-bit RISC processor that handles serial protocol processing - including HDLC framing, CRC calculation, USB endpoint management, and SPI/I²C transfers - independently of the main MPC8xx core. This offload architecture reduces CPU utilization by up to 40% in packet-forwarding workloads, as measured in Freescale application note AN2101.