Motorola releases lower-cost version of embedded PowerQUICC MPU

Motorola releases lower-cost version of embedded PowerQUICC MPU
By EBN Staff, EBN
June 27, 2000 (4:26 p.m. EST)
URL: http://www.eetimes.com/story/OEG20000627S0026

Motorola's Semiconductor Products Sector announced today a scaled-down version of the PowerQUICC II microprocessor, aimed at providing a cost-effective solution for developers of future generations of routing and DSLAM equipment.

The MPC8255 integrated microprocessor, part of Motorola's recently announced Smart Networks Platform, offers footprint compatibility with its predecessor, the MPC8260, while featuring fewer serial channels. Its embedded PowerPC 603e core delivers CPU performance up to 200 MHz.

The MPC8255 also offers two fast communications channels rather than three in the MPC8260, and features one Multi-Channel Controller (MCC) as opposed to two on the MPC8260 while operating at 100 MHz with a 50-MHz bus.

"The MPC8255 is the first of many new products we'll be offering in the PowerQUICC II family," said Cam Witt, program manager for the PowerQUICC II family of microprocessors, Austin, Tex. "The MPC8255 adds a valuable alternative to the PowerQUICC II solution and allows us to provide customers with a price and performance point that falls between the PowerQUICC MPC860 microprocessors and the MPC8260."

Developed in Motorola's circuit design center in Herzelia, Israel, the MPC8255 is especially suited for high-end communications equipment such as remote access concentrators, regional office routers, cellular base stations and telecom switching equipment. For example, said Witt, it could handle the needs of an equipment manufacturer that builds ATM equipment needing only one serial channel capable of 155-megabits-per-second OC-3 level transmission. In addition, the MPC8255 could also address design needs in a DSLAM environment requiring two serial channels transmitting 100 Mbit/s Ethernet.

Motorola will make available the new MPC8260ADS-RAV, a complete development package for 8260 software development. This kit includes the highly flexible MPC8260ADS board, a COP (common on chip processor) to serial debug interface, a host-p orted debugger, power supply, and flash programmer.

In 10,000-piece quantities, the MPC8255 is being offered at a retail price of $75, with samples expected to be available in August.