Motorola Extends Communications Processor Portfolio with Next Generation PowerQUICC II Solutions

/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The demand for higher performance, more integration
and lower cost is driving networking equipment manufacturers to seek out
proven solutions that offer unparalleled support. Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT),
the market share leader in communications processors, is unveiling the next
generation of PowerQUICC II processors in response to this demand. Utilizing
Motorola's HiPerMOS7 0.13-micron process technology, these newest devices
deliver higher performance and lower power, together with feature enhancements
and a new package option.

"Motorola coined the term 'communications processor,' and it continues to dominate that market. The very name 'PowerQUICC' stems from the integration of two processing cores to handle specific tasks -- a PowerPC ISA-based core and Motorola's RISC-based CPM," stated Eric Mantion, senior analyst with In- Stat/MDR. "Motorola's next generation PowerQUICC II family carries on this leading approach, providing a substantial performance increase while continuing to deliver a well-balanced solution to handle both low level communications and higher level tasks in one integrated device."

Motorola's PowerQUICC II processors include both a high-performance embedded PowerPC ISA-based G2 core and a powerful RISC-based Communications Processor Module (CPM). The CPM off-loads peripheral tasks from the embedded core while providing support for multiple communication protocols - including 10/100 Mbps Ethernet, 155 Mbps ATM, and multi-channel HDLC.

The next-generation PowerQUICC II processor retains software compatibility with the current PowerQUICC II offerings, while increasing performance by 50 percent. Taking advantage of the 0.13-micron process, these devices offer significant performance increases and power savings over the current generation PowerQUICC II devices - with speeds of up to 450 MHz on the core and up to 300 MHz on the CPM at less than 2 Watts.

These next-generation PowerQUICC II devices continue to enhance the PowerQUICC II architecture's industry-leading ATM support, providing up to 2 UTOPIA ports with support for up to 62 physical layer connects (PHYs) - ideal for high-density DSLAM line cards. In addition, the new devices deliver support for USB 1.1 for high-performance small-office/home-office (SOHO) and customer premise networking equipment (CPE).

"As the market leader in communications processors, Motorola remains focused on providing our customers with a portfolio that offers a broad mix of performance and integration," commented David Perkins, vice president and general manager of Motorola's Networking and Computing Systems Group. "With these next-generation PowerQUICC II devices, together with the announcement of our PowerQUICC III family earlier this year, we continue to expand the performance envelope of our communications processors -- not only by developing new processor generations, but with continued commitment to our widely adopted PowerQUICC I and PowerQUICC II architectures."

In addition to performance and feature enhancements, the next generation PowerQUICC II devices will be offered in two packages. The 480-lead TBGA package provides a solution that is pin-compatible with current PowerQUICC II products. This enables existing PowerQUICC II-based designs to upgrade with minimal design changes.

The 516-lead PBGA package has been value engineered to allow customers to continue to benefit from the PowerQUICC II architecture, but at a significantly lower cost. Consuming less than 1 Watt, the 516-lead PBGA offerings have virtually half the footprint area of the 480-lead TBGA offerings, allowing manufacturers of high-end CPE and SOHO equipment to save on board space, cost and power consumption.

A Range of Performance, Package and Price Options

The next-generation PowerQUICC II devices continue to provide a high degree of integrated features and functionality. They provide an optimum solution for integrated control and forwarding plane processing in communications and networking equipment -- such as routers, DSLAMs, remote access concentrators, telecom switching equipment and cellular base stations.

A Family of Products to Meet Customer Needs

MPC8270 - Ideal for control plane applications not requiring ATM support, the MPC8270 includes 3 MII/RMII interfaces for 10/100 Ethernet and 128 channels of HDLC. The MPC8270 is offered at CPU speeds of 266, 333 and 450 MHz with the CPM operating at 166, 250 and 300 MHz respectively.

MPC8275 - Packaged in the small footprint PBGA package, the MPC8275 includes 3 MII/RMII interfaces for 10/100 Ethernet, 2 UTOPIA interfaces for ATM and 128 channels of HDLC. The 8275 is offered at a CPU speed of 266 MHz with the CPM operating at 166 MHz.

MPC8280 - Packaged in the pin-compatible TBGA package, the MPC8280 includes 3 MII/RMII interfaces for 10/100 Ethernet, 2 UTOPIA interfaces for ATM, increases HDLC channel support from 128 to 256 and includes the powerful Inverse Multiplexing for ATM microcode. The MPC8280 is offered at CPU speeds of 333 and 450 MHz devices with the CPM operating at 250 and 300 MHz respectively.

New UTOPIA Functionality for the MPC8275 & MPC8280

Support for 31 PHYs on each UTOPIA and support for 31 PHYs in the internal rate allows for doubling of DSLAM line card port density over current generation PowerQUICC II devices.

Broad Protocol and Interface Support

Protocols and interfaces supported include up to three 10/100 Ethernet channels (MII/RMII), up to two OC-3 ATM channels (UTOPIA), up to 256 HDLC channels, I2C support, and four serial communications channels.

Support for USB 1.1 is ideal for high-performance customer premise and SOHO equipment. Support is also provided for 32-bit, 33/66 MHz PCI for connection to peripherals such as an 802.11x wireless LAN.

More Memory

The on-chip memory has been increased to 64K of Dual Port RAM (32K for instruction RAM and 32K for data RAM), allowing more room for downloaded microcode and buffer descriptors.

Common Software Tools Across the PowerQUICC II Family

Tools and software for the PowerQUICC II family supplied by Motorola and members of Motorola's Smart Networks Alliance continue to be compatible with the next-generation PowerQUICC II devices.

Pricing and Availability

The next-generation PowerQUICC II devices from Motorola offer a compelling balance of performance, flexibility and price. Sampling is planned for the first quarter of 2003. Pricing per unit, direct from Motorola, for the next- generation PowerQUICC II devices in 10K quantities is expected to be as follows:

     MPC8270:     $29.95 @ 266 MHz, 516 PBGA
                  $45.00 @ 333 MHz, 480 TBGA
                  $54.00 @ 450 MHz, 480 TBGA

     MPC8275:     $39.95 @ 266 MHz, 516 PBGA
     MPC8280:     $75.00 @ 333 MHz, 480 TBGA
                  $90.00 @ 450 MHz, 480 TBGA

About Motorola's Smart Networks Platform

Motorola's family of communications, host, network and security processors is part of the Motorola Smart Networks Platform. The Smart Networks Platform provides a single solution for developing networking applications from SOHO to access to edge to core. It's the combination of sophisticated hardware, standard networking software and critical alliances that together can help to decrease development time from years to a matter of months. Additional information can be found at: www.motorola.com/smartnetworks .

About Motorola's Smart Networks Developer Forum

Focusing on education and collaboration, Motorola's Smart Networks Developer Forum (SNDF) is a premier event for developers in the networking industry. The SNDF features technical education sessions and seminars from Motorola and members of the Smart Networks Alliance - with topics such as programming and hardware design with Motorola's state-of-the-art microprocessors; hardware and software development including reference designs, interactive tutorials, case studies; and perspectives on future direction and strategies. Additional information can be found at: www.motorola.com/sndf .

About Motorola

As the world's #1 producer of embedded processors, Motorola's Semiconductor Products Sector creates DigitalDNA(TM) system-on-chip solutions for a connected world. Our strong focus on wireless communications and networking enables customers to develop smarter, simpler, faster and synchronized products for the person, work team, home and automobile. Motorola's worldwide semiconductor sales were $4.9 billion (USD) in 2001. www.motorola.com/semiconductors.

Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) is a global leader in providing integrated communications and embedded electronic solutions. Sales in 2001 were $30 billion. For more information, please visit: www.motorola.com .

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