Micetek announced a PowerPC development platform that includes a processor module, carrier board, and Linux board support package (BSP). The MPC8572PC module and Type-N carrier board provide a development platform for the Freescale dual-core MPC8572 processor clocked at 1.3GHz, and they offer gigabit Ethernet… connectivity.

(Click for larger view of the Micetek MT8572PC module on Type-N carrier board)

Freescale's MPC8572 processor is a high-end PowerQUICC III chip based on dual e500 PowerPC cores clocked up to 1.5GHz. Targeting high-throughput networking applications, the processor started sampling in June 2007, at which time Virtutech announced an MPC8572-compatible simulation model for its Simics tools. A year ago, shortly before the chip was expected to ship in volume, Timesys announced a LinuxLink subscription for the MPC8572.

MT8572PC block diagram
(Click to enlarge)

Micetek's MT8572PC module offers a Freescale MPC8572 processor clocked to 1.3GHz, plus 512MB DDR2 SDRAM, and up to 8MB NOR flash and 32MB NAND flash, the company says. The module also provides three PCI slots and one PCIe slot, as well as four gigabit Ethernet interfaces and a serial interface. The large 5.8 x 2.8 inch module is about half the size of the available Type-N carrier board it plugs into (see farther below).

Specifications listed for the MT8572PC processor card include:

• Processor — Freescale MPC8572 dual-core at up to 1.3GHz per core
• Memory — 512MB DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz
• Flash — up to 8MB NOR flash; up to 32MB NAND flash
• Bus — 3 x PCI slots (32-bit) slots; 1 x PCI Express slot
• Networking — 4 x gigabit Ethernet interfaces
• Serial — 1 x RS-232 serial interface
• Other features — COP interface; 5V fan connector; Flexible POR configuration via dipswitches
• Power — 3.3V and 5V power from carrier board
• Dimensions — 5.8 x 2.8 inches
• Operating system — Linux 2.6.xx

Type-N carrier board block diagram
(Click to enlarge)
The Type-N (PQCBN) carrier board (pictured at top) is based on Micetek's MT8XXX-N generic I/O platform for PowerQUICC II Pro and III family processor cards. The board provides various I/O including 32-bit PCI slots, a serial port, and gigabit Ethernet. Equipped with 12V and 5V power supplies, the carrier board measures 8.7 x 5.8 inches, says Micetek. A Type-A carrier board (pictured below) for ATCA and MicroTCA chassis is also said to be available.

Type-A carrier board

The complete development platform includes the MT8572PC module and Type-N carrier board, as well as a Linux BSP. The software kit includes U-boot, Linux 2.6.xx, and “drivers codes of the interfaces on the board,” says Micetek. Also available are a design file of the carrier, as well as the schematics of processor card in PDF format.

Availability

The MPC8572PC module and Type-N carrier board appear to be available now at an undisclosed price. More information on the MPC8572PC module may be found here, and more on the Type-N carrier card may be found here.

Based in China and Taiwan, Micetek has previously developed a Mini-ITX development system based on the MPC8349E PowerQUICC processor.

---

 
This article was originally published on LinuxDevices.com and has been donated to the open source community by QuinStreet Inc. Please visit LinuxToday.com for up-to-date news and articles about Linux and open source.