ECS has extensive project experience in delivering PowerPC-based software solutions. 

For example, we have: 

developed device drivers for on- and off-chip peripherals, particularly for the MPC8xx family of processors

ported several RTOS's to the PowerPC

developed BSP's for both custom and off-the-shelf PowerPC boards

integrated protocol stacks (TCP/IP, ATM, etc...) onto PowerPC platforms

developed communications software for several off-the-shelf and custom/proprietary PowerPC baseboards

developed complete turnkey PowerPC solutions for customers who can't afford the ramp-up on a new processor

ECS has been on the front line of embedded PowerPC development since 1995.  Our development staff has many embedded PowerPC projects under its belt.  We understand the processor's peripherals, programming model, and toolset. 

We can help you through the difficult initial stages of creating a solid platform for your product.   

PowerPC technical tips 

Familiar with other processor families, but curious about PowerPC?  Or maybe you've used a PowerPC processor on a project, but always wondered why something is done a certain way? 

This page provides some technical information on the PowerPC architecture from an embedded software developer's point of view. 

Interested in even more about the PowerPC architecture? You'll find all sorts of details in EDN's 26th Annual Microprocessor/Microcontroller Directory.  
 

The bottom line 

Contact ECS today to start working together on a PowerPC solution for your product(s). 

PowerPC microcontrollers and microprocessors offer a very broad range of choices for embedded products.  They are winning designs in embedded markets due to their processing power, broad tool support, and technology roadmap.  

PowerPC microprocessors are found in communications equipment, baseboards, and computers.  PowerPC-based microcontrollers are being designed into heavily-embedded systems requiring a balance of processing horsepower and highly-integrated peripherals. 
 

The PowerPC family of processors 

The MPC8xx family of integrated microcontrollers is aimed at communications and consumer electronics. Some of the newer MPC8xx PowerPC processors from Motorola include the MPC855T, the MPC860P, and the enhanced MPC823e.  

The MPC5xx family of microcontrollers is aimed at the automotive and industrial control markets. The MPC555 32-bit microcontroller is the flagship of this family, and is the first of several new PowerPC-based microcontrollers Motorola will be introducing. 

The 600-series and 700-series processors are high-end workhorses, often found on workstations and CompactPCI and VME baseboards. 

Motorola has introduced two highly-integrated PowerPC processors:  the MPC8260, also known as the PowerQUICC II, and the MPC8240, based on the 603e processor. The 8260 is powered by an EC603e core, and includes several high-speed serial channel controllers that can perform a variety of LAN and WAN protocols.  The 8240 includes an on-chip PCI interface, DMA controller, memory controller, and interrupt controller. 

Even though it is technically a DSP, and not a member of the PowerPC family, Motorola's MSC8101 Integrated Digital Signal Processor is described as a "Network Ready DSP", and shares the CPM core of the MPC8260 PowerQUICC II. 

You can read about Motorola's AltiVec expansion to the PowerPC architecture, as well as the MPC7400 microprocessor, the first CPU to incorporate the Altivec technology. 

Motorola and IBM have announced the Book E architecture, intended to encourage code and architecture standardization for embedded PowerPC implementations.  

IBM also offers a line of high-performance PowerPC processors as well as a line of PowerPC processors targeted at embedded applications. 

IBM has introduced the PowerPC 405GP Embedded Controller which features its CodePack(TM) decompression capability The company has also announced the 440 core, which pushes 1000 MIPS at a clock speed of 550MHz.