The ECUcore-5484 is a very compact, insert-ready, high-performance single board computer subassembly module, based on the 32-bit Freescale MCF5484 microcontroller.


Focusing on applications that require a high degree of embedded computing power, the ECUcore-5484 combines a fast CPU, a high-performance memory layout and a variety of communication interfaces. Measuring just 40mm x 70mm, the module comes with two CAN2.0B interfaces, four UARTs and two 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet interfaces. It targets applications that require high-speed data acquisition and real-time communication, such as PLC applications or Ethernet POWERLINK. The ECUcore-5484 comes pre-programmed with Linux-OS.

Thanks to enhanced firmware, the same hardware module is also available as a Linux-based Hard-PLC for the usage in OEM applications. This so-called SYS TEC PLCcore-5484 is supporting C/C++ as well as textual and graphical programming methods according to IEC 61131-3.

Designed to performance, the core module incorporates all high-speed components on an extremely compact, low-EMI multilayer PCB. The target specific base board holds the slower clocked peripheral components and thus, can be kept "simple" and less critical in PCB design. The module has a single-voltage power supply of 3.3V and a digital I/O expansion interface to connect custom peripherals.

The ECUcore-5484 has a powerful on-board CPLD (Complex PLD). It allows for implementation of basic digital input and output lines as well as highly complex peripheral units. Apart from basic I/Os, the standard version of the CPLD also contains one freely configurable high-speed counter and an extremely powerful PWM/PTO unit. Both, the VHDL sources of the CPLD and the C source code of the Linux I/O driver, are available with the Driver Development Kit (DDK). The on-board CPLD provides the most flexible way to adapt the I/O configuration to specific needs. Thus, proprietary algorithms for pre-processing of process data could be "outsourced" to the hardware level. In addition to memory mapped interfaces, the DDK also supports the usage of standard I/O extension busses like I2C and SPI. Hence, the user is able to adapt the I/O configuration freely and easily to various application-requirements.

• Freescale MCF5484 MCU with Coldfire V4e core running at 200 MHz and 300+ MIPS
• up to 128 MiB 32-bit, 133MHz DDR-SDRAM (standard: 64 MiB)
• up to 64 MiB Flash (standard: 16 MiB)
• up to 32 KiB EEPROM
• Hardware accelerated floating point processing (FPU)
• 16-channel DMA
• MMU
• On-board real time clock (RTC), watchdog and temperature sensor
• Standard on-board I/Os (modifiable via DDK):
  • 24 digital input lines
  • 22 digital output lines
  • 1 high-speed counter (Pulse/Dir or A/B)
  • 1 PWM-/PTO-Output (Pulse/Dir)
• Single source power supply 3.3 V, 1.5 A power consumption
• Extreme compact PCB following the latest low EMI design rules
• Dimension: 70 x 40mm
• Industrial temperature range from -40°C to +85°C

• Generic I/O expansion busses (FlexBus, SPI, I²C, GPIO) for easy integration of external peripherals like ADC or DAC
• On-board Programmable Logical Device (PLD) for user-specific generation of I/O signals
• I/O-adaptation possible by the user
• DDK available including VHDL and C sources for own driver development

• 2x 10/100Mbps Ethernet with on-board PHY
• 2x CAN-bus interfaces supporting CANopen Master/Slave functions
• 4x Serial ports

• Operating system support: Linux, eCos, µCLinux
• Pre-programmed with reliable and performance-optimized Linux-OS
• Linux kernel modules provide instant access to the on-board peripherals
• Comprehensive CANopen library available, including the CiA 302 compliant CANopen manager
• Programmable in C/C++ or in IEC 61131 3 (see PLCcore-5484)

• ECUcore-5484 core module
• Development board
• USB/CAN interface
• Free Support

• PLC applications (see PLCcore-5484)
• Motion control applications
• High-speed data acquisition and processing
• Communication gateways
• Low-latency communication interface
• High-end ECU for special vehicle applications

• Application-specific base board development
• Adaptation of firmware
• Prototyping
• OEM integration
• Assembly and serial production