topic Re: IP cores in ColdFire/68K Microcontrollers and Processors

IP cores

garimella — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 12:35:27 GMT

I have found free IP cores for 68k processors on the web. Can we use those cores in commercial applications as a substitute for legacy 68k processor(s)? What are the legal implications?Does NXP/motorola still hold patent rights for 68k family(68000,68010, 68020 and so on)?

Re: IP cores

Hui_Ma — Fri, 11 Feb 2022 04:29:40 GMT

Hi,

Please refer the webpage [IP-block Licensing], there listed 68K core IP.

NXP is licensing many functional IP blocks in various fields. An IP block is a reusable unit of logic, cell, or chip layout design and can be used as building block for various chip- and logic designs. By making this technology available NXP is opening up the opportunity for chip designers to leverage our world-class building blocks in a wide assortment of on-chip solutions. Several IP block licenses include relevant application software.

Please contact with your local NXP distributor about IP licensing.Thanks.

best regards,

Mike

Re: IP cores

garimella — Fri, 11 Feb 2022 05:50:16 GMT

I am looking for legal implications if we were to use rasberry Pi based emulator for 68k processor. Please clarify as buying new IP core is out of question.

Re: IP cores

TomE — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 02:41:30 GMT

> there listed 68K core IP.

Where exactly? That page lists:

CoolFlux DSP Family
MIPI I3C
USB 2.0 Full High Speed Solution
FLEXRAY Communication Controllers
FlexCAN Controller
e200 Core Family, NXP Power Architecture™ IP
StarCore DSP
Coldfire 32-Bit Processors

There are no 68000 (or 68020 or 68300 or CPU32) cores listed there.

The 68000 (being asked about) CPUs are so old they were probably hand-taped, so I wouldn't expect NXP to have IP that would fit in an FPGA for them.

Tom

Re: IP cores

Hui_Ma — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 12:55:01 GMT

Hi Tom,

You are right. The [IP-block Licensing] program does not include 68K core.

68K core is quite old and I need to check with internal team about 68K core IP info.

Thank you all for the patience.

best regards,

Mike

Re: IP cores

wenuam — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 13:28:55 GMT

Hello, any news about the status of 68k IP cores' right ?