In message 1102010876.9375.45.camel@Polar64 you wrote:

1. I am designing in a MPC-5200 loosely based on the MPC-5200 LITE.
2. I plan to keep the ethernet the same.
3. I plan to keep the serial console the same.
4. I would like to use 2 : K4H511638B-TC Samsung 32Mx16 DDR memory Any comments? Am I asking for trouble?

You may see some 50%+ better perfromance than on the standard Lite5200. You may want to have a look at the icecube_5200_DDR_config settings in the U-Boot tree.

5. I would like to use Toshiba 16Mx8 NOR flash TC58FVM6T2ATG-65. It

uses common flash interface. Any comments? I am choosing this over the AMD flash in the reference design based on availability.

No problems.

Finally, I have a MPC-823 set up as a JAM player over JTAG for use with Altera parts. Is there any way to move the u-boot image to a JAM file which could then be loaded via the MPC-5200? I am trying not to have to purchase the BDI-2000. I suspect that I could also use my FPGA (I will

Reconsider. This is the only item in your plan where I really recommend to reconsider.

have an Altera cyclone device connected on the local bus) as a flash programmer by porting the programming algorithm from the NIOS reference board, and having pins connected to the necessary Flash pins.

You _can_ do many things, if you have enough time and nerves. You can re-invent gthe wheel again and again and again, or you can nail a piano to your kneecap. Some people actually like doing these things. I rather get a project done as smoothly and reliable as possible.

On a scale of 1 - 10 how useful is the BDI-2000 10 being no one will be able to help me at all without it. For reference, I am one of those people who never use a debugger.

If you never use a debugger that you will not use the BDI either, so it's 0 for you. For me, ist's something between 10 and 20.

Best regards,

Wolfgang Denk