NXP Semiconductors B4860NXN7QUMD

Overview

B4860NXN7QUMD from NXP Semiconductors (formerly Freescale) is a 28 nm multi-standard wireless baseband SoC integrating four dual-threaded 64-bit e6500 Power Architecture cores (up to 1.8 GHz), six SC3900FP StarCore FVP DSP cores (up to 1.2 GHz), and MAPLE-B3 baseband accelerators. It enables simultaneous processing of three 20 MHz LTE sectors with FEC, FFT, MIMO equalization, and PDSCH/PUSCH data path acceleration in macro base stations.

For engineers reviewing the B4860NXN7QUMD datasheet, B4860NXN7QUMD pinout, B4860NXN7QUMD application, or B4860NXN7QUMD equivalent, key selection considerations include its 1020-pin FC-PBGA package, dual DDR3/3L memory controllers with 512 KB L3 cache each, IEEE 1588v2 support, eight CPRI v4.2 interfaces, and hardware-accelerated Layer 1 PHY functions for LTE-Advanced (Rel.10/11), LTE FDD/TDD, and WCDMA.

Technical Context

The B4860NXN7QUMD implements strict functional partitioning: Layer 1 baseband processing is offloaded to MAPLE-B3 accelerators (Turbo/Viterbi, FFT/iFFT, MIMO MMSE-IRC/SIC/PIC, CRC) and six SC3900FP FVP cores, while Layer 2/3 packet processing runs on four e6500 cores with DPAA (frame/queue/buffer managers) and security accelerators (AES, SHA-2, SNOW-3G, ZUC). CoreNet coherency fabric ensures full cache coherence across CPU, DSP, and accelerator clusters.

It supports heterogeneous traffic handling via eight CPRI v4.2 links (9.8 Gbps each), two 10G/2.5G/1G Ethernet controllers with IEEE 1588v2 timestamping, two Serial RapidIO Gen II ports (5 Gbps), and PCIe Gen II x4 - all multiplexed over a 16-lane 10 GHz SerDes array. Memory subsystem includes dual 64-bit DDR3/3L controllers, ECC protection, and 12.3 MB total on-die memory (L1/L2/L3 caches + embedded SRAM).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 1020-pin Flip-Chip Plastic Ball Grid Array (FC-PBGA), 1 mm ball pitch, 37.5 mm × 37.5 mm body size, 1.27 mm height. Thermal design requires exposed thermal pad soldered to PCB ground plane.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar baseband SoC applications.

Compared with Zynq RFSoC ZU28DR and Agilex+Xeon D, the B4860NXN7QUMD delivers higher deterministic Layer 1 throughput per watt, native CPRI v4.2 and 1588v2 support, and monolithic integration - making it optimal for cost-sensitive, high-throughput macro base stations where hardware-accelerated PHY latency and fronthaul convergence are critical.

Availability

B4860NXN7QUMD is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for macrocell LTE-Advanced base stations, converged LTE/WCDMA infrastructure, and high-density CPRI fronthaul systems requiring stable component supply across multi-year production cycles.

Supply support for B4860NXN7QUMD includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

NXP Semiconductors is a global semiconductor leader focused on secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial & IoT, mobile, and communication infrastructure markets.

The B4860NXN7QUMD belongs to the QorIQ Qonverge platform - a family of highly integrated baseband SoCs designed specifically for wireless infrastructure equipment requiring deterministic real-time processing, multi-standard support, and fronthaul/backhaul convergence in macro base stations.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the e6500 cores in the B4860NXN7QUMD?

The B4860NXN7QUMD integrates four dual-threaded e6500 64-bit Power Architecture cores rated for operation up to 1.8 GHz. This frequency is validated across the industrial temperature range (–40°C to +105°C) with appropriate thermal management and voltage regulation. The B4860NXN7QUMD datasheet specifies this as the guaranteed maximum clock rate under nominal VDD_CORE conditions.

Does the B4860NXN7QUMD support IEEE 1588v2 Precision Time Protocol?

Yes, the B4860NXN7QUMD includes hardware timestamping support for IEEE 1588v2 in both of its 10G/2.5G/1G Ethernet controllers. This enables sub-100 ns timestamp accuracy for synchronization-critical fronthaul applications such as CPRI-based LTE macro deployments. The B4860NXN7QUMD implements full PTP slave and master functionality per IEEE Std. 1588-2008.

How many CPRI links does the B4860NXN7QUMD support, and at what version and speed?

The B4860NXN7QUMD integrates eight CPRI v4.2 controllers, each capable of 9.8304 Gbps line rate - matching the maximum CPRI Option 10 specification. These are implemented as dedicated SerDes lanes within the 16-lane 10 GHz SerDes array and require external CPRI PHYs. The B4860NXN7QUMD does not support CPRI v5 or eCPRI natively.

What memory technologies and capacities are supported by the B4860NXN7QUMD?

The B4860NXN7QUMD features two independent 64-bit DDR3/3L memory controllers, each supporting data rates up to 1.867 GHz and attached to 512 KB of dedicated L3/M3 cache. It supports DDR3-1866 and DDR3L-1866 DIMMs or discrete components with ECC enabled. Total on-die memory (L1/L2/L3 + embedded SRAM) totals 12.3 MB, as specified in the B4860NXN7QUMD reference manual.

Is the B4860NXN7QUMD pin-compatible with other QorIQ Qonverge devices like the B4460?

No, the B4860NXN7QUMD is not pin-compatible with the B4460 or other QorIQ Qonverge SoCs. It uses a unique 1020-pin FC-PBGA package with distinct ball mapping for SerDes, DDR, CPRI, and power domains. Migration from B4460 to B4860NXN7QUMD requires full PCB redesign due to differences in package size, thermal pad layout, and high-speed interface routing constraints.