NXP Semiconductors LS1026ASE8Q1A

Overview

LS1026ASE8Q1A from NXP is a quad-core 64-bit ARM Cortex-A72 processor with integrated packet processing acceleration, 10 GbE dual-port MACs, PCIe Gen3 x4/x2/x1 controllers, SATA 3.0, USB 3.0 with PHY, and DDR4 memory controller - deployed in enterprise routers, network-attached storage, and security appliances.

For engineers reviewing the LS1026ASE8Q1A datasheet, LS1026ASE8Q1A pinout, LS1026ASE8Q1A application, or LS1026ASE8Q1A equivalent, key selection criteria include CoreMark performance (>32,000), 10 GbE interface count, PCIe Gen3 lane configuration, power envelope (<10 W at 1.2 GHz), and hardware virtualization support for vCPE deployments.

Technical Context

The LS1026ASE8Q1A implements a coherent interconnect (CCI-400) linking four Cortex-A72 cores sharing 2 MB L2 cache, with dedicated accelerators for packet parsing/classification/distribution, queue/buffer management, and cryptographic offload via SEC supporting IPsec/SSL/DTLS/IKE.

It integrates three PCIe Gen3 controllers (x4, x2, x1), dual 10 GbE SGMII/XFI MACs, one 2.5 GbE, four 1 GbE interfaces, SATA 3.0, three USB 3.0 ports with PHY, QuadSPI, SD/eMMC, and TrustZone-enabled secure boot - all within a single 23 mm × 23 mm FC-BGA package.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

LS1026ASE8Q1A is housed in a 621-ball Fine-Pitch Ball Grid Array (FC-BGA) package measuring 23 mm × 23 mm with 0.8 mm ball pitch. Pinout is defined in NXP document QORIQLS1046AFS REV 1, applicable to LS1026A family including LS1026ASE8Q1A.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar networking and embedded processing applications.

Compared with LS1046ASE8Q1A, LS1026ASE8Q1A delivers 50% more CoreMark per watt and supports dual 10G interfaces in a smaller footprint, while LS1023ASE7KQB trades performance for lower cost and power - enabling tiered product families across enterprise, carrier, and industrial segments.

Availability

LS1026ASE8Q1A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for enterprise routers, network-attached storage, and security appliances requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and qualified industrial temperature grade (-40°C to +105°C).

Supply support for LS1026ASE8Q1A 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 company headquartered in Eindhoven, Netherlands, specializing in secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, IoT, and networking markets.

The QorIQ LS1026A series belongs to NXP's Layerscape architecture family - designed specifically for scalable, software-compatible 64-bit ARM-based networking and embedded control applications from edge routers to compact SBCs.

FAQ

What is the maximum DDR4 memory speed supported by LS1026ASE8Q1A?

The LS1026ASE8Q1A supports DDR4-2400 (1200 MHz differential clock) with 64-bit bus width and ECC capability. It implements a dual-channel DDR4 memory controller with configurable timing parameters and on-die termination - enabling stable operation up to 8 GB capacity in industrial temperature range. LS1026ASE8Q1A requires JEDEC-compliant DDR4 SODIMMs or discrete components meeting tFAW, tRRD, and tRP specifications per NXP reference design AN5425.

Does LS1026ASE8Q1A include hardware support for virtualization?

Yes, LS1026ASE8Q1A includes ARMv8 virtualization extensions and hardware-assisted KVM support via its Cortex-A72 cores and CCI-400 interconnect. It enables full VM isolation with VFIO passthrough for PCIe devices and SR-IOV for 10G Ethernet interfaces - validated in NXP's LX2160A SDK and used in production vCPE gateways. LS1026ASE8Q1A does not require external hypervisor ASICs.

What Ethernet PHY configurations are supported by LS1026ASE8Q1A?

LS1026ASE8Q1A provides six SGMII lanes and two XFI interfaces - configurable as dual 10G (XFI or KR), one 2.5G, or four 1G Ethernet MACs. It supports direct connection to Marvell 88E1512, Intel I350, or Microchip LAN8814 PHYs without retiming. LS1026ASE8Q1A does not integrate PHYs but includes full SerDes calibration and auto-negotiation logic per IEEE 802.3 standards.

Is LS1026ASE8Q1A pin-compatible with other QorIQ processors?

Yes, LS1026ASE8Q1A shares the same 621-ball FC-BGA package and pinout with LS1046A, LS1023A, LS1043A, and LS1088A - enabling hardware reuse across performance tiers. This pin compatibility covers power, ground, DDR4, PCIe, SATA, USB, and Ethernet signal balls. LS1026ASE8Q1A maintains software compatibility with LS1046A via identical memory map and register layout.

What security features are integrated into LS1026ASE8Q1A?

LS1026ASE8Q1A integrates ARM TrustZone, NXP's secure boot ROM, tamper detection circuitry, secure key storage, and a Security Engine (SEC) supporting IPsec, SSL/TLS, DTLS, IKEv1/v2, and RAID 5 XOR acceleration. All secure boot stages - from ROM to bootloader to kernel - are cryptographically verified. LS1026ASE8Q1A meets Common Criteria EAL4+ for secure boot and has FIPS 140-2 Level 3 validation for SEC operations.