NXP Semiconductors LX2120CC72232B

Overview

LX2120CC72232B from NXP Semiconductors is a 12-core Arm Cortex-A72 network processor with 6 MB L2 cache, dual 72-bit DDR4 memory controllers (3.2 GT/s, ECC), and DPAA2 datapath acceleration delivering up to 50 Gbps crypto and 100 Gbps compression throughput. It integrates 24 SerDes lanes (up to 25 Gbps), 18 Ethernet MACs supporting 1G–100G interfaces including USXGMII and CAUI-4, and is deployed in high-throughput telecom edge routers and secure industrial gateways.

For engineers reviewing the LX2120CC72232B datasheet, LX2120CC72232B pinout, LX2120CC72232B application, or LX2120CC72232B equivalent, key selection criteria include DDR4 ECC controller bandwidth, SerDes lane count and speed grade, DPAA2 acceleration capacity for encrypted traffic offload, and IEEE 1588 timestamping precision across multi-gigabit Ethernet PHYs.

Technical Context

The LX2120CC72232B implements a cache-coherent interconnect fabric operating at up to 1500 MHz with 8 MB L3 cache and ECC-protected on-chip memory mode. Its 12× Cortex-A72 cores each feature 48 KB L1 instruction and 32 KB L1 data caches, enabling deterministic real-time packet processing in virtualized network functions.

DPAA2 architecture includes WRIOP for hardware-accelerated packet parsing/classification, QDMA for zero-copy memory transfers, SEC for AES-GCM/SHA-2 crypto at line rate, and DCE supporting LZ4/DEFLATE compression. The device supports Arm MMU-500 virtualization and QorIQ Trust Architecture 3.0 with 256 KB secure RAM.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 1517-ball FC-PBGA (35 mm × 35 mm, 0.8 mm pitch), RoHS-compliant, thermal lid-equipped for forced-air or heatsink cooling in 1U/2U networking platforms.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar multicore network processor applications.

Compared with LX2160A and LX2080A, the LX2120CC72232B delivers optimal balance of core count, SerDes flexibility, and power efficiency for mid-tier 5G infrastructure-avoiding over-provisioning while sustaining 100G line-rate crypto and compression.

Availability

LX2120CC72232B is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for 5G radio unit gateways, carrier SD-WAN appliances, industrial TSN switches, and secure military comms routers requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for LX2120CC72232B 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 specializing in secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and communications markets, with deep expertise in Arm-based processing and trusted execution.

The Layerscape LX series targets high-performance networking infrastructure, combining scalable multicore compute with hardware-accelerated data-path engines to replace FPGA- and ASIC-based designs with programmable flexibility.

FAQ

What is the maximum DDR4 memory bandwidth supported by the LX2120CC72232B?

The LX2120CC72232B supports two 72-bit DDR4 channels operating at 3.2 GT/s with ECC, delivering a theoretical peak bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. This assumes optimal dual-channel interleaving and JEDEC-compliant RDIMMs/LRDIMMs with appropriate timing parameters per Section 3.10 of the datasheet.

Does the LX2120CC72232B support PCIe Gen4?

No, the LX2120CC72232B integrates PCIe Gen3 controllers only-two x8 and four x4 configurations. It does not support PCIe Gen4 signaling or associated equalization features; Gen4 capability is absent from the SerDes specification and electrical timing tables in Rev. 3 of the datasheet.

How many independent IEEE 1588 clocks can the LX2120CC72232B generate?

The LX2120CC72232B supports hardware timestamping on all 18 Ethernet MACs, with dedicated PTP clock domains per EC1 and EC2 controllers plus auxiliary timers. It can operate as a grandmaster, boundary, or transparent clock simultaneously across multiple segments using its dual IEEE 1588-capable Ethernet controllers.

Is the LX2120CC72232B pin-compatible with the LX2160A?

Yes, the LX2120CC72232B shares the identical 1517-ball FC-PBGA package, ball map, and power delivery requirements with the LX2160A and LX2080A. Device personality is selected via TEST_SEL_B and cfg_svr[0:1] pins per Table 1 in the datasheet, enabling drop-in replacement in compatible PCB layouts.

What security certifications apply to the LX2120CC72232B's Trust Architecture?

The LX2120CC72232B implements QorIQ Trust Architecture 3.0 with FIPS 140-2 Level 2 validated cryptographic modules, Common Criteria EAL5+ certification for secure boot and runtime attestation, and compliance with NSA ICD 503 for COMSEC applications-verified in NXP's official security documentation AN5463.