NXP Semiconductors LX2160CC72232B
- Part No.:
- LX2160CC72232B
- Manufacturer:
- NXP Semiconductors
- Category:
- Microprocessors
- Package:
- 1517-BBGA, FCBGA
- Datasheet:
-
LX2160CC72232B.pdf
- Description:
- LAYERSCAPE 64-BIT ARM CORTEX-A72
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

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Product details
Overview
LX2160CC72232B from NXP is a 16-core Arm Cortex-A72 network processor operating up to 2.2 GHz, featuring dual 72-bit DDR4 controllers with ECC, 24 SerDes lanes (up to 25 Gbps), and DPAA2 acceleration delivering 50 Gbps crypto and 100 Gbps compression throughput. It targets high-throughput networking infrastructure including 100G Ethernet switches and secure edge gateways.
For engineers reviewing the LX2160CC72232B datasheet, LX2160CC72232B pinout, LX2160CC72232B application, or LX2160CC72232B equivalent, key selection criteria include DDR4 ECC memory interface timing, SerDes lane configuration flexibility, IEEE 1588 timestamping accuracy, and hardware virtualization support via Arm MMU-500.
Technical Context
The LX2160CC72232B implements a cache-coherent interconnect fabric running at up to 1500 MHz with 8 MB L3 cache and ECC-protected on-chip memory mode. Its Datapath Acceleration Architecture 2.0 (DPAA2) integrates WRIOP for packet parsing/classification, SEC for cryptography, DCE for compression/decompression, and QDMA for zero-copy transfers.
It supports up to 18 Ethernet MACs with multi-rate PHY interfaces including USXGMII, CAUI-4 (100G), 50GAUI-2, and XLAUI4 (40G), alongside two PCIe Gen3 x8 controllers with SR-IOV and four PCIe Gen3 x4 controllers - all managed by the Arm GIC-500 global interrupt controller and TrustZone-enabled QorIQ Platform Trust Architecture 3.0.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Core Count & Type | 16× Arm Cortex-A72 cores, each with 48 KB L1 instruction + 32 KB L1 data cache; enables parallel packet processing and real-time control plane execution. |
| Max Core Frequency | 2.2 GHz; determines per-core instruction throughput and latency-critical task scheduling capability in routing/switching applications. |
| DDR Interface | Dual 72-bit (64+8 ECC) DDR4 at 3.2 GT/s; provides >51 GB/s aggregate memory bandwidth with error correction for carrier-grade reliability. |
| DPAA2 Crypto Throughput | 50 Gbps SEC acceleration; offloads TLS/IPsec encryption/decryption from CPU cores, preserving headroom for application logic. |
| SerDes Lanes | 24 lanes configurable up to 25 Gbps per lane; supports flexible 100G/50G/40G/25G Ethernet, PCIe Gen3, SATA3, and SGMII physical layer connectivity. |
| PCIe Controllers | Two Gen3 x8 + four Gen3 x4 controllers with SR-IOV; enables direct device assignment in virtualized NFV environments without hypervisor overhead. |
| IEEE 1588 Support | Hardware timestamping across all 18 Ethernet MACs; achieves sub-100 ns time synchronization accuracy required for TSN and precision timing in 5G fronthaul. |
Pinout & Package
The LX2160CC72232B uses a 1517-ball FC-PBGA package (35 mm × 35 mm, 0.8 mm pitch) with thermal lid and defined power/ground ball map per NXP DS Rev. 3. Pin functions are grouped into DDR1/DDR2 controllers, I²C banks (I2C1–I2C8), SerDes banks (Serdes1–Serdes3), Ethernet management interfaces (EMI1/EMI2), and dedicated trust/security pins.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| D1_MDQ00–D1_MDQ63 | DDR1 Data Bus (x64 + 8 ECC) | High-speed bidirectional data path for first DDR4 channel; requires matched-length routing and termination for signal integrity at 3.2 GT/s. |
| D2_MDQS00_B–D2_MDQS08_B | DDR2 Data Strobe (ECC-inclusive) | Differential strobe signals for second DDR4 channel; critical for write-leveling calibration and read capture timing closure. |
| SD3_RX0_P/N–SD3_RX7_P/N | SerDes3 Receive Differential Pairs | Eight 25 Gbps RX lanes supporting CAUI-4, 50GAUI-2, or USXGMII; routed as controlled-impedance differential pairs with <100 ps skew. |
| SD3_TX0_P/N–SD3_TX7_P/N | SerDes3 Transmit Differential Pairs | Eight 25 Gbps TX lanes with programmable pre-emphasis; used for 100G Ethernet uplinks or PCIe expansion with retimer compatibility. |
| EMI1_MDIO / EMI1_MDC | Ethernet Management Interface | Shared MDIO/MDC bus controlling up to 32 PHY registers; supports auto-negotiation and link status monitoring for RGMII/SFI/XFI PHYs. |
| GIC500_IRQ00–IRQ11 | Global Interrupt Controller Inputs | Dedicated interrupt request lines mapped to Arm GIC-500; enables low-latency, priority-based event handling from peripherals and accelerators. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Hardware Virtualization Enforcement | Arm MMU-500 integrated with TrustZone, enabling secure partitioning of CPU cores, memory, and I/O for multi-tenant NFV workloads. |
| On-Chip Trust Architecture | 256 KB on-chip RAM reserved for trusted firmware execution and cryptographic key storage, isolated from normal world access. |
| Flexible CAN-FD Support | Two CAN modules with optional Flexible Data Rate mode, allowing automotive gateway integration with deterministic real-time messaging up to 8 Mbps. |
| Energy-Efficient Ethernet | IEEE 802.3az (EEE) support across all MACs, reducing dynamic power by >30% during low-traffic periods without compromising latency. |
| Voltage ID (VID) Control | Dynamic core voltage adjustment via VID pins improves manufacturing yield and enables adaptive power scaling under thermal constraints. |
Applications
| 5G Radio Unit Gateway | Carrier-Grade Edge Router |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Aggregating fronthaul traffic from multiple massive MIMO radios over eCPRI/CPRI using deterministic latency paths. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: LX2160CC72232B serves as the control and data plane processor with IEEE 1588 hardware timestamping and USXGMII interfaces. Use Value: Sub-100 ns time sync accuracy ensures precise phase alignment between distributed radios, meeting 3GPP Release 15+ fronthaul requirements. | Use Scenario: Deploying virtualized routing functions (vRouter, vFW) in telecom central offices with strict SLA guarantees. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: LX2160CC72232B hosts containerized network functions with SR-IOV-enabled PCIe passthrough to SmartNICs. Use Value: 50 Gbps SEC acceleration maintains line-rate IPsec throughput while freeing 12+ CPU cores for policy enforcement and telemetry. |
| Secure Industrial Firewall | Multi-Protocol IoT Gateway |
Use Scenario: Enforcing zero-trust segmentation between OT and IT networks in power substations or manufacturing plants. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: LX2160CC72232B runs hardened Linux with kernel-based packet filtering and encrypted tunneling (DTLS/TLS 1.3). Use Value: On-chip 256 KB trust RAM stores root-of-trust keys and validates firmware signatures before boot, preventing persistent malware injection. | Use Scenario: Bridging fieldbus protocols (CAN-FD, Modbus TCP) to cloud platforms via cellular/Wi-Fi backhaul in smart agriculture deployments. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: LX2160CC72232B acts as protocol translator and edge AI inference host using FlexSPI-connected flash and eSDHC SD card storage. Use Value: Dual CAN-FD controllers enable concurrent communication with hydraulic control units and sensor clusters, supporting ASAM MCD-2 MC diagnostics. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar multicore network processor applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| NXP LX2120AC72232B | 12-core Cortex-A72, 6 MB L2 cache, identical DPAA2 and SerDes architecture but lower core count and memory bandwidth. | Suitable for mid-scale enterprise routers where 100G line rate is not required; reduces BOM cost and thermal design complexity. | Select when application workload fits within 12 cores and dual DDR4 bandwidth is sufficient for target throughput. |
| Marvell ARMADA 8040 | 8-core Armv8-A (Cortex-A72 derivative), 40 Gbps crypto acceleration, no USXGMII or CAUI-4 support; uses different interconnect and peripheral IP. | Better suited for compact SD-WAN appliances with 10G/25G uplinks; lacks full 100G Ethernet MAC density and hardware 1588 timestamping granularity. | Choose for cost-sensitive branch office deployments requiring smaller footprint and lower power envelope. |
Compared with LX2120AC72232B and ARMADA 8040, the LX2160CC72232B delivers highest core density, full 100G Ethernet MAC support, and superior DPAA2 acceleration - making it optimal for carrier-edge and 5G infrastructure where deterministic performance and scalability are mandatory.
Availability
LX2160CC72232B is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for 5G fronthaul gateways, carrier-grade edge routers, and secure industrial firewalls requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.
Supply support for LX2160CC72232B 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 specializing in secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, IoT, mobile, and communication infrastructure markets.
The Layerscape LX series targets high-performance networking and edge computing, with the LX2160CC72232B designed specifically for scalable, software-defined infrastructure demanding hardware-accelerated data path processing and robust security.
FAQ
What is the maximum DDR4 data rate supported by the LX2160CC72232B?
The LX2160CC72232B supports DDR4 memory at up to 3.2 GT/s across two independent 72-bit channels (64-bit data + 8-bit ECC). This yields an aggregate theoretical bandwidth exceeding 51 GB/s, validated under JEDEC-compliant operating conditions with proper PCB layout and termination.
Does the LX2160CC72232B support IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol in hardware?
Yes, the LX2160CC72232B integrates hardware timestamping engines across all 18 Ethernet MACs, supporting IEEE 1588-2008 (PTP) with sub-100 ns resolution. Timestamp insertion occurs at the PHY interface boundary, enabling accurate time synchronization for TSN and 5G fronthaul applications.
How many PCIe Gen3 lanes does the LX2160CC72232B provide, and what configurations are supported?
The LX2160CC72232B provides six PCIe Gen3 controllers: two x8 and four x4. These support flexible lane bifurcation (e.g., x8 → x4+x4) and SR-IOV for virtualized environments. All controllers comply with PCI Express Base Specification Rev 3.0 and support ASPM L0s/L1 power states.
Is the LX2160CC72232B pin-compatible with other Layerscape LX processors like the LX2120A or LX2080A?
No, the LX2160CC72232B is not pin-compatible with the LX2120A or LX2080A. Although they share the same 1517-ball FC-PBGA package outline, ball assignments differ significantly - especially for DDR, SerDes, and peripheral interfaces - requiring unique PCB designs for each variant.
What security features are implemented in silicon for the LX2160CC72232B?
The LX2160CC72232B includes QorIQ Platform Trust Architecture 3.0 with 256 KB on-chip RAM for trusted firmware, Arm TrustZone for hardware-enforced isolation, secure boot with immutable ROM-based bootloader, and tamper-detect circuitry with battery-backed security monitor - all verified in silicon and documented in NXP's Security Reference Manual.
LX2160CC72232B Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- NXP Semiconductors
- Package/Case:
- 1517-BBGA, FCBGA
- Series:
- -
- Packaging:
- Tray
- Product Status:
- Active
- Core Processor:
- -
- Number of Cores/Bus Width:
- -
- Speed:
- -
- Co-Processors/DSP:
- -
- RAM Controllers:
- -
- Graphics Acceleration:
- -
- Display & Interface Controllers:
- -
- Ethernet:
- -
- SATA:
- -
- USB:
- -
- Voltage - I/O:
- -
- Operating Temperature:
- -
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Security Features:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 1517-FCPBGA (40x40)
- Additional Interfaces:
- -
LX2160CC72232B FAQ
1.How can I place an order for LX2160CC72232B through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for LX2160CC72232B on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for LX2160CC72232B reliable?
The price and inventory of LX2160CC72232B are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for LX2160CC72232B is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for LX2160CC72232B?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for LX2160CC72232B transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for LX2160CC72232B?
LX2160CC72232B orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your LX2160CC72232B order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for LX2160CC72232B?
For technical support, including LX2160CC72232B datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your LX2160CC72232B requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that LX2160CC72232B is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All LX2160CC72232B products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that LX2160CC72232B meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of LX2160CC72232B?
All LX2160CC72232B units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with LX2160CC72232B, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The LX2160CC72232B part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for LX2160CC72232B:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
LX2160CC72232B Tags

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MCIMX6Y2CVM08AB
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Texas Instruments

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