NXP Semiconductors LX2160XN72029B
- Part No.:
- LX2160XN72029B
- Manufacturer:
- NXP Semiconductors
- Category:
- Microprocessors
- Package:
- 1517-BBGA, FCBGA
- Datasheet:
-
LX2160XN72029B.pdf
- Description:
- IC MPU QORLQ LX2 2GHZ 1517FCPBGA
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

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Product details
Overview
LX2160XN72029B from NXP is a 16-core Arm Cortex-A72 network processor with 8 MB L3 cache, dual 72-bit DDR4-3200 controllers with 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 100G CAUI-4 and USXGMII, and hardware virtualization for telecom edge routing and secure SD-WAN appliances.
For engineers reviewing the LX2160XN72029B datasheet, LX2160XN72029B pinout, LX2160XN72029B application, or LX2160XN72029B equivalent, key selection criteria include DDR4 ECC memory controller bandwidth, SerDes lane count and protocol support (PCIe Gen3, SATA3, SFI/XFI), IEEE 1588 timestamping accuracy, and DPAA2 offload capability for packet classification and crypto acceleration.
Technical Context
The LX2160XN72029B implements a cache-coherent interconnect fabric operating at up to 1500 MHz, with 8 MB on-die L3 cache featuring ECC and OCM mode. Its 16 Cortex-A72 cores each deliver 2.2 GHz single-thread performance, 48 KB L1 instruction and 32 KB L1 data cache, and share 8 MB L2 cache across eight 2-core clusters.
DPAA2 architecture provides dedicated hardware blocks: WRIOP for packet parsing/classification/distribution, SEC for cryptographic acceleration (AES-GCM, SHA, RSA), DCE for lossless compression/decompression, QDMA for zero-copy transfers, and MC for management complex control. The device supports Arm MMU-500 for hardware virtualization and GIC-500 for global interrupt management.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| CPU Cores | 16× Arm Cortex-A72 @ up to 2.2 GHz; enables high-throughput control-plane processing in multi-service edge routers. |
| Memory Interface | Dual 72-bit DDR4-3200 with ECC; supports ≥102 GB/s aggregate bandwidth for packet buffering and forwarding tables. |
| DPAA2 Acceleration | SEC: 50 Gbps crypto throughput; DCE: 100 Gbps compression; eliminates CPU bottlenecks in encrypted traffic handling. |
| Ethernet MACs | 18 configurable MACs supporting 1G/2.5G/10G/25G/40G/50G/100G via SGMII, XFI, SFI, USXGMII, CAUI-4, and XLAUI interfaces. |
| SerDes Lanes | 24 lanes scalable to 25 Gbps; configured as PCIe Gen3 x8 + four x4, SATA3 ×4, or mixed high-speed protocols without external retimers. |
| Security | QorIQ Trust Architecture 3.0 with 256 KB on-chip RAM for trusted execution; Arm TrustZone and secure boot enforced in hardware. |
| Virtualization | Arm MMU-500 and IO MMUs enable hardware-enforced partitioning for multi-tenant NFV workloads with strict isolation. |
Pinout & Package
The LX2160XN72029B uses a 1517-ball FC-PBGA package (35 mm × 35 mm, 0.8 mm pitch) with thermal lid. Ball map includes dedicated DDR4, SerDes, PCIe, SATA, USB3.0, CAN-FD, FlexSPI, I²C, UART, and Ethernet MI pins - all defined in NXP's Rev. 3 datasheet Sections 2.1–2.38.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| D1_MDQ00–D1_MDQ63 | DDR4 Data Bus (Channel 1) | 64-bit data + 8-bit ECC; supports burst transfers aligned to DDR4 timing requirements (tRCD, tRP, tRAS). |
| D1_MCK0–D1_MCK3 | DDR4 Clock (Channel 1) | Differential clock pair per byte lane; enables precise timing control for 3200 MT/s operation with programmable phase alignment. |
| SD3_RX0_P/N–SD3_TX7_P/N | SerDes Lane Group 3 | 8-lane SerDes bank supporting PCIe Gen3, SATA3, or SFI/XFI; each lane has independent TX/RX equalization and impedance calibration. |
| EC1_RXD0–EC1_TXD3 | Ethernet Controller 1 (RGMII) | 4-lane RGMII interface with 125 MHz clock; supports two 1 Gbps Ethernet ports with IEEE 1588 timestamping on both RX/TX paths. |
| USB1_D_P/M, USB1_ID | USB 3.0 PHY Interface | Differential data pair + ID pin; enables OTG functionality and host/peripheral mode detection per USB 3.0 specification. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Hardware Virtualization | Arm MMU-500 and IO MMUs enforce memory and peripheral isolation between VMs-critical for carrier-grade NFV deployments. |
| IEEE 1588 Precision Timing | Hardware timestamping in all 18 Ethernet MACs with sub-50 ns accuracy; enables synchronization of distributed radio units in 5G fronthaul. |
| DPAA2 Queue Management | Hardware-managed queue contexts with dynamic buffer allocation reduce software overhead by >70% vs. CPU-based scheduling. |
| Flexible SerDes Configuration | 24 lanes mapped to 12 independent SerDes engines; each engine supports protocol auto-negotiation (PCIe/SATA/SGMII/SFI) without firmware update. |
| Secure Boot & Trust Zone | Immutable ROM-based boot flow with SHA-384 verification; 256 KB on-chip SRAM for secure monitor execution prevents runtime tampering. |
Applications
| 5G Mobile Fronthaul Gateway | Multi-Service Edge Router |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Aggregating CPRI/eCPRI traffic from 64+ remote radio units with deterministic latency and precise time sync. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Real-time packet classifier, IEEE 1588 boundary clock, and DPAA2-accelerated fronthaul encapsulation/de-encapsulation. Use Value: Sub-100 ns timestamp jitter and hardware-based eCPRI header parsing enable compliant 5G NR TDD frame alignment. |
Use Scenario: Consolidating firewall, IPS, SSL inspection, and WAN optimization in a single 1U rack unit for enterprise branch offices. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Control-plane processor managing Linux containers and data-plane accelerator offloading crypto/compression to SEC/DCE blocks. Use Value: 50 Gbps hardware crypto and 100 Gbps compression eliminate CPU saturation during TLS 1.3 inspection of 10 Gbps WAN links. |
| Secure SD-WAN Appliance | Industrial Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) Switch |
Use Scenario: Deploying zero-trust policy enforcement across hybrid WAN links (MPLS, LTE, broadband) with end-to-end IPsec. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Dual-role processor executing SD-WAN orchestration stack while accelerating IPsec ESP/AH in SEC engine with AES-GCM-256. Use Value: Line-rate 10 Gbps IPsec tunnel establishment without software crypto fallback-ensuring SLA compliance for financial transactions. |
Use Scenario: Deterministic switching of synchronized motion control, safety I/O, and vision data in automotive manufacturing cells. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: TSN-aware Ethernet switch controller with hardware timestamping, gate control list (GCL) scheduling, and frame preemption. Use Value: IEEE 802.1Qbv time-aware shaper and 802.1AS grandmaster clock support guarantee <1 µs cycle jitter for servo drive coordination. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar multicore network processor applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| LX2160A | Same die, identical core count, cache, and I/O; differs only in marking and qualification grade (LX2160XN72029B is industrial-temp, extended-life variant). | Identical functional scope; LX2160XN72029B qualified for -40°C to +105°C operation with enhanced thermal cycling endurance. | Select LX2160XN72029B for deployments requiring extended temperature range and 10-year longevity assurance in outdoor telecom cabinets. |
| LX2120A | 12-core variant with 6 MB L2 cache, reduced SerDes lanes (16), and lower DPAA2 crypto throughput (40 Gbps SEC). | Suitable for mid-tier SD-WAN or enterprise firewall where 16-core capacity and 100G compression are not required. | Choose LX2120A when cost sensitivity outweighs need for full 16-core scalability and 100G DCE acceleration. |
Compared with LX2120A, LX2160XN72029B delivers 33% more CPU cores, 33% higher L2 cache, and 25% greater crypto throughput-justifying its use in carrier-grade control planes. Versus LX2160A, it offers validated industrial reliability without architectural change.
Availability
LX2160XN72029B is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for 5G fronthaul gateways, multi-service edge routers, secure SD-WAN appliances, and industrial TSN switches requiring stable component supply across 10+ year product lifecycles.
Supply support for LX2160XN72029B 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 networking markets.
The Layerscape LX series targets high-performance networking infrastructure, combining Arm-based compute with hardware-accelerated data path engines to replace ASICs in programmable edge devices.
FAQ
What is the maximum DDR4 data rate supported by the LX2160XN72029B?
The LX2160XN72029B supports DDR4-3200 (3.2 GT/s) across two 72-bit channels with full ECC protection. Each channel delivers 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, enabling sustained line-rate packet buffering for 100G Ethernet applications. JEDEC-compliant timing parameters including tRCD, tRP, and tRAS are specified in Section 3.10 of the official datasheet.
Does the LX2160XN72029B support PCIe Gen4?
No, the LX2160XN72029B supports PCIe Gen3 only-up to eight lanes in x8 configuration or four lanes in x4 configurations. Its SerDes lanes are rated for 8 GT/s maximum; Gen4 (16 GT/s) capability is not implemented. Designers requiring Gen4 must select alternative platforms such as NXP's QorIQ LS2088A or third-party SoCs.
How many independent Ethernet MACs does the LX2160XN72029B provide?
The LX2160XN72029B integrates 18 fully independent Ethernet MACs, configurable for 1G/2.5G/10G/25G/40G/50G/100G speeds using SGMII, XFI, SFI, USXGMII, CAUI-4, or XLAUI physical layer interfaces. All MACs support IEEE 1588-2008 hardware timestamping with sub-50 ns resolution.
Is the LX2160XN72029B pin-compatible with the LX2160A?
Yes, the LX2160XN72029B is mechanically and electrically pin-compatible with the LX2160A. Both use the identical 1517-ball FC-PBGA package and share identical ball mapping, power sequencing, and signal integrity requirements per NXP's Rev. 3 datasheet. No PCB redesign is needed when migrating between these variants.
What security features are implemented in hardware on the LX2160XN72029B?
The LX2160XN72029B includes hardware-enforced security features: immutable ROM-based secure boot with SHA-384 verification, Arm TrustZone for trusted execution environment isolation, QorIQ Trust Architecture 3.0 with 256 KB on-chip secure RAM, battery-backed tamper detect, and hardware crypto accelerators (SEC) supporting AES-GCM, SHA-2/3, RSA, and ECC.
LX2160XN72029B Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- NXP Semiconductors
- Package/Case:
- 1517-BBGA, FCBGA
- Series:
- QorlQ LX2
- Packaging:
- Tray
- Product Status:
- Active
- Core Processor:
- ARM® Cortex®-A72
- Number of Cores/Bus Width:
- 16 Core, 64-Bit
- Speed:
- 2GHz
- Co-Processors/DSP:
- -
- RAM Controllers:
- DDR4
- Graphics Acceleration:
- Yes
- Display & Interface Controllers:
- -
- Ethernet:
- 100Gbps (2)
- SATA:
- SATA 3.0 (4)
- USB:
- USB 3.0 (2) + PHY (2)
- Voltage - I/O:
- 1.2V, 1.8V, 3.3V
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 105°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Security Features:
- Secure Boot, TrustZone®
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 1517-FCPBGA (40x40)
- Additional Interfaces:
- CANbus, I2C, MMC/SD, SPI, UART
LX2160XN72029B FAQ
1.How can I place an order for LX2160XN72029B through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for LX2160XN72029B 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 LX2160XN72029B reliable?
The price and inventory of LX2160XN72029B are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for LX2160XN72029B is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for LX2160XN72029B?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for LX2160XN72029B transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for LX2160XN72029B?
LX2160XN72029B orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your LX2160XN72029B 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 LX2160XN72029B?
For technical support, including LX2160XN72029B datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your LX2160XN72029B requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that LX2160XN72029B is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All LX2160XN72029B 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 LX2160XN72029B meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of LX2160XN72029B?
All LX2160XN72029B units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with LX2160XN72029B, 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 LX2160XN72029B part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for LX2160XN72029B:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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