NXP Semiconductors LX2160XN72232B

Overview

LX2160XN72232B from NXP is a 16-core Arm Cortex-A72 network processor operating up to 2.2 GHz, featuring dual 72-bit DDR4 memory controllers with ECC, 24 SerDes lanes (up to 25 Gbps), and DPAA2 datapath acceleration delivering 50 Gbps crypto and 100 Gbps compression throughput. It targets high-throughput networking infrastructure including 100G Ethernet edge routers and secure telecom gateways.

For engineers reviewing the LX2160XN72232B datasheet, LX2160XN72232B pinout, LX2160XN72232B application, or LX2160XN72232B equivalent, key selection criteria include DDR4 ECC controller bandwidth, SerDes lane count and speed, DPAA2 acceleration capacity, IEEE 1588 timestamping support, and Arm MMU-500 virtualization compliance.

Technical Context

The LX2160XN72232B 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 DPAA2 architecture integrates WRIOP packet parsing, SEC cryptography engine, DCE compression/decompression block, QDMA, and 2 MB packet express buffer for deterministic data path offload.

It supports 18 Ethernet MACs with multi-rate PHY interfaces including CAUI-4 (100G), 50GAUI-2, 25G-AUI, USXGMII, and SGMII, plus two PCIe Gen3 x8 controllers with SR-IOV and four PCIe Gen3 x4 controllers - all managed via Arm GIC-500 global interrupt controller and hardware-enforced partitioning using Arm MMU-500.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: FC-PBGA, 1517-ball, 35 mm × 35 mm, 0.8 mm pitch. Thermal design requires mechanical mounting with heatsink interface per NXP's recommended thermal model (Rev. 3, Section 5).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with LX2120AXN72232B, the LX2160XN72232B adds four cores, 2 MB L2 cache, and full 24-lane SerDes capability - enabling higher port density and line-rate 100G packet processing. Versus ARMADA 8040, it integrates DPAA2 acceleration and IEEE 1588 hardware timestamping, eliminating external ICs and reducing BOM count for carrier-class timing-critical systems.

Availability

LX2160XN72232B is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for 5G infrastructure, telecom edge routing, and industrial TSN gateway applications requiring stable component supply, long lifecycle support, and traceable sourcing.

Supply support for LX2160XN72232B 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, IoT, and communications markets.

The Layerscape LX series targets high-performance networking SoCs with integrated datapath acceleration, designed specifically for 5G infrastructure, secure SD-WAN, and time-sensitive industrial gateways.

FAQ

What is the maximum DDR4 data rate supported by the LX2160XN72232B?

The LX2160XN72232B supports DDR4 memory at up to 3.2 GT/s across two independent 72-bit (64+8 ECC) channels. This delivers over 51 GB/s aggregate bandwidth with full ECC protection, validated per JEDEC DDR4-3200 specifications and NXP's electrical timing requirements in Section 3.10 of the datasheet.

Does the LX2160XN72232B support PCIe Gen4?

No, the LX2160XN72232B supports PCIe Gen3 only - with two x8 controllers and four x4 controllers, all compliant with PCI Express Base Specification Revision 3.1. Gen4 support is not implemented in the SerDes PHY or root complex logic per the official Layerscape LX2160A data sheet (Rev. 3, Section 3.23.4).

How many IEEE 1588-capable Ethernet MACs does the LX2160XN72232B integrate?

The LX2160XN72232B integrates up to 18 IEEE 1588-2008-compliant Ethernet MACs, each with hardware timestamping engines capable of sub-50 ns precision. These MACs support multiple physical layer variants including USXGMII, SGMII, XFI, and CAUI-4, as confirmed in Section 3.13 and Figure 1 of the datasheet.

Is the LX2160XN72232B pin-compatible with other Layerscape LX processors like the LX2120A?

Yes, the LX2160XN72232B shares the identical FC-PBGA 1517-ball package and pinout with the LX2120A and LX2080A. Device personality is selected via TEST_SEL_B and cfg_svr[0:1] pins (Table 1, Section 1.1), enabling hardware reuse across performance tiers without PCB redesign.

What security features are embedded in the LX2160XN72232B for trusted execution?

The LX2160XN72232B includes QorIQ Platform Trust Architecture 3.0 with 256 KB on-chip RAM for secure world execution, hardware-based secure boot, tamper detection circuitry, and battery-backed security monitor. These features are documented in Sections 7 and 3.9 of the datasheet and enable Root of Trust implementation without external TPM.