NXP Semiconductors P2041NSN1PNB

Overview

P2041NSN1PNB from NXP Semiconductors (formerly Freescale) is a quad-core Power Architecture® e500mc integrated communication processor designed for high-throughput control and data path processing in networking and telecom infrastructure. It integrates four 1.2 GHz e500mc cores, a 1 MB CoreNet platform cache with ECC, a 64-bit DDR3/DDR3L memory controller with ECC, five 1-Gigabit Ethernet controllers, and dual Serial RapidIO 1.3/2.1 ports. It targets base station controllers and enterprise routers requiring deterministic real-time performance.

For engineers reviewing the P2041NSN1PNB datasheet, P2041NSN1PNB pinout, P2041NSN1PNB application, or P2041NSN1PNB equivalent, key selection criteria include its 780-ball FCBGA package, CoreNet coherency fabric, hardware-accelerated frame management, IEEE 1588 timestamping support across all five Ethernet interfaces, and secure boot capability with hypervisor-level privilege isolation.

Technical Context

The P2041NSN1PNB implements a coherent CoreNet interconnect fabric enabling cache-coherent communication among its four e500mc cores, data path accelerators, and I/O subsystems. Its architecture supports three privilege levels-user, supervisor, and hypervisor-with independent core boot and reset sequencing.

It features a dedicated Frame Manager for packet classification, parsing, and distribution, plus hardware pattern match engines and security acceleration blocks. The chip supports simultaneous operation of multiple high-speed serial interfaces including PCIe 2.0 (3 ports), SATA 2.0 (2 controllers), USB 2.0 (2 controllers with integrated PHYs), and dual sRIO 1.3/2.1 ports with 2.1 feature set compliance.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 780-ball FCBGA (Fine-Pitch Ceramic Ball Grid Array), 23 mm × 23 mm, 1.0 mm ball pitch, RoHS-compliant.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with P2041NSN1PNB, P2040NSN1PNB offers identical performance and footprint but reduced security provisioning, while T1040NXE2KKB shifts to ARM architecture with modern virtualization support but abandons Power Architecture compatibility and legacy driver investment.

Availability

P2041NSN1PNB is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for wireless infrastructure, enterprise routing, and aerospace data concentrator applications requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and traceable sourcing.

Supply support for P2041NSN1PNB 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 focused on secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, IoT, and communications markets.

The QorIQ P2041NSN1PNB belongs to the Power Architecture–based QorIQ P-series communication processors, engineered for high-reliability, multi-protocol networking and telecom infrastructure demanding deterministic real-time performance and hardware-accelerated data path processing.

FAQ

What is the maximum DDR3 data rate supported by the P2041NSN1PNB?

The P2041NSN1PNB supports DDR3/DDR3L memory up to 1333 MT/s with 64-bit bus width and on-die ECC. This enables sustained bandwidth exceeding 10 GB/s in burst mode, sufficient for line-rate packet processing in 10G-class aggregation nodes. The P2041NSN1PNB memory controller includes programmable timing parameters and dynamic calibration for robust operation across temperature and voltage corners.

Does the P2041NSN1PNB support IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol on all Ethernet interfaces?

Yes, the P2041NSN1PNB provides full hardware timestamping support for IEEE 1588-2008 on all five integrated Gigabit Ethernet controllers. Each dTSEC (Data Path Three-Speed Ethernet Controller) includes dedicated timestamp registers, fine-resolution nanosecond counters, and hardware-assisted PTP event message detection-enabling sub-microsecond synchronization accuracy without CPU intervention.

What is the difference between P2041NSN1PNB and P2040NSN1PNB?

The P2041NSN1PNB and P2040NSN1PNB share identical silicon die, pinout, electrical characteristics, and functional block diagram. The distinction lies solely in factory-programmed security fuses and boot ROM content: P2041NSN1PNB enables enhanced secure boot key hierarchies and additional cryptographic acceleration features not activated in P2040NSN1PNB. Both are drop-in replacements at the hardware level.

Which high-speed serial interfaces does the P2041NSN1PNB support simultaneously?

The P2041NSN1PNB supports concurrent operation of three PCI Express 2.0 controllers (configurable as x1/x2/x4), two Serial RapidIO 1.3/2.1 ports (with 2.1 feature set), two SATA 2.0 controllers, two USB 2.0 controllers with integrated PHYs, and five Gigabit Ethernet controllers. All interfaces operate independently with dedicated SerDes lanes and clock domains.

Is the P2041NSN1PNB pin-compatible with other QorIQ P-series processors like P1022 or P5020?

No, the P2041NSN1PNB is not pin-compatible with P1022 or P5020. It uses a unique 780-ball FCBGA package with distinct ball map, power delivery scheme, and I/O voltage assignments. Migration from earlier P-series devices requires full PCB redesign due to differences in DDR interface layout, SerDes lane mapping, and core voltage sequencing requirements.