NXP Semiconductors P2041NSN7PNC

Overview

P2041NSN7PNC from NXP Semiconductors (formerly Freescale) is a quad-core Power Architecture® e500mc-based integrated communication processor designed for control-plane and data-path processing in carrier-grade networking and telecom infrastructure. It features four 32-bit e500mc cores, a 1 MB CoreNet platform cache with ECC, five 1-Gbps Ethernet controllers (including SGMII and RGMII), a 64-bit DDR3/DDR3L memory controller with ECC, and dual serial RapidIO 1.3/2.1 ports. It is deployed in base station controllers, enterprise routers, and wireless infrastructure equipment.

For engineers reviewing the P2041NSN7PNC datasheet, P2041NSN7PNC pinout, P2041NSN7PNC application, or P2041NSN7PNC equivalent, key selection considerations include its 780-ball FCBGA package, CoreNet coherency fabric, hardware-accelerated frame management, IEEE 1588 timestamping support, and multi-protocol I/O including PCIe 2.0, SATA 2.0, USB 2.0, and SD/MMC.

Technical Context

The P2041NSN7PNC implements a coherent CoreNet interconnect fabric enabling cache-coherent communication among its four e500mc cores, accelerators, and I/O subsystems. Its CoreNet platform cache (1 MB, ECC-protected) serves as a shared frontside cache, reducing memory latency for control and data-path tasks.

It integrates dedicated hardware acceleration blocks including a Frame Manager for packet classification, parsing, and distribution; Pattern Match Engine for deep packet inspection; and Security Engine supporting AES, DES, SHA, and RSA. All high-speed serial interfaces - including two sRIO 1.3/2.1 ports, three PCIe 2.0 controllers, and five Ethernet MACs - are routed through a unified SerDes block with independent PLLs and power domains.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 780-ball Fine-Pitch Chip Array Ball Grid Array (FCPBGA), 23 mm × 23 mm, 1.0 mm ball pitch, RoHS-compliant, lead-free.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with P2040NXN7PNC, the P2041NSN7PNC offers identical functionality but with validated 125°C operation-critical for sealed telecom chassis. Against T1040NXN7PNC, it trades raw performance for lower power, mature toolchain support, and proven field reliability in carrier deployments.

Availability

P2041NSN7PNC is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for carrier-grade routers, wireless infrastructure baseband units, and aerospace data concentrators requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and traceable sourcing.

Supply support for P2041NSN7PNC 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 P2 series targets high-performance, low-power integrated processors for networking and telecom infrastructure, emphasizing hardware acceleration, security, and multi-standard I/O integration to replace discrete CPU+ASIC+PHY designs.

FAQ

What is the maximum DDR3 memory speed supported by the P2041NSN7PNC?

The P2041NSN7PNC supports DDR3/DDR3L memory up to 1600 MT/s with a 64-bit bus width and full ECC protection. This enables up to 12.8 GB/s peak bandwidth, sufficient for line-rate packet buffering and control-plane table storage in 1 Gbps-class systems. The memory controller complies with JEDEC DDR3L standards and supports both 1.35 V and 1.5 V operation.

Does the P2041NSN7PNC include hardware support for IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol?

Yes, the P2041NSN7PNC includes dedicated hardware timestamping logic in all five Ethernet MACs, supporting IEEE 1588v2 boundary clock and transparent clock modes. Timestamp resolution is better than 100 ns, and the device provides hardware-assisted correction of residence time and peer delay-enabling sub-microsecond synchronization accuracy in telecom timing applications.

Is the P2041NSN7PNC pin-compatible with the P2040 series?

Yes, the P2041NSN7PNC is fully pin-compatible with the P2040 family (e.g., P2040NXN7PNC) and shares identical 780-ball FCBGA mechanical and electrical specifications. Differences are limited to internal fuse settings, temperature screening, and minor errata fixes-requiring no PCB or schematic changes for drop-in replacement in existing P2040 designs.

What security features are implemented in hardware on the P2041NSN7PNC?

The P2041NSN7PNC integrates a dedicated Security Engine supporting AES-128/256, DES/3DES, SHA-1/256, MD5, and RSA-2048 acceleration. It also provides secure boot with immutable ROM-based pre-boot loader, tamper-resistant key storage, and runtime cryptographic offload-enabling full IPsec/IKEv2 and SSL/TLS acceleration at line rate without CPU overhead.

Which high-speed serial protocols can be configured on the P2041NSN7PNC's SerDes lanes?

The P2041NSN7PNC's 10-lane 5-GHz SerDes block supports sRIO 1.3/2.1 (4-lane port), PCIe 2.0 (three independent ports), SATA 2.0 (two ports), and SGMII (two ports). Lane mapping is fixed per protocol group; configuration is done via hardware straps and RCW (Reset Configuration Word), with no runtime reconfiguration between protocols.