NXP Semiconductors P4040NSN1NNB

Overview

P4040NSN1NNB from NXP Semiconductors (formerly Freescale) is a quad-core Power Architecture e500mc communications processor operating at up to 1.5 GHz, featuring dual 64-bit DDR2/DDR3 memory controllers with ECC, eight 1 Gb/s SGMII Ethernet ports, two 10 Gb/s XAUI controllers, and integrated datapath acceleration for packet parsing, classification, queue management, and SEC 4.0 cryptographic acceleration. It targets control-and-dataplane convergence in enterprise routers and LTE access gateways.

For engineers reviewing the P4040NSN1NNB datasheet, P4040NSN1NNB pinout, P4040NSN1NNB application, or P4040NSN1NNB equivalent, key selection criteria include its pin-for-pin compatibility with P4080, 4-core vs. 8-core trade-off at identical I/O and frequency, CoreNet coherency fabric support, and hardware virtualization via embedded hypervisor for OS partitioning across control, datapath, and security functions.

Technical Context

The P4040NSN1NNB implements four independent e500mc cores, each with 32 KB I-cache, 32 KB D-cache, and a shared 512 KB L2 cache, supporting user/supervisor/hypervisor privilege levels and independent boot/reset. Its CoreNet coherency fabric enables scalable, low-latency cache-coherent interconnect between cores, accelerators, and memory controllers.

Datapath acceleration includes Frame Manager for packet parsing/classification/distribution, Queue Manager for QoS scheduling and congestion management, Buffer Manager for dynamic buffer allocation, SEC 4.0 for AES/SHA/RSA acceleration, and PME 2.0 for RegEx pattern matching - all accessible via dedicated hardware queues and coherent memory mapping.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 1296-pin FC-BGA (37 mm × 37 mm, 1.0 mm pitch), RoHS-compliant, thermal lid with integrated heat spreader.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with P4080NSN1NNB and P4040NSN2NNB, the P4040NSN1NNB offers optimal balance of 4-core performance, full I/O feature set, and 22 W thermal design power-making it ideal for space-constrained LTE gateways and mid-tier enterprise routers where core count scales with port density rather than raw throughput.

Availability

P4040NSN1NNB is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for enterprise routers, LTE access gateways, and radio network controllers requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and traceable sourcing from authorized channels.

Supply support for P4040NSN1NNB 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, mobile, and communication infrastructure markets.

The P4040NSN1NNB belongs to the QorIQ P4 Series, designed specifically for high-performance, low-power communications processing in networking equipment where deterministic latency, hardware-accelerated packet handling, and hardware-enforced security isolation are mandatory.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the P4040NSN1NNB?

The P4040NSN1NNB operates at a maximum core frequency of 1.5 GHz across all four e500mc cores. This frequency is sustained under thermal and voltage conditions specified in the official NXP datasheet QP4040FS REV 3. The device achieves this speed using 45 nm SOI process technology and supports dynamic frequency scaling for power optimization in bursty traffic scenarios. P4040NSN1NNB maintains full I/O functionality-including all SerDes lanes and memory controllers-at this top frequency.

Does the P4040NSN1NNB support DDR3 memory?

Yes, the P4040NSN1NNB supports both DDR2 and DDR3 SDRAM via dual 64-bit memory controllers with ECC, interleaving, and programmable timing parameters. It complies with JEDEC DDR3-1333 standards and supports 8-bit or 16-bit data widths per channel. P4040NSN1NNB requires external termination and proper layout for signal integrity at 667 MHz data rates. Memory initialization is handled by built-in ROM code during secure boot.

Is the P4040NSN1NNB pin-compatible with the P4080NSN1NNB?

Yes, the P4040NSN1NNB is pin-for-pin compatible with the P4080NSN1NNB, sharing identical FC-BGA package dimensions, SerDes lane assignments, DDR interface pinouts, and peripheral signal mappings. This allows direct PCB reuse when migrating from 8-core to 4-core configurations. P4040NSN1NNB retains all I/O features-including 2× 10 GbE, 8× 1 GbE, 3× PCIe, and 2× sRIO-despite having fewer cores.

What hardware security features does the P4040NSN1NNB include?

The P4040NSN1NNB integrates Trust Architecture with secure boot, one-time programmable fuses for root-key storage, and hardware-enforced memory isolation via the Peripheral Access Management Unit (PAMU). It supports SEC 4.0 for cryptographic acceleration and includes a dedicated Security Monitor module that detects and reports tamper events. P4040NSN1NNB enforces privilege-level separation across user/supervisor/hypervisor modes to prevent unauthorized access to protected resources.

Which development tools are officially supported for the P4040NSN1NNB?

NXP officially supports CodeWarrior Development Studio for Power Architecture, the QorIQ SDK (based on Linux kernel 3.0+), and the Virtutech Simics™ hybrid simulator for early software development. Debugging is enabled via JTAG and Nexus Class 3+ trace, with support for instruction trace, watchpoint triggers, and cross-core event synchronization. P4040NSN1NNB evaluation is also supported on the TWR-P4040 reference board and the P4040DS development system.