NXP Semiconductors P4040NSN7MMC

Overview

P4040NSN7MMC 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 Ethernet (SGMII) ports, two 10 Gb/s XAUI controllers, and integrated datapath acceleration for packet parsing, classification, queue management, and cryptographic security (SEC 4.0). It targets control- and data-plane processing in enterprise routers and LTE access gateways.

For engineers reviewing the P4040NSN7MMC datasheet, P4040NSN7MMC pinout, P4040NSN7MMC application, or P4040NSN7MMC equivalent, key selection criteria include its 4-core e500mc configuration, 512 KB private L2 cache per core, CoreNet coherency fabric, 16-lane 5 GHz SerDes, and pin-for-pin compatibility with the P4080 - enabling scalable migration between 4- and 8-core variants without PCB redesign.

Technical Context

The P4040NSN7MMC implements four independent e500mc cores with full SMP/AMP configurability, each supporting user/supervisor/hypervisor privilege levels and independent boot/reset. Its CoreNet coherency fabric delivers 800 Gb/s coherent read bandwidth and enables prioritized, bandwidth-allocated traffic between on-chip resources including accelerators, memory controllers, and I/O endpoints.

Datapath acceleration includes hardware-based packet parsing/classification/distribution, queue management with QoS scheduling, buffer allocation/de-allocation, SEC 4.0 cryptographic engine, and PME 2.0 RegEx pattern matching - all tightly coupled to the CoreNet fabric for low-latency, high-throughput layer 2–7 processing without host CPU intervention.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 1296-pin FCCSP (Fine-Pitch Column Grid Array), 37.5 mm × 37.5 mm, 0.8 mm pitch, RoHS-compliant, thermally enhanced 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 P4080NSN7MMC and P4040NSN7PMB, the P4040NSN7MMC delivers identical I/O, SerDes, and accelerator capabilities in a 4-core configuration - offering optimal power-performance balance for mid-tier networking equipment where full 8-core capacity is unnecessary.

Availability

P4040NSN7MMC is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for enterprise routers, LTE access gateways, and radio network controllers requiring stable component supply, long-term industrial lifecycle support, and traceable sourcing from authorized channels.

Supply support for P4040NSN7MMC 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 company formed from the acquisition of Freescale Semiconductor in 2015, specializing in secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and networking markets.

The QorIQ P4 series - including the P4040NSN7MMC - was designed specifically for high-performance, low-power communications infrastructure requiring integrated control- and data-plane processing in a single SoC.

FAQ

What is the maximum DDR3 data rate supported by the P4040NSN7MMC?

The P4040NSN7MMC supports DDR3-1333 (667 MHz clock, 1333 MT/s data rate) with dual 64-bit interfaces, delivering up to 12.8 GB/s aggregate bandwidth. It includes hardware-assisted write leveling, on-die termination, and ECC support across both channels - essential for error-resilient packet buffering in telecom infrastructure where the P4040NSN7MMC operates as the central memory hub.

Does the P4040NSN7MMC support virtualization and hypervisor operation?

Yes, the P4040NSN7MMC includes hardware virtualization extensions in its e500mc cores - supporting three privilege levels (user, supervisor, hypervisor) and enabling embedded hypervisors like KVM or TimeSys Virtuosity. This allows secure, isolated execution of multiple OS instances on the P4040NSN7MMC, critical for separating control-plane Linux from real-time data-plane firmware in converged networking platforms.

Is the P4040NSN7MMC pin-compatible with other QorIQ P4 series processors?

Yes, the P4040NSN7MMC is pin-for-pin compatible with the P4080NSN7MMC and P4081NSN7MMC, sharing identical 1296-pin FCCSP packaging, SerDes lane mapping, DDR interface layout, and peripheral pin assignments. This enables hardware reuse across performance tiers - allowing designers to scale from 4-core (P4040NSN7MMC) to 8-core (P4080NSN7MMC) without PCB revision.

What cryptographic algorithms does the SEC 4.0 engine in the P4040NSN7MMC accelerate?

The SEC 4.0 engine in the P4040NSN7MMC accelerates AES-128/192/256 (ECB/CBC/CTR/GCM), DES/3DES, SHA-1/SHA-224/SHA-256, MD5, RSA up to 4096-bit, and elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) including NIST P-256/P-384. These capabilities enable full line-rate IPsec and SSL/TLS offload in the P4040NSN7MMC, reducing CPU utilization for encrypted traffic in enterprise and service provider edge devices.

How many SerDes lanes does the P4040NSN7MMC provide, and what protocols do they support?

The P4040NSN7MMC integrates 16 SerDes lanes operating at up to 5 GHz, configurable as PCIe Gen2 (x1/x4/x8), Serial RapidIO 1.2 (4-lane ×2), SGMII (×8), or XAUI (×4 ×2). Lane assignment is defined at boot via strap pins and register configuration - providing flexible high-speed interconnect for PHYs, FPGAs, and switch fabrics in the P4040NSN7MMC-based system architecture.