NXP Semiconductors P4080NSE7PNAC

Overview

P4080NSE7PNAC from NXP Semiconductors (formerly Freescale) is an 8-core Power Architecture e500mc multicore processor designed for combined control- and data-plane processing in networking infrastructure. It operates at up to 1.5 GHz per core, integrates dual 64-bit DDR2/DDR3 memory controllers with ECC, delivers 800 Gb/s coherent read bandwidth via CoreNet fabric, and supports two 10 GbE (XAUI) and eight 1 GbE (SGMII) interfaces - enabling high-throughput L2–L7 packet processing in enterprise routers and LTE access gateways.

For engineers reviewing the P4080NSE7PNAC datasheet, P4080NSE7PNAC pinout, P4080NSE7PNAC application, or P4080NSE7PNAC equivalent, key selection criteria include its 45 nm process node, independent core boot/reset capability, SEC 4.0 cryptographic acceleration, PME 2.0 RegEx engine, and support for hypervisor-based OS partitioning across eight e500mc cores.

Technical Context

The P4080NSE7PNAC implements a three-tier cache hierarchy: 32 KB I/D L1 per core, 128 KB private backside L2 per core, and 2 MB shared CoreNet platform L3 cache. Its CoreNet coherency fabric enables prioritized, bandwidth-allocated coherent and non-coherent transactions between 8 e500mc cores, accelerators, and I/O endpoints.

It integrates dedicated datapath acceleration blocks including Frame Manager (parse/classify/distribute), Queue Manager (QoS scheduling), Buffer Manager, SEC 4.0 (AES/SHA/RSA), and PME 2.0 (RegEx pattern matching), all accessible via hardware-assisted offload paths - eliminating software bottlenecks in real-time packet forwarding and security processing.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 1296-pin FC-BGA (37.5 mm × 37.5 mm, 1.0 mm pitch), RoHS-compliant, lead-free, thermal lid-equipped.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with P4040NSE7PNAC and P4081NSE7PNAC, the P4080NSE7PNAC uniquely delivers full 8-core 1.5 GHz performance with dual 10 GbE and 2 MB L3 cache - making it the only option capable of sustaining line-rate L7 processing across 10 GE uplinks in carrier-grade control-and-data-plane converged systems.

Availability

P4080NSE7PNAC is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for enterprise routing, telecom gateway, and defense avionics applications requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and traceable sourcing.

Supply support for P4080NSE7PNAC 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 and processing solutions for automotive, industrial, and communications markets.

The P4080NSE7PNAC belongs to the QorIQ P4 Series - a family of multicore communications processors engineered for converged control- and data-plane processing in next-generation networking infrastructure, emphasizing hardware acceleration, cache coherency, and virtualization readiness.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the P4080NSE7PNAC?

The P4080NSE7PNAC operates at a maximum core frequency of 1.5 GHz per e500mc core. This frequency is guaranteed across temperature and voltage corners per the official QP4080FS REV 4 datasheet. The device achieves this speed using 45 nm SOI process technology and supports dynamic frequency scaling to reduce power during low-load periods. All eight cores may operate simultaneously at 1.5 GHz under thermal design power (TDP) limits of 30 W.

Does the P4080NSE7PNAC support DDR3 memory?

Yes, the P4080NSE7PNAC supports both DDR2 and DDR3 SDRAM via two independent 64-bit memory controllers with ECC, interleaving, and configurable timing parameters. DDR3-1333 (PC3-10600) operation is fully validated and documented in the QorIQ P4080 Hardware Specification. Each controller supports up to 64 GB, enabling up to 128 GB total system memory with error correction enabled.

Is the P4080NSE7PNAC pin-compatible with other QorIQ P4 series processors?

Yes, the P4080NSE7PNAC is pin-for-pin compatible with the P4040NSE7PNAC and P4081NSE7PNAC, sharing the same 1296-ball FC-BGA package and identical ball-out mapping for power, ground, DDR, PCIe, sRIO, and SerDes signals. This allows PCB reuse across product variants, though differences in core count, frequency, and 10 GbE port count require corresponding BIOS/firmware updates and thermal redesign for full utilization.

What hardware security features does the P4080NSE7PNAC include?

The P4080NSE7PNAC integrates SEC 4.0 cryptographic acceleration supporting AES-128/192/256, SHA-1/256, RSA-1024/2048, and DES/3DES, plus a dedicated security monitor and fuse-based secure boot. These features enable hardware-enforced trust chains, TLS offload, and IPsec processing at line rate - verified in NXP's QorIQ Security Reference Manual and used in FIPS 140-2 Level 2 certified designs.

Can the P4080NSE7PNAC run multiple operating systems simultaneously?

Yes, the P4080NSE7PNAC supports concurrent operation of multiple operating systems through its embedded hypervisor-ready architecture. Each e500mc core can run a different OS (e.g., Linux on cores 0–3, VxWorks on cores 4–5, bare-metal on cores 6–7) with hardware-enforced memory and peripheral isolation. This capability is implemented via CoreNet fabric address translation and PAMU (Peripheral Access Management Unit) - confirmed in the QorIQ P4080 Virtualization Application Note.