NXP Semiconductors T1023WLAN-PA

Overview

T1023WLAN-PA from NXP is a turnkey 802.11ac Wave 2 wireless access point development platform built around the QorIQ T1023 dual-core PowerPC SoC (1.4 GHz), featuring dual-band 2.4/5 GHz QCA9990 radios (800/1700 Mbps), 1 GbE + 10G/2.5G SGMII Ethernet, PoE+ (802.3at), and three mini-PCIe Gen2 slots - designed for enterprise-class EAP and gateway applications.

For engineers reviewing the T1023WLAN-PA datasheet, T1023WLAN-PA pinout, T1023WLAN-PA application, or T1023WLAN-PA equivalent, key selection considerations include 802.11ac Wave 2 compliance, MU-MIMO offload capability, OpenWRT/NXP SDK 1.9 software support, PCIe expansion flexibility for 60 GHz radio integration, and production-ready enclosure with SMA antenna connectors.

Technical Context

The T1023WLAN-PA integrates the QorIQ T1023 SoC with dual e5500 64-bit PowerPC cores, dedicated network fast-path engines, and hardware-accelerated packet processing to enable up to 4 Gbps offload while maintaining low CPU utilization. It supports 4×4 MU-MIMO, 4 spatial streams, and multi-rate PHY across both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.

Hardware architecture includes 1 GB DDR3 DRAM, 512 MB NAND Flash, 32 MB SPI NOR Flash, and three mini-PCIe Gen2 slots - two pre-populated with QCA9990 Beeliner radios and one reserved for future 60 GHz (802.11ad) or dual-5 GHz expansion. The board implements PoE+ (802.3at) as a powered device and provides SGMII-based 10G/2.5G connectivity.

Key Specifications

Availability

T1023WLAN-PA is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for enterprise wireless access points, carrier-grade gateways, and managed Wi-Fi infrastructure requiring stable component supply, long-term software maintenance, and regulatory-compliant RF design.

Supply support for T1023WLAN-PA 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 specializing in secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and networking applications, with leadership in Power Architecture and edge processing SoCs.

The T1023WLAN-PA belongs to NXP's QorIQ communication processor product line, engineered specifically for high-throughput, low-latency WLAN infrastructure systems requiring integrated packet processing, multi-radio support, and real-time offload capabilities.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the T1023WLAN-PA?

The T1023WLAN-PA is a complete, production-ready 802.11ac Wave 2 wireless access point development platform. It integrates the QorIQ T1023 SoC, dual-band QCA9990 radios, PoE+, and SGMII-based 10G/2.5G connectivity to deliver up to 2.5 Gbps aggregate throughput with minimal CPU load. The T1023WLAN-PA enables rapid deployment of enterprise-class EAPs and gateways without custom hardware design.

Does the T1023WLAN-PA support 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6)?

No, the T1023WLAN-PA is explicitly designed for 802.11ac Wave 2 compliance and does not support 802.11ax. Its QCA9990 radios and T1023 SoC acceleration engines are optimized for 802.11ac features including 4×4 MU-MIMO, VHT80/160 channel bonding, and multi-rate PHY. For Wi-Fi 6, NXP recommends newer platforms such as the LS1046A-based reference designs.

What software development tools are supported for the T1023WLAN-PA?

The T1023WLAN-PA is fully supported by NXP SDK 1.9 and OpenWRT Linux, enabling full customization of the user interface and network stack. Optional NXP Enterprise Access Point ASK provides production-grade offload software. Debugging is supported via JTAG, and the board includes console UART over RJ45. No proprietary IDE is required - standard GNU toolchains and OpenWRT build system apply to the T1023WLAN-PA.

Can the T1023WLAN-PA operate without external antennas?

No - the T1023WLAN-PA requires external antennas connected via its eight SMA ports to achieve specified 2.4/5 GHz MIMO performance. The board has no onboard antennas or RF matching components for direct radiating operation. All RF paths are routed to SMA connectors with 50 Ω impedance, and antenna selection directly impacts spatial stream efficiency, beamforming accuracy, and regulatory compliance for the T1023WLAN-PA.

Is the T1023WLAN-PA compliant with FCC and CE RF emission standards?

Yes - the T1023WLAN-PA meets EN55022:2010 + AC:2011 (Class A), AS/NZS CISPR 22:2009 + A1:2010 (Class A), and EN 61000-3-2:2014 (Class A) for conducted and radiated emissions. These certifications apply to the fully assembled board in its intended enclosure with approved antennas and cabling. Final system-level certification remains the responsibility of the end-product integrator using the T1023WLAN-PA.