NXP Semiconductors T1040NSN7WQB

Overview

T1040NSN7WQB from NXP is a quad-core 64-bit Power Architecture® communications processor with integrated 8-port Gigabit Ethernet switch, e5500 cores up to 1.5 GHz, 256 KB shared L3 cache, DDR3L/4 memory controller (1600 MT/s), and Data Path Acceleration Architecture (DPAA) for packet classification, queue management, and crypto acceleration (SEC 5.4). It targets fixed routers and UTM appliances requiring deterministic data-plane processing.

For engineers reviewing the T1040NSN7WQB datasheet, T1040NSN7WQB pinout, T1040NSN7WQB application, or T1040NSN7WQB equivalent, key selection criteria include integrated 8-port GbE switch support, DPAA hardware offload capability, e5500 core virtualization readiness, and SerDes lane configuration (8×5 Gb/s) for SGMII/QSGMII/PCIe/SATA interconnects.

Technical Context

The T1040NSN7WQB implements four single-threaded e5500 cores with hybrid 32/64-bit ISA support, 32 KB I/D L1 cache per core, 256 KB backside L2 cache, and 256 KB shared platform L3 cache. Its CoreNet coherency fabric enables prioritized bandwidth allocation between CPU, accelerators, and peripherals.

DPAA integration includes Frame Manager (FMAN) for header parsing and classification at 13 Gb/s, Queue Manager (QMAN) supporting 224 queues, Buffer Manager (BMAN) with 64 buffer pools, and Security Engine (SEC 5.4) delivering 5 Gb/s AES/3DES throughput. The integrated 8-port GbE switch operates at wire speed with VLAN, QoS, and ACL support.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

T1040NSN7WQB uses a 1296-pin FC-BGA package (27 mm × 27 mm, 1.0 mm pitch), RoHS-compliant, with thermal lid. Pin assignment follows NXP's T1040 reference layout for signal integrity-optimized routing of DDR, SerDes, and Ethernet interfaces.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with T1042NSN7WQB, T1040NSN7WQB offers lower cost and sufficient DPAA throughput for mid-tier routing, while LX2160A trades integrated switching for ARM ecosystem compatibility and greater raw compute-but requires redesign for external switch and lacks TDM support.

Availability

T1040NSN7WQB is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for fixed routers, UTM appliances, and industrial edge gateways requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and qualified automotive/industrial temperature grade availability.

Supply support for T1040NSN7WQB 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 markets, with leadership in Power Architecture® and QorIQ platforms.

The T1040NSN7WQB belongs to NXP's QorIQ T1 family of communications processors, designed specifically for mixed-control-and-data-plane embedded networking applications where integration, deterministic packet processing, and hardware-accelerated security are critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the T1040NSN7WQB?

The T1040NSN7WQB operates at a maximum core frequency of 1.5 GHz across all four e5500 cores. This frequency is validated under industrial temperature range (–40°C to +105°C) with appropriate thermal design and DDR3L/4 memory timing constraints. The 1.5 GHz rating reflects sustained operation-not burst or turbo mode-and applies to both single- and multi-core workloads in the T1040NSN7WQB datasheet revision 2.

Does the T1040NSN7WQB include an integrated Ethernet switch?

Yes, the T1040NSN7WQB integrates an 8-port Gigabit Ethernet switch capable of wire-speed forwarding for all standard frame sizes (64–1518 bytes). This switch supports IEEE 802.1Q VLAN tagging, priority-based QoS, and access control lists (ACLs), and connects directly to external PHYs via SGMII or QSGMII interfaces-eliminating the need for a discrete switch IC in the T1040NSN7WQB-based design.

What memory technologies does the T1040NSN7WQB support?

The T1040NSN7WQB supports DDR3L and DDR4 SDRAM with ECC, operating at up to 1600 MT/s. It provides a 64-bit data bus, 32-bit address bus, and supports up to 64 GB of physical address space. The memory controller includes programmable timing parameters, on-die termination, and built-in memory training algorithms-all documented in the T1040NSN7WQB Reference Manual Chapter 12.

Is hardware virtualization supported on the T1040NSN7WQB?

Yes, the T1040NSN7WQB includes hardware-assisted virtualization via an extra hypervisor privilege level in the e5500 core architecture. It supports KVM-based Linux virtual machines, NXP's own hypervisor, and commercial solutions from Green Hills and Enea. Virtualization features include MMU-assisted memory isolation, interrupt virtualization, and secure debug disable-fully enabled in the T1040NSN7WQB silicon revision 2.0 and later.

What peripheral interfaces are available on the T1040NSN7WQB?

The T1040NSN7WQB provides four PCIe 2.0 controllers (configurable as x1/x2/x4), two SATA 2.0 controllers, two USB 2.0 controllers with integrated PHYs, SD/MMC/eMMC host controller, dual UARTs, four I²C controllers, enhanced SPI, QUICC Engine for TDM/HDLC/ISDN, and GPIO. All interfaces are electrically and logically defined in the T1040NSN7WQB Hardware Design Guide Rev. 3, with pin multiplexing controlled via BOOT_CFG straps and software registers.