NXP Semiconductors T2080NSN8MQLB

Overview

T2080NSN8MQLB from NXP is a 28 nm QorIQ communications processor featuring four dual-threaded 64-bit e6500 Power Architecture® cores running at up to 1.8 GHz, 2 MB shared L2 cache, 64-bit DDR3/3L memory controller (2133 MT/s), and integrated Data Path Acceleration Architecture (DPAA) with FMAN/QMAN/BMAN/SEC/DCE accelerators. It serves as a control-and-data-plane processor in enterprise switches, service provider routers, and wireless infrastructure equipment.

For engineers reviewing the T2080NSN8MQLB datasheet, T2080NSN8MQLB pinout, T2080NSN8MQLB application, or T2080NSN8MQLB equivalent, key selection criteria include SerDes lane count (16× up to 10 GHz), Ethernet MAC flexibility (up to 4× 10 Gb/s + 8× 1 Gb/s), PCIe Gen3 support (2×), SRIO 2.1 (2×), SATA 2.0 (2×), and hardware virtualization with hypervisor-level privilege and IOMMU-based I/O isolation.

Technical Context

The T2080NSN8MQLB implements a coherent CoreNet interconnect fabric enabling prioritized, bandwidth-allocated transactions between four e6500 cores, 512 KB platform cache with prefetch, DPAA accelerators, and peripheral controllers. Its hybrid 32/64-bit execution mode supports legacy software migration while delivering 6.0 DMIPS/MHz per core.

Hardware-assisted virtualization includes hypervisor privilege level, logical-to-real address translation offload, vMPIC/vDMA/PAMU v2, and DPAA-level Ethernet MAC and accelerator virtualization - enabling safe co-location of control and data plane workloads within isolated guest environments using KVM or NXP Hypervisor.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 25 mm × 25 mm, 896-pin FC-BGA, 0.8 mm pitch, RoHS-compliant.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with T2080NSN8MQLB, T2081NSN8MQMB offers reduced I/O and compute capacity in a smaller footprint for incremental upgrades, while T4240NXE8MMNB delivers flagship-class scale and bandwidth at significantly higher power and complexity-making T2080NSN8MQLB the optimal mid-range balance of performance, integration, and thermal envelope.

Availability

T2080NSN8MQLB is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for enterprise switching, service provider edge routing, and wireless infrastructure applications requiring stable component supply, long lifecycle support, and industrial temperature grade operation.

Supply support for T2080NSN8MQLB 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 headquartered in Eindhoven, Netherlands, specializing in secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and communications markets.

The T2080NSN8MQLB belongs to NXP's QorIQ T-Series communications processors, designed specifically for mid-range control-and-data-plane integration in networking equipment where performance-per-watt, hardware virtualization, and DPAA acceleration are critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the T2080NSN8MQLB?

The T2080NSN8MQLB operates at up to 1.8 GHz across all four dual-threaded e6500 cores. This frequency is guaranteed under industrial temperature conditions (−40°C to +105°C) with appropriate voltage regulation and thermal management. The 7-stage pipeline architecture maintains low branch misprediction penalty, making it especially effective for control plane workloads with irregular instruction flow. T2080NSN8MQLB achieves 6.0 DMIPS/MHz per core at this speed.

Does the T2080NSN8MQLB support hardware virtualization?

Yes, the T2080NSN8MQLB includes comprehensive hardware virtualization features: an extra hypervisor privilege level, hardware-accelerated logical-to-real address translation, vMPIC for virtualized interrupt handling, vDMA for user-level direct memory access, and PAMU v2 for I/O MMU protection. These capabilities enable secure, low-overhead partitioning of control and data plane functions using KVM or the NXP Hypervisor. T2080NSN8MQLB also supports DPAA-level virtualization for Ethernet MACs and accelerators.

What memory types and speeds does the T2080NSN8MQLB support?

The T2080NSN8MQLB integrates a 64-bit DDR3/3L SDRAM memory controller supporting data rates up to 2133 MT/s with full 72-bit ECC (64-bit data + 8-bit ECC). It supports both DDR3 and DDR3L low-voltage modules, requires fly-by topology with on-die termination, and provides programmable timing parameters for JEDEC-compliant operation. The controller is paired with a 512 KB platform cache featuring prefetch to reduce memory latency. T2080NSN8MQLB does not support LPDDR or GDDR memory types.

How many 10 Gb/s Ethernet MACs does the T2080NSN8MQLB support?

The T2080NSN8MQLB supports up to four 10 Gb/s Ethernet MACs, configurable with XFI, XAUI, or HiGig interfaces. These MACs are implemented within the Frame Manager (FMAN) and can be mapped to SerDes lanes operating at 10.3125 Gb/s. Each 10 Gb/s MAC supports full line-rate packet processing with hardware-assisted classification, policing, and congestion management via DPAA. T2080NSN8MQLB also supports up to eight 1 Gb/s MACs, all multiplexed over the same SerDes infrastructure.

Is the T2080NSN8MQLB pin-compatible with any other NXP processors?

No, the T2080NSN8MQLB is not pin-compatible with other NXP processors. It uses a unique 896-pin FC-BGA package (25 mm × 25 mm, 0.8 mm pitch) distinct from the 780-pin T2081 or earlier P-series packages. While the T2081NSN8MQMB shares functional overlap and is pin-compatible with the T1042, the T2080NSN8MQLB has no pin-compatible alternatives. Board design must follow the T2080FS Rev 2 mechanical and electrical specifications for T2080NSN8MQLB.