NXP Semiconductors T4081NXN7PQB

Overview

T4081NXN7PQB from NXP Semiconductors is a quad-core, dual-threaded Power Architecture e6500-based communications processor fabricated in 28 nm process technology, delivering 1.8 GHz core frequency, 2 MB L2 cache per cluster, and integrated Data Path Acceleration Architecture (DPAA) for packet processing. It supports up to 2 × 10 GbE and 13 × 1 GbE MACs, 2 DDR3L controllers at 1866 MT/s with ECC, and hardware virtualization for NFV deployments in telecom edge routers.

For engineers reviewing the T4081NXN7PQB datasheet, T4081NXN7PQB pinout, T4081NXN7PQB application, or T4081NXN7PQB equivalent, key selection criteria include its 4-core/8-thread e6500 configuration, DPAA-accelerated packet classification at 50 Gbit/s, CoreNet coherency fabric bandwidth, SerDes lane count (24 lanes), and support for PCIe 3.0, RapidIO 2.0, and Interlaken-LA interfaces in embedded control-and-data-plane systems.

Technical Context

The T4081NXN7PQB implements four dual-threaded e6500 cores clustered with shared 2 MB L2 cache and AltiVec SIMD engines, operating up to 1.8 GHz with 7 DMIPS/MHz per core. Its CoreNet coherency fabric provides 1.6 Tb/s coherent read bandwidth and supports prioritized, bandwidth-allocated transactions across endpoints including accelerators and memory controllers.

It integrates two DDR3L memory controllers (1866 MT/s, ECC-capable), dual Frame Managers (FMAN 1.1) supporting up to 13 × 1 GbE + 2 × 10 GbE, and DPAA hardware accelerators including SEC 5.0 (40 Gbit/s crypto), PME 2.0 (10 Gbit/s RegEx), and DCE 1.0 (20 Gbit/s compression). Virtualization support includes hypervisor privilege level, PAMUv2 I/O MMU, and vMPIC/vDMA.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

T4081NXN7PQB is housed in a 23 mm × 23 mm, 1296-ball FC-BGA package with 1.0 mm ball pitch, designed for high-density routing of DDR3L, SerDes, and PCIe signals on multilayer PCBs.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with T4081NXN7PQB, T4160NXN7PQB offers higher core density and memory bandwidth for scalable control-plane workloads, while LS2088AXE7QQB provides ARMv8-A compatibility and DPAA2 enhancements at the cost of ISA discontinuity and revised peripheral mapping.

Availability

T4081NXN7PQB is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for telecom edge routers, NFV platforms, enterprise UTM appliances, and ruggedized defense networking equipment requiring stable component supply and long-lifecycle support.

Supply support for T4081NXN7PQB 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 QorIQ T4 family-including T4081NXN7PQB-is designed for high-performance, power-efficient control-and-data-plane processing in service provider networking, enterprise infrastructure, and defense-grade embedded systems.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the T4081NXN7PQB?

The T4081NXN7PQB operates at a maximum core frequency of 1.8 GHz across all four e6500 cores. This frequency is sustained under thermal and voltage conditions specified in the official NXP datasheet revision 7, and applies to both threads per core. The 1.8 GHz rating reflects guaranteed performance across industrial temperature ranges (–40°C to +105°C) with appropriate cooling and power delivery. T4081NXN7PQB achieves this speed using 28 nm HKMG process technology and dynamic voltage/frequency scaling (DVFS) support.

Does the T4081NXN7PQB support DDR4 memory?

No, the T4081NXN7PQB supports only DDR3 and DDR3L memory up to 1866 MT/s, with built-in ECC and interleaving capabilities. It does not include DDR4 controller logic or PHY support. The memory controller is optimized for low-voltage DDR3L operation (1.35 V) and requires matched DIMM or discrete DRAM layout per NXP's hardware design guide. T4081NXN7PQB's memory subsystem is fully compatible with JEDEC-standard DDR3L components but lacks DDR4 timing registers, command encoding, or voltage regulation for 1.2 V operation.

How many PCIe controllers does the T4081NXN7PQB integrate?

The T4081NXN7PQB integrates three PCIe controllers compliant with PCIe specification 3.0, supporting endpoint configurations with SR-IOV (2 PFs, 128 VFs). Each controller can be configured as x1, x2, x4, or x8 lane widths depending on SerDes lane allocation. These controllers connect directly to the CoreNet fabric and support DMA transfers with PAMUv2 protection. T4081NXN7PQB does not include a PCIe root complex mode; all controllers operate exclusively as endpoints, requiring an external switch or host bridge for upstream connectivity.

Is the T4081NXN7PQB pin-compatible with the T4240 or T4160?

Yes, the T4081NXN7PQB shares the same 1296-ball FC-BGA package footprint and pinout as the T4240 and T4160 processors, enabling mechanical and layout compatibility across the QorIQ T4 family. Signal mapping for DDR3L, PCIe, SerDes, and CoreNet interfaces is identical; unused pins on lower-core variants are reserved or NC. However, functional differences exist-T4081NXN7PQB has only two DDR controllers versus three on T4240, and fewer SerDes lanes dedicated to certain protocols. Board-level validation is required for full interoperability.

What virtualization software stacks are validated for the T4081NXN7PQB?

Officially supported virtualization software for the T4081NXN7PQB includes KVM with Linux kernel 4.1+, Enea LINX Hypervisor, Green Hills INTEGRITY Multivisor, Mentor Graphics Nucleus ReadyStart with virtualization extensions, and Wind River Helix Virtualization Platform. All leverage T4081NXN7PQB's hardware features: hypervisor privilege level, PAMUv2 I/O MMU, vMPIC, and vDMA. NXP provides BSPs and reference configurations for each stack, with documented support for DPAA-accelerated networking in guest VMs. T4081NXN7PQB-specific patches and device tree bindings are included in all validated releases.