NXP Semiconductors T4241NSN7PQB

Overview

T4241NSN7PQB from NXP Semiconductors is a 12-core, 24-thread Power Architecture e6500-based communications processor fabricated on 28 nm process, operating up to 1.8 GHz with 6 MB L2 cache, 1.5 MB CoreNet Platform Cache, and triple 64-bit DDR3L memory controllers supporting 1866 MT/s - deployed in carrier-grade routers, NFV infrastructure, and radar imaging systems.

For engineers reviewing the T4241NSN7PQB datasheet, T4241NSN7PQB pinout, T4241NSN7PQB application, or T4241NSN7PQB equivalent, key selection criteria include dual-threaded e6500 core count, DPAA hardware acceleration throughput (40 Gbit/s SEC, 10 Gbit/s PME), SerDes lane count (36 lanes), virtualization support (hypervisor privilege level, PAMUv2), and 4× PCIe 3.0 controller capability.

Technical Context

The T4241NSN7PQB implements twelve dual-threaded Power Architecture e6500 cores clustered in three banks of four, each sharing 2 MB L2 cache and featuring AltiVec SIMD, 7 DMIPS/MHz, and state-retention power gating. It integrates a 1.5 MB CoreNet Platform Cache configured as three 512 KB blocks for coherent interconnect traffic.

Its Data Path Acceleration Architecture (DPAA) includes dual Frame Managers (FMAN 1.1), QMAN 1.1, BMAN 1.1, SEC 5.0 (40 Gbit/s crypto), PME 2.0 (10 Gbit/s RegEx), and DCE 1.0 (20 Gbit/s compression), all accessible via CoreNet fabric delivering 1.6 Tb/s coherent read bandwidth.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

T4241NSN7PQB is housed in a 27 mm × 27 mm, 1156-pin FC-BGA package with 1.0 mm ball pitch, designed for high-density routing of DDR3L, PCIe, SerDes, and Ethernet signals. Thermal design requires integrated heatsink and forced airflow per NXP AN4949.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with LS2088A and T4240, the T4241NSN7PQB delivers identical DPAA acceleration and e6500 compute but adds industrial-temperature qualification and extended product longevity - making it optimal for ruggedized networking and radar systems where thermal stability and supply continuity are critical.

Availability

T4241NSN7PQB is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for carrier-edge routers, NFV infrastructure nodes, and radar imaging systems requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for T4241NSN7PQB 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 T4241NSN7PQB belongs to NXP's QorIQ T series - engineered for high-performance, power-efficient control-and-data-plane convergence in service provider networking, defense systems, and NFV infrastructure.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating temperature specification for T4241NSN7PQB?

The T4241NSN7PQB is rated for industrial temperature operation from –40°C to +105°C ambient, verified per JEDEC JESD22-A104 stress testing. This extended range exceeds the commercial-grade T4240 (0°C to +105°C) and supports deployment in conduction-cooled military chassis and outdoor telecom cabinets where thermal cycling is severe. The T4241NSN7PQB maintains full DPAA accelerator functionality and DDR3L timing margins across this range.

Does T4241NSN7PQB support PCIe 3.0 Gen3 signaling rates?

Yes, the T4241NSN7PQB integrates four PCIe controllers compliant with PCI Express Base Specification Rev 3.0, supporting Gen3 data rates (8 GT/s) on all lanes. Each controller can be configured as root complex or endpoint, with SR-IOV enabled and up to 128 virtual functions per port. Link training and equalization are handled in hardware, and the SerDes PHY meets PCIe 3.0 electrical compliance requirements per NXP reference design AN4949.

How does the DPAA architecture in T4241NSN7PQB improve packet processing efficiency?

The DPAA in T4241NSN7PQB unifies packet parsing (FMAN), queue scheduling (QMAN), buffer allocation (BMAN), and hardware acceleration (SEC/PME/DCE) under a single coherent fabric. This eliminates software copy operations and interrupt overhead: incoming packets are parsed, classified, and enqueued directly into accelerator buffers with zero-copy DMA. As a result, T4241NSN7PQB achieves near-line-rate 10G Ethernet forwarding with <10 µs latency per packet at 64-byte frames.

Is T4241NSN7PQB pin-compatible with the T4240?

Yes, the T4241NSN7PQB shares identical mechanical, electrical, and thermal specifications with the T4240, including the 1156-ball FC-BGA package, pinout mapping, voltage rail definitions, and reset sequencing. No PCB redesign or layout changes are required when migrating from T4240 to T4241NSN7PQB - only firmware and thermal management validation is needed to confirm operation across the extended temperature range.

What security features are implemented in T4241NSN7PQB beyond secure boot?

In addition to secure boot, the T4241NSN7PQB implements QorIQ Trust Architecture 2.0 with tamper detection sensors, volatile key storage for runtime encryption keys, secure debug disable, and alternate image revocation. Its Security Engine (SEC 5.0) supports AES-256-GCM, SHA-384, RSA-4096, and Elliptic Curve Cryptography - all accelerated in hardware with side-channel resistant implementations. These features are validated per NXP's Common Criteria EAL4+ certification for the QorIQ T4 family.