NXP Semiconductors T4241NSN7QTB

Overview

T4241NSN7QTB 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 edge routers and NFV infrastructure.

For engineers reviewing the T4241NSN7QTB datasheet, T4241NSN7QTB pinout, T4241NSN7QTB application, or T4241NSN7QTB equivalent, key selection factors 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 integration.

Technical Context

The T4241NSN7QTB implements twelve dual-threaded e6500 cores clustered in three banks of four, each sharing 2 MB L2 cache and featuring AltiVec SIMD, 7 DMIPS/MHz performance, and state-retention power gating. It integrates CoreNet coherency fabric delivering 1.6 Tb/s coherent read bandwidth and hierarchical QMAN/BMAN/FMAN for packet scheduling and buffer management.

Its DPAA 2.0 infrastructure offloads data path functions including frame parsing (FMAN 1.1), cryptographic acceleration (SEC 5.0), pattern matching (PME 2.0), and compression (DCE 1.0), while hardware virtualization includes hypervisor privilege mode, vMPIC, vDMA, and IOMMU-enforced DMA protection via PAMUv2.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

T4241NSN7QTB is housed in a 27 mm × 27 mm, 1156-pin FC-BGA package with 1.0 mm ball pitch, designed for high-density, thermally demanding embedded networking modules.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with T4241NSN7QTB, the T4240NSN7QTB offers identical architecture at reduced clock headroom, while the LS2088A shifts to ARMv8 with divergent acceleration capabilities - making T4241NSN7QTB optimal for Power-based, AltiVec-dependent, and high-throughput RegEx/crypto use cases.

Availability

T4241NSN7QTB is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for carrier networking, defense radar processing, and industrial storage controller applications requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and traceable sourcing from authorized channels.

Supply support for T4241NSN7QTB 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 leader focused on secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and networking markets, with headquarters in Eindhoven, Netherlands.

The T4241NSN7QTB belongs to NXP's QorIQ T series - engineered specifically for high-performance, power-efficient control-and-data-plane convergence in service provider edge, NFV, and mission-critical embedded systems.

FAQ

What is the maximum DDR3L data rate supported by the T4241NSN7QTB?

The T4241NSN7QTB supports DDR3L memory up to 1866 MT/s across its three 64-bit controllers. This requires precise PCB layout with matched trace lengths, controlled impedance, and proper termination to maintain signal integrity at full speed. The T4241NSN7QTB's integrated memory controller includes built-in training algorithms and ECC support to ensure reliable operation in telecom and defense environments where bit errors must be corrected in real time.

Does the T4241NSN7QTB support hardware-assisted virtualization for real-time OS partitions?

Yes, the T4241NSN7QTB includes full hardware virtualization support: hypervisor privilege level, vMPIC for virtual interrupt handling, vDMA for user-mode peripheral access, and PAMUv2 for I/O memory management. These features enable deterministic partitioning of real-time OS instances (e.g., VxWorks and Linux) on the same T4241NSN7QTB die, with hardware-enforced memory and device isolation critical for avionics and industrial control applications.

How many 10 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces can the T4241NSN7QTB drive simultaneously?

The T4241NSN7QTB integrates dual Frame Managers (FMANs) supporting up to four 10GbE MACs - configurable via SerDes lanes for XFI, 10Gbase-KR, or SFI PHY interfaces. All four 10GbE ports operate concurrently with full line-rate forwarding, leveraging DPAA's QMAN for priority-based scheduling and BMAN for zero-copy buffer management - verified in NXP's T4240 Reference Design Board (T4RDB) test reports.

Is the T4241NSN7QTB pin-compatible with other QorIQ T4 family processors?

Yes, the T4241NSN7QTB shares the same 1156-ball FC-BGA package and pinout as the T4240NSN7QTB, T4160, and T4080 - enabling drop-in upgrades within the same PCB footprint. This allows system designers to scale performance from 4 to 12 cores without layout changes, provided thermal and power delivery margins accommodate the higher TDP of the T4241NSN7QTB variant.

What cryptographic algorithms does the Security Engine (SEC 5.0) in the T4241NSN7QTB accelerate?

The T4241NSN7QTB's SEC 5.0 accelerates AES (128/192/256-bit), 3DES, Kasumi/F8, SHA-1/SHA-256, RSA up to 4096-bit, and elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) - delivering up to 40 Gbit/s symmetric encryption throughput. This acceleration is used directly by Linux Crypto API and OpenSSL engines, eliminating software bottlenecks in IPsec, TLS, and MACsec implementations deployed on the T4241NSN7QTB platform.