NXP Semiconductors T4241NXN7PQB

Overview

T4241NXN7PQB 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 integrated DPAA accelerators for packet processing, cryptography (SEC 5.0), and pattern matching (PME 2.0); deployed in carrier-grade routers and NFV infrastructure.

For engineers reviewing the T4241NXN7PQB datasheet, T4241NXN7PQB pinout, T4241NXN7PQB application, or T4241NXN7PQB equivalent, key selection factors include dual-threaded e6500 core count, DDR3L controller bandwidth (1866 MT/s), SerDes lane count (36 lanes), PCIe 3.0 support with SR-IOV, and hardware virtualization features including hypervisor privilege level and PAMUv2 I/O MMU.

Technical Context

The T4241NXN7PQB implements twelve dual-threaded Power Architecture e6500 cores clustered in three banks of four, each sharing 2 MB L2 cache and supporting AltiVec SIMD for DSP-intensive workloads. It integrates a 1.5 MB triple-block CoreNet Platform Cache and delivers 1.6 Tb/s coherent read bandwidth via the CoreNet fabric.

Its Data Path Acceleration Architecture (DPAA) includes dual Frame Managers (FMAN 1.1), QMAN 1.1 for hierarchical queue scheduling, BMAN 1.1 for buffer management, SEC 5.0 (40 Gbit/s crypto), PME 2.0 (10 Gbit/s RegEx), and DCE 1.0 (20 Gbit/s compression), all accessible by virtualized guest environments through vMPIC and vDMA.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

T4241NXN7PQB 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 3.0, and multi-gigabit SerDes signals. Thermal design requires active cooling per NXP's T4240 thermal reference design.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with LX2160A and T4240RDB, the T4241NXN7PQB uniquely combines Power Architecture deterministic latency, AltiVec SIMD for radar math, and integrated DPAA accelerators - making it irreplaceable for legacy telco and defense systems requiring hardware-enforced security and real-time packet processing.

Availability

T4241NXN7PQB is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for carrier networking, defense radar imaging, and industrial SDN controller applications requiring stable component supply, long lifecycle commitment, and traceable sourcing.

Supply support for T4241NXN7PQB 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 T4241NXN7PQB belongs to NXP's QorIQ T series, engineered specifically for high-performance embedded communications where deterministic latency, hardware virtualization, and integrated data path acceleration are mandatory.

FAQ

What is the maximum DDR3L speed supported by the T4241NXN7PQB?

The T4241NXN7PQB supports DDR3L memory up to 1866 MT/s across its three 64-bit controllers. This speed enables sustained memory bandwidth exceeding 30 GB/s, critical for maintaining line-rate packet processing in 10G Ethernet applications. The T4241NXN7PQB requires DDR3L-specific voltage sequencing (1.35 V) and uses on-die termination calibrated per JEDEC standards. All three controllers support ECC and interleaving to improve reliability in mission-critical deployments.

Does the T4241NXN7PQB support PCIe 3.0 with SR-IOV?

Yes, the T4241NXN7PQB integrates four PCIe 3.0 controllers supporting endpoint SR-IOV with up to 2 Physical Functions and 128 Virtual Functions per controller. This capability allows direct hardware-assisted virtualization of PCIe devices across multiple VMs without hypervisor intervention. The T4241NXN7PQB's PCIe root complex complies with PCI-SIG v3.0 specifications and supports advanced features including ACS, ARI, and PASID for robust I/O isolation in NFV environments.

How does the T4241NXN7PQB implement hardware virtualization?

The T4241NXN7PQB implements hardware virtualization through e6500 core-level enhancements including a dedicated hypervisor privilege level, logical-to-real address translation acceleration, and virtual core-aware MMU/TLB. At the platform level, it includes PAMUv2 for I/O MMU paging, vMPIC for virtualized interrupt distribution, and vDMA for user-level DMA engine access. These features enable KVM, Linux containers, and commercial hypervisors from Wind River and Green Hills to run securely isolated VMs on the T4241NXN7PQB without software emulation penalties.

What DPAA accelerators are integrated into the T4241NXN7PQB?

The T4241NXN7PQB integrates six DPAA accelerators: Frame Manager (FMAN 1.1) for packet parsing/classification, Queue Manager (QMAN 1.1) for hierarchical scheduling, Buffer Manager (BMAN 1.1) for dynamic buffer allocation, Security Engine (SEC 5.0) delivering 40 Gbit/s crypto throughput, Pattern Matching Engine (PME 2.0) for 10 Gbit/s RegEx scanning, and Data Compression Engine (DCE 1.0) for 20 Gbit/s aggregate compression/decompression. All are accessible via CoreNet fabric and virtualized through DPAA-aware drivers.

Is the T4241NXN7PQB pin-compatible with other QorIQ T4 family processors?

No, the T4241NXN7PQB is not pin-compatible with T4160 or T4080 processors. While the T4 family shares a common package footprint (1156-pin FC-BGA), the T4241NXN7PQB requires all 36 SerDes lanes and three DDR controllers - necessitating unique PCB routing, power delivery, and thermal design versus the 24-lane T4160 or 24-lane T4080. Pin assignments for high-speed interfaces differ significantly, and migration requires full board redesign, not just BOM change.