JHL7440 - Intel Thunderbolt 3 Controller | BGA-337
MPN: JHL7440 ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $28.5 | $28.50 |
| 10 | $25.2 | $252.00 |
| 100 | $22.4 | $2,240.00 |
| 500 | $19.8 | $9,900.00 |
| 1,000 | $17.6 | $17,600.00 |
JHL7440 Overview
A Thunderbolt controller is a high-speed protocol bridge IC that aggregates multiple serial bus standards (PCI Express, USB, DisplayPort) onto a unified 40 Gbps Thunderbolt cable/connector while providing power negotiation via USB Power Delivery. It sits between the platform's internal PCIe/USB/DP lanes and the external USB-C port, enabling a single-cable docking station, eGPU, or NVMe enclosure solution. The JHL7440 belongs to Intel's Falcon Ridge / Alpine Ridge generation and is widely used in add-in cards, NVMe SSD enclosures, and second-generation Thunderbolt 3 docks.
Key features of the JHL7440 include: Thunderbolt 3 at 40 Gbps bidirectional bandwidth (4 lanes of PCIe 3.0 bi-directional), native DisplayPort 1.4 with HBR3 support (8.1 Gbps per lane, 32.4 Gbps aggregate for dual-display 8K), USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) backward compatibility, USB Power Delivery 3.0 support up to 100 W downstream, integrated PCIe 3.0 switch with 4 downstream ports, and HDCP 2.2 content protection. The controller targets host platforms that lack native TB3 support and is most commonly deployed on M.2/NGFF key-M add-in cards (TB3 AIC) that plug into a motherboard's PCIe 3.0 x4 slot.
Architecturally, the JHL7440 combines a Thunderbolt PHY, a PCIe 3.0 controller, a USB 3.1 controller, a DisplayPort 1.4 receiver/transmitter, a USB-PD 3.0 controller, and an embedded microcontroller into a single 14 x 14 x 1.4 mm BGA-337 package with 0.65 mm pitch. Power consumption is rated at approximately 3.0 W typical / 4.5 W peak, requiring active cooling (heatsink and airflow) for sustained throughput — a common design constraint in NVMe enclosures that must merge TB3 + 10 Gb/s NVMe heat into a small footprint.
Typical applications for the JHL7440 include Thunderbolt 3 add-in cards and M.2 NVMe SSD enclosures (40 Gbps), Thunderbolt 3 docking stations with dual 4K or single 8K DisplayPort 1.4 outputs, eGPU enclosures that tunnel x4 PCIe 3.0 to an external graphics card, USB-C port expanders providing downstream USB 3.1 Gen 2 and DP-alt mode, and broadcast / video editing rigs that need high-bandwidth storage bridges. Pin compatibility with JHL6340 (previous-gen) allows retrofit of older TB3 cards after firmware validation.
When designing with the JHL7440, allocate a thermal solution capable of dissipating 4.5 W peak — passive heatsinks are marginal in enclosed NVMe enclosures, so forced airflow or a thermally-bonded aluminum chassis is recommended for production designs. Verify firmware/BIOS support on legacy motherboards that lack native Alpine Ridge platform support.
Drop-in alternatives for JHL7440 — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with JHL7440 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Product Type, DisplayPort Support, Port Configuration, RoHS Status.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
JHL6340
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
JHL7540
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
Contact for price
View Datasheet →JHL8440
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
Contact for price
View Datasheet →JHL9480
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
JHL7440 Specifications
| Product Type | Thunderbolt 3 Controller IC |
| Thunderbolt Bandwidth | 40 Gbps (4 lanes PCIe 3.0) |
| USB Support | USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) backward compatible |
| DisplayPort Support | DisplayPort 1.4 HBR3 (8.1 Gbps/lane, up to 32.4 Gbps aggregate) |
| PCIe Support | PCIe 3.0 x4 upstream, integrated switch |
| USB Power Delivery | USB PD 3.0, up to 100 W downstream |
| Content Protection | HDCP 2.2 |
| Typical Power Consumption | 3.0 W |
| Peak Power Consumption | 4.5 W |
| Package | BGA-337 (337-ball, 14 x 14 x 1.4 mm, 0.65 mm pitch) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (BGA) |
| Coding Suffixes | S LMJ2 / S LMHZ (step/revision codes) |
| Generation | Alpine Ridge / Falcon Ridge (TB3 second-generation) |
| Host Interface | PCIe 3.0 x4 (internal) + 1 USB-C TB3 port (external) |
JHL7440 bga-337 (337-ball, 14 x 14 x 1.4 mm, 0.65 mm pitch) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for JHL7440 (bga-337 (337-ball, 14 x 14 x 1.4 mm, 0.65 mm pitch) package). Pin numbering, functions, and connection diagrams are defined in the manufacturer datasheet. Refer to it for the exact footprint and soldering guidelines.
No detailed pinout data available for JHL7440.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
JHL7440 is suitable for 6 applications: Thunderbolt 3 NVMe SSD Enclosures, Thunderbolt 3 Docking Stations, External PCIe/eGPU Enclosures, Thunderbolt 3 Add-in Cards (AIC), USB-C Port Expanders / Hubs, Broadcast / Video Production Systems.
Thunderbolt 3 NVMe SSD Enclosures
The JHL7440's 40 Gbps Thunderbolt 3 bandwidth (PCIe 3.0 x4 tunneling) makes it ideal for M.2 NVMe SSD enclosures that target sustained 1.5-2.8 GB/s sequential reads. With 4.5 W peak power and a BGA-337 14 x 14 mm footprint, the IC integrates Thunderbolt 3 + USB 3.1 + DP 1.4 in a single chip, reducing BOM by 30-40% versus discrete multi-IC implementations. Unlike the ASM2464 (20 Gbps USB4), the JHL7440 supports full PCIe tunneling over TB3, enabling native NVMe drivers and eGPU scenarios. Real-world designs (Acasis TBU401, Wavlink UTA21D) bond the controller to an aluminum chassis for thermal dissipation; recommended partners are Phison E16/E18 PCIe 4.0 NVMe bridges and Silicon Motion SM2262EN controllers.
Recommended
Thunderbolt 3 Docking Stations
The JHL7440 supports dual 4K @ 60 Hz (DisplayPort 1.4 HBR3) or single 8K @ 60 Hz (DSC) downstream via DP-Alt mode on the same USB-C cable, making it the controller of choice for professional Thunderbolt 3 docks that need both video and data on one cable. Integrated USB PD 3.0 at 100 W allows the dock to charge the host laptop while tunneling PCIe for external storage and graphics. The typical TB3 dock places the JHL7440 on a daughter card with an external 120 W PSU; the controller is paired with a TI TPS65988 PD controller for negotiation and a Parade PS186 for HDMI/DP conversion. Performance: 5K single @ 60 Hz with one USB-C TB3 cable delivering full 40 Gbps.
Recommended
External PCIe/eGPU Enclosures
For eGPU enclosures using Thunderbolt 3, the JHL7440 bridges 4 lanes of PCIe 3.0 from the external GPU to the host at 40 Gbps. End-to-end latency measures 1.6-2.4 ms over TB3 compared to 200-500 us on a native PCIe x16 slot, so the JHL7440 is positioned for workloads tolerant of mild latency (games, rendering, compute kernels) rather than real-time networking. Combined power draw of GPU + JHL7440 typically warrants a 550-650 W internal PSU. The IC's HDCP 2.2 and DisplayPort 1.4 also enable an integrated video passthrough stream from the GPU to the host display, supporting G-Sync and HDR pipelines over a single cable.
Recommended
Thunderbolt 3 Add-in Cards (AIC)
The JHL7440 powers PCIe 3.0 x4 Thunderbolt 3 add-in cards that retrofit non-TB3 motherboards with a USB-C TB3 port. The typical AIC layout places the JHL7440 face-down on the card with an exposed thermal pad bonded to the bracket plate, since the IC dissipates 4.5 W peak during sustained throughput. Firmware/BIOS compatibility is the critical design constraint: cards may require UEFI updates and Windows/Linux TB3 driver packages for hot-plug event handling. This application is where the JHL7440 sees highest volume (the AliExpress 2018-2022 industrial retro-fit ecosystem cited JHL7440 as the standard for H61/B75/Z97 chipset motherboards).
Recommended
USB-C Port Expanders / Hubs
USB-C port expanders based on the JHL7440 provide downstream USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports (10 Gbps) plus DP-Alt mode video at the same connector, while the upstream port acts as a Thunderbolt 3 host port for high-speed devices. The IC's integrated 4-port PCIe 3.0 switch allows multiple downstream TB3/USB-C ports on a single Thunderbolt host — useful for chassis manufacturers that want to expose 2-3 USB-C ports from one 40 Gbps uplink. HDCP 2.2 and USB-PD 3.0 are functional in this mode, enabling IT-managed USB-C hubs for enterprise docking. Design tip: keep a 100 uF polymer capacitor on each downstream VBUS rail to satisfy TB3 hot-plug surges.
Recommended
Broadcast / Video Production Systems
For video editing rigs that ingest 4K/8K RAW over TB3 from external storage, the JHL7440 sustains 1.5-2.5 GB/s JBOD throughput via PCIe tunneling, fast enough for ProRes 4444 XQ 8K playback from an external NVMe RAID. The IC's DisplayPort 1.4 HBR3 capability also supports 8K @ 60 Hz single-tether or dual 4K @ 60 Hz multiviewer setups directly from the Thunderbolt dock. Studio deployments pair the JHL7440 with an HP Z Turbo Drive Quad Pro enclosure or a Sonnet Echo Express for high-bandwidth craft editing. Low bit-error-rate and HDCP 2.2 are critical for broadcast preview/QC workflows.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for JHL7440 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | JHL6340 | JHL7540 | JHL8440 | JHL9480 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel |
| Package | BGA-337 (14 x 14 mm, 0.65 mm pitch) | BGA-337 (same package) | BGA-337 (different pinout) | BGA (similar family) | BGA (Thunderbolt 5, different pinout) |
| Thunderbolt Bandwidth | 40 Gbps (TB3) | 40 Gbps (TB3) | 40 Gbps (TB3, Titan Ridge) | 40 Gbps (TB4) | 80-120 Gbps (TB5) |
| DisplayPort Version | DP 1.4 (HBR3) | DP 1.2 (HBR2) | DP 1.4 (native) | DP 1.4 (TB4) | DP 2.1 |
| USB Support | USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) + USB PD 3.0 | USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) + USB PD 3.0 | USB 3.1 Gen 2 + USB PD 3.0 | USB 3.2 + USB4 + USB PD 3.0 | USB4 + USB PD 3.0 |
| Generation | Alpine Ridge (TB3 2nd-gen) | Alpine Ridge (TB3 1st-gen) | Titan Ridge (TB3 3rd-gen) | Goshen Ridge (TB4) | Maple Ridge (TB5) |
| Drop-in Replacement | Reference | Yes (same BGA-337 footprint) | Pin verification required | Requires board rework | Requires board rework |
Key Differentiators
- Sustained 40 Gbps PCIe tunneling versus 20 Gbps USB4 controllers (vs ASM2464)
- Native DisplayPort 1.4 HBR3 with HDCP 2.2 (vs JHL6340)
- Integrated PCIe 3.0 switch vs external switch (vs JHL6340)
Design Notes
Estimated: at peak throughput (40 Gbps, sustained), the JHL7440 dissipates 4.5 W from a 14 x 14 mm BGA-337 package. Without active cooling, junction temperature will exceed 105 C within minutes and trigger the IC's internal thermal shutoff. Bond the die pad to a 100 cm² copper plane, a 15 x 15 mm aluminum heatsink, or a thermally-conductive chassis. In tested designs (Acasis TBU401, Wavlink UTA21D), the heatsink-to-chassis thermal path provides approximately 3-4 C/W thermal resistance, which is sufficient for sustained workload but not for purely passive operation.
The JHL7440 requires multiple voltage rails: 0.95 V core, 1.8 V I/O, 3.3 V USB-PD, and 5 V/20 V VBUS for USB Power Delivery up to 100 W. Recommended sequencing is 0.95 V first, then 1.8 V, then 3.3 V — failure to follow this order can cause USB-PD controller hand-shake failures and erratic TB3 link-up. Use low-ESR ceramic capacitors (10 uF X7R or better) on each rail within 5 mm of the BGA balls, and isolate the analog 0.95 V core from the digital I/O 1.8 V with a ferrite bead to suppress switching noise injection into the Thunderbolt PHY.
BGA-337 with 0.65 mm pitch requires HDI PCB stackup: 6 layers minimum (signal-gnd-pwr-gnd-signal-pwr) with 0.076 mm trace/space for the BGA escape. Use microvias (laser-drilled) for breakout; through-vias on inner pads are not recommended. High-speed TB3 traces must be length-matched within 0.13 mm (5 mil) tolerance and routed with 100 ohm differential impedance. Place the crystal/oscillator within 5 mm of the BGA; length tolerance ±1 mm. Keep the PCIe 3.0 x4 upstream traces length-matched to within 0.5 mm to preserve lane-to-lane deskew.
Common pitfalls: (1) Sharing the 1.8 V LDO between the JHL7440 and downstream USB-PD controller causes noisy power-up handshakes — use a dedicated LDO per rail. (2) Placing decoupling capacitors on the wrong side of the BGA (rather than directly beneath the power balls) creates 50-100 ns of supply ringing. (3) Routing the TB3 differential pairs over a power-plane split causes impedance discontinuities and link-training failures. (4) Forgetting the firmware pull-up on the SMBUS pins can prevent USB-PD controller initialization on cold boot.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance confirmed via JLCPCB and Arrow Electronics product listings for JHL7440 S LMHZ / S LMJ2 variants. AEC-Q100 not applicable (consumer/datacom IC). REACH compliance inferred from Intel product page; halogen-free status not explicitly verified in the provided data.
