P2040NSN1MMB - QorIQ P2040 Quad-Core 1.2GHz MPU | NXP
MPN: P2040NSN1MMB ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $285 | $285.00 |
| 10 | $262 | $2,620.00 |
| 100 | $235 | $23,500.00 |
| 500 | $198 | $99,000.00 |
| 1,000 | $175 | $175,000.00 |
P2040NSN1MMB Overview
What is an MPU? A microprocessor (MPU) is the central processing unit of an embedded system, integrating the CPU cores, cache hierarchy, memory controller, and peripheral interfaces on a single die. The P2040 belongs to the broader QorIQ communications processor family, which itself sits within the Power Architecture embedded processor taxonomy. This positions the P2040 between application processors (rich OS, multimedia) and microcontrollers (real-time, deterministic I/O), making it suitable for data-plane and control-plane workloads in networking equipment.
Key differentiating features include the four e500mc cores with hardware multithreading support, integrated 10 Gigabit Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet controllers, a high-speed DDR3/DDR3L memory controller, multiple PCI Express Gen2 controllers, and dedicated hardware blocks for frame management, queue management, and encryption acceleration. The part operates across a -40C to +105C industrial temperature range and includes a security engine with optional encryption, distinguishing it from the higher-speed P2041 variant.
Architecturally, the P2040 uses a coherent SMP fabric that shares a unified L2 cache across cores, enabling symmetric multiprocessing with hardware cache coherency. The integrated datapath acceleration engines (Frame Manager, Queue Manager, Security Engine) offload packet classification, buffer management, and crypto operations from the cores, freeing CPU cycles for control-plane tasks. Compared to discrete CPU-plus-assistant-chip designs, the P2040 reduces BOM, board area, and software complexity.
Typical applications include enterprise and service-provider routers and switches, LTE base-station baseband and control cards, network-attached storage controllers, industrial gateways, and aerospace mission computers. The quad-core scalability and rich I/O portfolio also make it attractive for software-defined networking (SDN) and network functions virtualization (NFV) platforms where deterministic throughput is required.
When designing with this device, plan thermal dissipation around the 23x23 mm BGA footprint: provide adequate PCB copper and airflow to keep junction temperature below the +105C limit. Use the NXP CodeWarrior or Linux SDK toolchain, and validate DDR3 signal integrity with the manufacturer's reference design layout.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in P2040-family alternatives, and practical design guidance that complements the manufacturer datasheet and helps engineers shorten the selection cycle.
Drop-in alternatives for P2040NSN1MMB — 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 P2040NSN1MMB (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Memory Controller, Operating Temperature Range, Core Architecture, Maximum Core Frequency, PCI Express.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
P2040NSE1MMB
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$199 / Unit
View Datasheet →P2040NSN1HLB
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$128.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →P2040NSN7MMC
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
P2041NSN1MMB
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
P2040NSN1MMB Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | QorIQ P2040 |
| Core Architecture | Power Architecture e500mc |
| Number of Cores | 4 |
| Data Bus Width | 32-bit |
| Maximum Core Frequency | 1.2 GHz |
| Operating Temperature Range | 0C to +105C |
| Package Type | FCPBGA (Flip-Chip Plastic BGA) |
| Package Pin Count | 780 |
| Package Size | 23 mm x 23 mm |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Encryption Support | Non-ENC variant |
| Memory Controller | DDR3 / DDR3L with ECC |
| Ethernet Interfaces | 10 Gigabit Ethernet + multiple Gigabit Ethernet |
| PCI Express | PCIe Gen2 controllers |
| Hardware Acceleration | Frame Manager, Queue Manager, Security Engine |
| Software Compatibility | P1, P3, P4, P5 QorIQ families |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
P2040NSN1MMB 23 mm x 23 mm Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for P2040NSN1MMB (23 mm x 23 mm package). This digital IC includes GPIO, communication interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C), and power pins. Refer to the manufacturer datasheet for alternate pin functions and configuration options. Essential for embedded system design and PCB layout.
No detailed pinout data available for P2040NSN1MMB.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
P2040NSN1MMB is suitable for 6 applications: Enterprise and Service-Provider Routers, LTE Base Station Baseband and Control Cards, Network-Attached Storage (NAS) Controllers, Industrial Gateways and Edge Compute, Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and NFV Platforms, Aerospace and Defense Mission Computers.
Enterprise and Service-Provider Routers
The P2040NSN1MMB's four e500mc cores running at 1.2 GHz, combined with integrated 10 Gigabit Ethernet controllers, deliver the packet-processing throughput needed for mid-range enterprise and service-provider edge routers. The Frame Manager and Queue Manager hardware offload packet classification and buffer management, freeing CPU cycles for routing-protocol processing such as OSPF, BGP, and MPLS. Pin-compatible scalability to the P2041 family lets designers ship a single PCB platform across multiple price/performance tiers without respinning the board, accelerating time-to-market for router OEMs.
Recommended
LTE Base Station Baseband and Control Cards
LTE eNodeB baseband units benefit from the P2040NSN1MMB's quad-core SMP fabric, which partitions Layer-2 MAC scheduling and Layer-3 RRC processing across dedicated cores while sharing the L2 cache for low-latency coordination. The integrated DDR3 controller with ECC supports the high-bandwidth memory access patterns of turbo-decoder and FFT pipelines, and the 0C to +105C temperature range tolerates outdoor cabinet thermal envelopes. PCI Express Gen2 links connect the baseband card to RF front-end and fronthaul cards, replacing legacy RapidIO backplanes with a more widely supported fabric.
Recommended
Network-Attached Storage (NAS) Controllers
Mid-range NAS controllers use the P2040NSN1MMB's quad-core processing to handle file-system metadata, RAID parity calculation, and iSCSI/NFS protocol termination simultaneously. The multiple Gigabit Ethernet ports support link aggregation to the storage backplane while the integrated SATA or PCIe-attached disk controllers route directly through the SoC, eliminating an external bridge chip. The hardware Security Engine on the SE variant accelerates AES-NI for at-rest data encryption, and the FCPBGA's flip-chip thermal interface simplifies cooling in 1U rack chassis.
Recommended
Industrial Gateways and Edge Compute
Industrial IoT gateways and edge-compute nodes benefit from the P2040NSN1MMB's combination of deterministic real-time processing on the e500mc cores and rich networking peripherals for protocol translation (PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP). The hardware acceleration engines handle TSN time-sensitive networking scheduling on top of standard Ethernet, enabling converged IT/OT networks. Conformal-coat-friendly BGA packaging and 0C to +105C operation suit factory-floor enclosures, while NXP's long-term product support program protects multi-year industrial deployments.
Recommended
Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and NFV Platforms
SDN controllers, vCPE, and lightweight NFV appliances benefit from the P2040NSN1MMB's multi-core architecture, which can dedicate individual e500mc cores to separate VNFs while maintaining hardware-enforced isolation through the MMU and L2 cache partitioning. The 10 Gigabit Ethernet controllers support the high-throughput east-west traffic between co-located VNFs, and the PCI Express expansion enables a path to FPGA or SmartNIC co-processors. The Linux SDK and KVM support let OEMs run containerized network functions on the same hardware that boots the control plane.
Recommended
Aerospace and Defense Mission Computers
Aerospace and defense mission computers leverage the P2040NSN1MMB's deterministic real-time performance, hardware cryptography options on the SE variant, and ruggedized 0C to +105C operating range. The four cores allow partitioning of flight-control, sensor-fusion, and communications-processing workloads with hardware-enforced isolation, while the integrated 10 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces drive high-bandwidth links to radar, EO/IR sensors, and datalinks. The 780-ball FCPBGA's high pin density reduces board area critical for SWaP-constrained platforms, and NXP's aerospace product longevity program supports multi-decade program lifetimes.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for P2040NSN1MMB — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | P2040NSE1MMB | P2040NSN1HLB | P2040NSN7MMC | P2041NSN1MMB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Package | 780-FCPBGA (23x23) | 780-FCPBGA (23x23) - same | 780-FCPBGA (23x23) - same | 780-FCPBGA (23x23) - same | 780-FCPBGA (23x23) - same |
| Core Count | 4 x e500mc | 4 x e500mc | 4 x e500mc | 4 x e500mc | 4 x e500mc |
| Encryption Engine | No (Non-ENC) | Yes (SEC) | No (Non-ENC) | No (Non-ENC) | No (Non-ENC) |
| Architecture | Power Architecture e500mc | Power Architecture e500mc | Power Architecture e500mc | Power Architecture e500mc | Power Architecture e500mc |
| Software Compatibility | P1/P3/P4/P5 QorIQ families | Same | Same | Same | Same |
Key Differentiators
- Hardware Security Engine variant available in the same package (vs P2040NSE1MMB)
- Pin-compatible upgrade path to higher-performance P2041 (vs P2041NSN1MMB)
- Software-compatible across the entire P-series QorIQ family (vs P2040NSN7MMC)
Design Notes
The 23x23 mm FCPBGA exposes a thermal interface through the flip-chip die and the package's top metallization. For ambient temperatures above +25C and workloads that drive all four e500mc cores near 1.2 GHz, design the PCB with a full-array thermal via farm under the package and attach a heatsink with thermal-interface material rated for the application. Junction-to-ambient thermal resistance must be calculated from the NXP thermal model to confirm headroom below the +105C operating limit.
Use NXP's reference design as the starting point for the 780-ball FCPBGA layout. Escape routing on the top layers, BGA break-out vias on inner layers with micro-via stacks, and a continuous ground plane under the package all contribute to signal-integrity for the DDR3 controller and 10 Gigabit Ethernet SERDES. Length-matching the DDR3 byte lanes and 100-ohm differential SERDES pairs is mandatory; rely on the NXP reference design as a starting point.
Do not assume DDR3 and DDR3L are interchangeable: the P2040 supports both but the selected memory choice must match the validated speed bin in the NXP datasheet. Mixing non-ECC and ECC DIMMs without re-validating the memory controller initialization sequence is a frequent cause of intermittent boot failures. Use the NXP QorIQ Linux SDK's hard-coded boot configuration as the canonical starting point for clock and DDR initialization.
Compliance Information
RoHS-compliant FCPBGA packaging per NXP product environmental compliance. Not AEC-Q100 qualified (industrial/commercial grade). Reach and conflict-minerals status confirmed; halogen-free status not explicitly stated in the provided web data.
