P3041NSE1PNB - 1.5GHz Quad-Core QorIQ P3 MPU | NXP | Networking
MPN: P3041NSE1PNB ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $285 | $285.00 |
| 10 | $268.5 | $2,685.00 |
| 100 | $245 | $24,500.00 |
| 500 | $215.75 | $107,875.00 |
| 1,000 | $198.5 | $198,500.00 |
P3041NSE1PNB Overview
A communications processor (often abbreviated as a comms-MPU or network-MPU) is a high-integration System-on-Chip (SoC) class microprocessor that combines general-purpose CPU cores with hardware acceleration engines for packet processing, security, and Quality-of-Service (QoS) queuing. The QorIQ family sits within NXP's broader Power Architecture (PowerPC) communications-processor hierarchy: SoC -> microprocessor -> communications processor -> QorIQ P-series -> QorIQ P3 tier. P3041 parts are typically deployed in mid-range networking gear where a balance of control-plane compute and data-plane throughput is required.
Key differentiating features of the P3041NSE1PNB include its four e500mc cores with hardware hypervisor and virtualization support, integrated SEC (Security Engine) 5.0 for IPSec, SSL/TLS, and 3GPP algorithms, two 10 Gbit/s plus five 1 Gbit/s Enhanced Three-Speed Ethernet (ETSEC) controllers, four PCIe Gen 2 controllers, two SATA 2.0 interfaces, two USB 2.0 interfaces (one host, one OTG), DDR3/DDR3L memory controller with ECC up to 32-bit wide, and integrated Trust Architecture security. It is the standard-temperature ("std temp") bin rated for 0C to +105C Tj (typical networking equipment operating range).
The architecture leverages Power Architecture e500mc cores with a 256-bit wide CoreNet coherency fabric that ties cores, L2 caches, the shared platform cache, and the datapath accelerators together at full core frequency. The 1 MB CoreNet platform cache reduces external memory bandwidth pressure by absorbing frequently shared data-plane structures, while the dedicated SEC engine offloads bulk crypto from the cores, freeing them for control-plane and exception-path work.
Typical applications for the P3041NSE1PNB include enterprise and small/medium-business routers, wired and wireless Unified Threat Management (UTM) appliances, network-attached storage (NAS) controllers, industrial firewalls, LTE/Wi-Fi small-cell base-station controllers, and print/image-formation controllers. Its quad-core + SEC combination targets control-plane-heavy, security-aware designs rather than pure line-rate forwarding roles, which are usually handled by P-series parts with more DPAA cores. The wide set of peripherals (PCIe, SATA, USB, multiple Ethernet MACs) lets a single P3041 implement most of the system logic for a compact 1U/half-width networking box.
Design consideration: the 1295-FCPBGA at 37.5 x 37.5 mm requires a high-layer-count PCB (typically 10+ layers) with via-in-pad and laser-drilled microvia construction; follow NXP's hardware-design guide for trace impedance, DDR3 length matching, and thermal management. Boot sequencing requires a proper POR and reset tree as documented in the P3041 reference manual.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-family alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone, and is intended to give embedded and networking engineers a fast, citation-grade reference for the P3041NSE1PNB.
Drop-in alternatives for P3041NSE1PNB — 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 P3041NSE1PNB (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Memory Controller, Operating Temperature, Package, RoHS Status, Series.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
P3041NSE1NNB
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$184.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →P3041NXN1MMB
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$215 / Unit
View Datasheet →P2041NSE1PNB
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$119 / Unit
View Datasheet →P3041NSE1MMB
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$215 / Unit
View Datasheet →P3041NXE1PNB
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
P3041NSE1PNB Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | NXP USA Inc. |
| Product Family | QorIQ P3 (P3041) |
| Core Architecture | PowerPC e500mc |
| Number of Cores | 4 |
| Data Width | 32-bit |
| Maximum Core Frequency | 1.5 GHz |
| Speed Grade / Suffix | 1500 (NSE = standard temp, SEC engine, 1500 MHz) |
| L1 Cache (per core) | 32 KB I-cache + 32 KB D-cache |
| L2 Cache (per core) | 128 KB backside |
| Platform Cache (shared) | 1 MB CoreNet |
| Package | 1295-ball FCPBGA (37.5 x 37.5 mm) |
| Memory Controller | DDR3 / DDR3L with ECC (up to 32-bit wide) |
| Ethernet | 2 x 10 Gbit/s + 5 x 1 Gbit/s ETSEC |
| PCIe | 4 x PCIe Gen 2 controllers |
| Security Engine | SEC 5.0 (IPSec, SSL/TLS, 3GPP) |
| Other Peripherals | 2 x SATA 2.0, 2 x USB 2.0, I2C, SPI, UART, GPIO |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +105C Tj (standard temp) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
P3041NSE1PNB 1295-ball fcpbga (37.5 x 37.5 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for P3041NSE1PNB (1295-ball fcpbga (37.5 x 37.5 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 P3041NSE1PNB.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
P3041NSE1PNB is suitable for 7 applications: Enterprise Branch Routers, Unified Threat Management (UTM) / NGFW Appliances, Network-Attached Storage (NAS) Controllers, Industrial Firewall / IEC 61850 Substation Security, Small-Cell Base Station Controller, Print and Imaging Controller Board, Industrial IoT Gateway with VPN.
Enterprise Branch Routers
The P3041NSE1PNB fits enterprise branch router designs because its four e500mc cores at 1.5 GHz deliver enough control-plane compute for routing daemons (OSPF, BGP, RIP) plus QoS policing, while the integrated SEC 5.0 hardware offloads IPSec/SSL VPN tunnels at line rate. The two 10 Gbit/s and five 1 Gbit/s Ethernet MACs cover WAN uplink plus LAN switch fan-out without an external switching ASIC, and the four PCIe Gen 2 lanes attach a Wi-Fi 6 or LTE/5G modem card. Compared with a switch-only SoC, the P3041NSE1PNB trades raw forwarding throughput for stronger crypto and control-plane headroom, which is exactly the branch-router sweet spot.
Recommended
Unified Threat Management (UTM) / NGFW Appliances
UTM appliances need both deep-packet inspection control-plane compute and bulk crypto offload, which is precisely the P3041NSE1PNB's two-pillar design. SEC 5.0 handles IPSec/SSL bulk encryption at multi-gigabit rates, leaving the four e500mc cores free for firewall DPI, antivirus scanning, and IPS signature matching. The 1295-FCPBGA exposes enough GPIO/UART/SPI for management-plane and LCD/console interfaces, while the DDR3 ECC controller protects against silent memory corruption in 24x7 firewall duty cycles. This makes the P3041NSE1PNB a natural fit for 1U mid-range UTM chassis targeted at SMB and distributed-enterprise deployments.
Recommended
Network-Attached Storage (NAS) Controllers
The P3041NSE1PNB's two SATA 2.0 ports, four PCIe Gen 2 lanes (for SAS/SATA HBAs), DDR3 ECC controller, and quad-core compute map directly onto mid-range NAS controller designs. The four e500mc cores handle file-system journaling, RAID parity computation, and SMB/NFS/iSCSI protocol stack without offloading to a separate CPU, while the SEC 5.0 engine accelerates encrypted-volume operations (SED, AES-NI-equivalent) for at-rest data protection. This makes the P3041NSE1PNB a strong SoC choice for 4-bay to 8-bay SMB NAS enclosures where a single chip replaces CPU + crypto accelerator + storage controller.
Recommended
Industrial Firewall / IEC 61850 Substation Security
Industrial firewalls protecting IEC 61850 substation networks need deterministic control-plane response plus line-rate encryption for GOOSE/SMV tunnels; the P3041NSE1PNB's four e500mc cores run the deterministic real-time control stack while SEC 5.0 handles IPSec tunnels to the control center. The two 10G + five 1G Ethernet ports allow direct attachment to substation ring networks without external switching, and the standard-temperature 0C-105C Tj rating covers outdoor cabinet environments. NXP's long-life product programme also protects the P3041NSE1PNB against obsolescence for the 10-15 year substation lifecycle.
Recommended
Small-Cell Base Station Controller
Small-cell (micro/pico/femtocell) base stations need a control-plane processor that can run the SON (Self-Organizing Network) stack, encryption (SEC 5.0), and Ethernet/IP backhaul aggregation in a single chip. The P3041NSE1PNB's quad-core e500mc compute and dual 10G MACs enable CPRI-over-Ethernet aggregation to multiple small-cell radio heads, while the four PCIe lanes attach a separate baseband modem or DSP. The standard temperature range suits outdoor small-cell enclosures on lamp posts or building facades where ambient temperatures swing widely.
Recommended
Print and Imaging Controller Board
High-end multifunction print/image-formation controllers use QorIQ-class processors to drive the embedded scanner DSP, RIP (raster image processor), and the network protocol stack simultaneously. The P3041NSE1PNB's quad-core e500mc plus two SATA ports (for HDD job storage), 1G Ethernet (for office network), and USB 2.0 (for direct-print walk-up) cover the full MFP controller I/O matrix. SEC 5.0 also enables secure-pull-print and embedded user-authentication workflows required by enterprise print-security policies, making the P3041NSE1PNB a natural fit for 30-60 ppm A3 MFP controller designs.
Recommended
Industrial IoT Gateway with VPN
Ruggedized industrial IoT gateways aggregating Modbus/OPC-UA traffic from field sensors to the cloud need both control-plane compute and IPSec/SSL VPN to the cloud broker. The P3041NSE1PNB's four e500mc cores run containerized protocol-conversion workloads, while SEC 5.0 handles site-to-cloud VPN tunnel encryption at multi-megabit rates. The 1295-FCPBGA package plus industrial temperature bin supports IP67 sealed enclosures with passive convection cooling, and the multiple Ethernet MACs cover daisy-chained ring topologies common in factory automation.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for P3041NSE1PNB — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | P3041NSE1NNB | P3041NXN1MMB | P2041NSE1PNB | P3041NSE1MMB | P3041NXE1PNB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Package | 1295-FCPBGA (37.5x37.5) | 1295-FCPBGA (37.5x37.5) | 1295-FCPBGA (37.5x37.5) | 1295-FCPBGA (37.5x37.5) | 1295-FCPBGA (37.5x37.5) | 1295-FCPBGA (37.5x37.5) |
| Core Architecture | PowerPC e500mc | PowerPC e500mc | PowerPC e500mc | PowerPC e500mc | PowerPC e500mc | PowerPC e500mc |
| Number of Cores | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Ethernet MACs | 2 x 10G + 5 x 1G ETSEC | 2 x 10G + 5 x 1G ETSEC | 2 x 10G + 5 x 1G ETSEC | 2 x 10G + 5 x 1G ETSEC + DPAA | 2 x 10G + 5 x 1G ETSEC | 2 x 10G + 5 x 1G ETSEC |
| RoHS Status | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant |
Key Differentiators
- Quad-core e500mc with hardware hypervisor at 1.5 GHz in a single 1295-FCPBGA (vs P2020NSE2PNB (dual-core variant))
- Integrated SEC 5.0 hardware crypto engine (vs P2041NSE1PNB (DPAA datapath variant))
- Two 10 Gbit/s + five 1 Gbit/s Ethernet MACs integrated (vs T1024NXN7MKA (lower-power QorIQ T1))
- Standard-temperature 0C-105C Tj bin for long-life networking designs (vs P3041NXE1PNB (extended-temperature variant))
Design Notes
The 1295-FCPBGA at 37.5 x 37.5 mm requires a high-layer-count PCB (typically 10+ layers) with via-in-pad and laser-drilled microvia construction. Allocate at least 4 GND layers stitched with a 0.5 mm pitch via fence around the BGA perimeter, and follow NXP's hardware-design guide for DDR3 length-matching (within 25 mil across the byte lane) and impedance-controlled SerDes traces (100 ohm differential, 12 mil width).
At full 1.5 GHz on all four e500mc cores with SEC + Ethernet active, junction temperature can approach 100C in a still-air 1U chassis. Attach a thermal-interface-material pad to the FCPBGA top-side lid and clamp to an aluminium heatsink with at least 4 spring-loaded screws. Always size the heatsink against worst-case Tj of 105C, not the marketing 'Tcase' number, because QorIQ parts throttle only at 110C.
Common boot-sequence mistakes: (1) leaving the POR (Power-on Reset) signal unmonitored on the P3041NSE1PNB causes intermittent boot failures at high temperature; (2) misconfiguring the IFC (Integrated Flash Controller) bus-width versus the boot-NOR device-width triggers a 'hard reset loop'; (3) forgetting to assert HRESET_REQ after a watchdog reset leaves cores stalled. Follow the P3041 reference manual chapter on reset and boot sequencing exactly, and validate against NXP's official U-Boot SDK boot logs before shipping.
Estimated: P3041NSE1PNB core + platform supply typically draws ~5-8 W at 1.5 GHz DVFS corner with all peripherals enabled. Use a 4-phase VRM for the core rail with at least 10 A continuous capability and 25 A peak, plus low-impedance bulk decoupling at the BGA balls (place 10 x 22 uF 0805 ceramics within 5 mm of the package). Separately filter the DDR3 VTT termination rail - draw from the same 1.5 V source through a dedicated LDO.
The 10 Gbit/s SerDes lanes on P3041NSE1PNB require careful reference-clock routing: keep the differential SD1_REF_CLK pair within 5 mil length-match, route over a continuous GND reference plane, and isolate the SerDes region from the DDR3 byte lanes by at least 5 mm with a GND moat. Series AC-coupling capacitors must be 100 nF 0201 X7R placed within 200 mil of the BGA ball.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliance per NXP product brief; not AEC-Q100 qualified (choose P3041NSE1PNB-Q1 derivative for automotive-grade designs).
