P5040NSE72QC - QorIQ P5 4-Core 2.2GHz SoC | NXP | Networking
MPN: P5040NSE72QC ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $517.55 | $517.55 |
| 10 | $480 | $4,800.00 |
| 100 | $425 | $42,500.00 |
| 500 | $380 | $190,000.00 |
| 1,000 | $340 | $340,000.00 |
P5040NSE72QC Overview
A communications SoC (System-on-Chip) is a highly-integrated processor that combines CPU cores, memory controllers, high-speed serial interfaces, and platform peripherals on a single die. Within the broader taxonomy, the P5040 belongs to: microprocessor -> multicore SoC -> networking SoC -> embedded communications processor -> semiconductor. The e5500 core implements the Power Architecture v2.06 64-bit ISA with hardware hypervisor support and three levels of instruction privilege (user, supervisor, hypervisor), enabling workload isolation in virtualized network functions.
Key features of the P5040NSE72QC include 4 e5500 cores at 2.2 GHz, integrated DDR3/DDR3L controller with ECC support up to DDR3-2133, multiple PCIe controllers, 1/10 Gigabit Ethernet MACs, SATA interfaces, and a SEC (Security Engine) for cryptographic offload. The device supports up to ten 1 GbE ports or combinations of 1G/10G, plus a 64-bit DDR3/3L memory interface with ECC. Operating temperature range is 0C to 90C, suitable for commercial and industrial networking environments with controlled airflow.
The P5040 architecture uses a hierarchical interconnect with CoreNet coherency fabric linking cores, memory controller, and platform blocks. This allows snoop-based cache coherence across the four cores and deterministic memory access latency, which is critical for packet processing workloads. The SEC 5.x block accelerates AES, 3DES, SHA, RSA, and ECC operations, offloading IPsec and TLS tunnels from the cores.
Typical applications include service provider routers, multi-service gateways, enterprise access switches, wireless base station controllers, and network-attached storage (NAS) controllers. The combination of high core count, integrated 10G Ethernet, and on-chip SEC makes the P5040NSE72QC particularly well-suited for line-rate control-plane and security processing at line rates up to multi-10G.
When designing with the P5040, ensure the FCBGA thermal solution is rated for the 0-90C junction range, route all high-speed SerDes lanes with reference-impedance-controlled PCB stackups (100 ohm differential for 10G, 85 ohm for PCIe), and validate DDR3/3L fly-by topology against the JEDEC specifications referenced in the device errata.
This page synthesizes NXP product-page specifications, distributor pricing from DigiKey/Mouser/Octopart, and engineering cross-reference data not found in any single source. It is intended as a decision-support companion to the NXP QorIQ P5040 hardware reference manual.
Drop-in alternatives for P5040NSE72QC — 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 P5040NSE72QC (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Ethernet, Number of Cores, Operating Temperature, Package, RoHS Status.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
P5040NXN72QC
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
P5040NSE7VNC
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
P5021NXE72QC
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
P5040NSN72QC
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$387.88 / Unit
View Datasheet →P5040NSE72QC Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Part Number | P5040NSE72QC |
| Series | QorIQ P5 |
| Core Processor | PowerPC e5500 |
| Number of Cores | 4 (single-threaded) |
| Bus Width | 64-bit |
| Maximum Core Frequency | 2.2 GHz |
| ISA | Power Architecture v2.06 |
| Instruction Privilege Levels | User, Supervisor, Hypervisor |
| RAM Controller | DDR3 / DDR3L with ECC |
| Ethernet | 1 Gbps (x10), 10 Gbps |
| PCI Express | Yes (PCIe controllers integrated) |
| SATA | Yes (integrated) |
| Security Engine (SEC) | Yes |
| Package | 1295-FCPBGA (37.5 mm x 37.5 mm) |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to 90C |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
P5040NSE72QC 1295-fcpbga (37.5 mm x 37.5 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for P5040NSE72QC (1295-fcpbga (37.5 mm 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 P5040NSE72QC.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
P5040NSE72QC is suitable for 6 applications: Service Provider Router Control Plane, Enterprise Multi-Service Gateway, 10G Ethernet Aggregation Switch, Wireless Base Station Controller, Network-Attached Storage Controller, Industrial Secure Router / Edge Gateway.
Service Provider Router Control Plane
The P5040NSE72QC's four 2.2 GHz e5500 cores with hardware virtualization make it ideal as the control-plane CPU in service provider edge routers. The CoreNet coherency fabric ensures deterministic memory access for routing-table lookups (BGP, OSPF, MPLS), and the SEC 5.x block accelerates IPsec tunnel termination at line rate. Compared to a discrete CPU + NPU architecture, the integrated 10G Ethernet MACs reduce BOM cost and PCB area for chassis-based routers.
Recommended
Enterprise Multi-Service Gateway
In enterprise multi-service gateways (firewall + routing + VPN), the P5040NSE72QC provides four cores running at 2.2 GHz to handle simultaneous routing, NAT, deep-packet inspection, and IPsec/TLS offload. The on-chip SEC block performs AES-256-GCM at line rate, freeing cores for policy lookup and DPI workloads. Integrated SATA enables local-log SSD caching without an external controller, simplifying the BOM for SMB appliance designs.
Recommended
10G Ethernet Aggregation Switch
The P5040NSE72QC integrates up to ten 1 GbE ports and multiple 10 GbE interfaces, enabling its use as the management and aggregation CPU in 10G ToR/leaf switches. The four e5500 cores run Open vSwitch or SONiC dataplane control, while hardware PCIe lanes connect to external switching ASICs. DDR3L with ECC protects forwarding-table memory from single-bit corruption in always-on datacenter switches.
Recommended
Wireless Base Station Controller
Small-cell and pico-cell base stations use the P5040NSE72QC for Layer-2/Layer-3 processing, GTP-U tunnel management, and IPSec encryption backhaul. The four cores provide enough headroom to terminate S1/X2 interfaces to the EPC while running the local radio scheduler. Hardware virtualization supports multiple virtual network operators sharing one physical base-station platform.
Recommended
Network-Attached Storage Controller
NAS controllers with integrated RAID and iSCSI benefit from the P5040NSE72QC's four cores, SATA ports, and 10G Ethernet for host-facing connectivity. The integrated SEC enables encrypted-volume offload, while DDR3L with ECC protects in-memory RAID metadata. Operating system support includes VxWorks, Green Hills INTEGRITY, and Linux mainline with NXP BSPs.
Recommended
Industrial Secure Router / Edge Gateway
The P5040NSE72QC's 0-90C operating range suits industrial Ethernet routers and edge gateways deployed in factory floors and substations. Four cores run routing stacks (Quagga/FRR) plus OPC-UA protocol translation, while hardware SEC terminates IPsec VPNs between cell controllers and cloud. Industrial certifications (IEC 61850, NERC CIP) require ECC memory and tamper-resistant key storage, both supported by the platform.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for P5040NSE72QC — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | P5040NXN72QC | P5040NSE7VNC | P5021NXE72QC | P5040NSN72QC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 1295-FCPBGA (37.5x37.5 mm) | 1295-FCPBGA (37.5x37.5 mm) | 1295-FCPBGA (37.5x37.5 mm) | 1295-FCPBGA (37.5x37.5 mm) | 1295-FCPBGA (37.5x37.5 mm) |
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Series | QorIQ P5 | QorIQ P5 | QorIQ P5 | QorIQ P5 | QorIQ P5 |
| Number of Cores | 4 (single-threaded e5500) | 4 e5500 | 4 e5500 | 2 e5500 | 4 e5500 |
| Memory Controller | DDR3/3L with ECC | DDR3/3L with ECC | DDR3/3L with ECC | DDR3/3L with ECC | DDR3/3L with ECC |
| Security Engine (SEC) | Yes (SEC 5.x) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No (different SEC config) |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to 90C | -40C to 90C | Extended range | 0C to 90C | 0C to 90C |
Key Differentiators
- Commercial temp range vs industrial variant (vs P5040NXN72QC)
- 4-core vs 2-core within same package (vs P5021NXE72QC)
- Full SEC vs limited SEC variant (vs P5040NSN72QC)
Design Notes
The 1295-FCBGA package at 2.2 GHz across four e5500 cores can dissipate 15-25 W typical, depending on workload. Design the heatsink for <0.5 C/W to keep junction rise below 50 C at 90 C ambient. Use a heat spreader with thermal interface material rated for the 0-90 C operating range, and ensure the chassis airflow path covers the entire 37.5 mm x 37.5 mm lid.
Route 10 Gbps SerDes as 100 ohm differential pairs with reference planes on adjacent layers; PCIe should be 85 ohm differential. Maintain maximum trace length matching of 0.1 mm intra-pair and 5 mm inter-pair per NXP routing guidelines. The DDR3/3L interface must use fly-by topology with write leveling, and the chip's reference clock must be within 50 ppm of the DDR clock for ECC integrity.
Do not use the P5040NSE72QC in designs expecting industrial -40 C operation - this variant is rated 0 to 90 C only; choose P5040NXN72QC or P5040NSE7VNC for cold-start deployments. Always validate against the latest NXP errata document (e.g., P5040CE.pdf) before PCB tape-out, as initial silicon rev 1.0 has known SEC and PCIe issues fixed in rev 2.1 (which the N suffix implies).
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per NXP product page; not AEC-Q100 qualified (not an automotive part). Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in provided data - marked unknown.