MARVELL 88F3720-A0-BVB2C100-P123: Technical Specifications and Application Overview

The MARVELL 88F3720-A0-BVB2C100-P123 is a highly integrated System-on-Chip (SoC) designed for high-performance, power-efficient networking and infrastructure applications. As part of Marvell's Armada family, this processor leverages advanced architecture to deliver the robust processing power required for next-generation communication systems, enterprise switches, and network-attached storage (NAS) solutions.

Technical Specifications

At its core, the 88F3720 features a dual-core ARM Cortex-A72 processor, capable of operating at frequencies up to 1.6 GHz. This 64-bit architecture provides a significant leap in processing power and energy efficiency compared to previous generations. The SoC is built on an advanced process technology, balancing high performance with low thermal design power (TDP).

A key strength of this SoC is its sophisticated integrated packet processor (FPP with DSA), which offloads network traffic processing from the CPU cores. This enables high-speed, line-rate packet forwarding, classification, and quality of service (QoS) operations, which are critical for switching and routing applications.

For versatile connectivity, the chip includes a comprehensive set of interfaces:

High-Speed I/O: Multiple 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) interfaces and support for multiple 2.5GbE/1GbE ports through integrated MACs.

Expansion Interfaces: PCI Express 3.0 root complex and endpoint controllers, SATA 3.0 ports for storage connectivity, and USB 3.0 controllers.

System Memory: Supports DDR4 memory technology with ECC (Error Correcting Code), ensuring high bandwidth and data integrity for demanding applications.

The device is offered in a specific BVB2C100 package, designed for surface-mount technology (SMT) and suitable for industrial temperature ranges.

Application Overview

The 88F3720 is engineered for a broad spectrum of applications that demand high throughput and intelligent networking capabilities.

1. Enterprise and Managed Switches: It is an ideal solution for top-of-rack (ToR) switches and smart managed switches, providing the processing muscle for Layer 2 and Layer 3 features, advanced security, and traffic management. Its integrated packet processor ensures wire-speed performance without overloading the main CPU cores.

2. Network Attached Storage (NAS): The combination of powerful ARM cores, SATA 3.0 interfaces, and PCIe expansion makes it perfect for mid-range to high-end NAS systems. It can efficiently handle data redundancy calculations (e.g., RAID) and manage multiple drives while serving files over high-speed network connections.

3. Wireless Infrastructure: The SoC can serve as the core for wireless access points and controllers, especially in Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) deployments where backhaul traffic requires multi-gigabit throughput.

4. Security Appliances: Its processing power and hardware acceleration for packet inspection make it suitable for firewalls, VPN gateways, and other unified threat management (UTM) appliances, providing deep packet inspection at high speeds.

ICGOODFIND: The Marvell 88F3720-A0-BVB2C100-P123 stands out as a versatile and powerful networking SoC. Its blend of high-performance ARM Cortex-A72 cores, an integrated network packet processor, and a rich set of high-speed interfaces makes it a cornerstone for developing advanced, efficient, and reliable networking and storage infrastructure equipment.

Keywords:

ARM Cortex-A72

Integrated Packet Processor

10 Gigabit Ethernet

Network Attached Storage (NAS)

Enterprise Switching