Product Overview: High-Performance Automotive FPGA Solution
The XA7A50T-1CSG324I is an automotive-grade Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) from AMD Xilinx’s Artix-7 family, specifically designed for harsh industrial and automotive environments. This powerful FPGA combines 52,160 logic cells with advanced DSP capabilities, making it an ideal choice for demanding embedded systems, automotive electronics, and industrial control applications.
As part of AMD’s automotive Xilinx FPGA portfolio, this device meets stringent automotive quality standards while delivering exceptional performance and reliability for mission-critical applications.
Key Technical Specifications
Core FPGA Architecture
| Specification |
Value |
| Part Number |
XA7A50T-1CSG324I |
| Product Family |
Artix-7 Automotive |
| Logic Cells (LAB/CLB) |
52,160 |
| Total Block RAM |
2,700 Kbits |
| DSP Slices |
120 |
| Maximum Distributed RAM |
400 Kbits |
| PLLs/Clock Management |
5 PLLs |
Package and Pin Configuration
| Feature |
Specification |
| Package Type |
CSBGA-324 (Ball Grid Array) |
| Pin Count |
324 pins |
| I/O Count |
210 user I/Os |
| Package Dimensions |
15mm × 15mm |
| Mounting Type |
Surface Mount |
Operating Conditions
| Parameter |
Rating |
| Operating Temperature |
-40°C to +100°C (Industrial) |
| Core Voltage (Vccint) |
1.0V |
| Speed Grade |
-1 (Standard Performance) |
| Qualification |
AEC-Q100 Automotive Grade |
Advanced Features and Capabilities
Processing Power and Performance
The XA7A50T-1CSG324I delivers exceptional computational performance through its integrated architecture:
- 120 DSP48E1 Slices: Dedicated 25×18 multipliers with 48-bit accumulation for high-speed signal processing
- Block RAM: 2.7 Mbits of dual-port memory organized in 36Kb blocks for efficient data buffering
- Distributed RAM: 400 Kbits of flexible memory resources integrated within logic fabric
- Clock Management: Five mixed-mode clock managers (MMCMs) supporting frequencies from 10 MHz to 464 MHz
Connectivity and I/O Capabilities
| I/O Feature |
Specification |
| Total User I/Os |
210 pins |
| High-Speed Transceivers |
2 GTP transceivers |
| Transceiver Speed |
Up to 6.25 Gb/s per channel |
| Differential Pairs |
102 pairs |
| Voltage Standards |
1.2V, 1.35V, 1.5V, 1.8V, 2.5V, 3.3V |
Memory Interface Support
The XA7A50T-1CSG324I supports industry-standard memory interfaces:
- DDR3/DDR3L with data rates up to 1,066 Mb/s
- DDR2 interface support
- LPDDR2 for low-power applications
- External memory controller with built-in calibration
Automotive-Grade Quality and Reliability
AEC-Q100 Qualification
This automotive-grade FPGA meets the rigorous requirements of AEC-Q100 Grade 2 qualification:
- Extended temperature range operation (-40°C to +100°C)
- Enhanced reliability testing including HTOL, TC, HAST
- Stringent quality control and manufacturing processes
- Full automotive documentation and support
Industrial Application Readiness
| Reliability Feature |
Benefit |
| ECC Protection |
Built-in error correction for configuration memory |
| SEU Mitigation |
Soft error upset detection and correction |
| Thermal Management |
Advanced thermal monitoring and protection |
| Supply Monitoring |
Integrated power supply supervision |
Target Applications and Use Cases
Automotive Electronics
- Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS): Camera processing, sensor fusion, object detection
- Infotainment Systems: Video processing, graphics acceleration, audio interfaces
- Vehicle Networks: CAN, FlexRay, and automotive Ethernet gateways
- Powertrain Control: Motor control, battery management, electric vehicle systems
Industrial Automation
- Machine Vision: Real-time image processing and pattern recognition
- Motion Control: Servo drives, robotics, and precision positioning
- Protocol Conversion: Industrial bus interfaces (PROFINET, EtherCAT, Modbus)
- Safety Systems: Functional safety implementations with redundancy
Communication Infrastructure
- Software-Defined Radio: Wireless base stations and signal processing
- Network Acceleration: Packet processing and traffic management
- Test Equipment: High-speed data acquisition and analysis
- Embedded Systems: Complex control and monitoring applications
Development and Design Support
Software and Tools
| Tool/Resource |
Description |
| Vivado Design Suite |
Complete FPGA design environment with synthesis, implementation, and debugging |
| Vitis Embedded Platform |
Software development for embedded processor systems |
| IP Integrator |
Graphical design environment for system-level integration |
| Logic Analyzer |
Integrated debugging with ChipScope equivalent functionality |
Design Resources
- Comprehensive reference designs and application notes
- Pre-verified IP cores for common interfaces (PCIe, Ethernet, USB)
- Evaluation boards and development kits
- Technical documentation and design guides
- Community support through AMD Xilinx forums
Power Management and Efficiency
Power Consumption Profile
| Operating Mode |
Typical Power |
| Active Processing |
Design-dependent (0.5W – 3W typical) |
| Standby Mode |
< 50mW |
| Configuration |
Minimal during JTAG/SPI programming |
Power Optimization Features
- Multiple voltage domains for optimized power distribution
- Clock gating and dynamic frequency scaling
- Intelligent block disabling for unused resources
- Temperature-compensated performance scaling
Package Information and PCB Design
BGA Package Considerations
The CSBGA-324 package requires careful PCB design attention:
- Ball Pitch: 0.8mm between centers
- Recommended PCB Stack: Minimum 6-layer design for signal integrity
- Thermal Considerations: Copper heat spreading and thermal vias required
- Escape Routing: Microvia technology recommended for dense routing
Design Guidelines
| Design Aspect |
Recommendation |
| Power Planes |
Separate analog and digital ground planes |
| Decoupling |
Multiple capacitor values (0.1µF, 1µF, 10µF) near power pins |
| Signal Integrity |
Controlled impedance for high-speed signals |
| Thermal Management |
Heat sink or active cooling for sustained operation |
Comparison: XA7A50T vs Alternative Artix-7 Devices
| Feature |
XA7A25T |
XA7A50T |
XA7A75T |
| Logic Cells |
23,360 |
52,160 |
75,520 |
| Block RAM |
1,800 Kbits |
2,700 Kbits |
4,100 Kbits |
| DSP Slices |
80 |
120 |
180 |
| Transceivers |
2 |
2 |
8 |
| Best For |
Cost-sensitive |
Balanced performance |
High-end processing |
Ordering and Availability Information
Part Number Breakdown
XA7A50T-1CSG324I decodes as:
- XA: Automotive-grade qualification
- 7A50T: Artix-7, 50,000 logic cell tier with transceivers
- -1: Speed grade (standard performance)
- CSG324: CSBGA package, 324 pins
- I: Industrial temperature range (-40°C to +100°C)
Package Options
While this article focuses on the CSG324 package, the XA7A50T is available in multiple package options:
- CSG324: 15×15mm, 210 I/O (Featured)
- FTG256: Fine-pitch BGA, 170 I/O
- FGG484: Larger package, 250 I/O
Why Choose the XA7A50T-1CSG324I?
Key Advantages
- Automotive-Grade Reliability: AEC-Q100 qualified for demanding automotive applications
- Balanced Performance: Optimal logic density and DSP resources for mid-range applications
- Cost-Effective: Lower cost per logic cell compared to higher-end devices
- Flexible I/O: 210 user I/Os with multi-standard voltage support
- Proven Architecture: Based on mature, well-documented Artix-7 technology
Ideal For Designers Who Need
- Reliable FPGA solution for automotive or industrial environments
- Moderate logic capacity with strong DSP performance
- Compact footprint with adequate I/O resources
- Established design ecosystem and tool support
- Long-term product availability and automotive qualification
Technical Support and Documentation
Available Resources
- Artix-7 FPGAs Data Sheet (DS181)
- Automotive Artix-7 FPGAs Data Sheet (DS181A)
- Packaging and Pinout Specifications
- Power Supply Design Guidelines
- PCB Design and Layout Recommendations
Getting Started
For engineers beginning development with the XA7A50T-1CSG324I:
- Download the latest Vivado Design Suite from AMD Xilinx
- Review automotive-specific design considerations
- Obtain evaluation boards or development kits
- Access reference designs for your target application
- Join the AMD Xilinx developer community for support
Conclusion: A Robust FPGA for Demanding Applications
The XA7A50T-1CSG324I represents an excellent choice for designers requiring automotive-grade reliability combined with solid processing capabilities. Whether you’re developing advanced driver assistance systems, industrial automation equipment, or communication infrastructure, this Xilinx FPGA delivers the performance, features, and quality needed for successful product deployment.
With its 52,160 logic cells, 120 DSP slices, and extensive I/O capabilities in a compact 15×15mm package, the XA7A50T-1CSG324I strikes an optimal balance between performance, cost, and board space—making it an ideal foundation for next-generation automotive and industrial designs.
