Overview of XA3S50-4VQG100I FPGA
The XA3S50-4VQG100I is an automotive-grade Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) from AMD’s (formerly Xilinx) renowned Spartan-3 family. Engineered specifically for high-reliability automotive and industrial applications, this programmable logic device delivers exceptional performance with 50,000 system gates, advanced 90nm CMOS technology, and industrial temperature range capabilities. As a cost-effective solution for embedded systems, the XA3S50-4VQG100I offers designers the flexibility to implement custom digital logic while maintaining strict automotive quality standards.
Key Technical Specifications
Core FPGA Performance Characteristics
| Specification |
Value |
| Logic Cells |
1,728 cells |
| System Gates |
50,000 gates |
| Maximum Frequency |
630 MHz |
| Process Technology |
90nm CMOS |
| Supply Voltage |
1.2V core |
| Package Type |
100-Pin VTQFP (VQG100) |
| Speed Grade |
-4 (industrial) |
| Temperature Range |
-40°C to +100°C (Industrial/Automotive) |
Advanced Memory and I/O Features
| Feature |
Specification |
| Configurable Logic Blocks (CLBs) |
192 CLBs |
| Block RAM |
72 Kbits distributed |
| User I/O Pins |
79 programmable I/O |
| Digital Clock Managers (DCMs) |
2 DCMs |
| Global Clock Buffers |
8 BUFGMUX |
| Configuration Memory |
SRAM-based |
Product Features and Benefits
Why Choose XA3S50-4VQG100I FPGA?
Automotive-Grade Reliability The XA3S50-4VQG100I is designed and tested to meet stringent automotive requirements, making it ideal for mission-critical applications in harsh environments. The extended industrial temperature range (-40°C to +100°C) ensures reliable operation in automotive, aerospace, and industrial control systems.
Cost-Effective Programmable Logic Solution As part of the Spartan-3 family, this Xilinx FPGA provides an optimal balance between performance, features, and cost, making it perfect for volume production in consumer electronics, automotive systems, and industrial automation.
Flexible Digital Logic Implementation With 1,728 logic cells and 50K system gates, designers can implement complex digital functions including DSP algorithms, custom processors, communication protocols, and control logic with ease.
Advanced FPGA Capabilities
Enhanced Clock Management
- Dual Digital Clock Managers (DCMs) for precise clock synthesis
- Multiply, divide, and phase-shift clock signals
- Reduce clock distribution delay with DLL technology
- Support for multiple clock domains
Versatile I/O Architecture
- 79 user-configurable I/O pins supporting multiple standards
- LVTTL, LVCMOS, LVDS, and differential signaling support
- Programmable drive strength and slew rate control
- Input delay and output setup/hold time optimization
Technical Architecture Details
Spartan-3 FPGA Internal Structure
| Component |
Quantity |
Description |
| Slice Count |
768 slices |
Basic logic building blocks (4 per CLB) |
| LUT Resources |
1,536 4-input LUTs |
Configurable logic functions |
| Flip-Flops |
1,728 registers |
Sequential logic elements |
| Block SelectRAM |
4 blocks × 18 Kbits |
Dual-port embedded memory |
| Multipliers |
4 dedicated 18×18 |
Hardware multiply acceleration |
| DCM Units |
2 clock managers |
Advanced clock synthesis |
Power Consumption Profile
| Operating Mode |
Typical Power |
| Static Power |
0.3W (typical) |
| Dynamic Power |
Varies with design utilization |
| I/O Power |
Depends on I/O standards used |
| Recommended Supply |
1.2V ±5% core, 3.3V/2.5V I/O |
Application Areas
Primary Use Cases for XA3S50-4VQG100I
Automotive Electronics
- Engine control units (ECU)
- Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)
- Infotainment system processing
- Body control modules
- Sensor data processing
Industrial Control Systems
- Programmable logic controllers (PLC)
- Motor control applications
- Factory automation equipment
- Process control systems
- Robotic control interfaces
Communication Equipment
- Protocol bridging and conversion
- Custom communication interfaces
- Data acquisition systems
- Network processing equipment
- Signal processing applications
Consumer Electronics
- Digital video processing
- Audio processing systems
- Gaming console components
- Home automation controllers
- Smart appliance control
Package and Pin Configuration
VQG100 Package Dimensions
| Package Parameter |
Specification |
| Package Type |
VTQFP (Very Thin Quad Flat Pack) |
| Pin Count |
100 pins |
| Body Size |
14mm × 14mm |
| Pin Pitch |
0.5mm |
| Package Height |
1.0mm (max) |
| Mounting Type |
Surface mount |
Pin Distribution
- Dedicated Configuration Pins: 8 pins
- Dedicated Clock Input Pins: 4 pairs
- User I/O Pins: 79 pins
- Power and Ground Pins: Multiple for proper decoupling
- JTAG Boundary Scan: 4 pins (TDI, TDO, TMS, TCK)
Design Tools and Programming Support
Compatible Development Tools
FPGA Design Software
- ISE Design Suite (Legacy support)
- Vivado Design Suite (for newer designs migrating from Spartan-3)
- Third-party synthesis tools support
Programming and Debug
- JTAG configuration interface
- Slave serial configuration mode
- Master serial configuration mode
- Boundary-scan testing capability
- ChipScope Pro debugging integration
Configuration Options
| Configuration Mode |
Description |
| Master Serial |
FPGA controls external PROM |
| Slave Serial |
External controller provides bitstream |
| Master Parallel |
Parallel configuration for faster loading |
| JTAG |
IEEE 1149.1 boundary scan configuration |
| Slave Parallel |
High-speed parallel configuration |
Quality and Compliance Standards
Automotive Certifications
The XA3S50-4VQG100I meets rigorous automotive quality standards:
- AEC-Q100 Qualified: Automotive Electronics Council standard
- Extended Temperature Range: -40°C to +100°C operation
- Enhanced Testing: Additional automotive-specific stress tests
- Long-term Reliability: Designed for automotive product lifecycles
- RoHS Compliant: Lead-free manufacturing process
Quality Metrics
| Quality Parameter |
Specification |
| MTBF |
>1,000,000 hours |
| ESD Protection |
Human Body Model (HBM) tested |
| Latch-up Immunity |
JEDEC standard compliant |
| Moisture Sensitivity |
MSL 3 (Moisture Sensitivity Level) |
Performance Benchmarks
Speed and Timing Characteristics
Maximum Toggle Frequencies
- Internal logic: 630 MHz (speed grade -4)
- I/O pins: Varies by standard (up to 622 Mbps DDR)
- Block RAM: 270 MHz minimum
- DCM output: 350 MHz maximum
Propagation Delays
- LUT delay: <0.5ns typical
- Routing delay: Depends on placement
- I/O delay: 1-3ns depending on standard
- Clock-to-out: <1ns for registered outputs
Comparison with Related Products
Spartan-3 Family Comparison
| Model |
Logic Cells |
Gates |
Block RAM |
I/O (100-pin) |
Speed Grade |
| XA3S50-4VQG100I |
1,728 |
50K |
72 Kbits |
79 |
-4 |
| XC3S200 |
4,320 |
200K |
216 Kbits |
141 |
-4/-5 |
| XC3S400 |
8,064 |
400K |
288 Kbits |
N/A |
-4/-5 |
| XC3S1000 |
17,280 |
1M |
432 Kbits |
N/A |
-4/-5 |
Advantages Over Standard XC3S50
The “XA” automotive variant offers:
- Extended temperature range qualification
- Enhanced screening and testing procedures
- Automotive-grade quality certification (AEC-Q100)
- Longer product lifecycle support
- Traceability and lot control for automotive production
Getting Started with XA3S50-4VQG100I
Development Board Options
While the XA3S50-4VQG100I is typically used in production systems, similar Spartan-3 devices are supported on:
- Digilent Spartan-3 Starter Board
- Custom automotive development platforms
- Industrial evaluation modules
- Third-party FPGA development kits
Design Resources
Available Documentation
- Complete datasheet with electrical specifications
- User guide for Spartan-3 architecture
- Configuration guide and application notes
- PCB layout guidelines for VQG100 package
- Automotive design best practices
Online Support
- AMD (Xilinx) Forums and community support
- Application notes library
- Reference designs for common applications
- Technical support portal access
Ordering Information and Package Marking
Part Number Breakdown
XA3S50-4VQG100I decoding:
- XA: Automotive-grade product family
- 3S: Spartan-3 FPGA series
- 50: 50K system gates
- -4: Speed grade (industrial temperature)
- VQG100: Package type and pin count
- I: Industrial temperature range
Lead Time and Availability
Due to the specialized automotive nature of this device, lead times may vary. Contact authorized distributors for:
- Current stock availability
- Volume pricing information
- Custom screening options
- Delivery schedules
- Long-term supply agreements
Design Considerations and Best Practices
Power Supply Design
Recommended Power Architecture
- Core voltage: 1.2V regulated supply with ±5% tolerance
- I/O banks: 2.5V or 3.3V depending on interface requirements
- Auxiliary supply: 2.5V for VCCAUX
- Decoupling: Multiple 0.1µF and 10µF capacitors per power pin
Current Requirements
- Static current: ~250mA typical
- Dynamic current: Varies with design (estimate 50-200mA additional)
- I/O current: Up to 24mA per pin (depending on drive strength)
Thermal Management
| Parameter |
Specification |
| Junction Temperature |
125°C maximum |
| Theta-JA |
~40°C/W (VQG100 package) |
| Recommended Airflow |
Natural convection to 2 m/s |
| Heatsink |
Optional for high-power designs |
PCB Layout Guidelines
Critical Layout Considerations
- Dedicated power planes for VCCINT (1.2V) and VCCO (I/O voltages)
- Extensive ground plane coverage for noise immunity
- Short, controlled-impedance traces for high-speed signals
- Proper decoupling capacitor placement (<5mm from pins)
- Thermal vias under package for heat dissipation
- Adequate spacing from high-noise components
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between XA3S50 and XC3S50? A: The XA prefix indicates automotive-grade qualification with extended temperature range (-40°C to +100°C), enhanced testing, and AEC-Q100 compliance. XC devices are commercial/industrial grade.
Q: Can I use ISE Design Suite for this FPGA? A: Yes, Xilinx ISE Design Suite versions 10.1 through 14.7 fully support Spartan-3 devices including the XA3S50-4VQG100I.
Q: What configuration modes are supported? A: The device supports Master Serial, Slave Serial, Master Parallel, Slave Parallel, and JTAG configuration modes.
Q: Is this suitable for safety-critical automotive applications? A: While AEC-Q100 qualified, specific functional safety certifications (ISO 26262) require additional system-level considerations and may need supplementary documentation.
Q: What is the expected product lifetime? A: Automotive-grade parts typically have 15+ year production commitments, with extended availability through authorized distributors.
Conclusion
The XA3S50-4VQG100I represents an excellent choice for automotive and industrial designers requiring reliable, cost-effective programmable logic. With its robust automotive-grade qualification, comprehensive feature set, and proven Spartan-3 architecture, this Xilinx FPGA delivers the performance and reliability needed for demanding embedded applications. Whether you’re designing advanced automotive control systems, industrial automation equipment, or specialized communication interfaces, the XA3S50-4VQG100I provides the flexibility and dependability your project demands.
