The XC3S1500-5FGG320C is a high-performance, cost-optimized Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) from Xilinx (now AMD), belonging to the industry-proven Spartan-3 family. Featuring 1.5 million system gates, 29,952 logic cells, and a compact 320-pin Fine-pitch Ball Grid Array (FBGA) package, this device is engineered for high-volume, cost-sensitive consumer and industrial electronics applications. Whether you’re designing broadband access equipment, home networking devices, digital displays, or embedded control systems, the XC3S1500-5FGG320C delivers outstanding logic density, flexible I/O, and robust clock management — all at a competitive price point.
As part of the broader Xilinx FPGA portfolio, the Spartan-3 family continues to serve designers who need reliable, field-upgradeable logic without the high NRE costs of custom ASICs.
What Is the XC3S1500-5FGG320C?
The XC3S1500-5FGG320C is a Spartan-3 series FPGA manufactured by Xilinx using 90nm process technology. It is powered at 1.2V core voltage and operates at up to 725 MHz internal clock frequency, making it suitable for demanding signal processing, control, and interface applications. The “5” in its part number denotes the commercial speed grade, and the “FGG320” refers to its 320-pin lead-free Fine-pitch BGA (FBGA) package measuring 19 × 19 mm.
This device builds on the success of the earlier Spartan-IIE family by expanding logic resources, increasing internal RAM capacity, broadening I/O flexibility, and improving digital clock management — all while maintaining the low-cost DNA of the Spartan product line.
XC3S1500-5FGG320C Key Specifications
| Parameter |
Value |
| Manufacturer |
Xilinx (AMD) |
| Part Number |
XC3S1500-5FGG320C |
| FPGA Family |
Spartan-3 |
| System Gates |
1,500,000 |
| Logic Cells |
29,952 |
| Process Technology |
90nm CMOS |
| Core Supply Voltage |
1.2V |
| Internal Clock Frequency |
Up to 725 MHz |
| User I/O Pins |
221 |
| Package |
320-Pin FBGA (19 × 19 mm) |
| Package Code |
FGG320 |
| Speed Grade |
-5 (Commercial) |
| Operating Temperature |
0°C to +85°C |
| RoHS / Lead-Free |
Yes |
| Mounting Style |
SMD/SMT |
| ECCN Code |
3A991.D |
XC3S1500-5FGG320C Logic and Memory Resources
The XC3S1500-5FGG320C provides an extensive set of programmable logic and memory resources, making it one of the most capable mid-range devices in the Spartan-3 lineup.
Logic Resources
| Resource |
Specification |
| System Gates |
1,500,000 |
| Logic Cells (CLBs) |
29,952 |
| Flip-Flops |
53,712 |
| 4-input LUTs |
26,624 |
| Dedicated 18×18 Multipliers |
32 |
| Maximum Shift Register Length |
16 bits per LUT |
| Fast Look-Ahead Carry Logic |
Yes |
| Wide Multiplexers |
Yes |
Memory Resources
| Memory Type |
Capacity |
| Total Block RAM |
Up to 576 Kbits |
| Distributed RAM |
Up to 208 Kbits |
| Total On-Chip RAM |
Up to 784 Kbits |
| Block RAM Configuration |
18Kb per block |
| Block RAM Width |
Configurable (1–36 bits) |
I/O and Interface Capabilities
The XC3S1500-5FGG320C in the FGG320 package provides 221 user I/O pins with broad support for modern signal standards.
I/O Standards Supported
| Standard Type |
Supported Standards |
| Single-Ended |
LVCMOS 1.8V/2.5V/3.3V, LVTTL, PCI, GTL, HSTL, SSTL |
| Differential |
LVDS, RSDS, LVPECL, BLVDS, MLVDS |
| Total Single-Ended Standards |
18 |
| Total Differential Standards |
8 |
| Data Transfer Rate |
622+ Mb/s per I/O |
| Signal Swing Range |
1.14V to 3.465V |
| DDR Support |
DDR, DDR2 SDRAM up to 333 Mb/s |
| Impedance Control |
Digitally Controlled Impedance (DCI) |
SelectIO™ Technology
The XC3S1500-5FGG320C uses Xilinx SelectIO™ interface technology, which enables each I/O bank to be independently configured for different voltage standards. This makes it easy to interface with a wide range of external devices such as microprocessors, memory chips, and communications ICs without external level shifters.
Clock Management Features
Digital Clock Manager (DCM)
One of the most powerful features of the XC3S1500-5FGG320C is its integrated Digital Clock Manager (DCM) subsystem, which provides:
| DCM Feature |
Description |
| Number of DCMs |
Up to 4 |
| Clock Skew Elimination |
Yes — zero-delay buffering |
| Frequency Synthesis |
Yes — multiply/divide clocks |
| Phase Shifting |
High-resolution, fine-grained |
| Duty Cycle Correction |
Yes |
| Global Clock Lines |
8 dedicated global clock lines |
| DLL Lock Time |
Fast lock across temperature range |
The DCM ensures that internal clock trees remain perfectly aligned across the chip, eliminating skew between synchronized flip-flops. This is particularly valuable in high-speed memory interfaces, communications protocols, and multi-clock domain designs.
Part Number Decoder: Understanding XC3S1500-5FGG320C
| Field |
Value |
Meaning |
| XC |
XC |
Xilinx Component |
| 3S |
3S |
Spartan-3 Family |
| 1500 |
1500 |
1.5M System Gates |
| -5 |
-5 |
Speed Grade (Commercial: fastest) |
| FGG |
FGG |
Fine-pitch Ball Grid Array (Lead-Free) |
| 320 |
320 |
320 Pin Count |
| C |
C |
Commercial Temperature Range (0°C to +85°C) |
XC3S1500-5FGG320C vs. Other Spartan-3 Variants
Understanding how the XC3S1500-5FGG320C compares to its siblings helps engineers select the right device for their design.
| Parameter |
XC3S1500-5FGG320C |
XC3S1000-5FGG320C |
XC3S2000-5FGG456C |
| System Gates |
1,500,000 |
1,000,000 |
2,000,000 |
| Logic Cells |
29,952 |
17,280 |
46,080 |
| Block RAM |
576 Kbits |
432 Kbits |
720 Kbits |
| User I/O (this pkg) |
221 |
221 |
— |
| Package |
320 FBGA |
320 FBGA |
456 FBGA |
| Speed Grade |
-5 |
-5 |
-5 |
| Core Voltage |
1.2V |
1.2V |
1.2V |
Typical Applications for the XC3S1500-5FGG320C
The XC3S1500-5FGG320C is a proven solution across a broad range of embedded and consumer markets:
Consumer Electronics
- Digital television (DTV) and set-top boxes
- Display and projection systems
- Home networking appliances
- Broadband access modems and routers
Industrial & Embedded Systems
- Motor control and industrial automation
- Pro audio/video signal processing
- Test and measurement equipment
- Embedded processor implementations (MicroBlaze soft core)
Communications
- Ethernet MAC and switching logic
- Protocol bridging and conversion (UART, SPI, I2C, USB)
- Wireless infrastructure signal processing
Automotive (ADAS)
- Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
- In-vehicle networking and gateway modules
Why Choose the XC3S1500-5FGG320C Over an ASIC?
The Spartan-3 FPGA architecture provides a compelling advantage over traditional mask-programmed ASICs:
| Factor |
ASIC |
XC3S1500-5FGG320C FPGA |
| NRE Cost |
High ($500K–$5M+) |
None |
| Development Time |
6–18 months |
Days to weeks |
| Field Upgradability |
Not possible |
Yes, via bitstream reload |
| Design Risk |
High (one-shot) |
Low (iterative) |
| Volume Break-Even |
Very high |
Low |
| Time-to-Market |
Slow |
Fast |
Development Tools and Design Support
The XC3S1500-5FGG320C is fully supported by Xilinx’s official design toolchains:
Xilinx ISE Design Suite
The Xilinx ISE (Integrated Software Environment) is the primary design tool for Spartan-3 devices. It includes synthesis, implementation, simulation, and configuration tools. ISE supports all popular HDL languages including VHDL and Verilog.
Soft Processor Support
The XC3S1500-5FGG320C has sufficient logic resources to instantiate Xilinx’s MicroBlaze soft-core 32-bit RISC processor, enabling complete embedded system designs within the FPGA fabric.
JTAG Programming
The device supports IEEE 1149.1/1532 JTAG for boundary-scan testing and in-system programming, simplifying board-level debug and production test.
Ordering and Compliance Information
| Attribute |
Details |
| Part Number |
XC3S1500-5FGG320C |
| Manufacturer |
Xilinx / AMD |
| RoHS Compliant |
Yes (Lead-Free) |
| Pb-Free |
Yes |
| Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL) |
Yes (see datasheet) |
| ECCN Code |
3A991.D |
| HTS Code |
Available on request |
| Lifecycle Status |
Active |
| Datasheet |
Available from AMD/Xilinx official site |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between XC3S1500-5FGG320C and XC3S1500-5FG320C?
The “FGG320” and “FG320” designations both refer to 320-pin FBGA packages. The “FGG” explicitly designates a lead-free (RoHS compliant) package variant, while “FG” may refer to an earlier version. Always specify FGG320 for new designs requiring RoHS compliance.
Is the XC3S1500-5FGG320C still in production?
The Spartan-3 family is currently in an active/end-of-life transition status. Sufficient stock remains available through authorized distributors. For new designs, Xilinx recommends evaluating newer families such as Spartan-6 or Artix-7.
What software do I need to program the XC3S1500-5FGG320C?
You need Xilinx ISE Design Suite (version 14.x is the last to support Spartan-3). The device is programmed via JTAG using the Xilinx Platform Cable USB or equivalent.
What is the maximum I/O count for the XC3S1500 in a larger package?
In the FG676 package, the XC3S1500 supports up to 487 user I/O pins, offering significantly more connectivity than the 320-pin variant.
Can the XC3S1500-5FGG320C implement DDR memory interfaces?
Yes. The device supports DDR and DDR2 SDRAM interfaces at data rates up to 333 Mb/s using dedicated DDR I/O registers and SelectIO technology.
Conclusion
The XC3S1500-5FGG320C is a battle-tested, cost-effective FPGA that delivers 1.5 million system gates, rich memory resources, flexible multi-standard I/O, and robust clock management in a compact 320-pin lead-free FBGA package. It remains an excellent choice for engineers designing high-volume consumer electronics, embedded systems, and industrial applications who need programmable logic without ASIC-level investment.
For comprehensive support across the full Xilinx FPGA ecosystem — from legacy Spartan-3 to the latest Versal devices — explore our Xilinx FPGA resource hub.
