The XC4036XLA-08HQ240I is a high-performance field-programmable gate array (FPGA) from Xilinx’s XC4000XLA family. Designed for demanding logic integration applications, this device delivers reliable operation, flexible I/O configuration, and robust programmability for industrial and commercial embedded systems. Whether you’re designing complex digital circuits or replacing legacy logic, the XC4036XLA-08HQ240I is a proven solution trusted by engineers worldwide.
What Is the XC4036XLA-08HQ240I?
The XC4036XLA-08HQ240I is a member of Xilinx’s XC4000XLA FPGA series — a mature, well-supported product line known for its configurable logic blocks (CLBs), wide gate count, and versatile I/O. The “08” speed grade indicates an 8 ns propagation delay, and the “HQ240” refers to the 240-pin Plastic Quad Flat Pack (PQFP) package. The trailing “I” designates the industrial temperature range, making it suitable for environments where standard commercial-grade components fall short.
For a broader selection of compatible devices, explore our range of Xilinx FPGA products.
XC4036XLA-08HQ240I Key Specifications
General Overview
| Parameter |
Value |
| Manufacturer |
AMD / Xilinx |
| Part Number |
XC4036XLA-08HQ240I |
| Series |
XC4000XLA |
| Device Type |
FPGA – Field Programmable Gate Array |
| Package |
240-PQFP (HQ240) |
| Temperature Range |
–40°C to +100°C (Industrial) |
| Speed Grade |
-08 (8 ns) |
| RoHS Compliance |
Check datasheet for specific revision |
| Mounting Type |
Surface Mount |
Logic and I/O Resources
| Resource |
Specification |
| System Gates (Typical) |
36,000 |
| Configurable Logic Blocks (CLBs) |
1,024 |
| Maximum User I/O Pins |
192 |
| Flip-Flops |
2,048 |
| Look-Up Tables (LUTs) |
4,096 |
| On-Chip RAM |
Distributed RAM via CLBs |
Electrical Characteristics
| Parameter |
Value |
| Core Supply Voltage (VCC) |
2.5V (XLA series) |
| I/O Supply Voltage |
3.3V |
| Input Logic High (VIH) |
2.0V min |
| Input Logic Low (VIL) |
0.8V max |
| Output Drive Strength |
12 mA (default), programmable |
| Quiescent Current (ICC) |
See Xilinx datasheet DS009 |
Package Information
| Parameter |
Value |
| Package Type |
Plastic Quad Flat Pack (PQFP) |
| Package Code |
HQ240 |
| Pin Count |
240 |
| Body Size |
28mm × 28mm (nominal) |
| Lead Pitch |
0.5 mm |
| Mounting |
Surface Mount Technology (SMT) |
XC4036XLA-08HQ240I vs. Similar Xilinx XC4000XLA Devices
Understanding how the XC4036XLA-08HQ240I compares to related devices helps engineers choose the right FPGA for their application.
| Feature |
XC4016XLA |
XC4036XLA |
XC4062XLA |
| System Gates |
16,000 |
36,000 |
62,000 |
| CLBs |
576 |
1,024 |
1,936 |
| Max I/O Pins |
160 |
192 |
256 |
| Packages Available |
HQ208, BG256 |
HQ240, BG256 |
BG256, BG352 |
| Ideal Use Case |
Small logic integration |
Mid-range logic/DSP |
High-density designs |
The XC4036XLA hits the sweet spot between capacity and cost, making it ideal for mid-range FPGA designs that need more resources than entry-level devices without the complexity and cost of larger families.
Industrial Temperature Grade: Why the “I” Suffix Matters
Understanding Temperature Ratings for FPGA Selection
The “I” suffix in XC4036XLA-08HQ240I denotes the industrial temperature range: –40°C to +100°C. This is a critical distinction from the commercial variant (XC4036XLA-09HQ240C), which operates only from 0°C to +85°C.
Applications That Require Industrial-Grade FPGAs
| Industry |
Example Application |
| Industrial Automation |
PLC controllers, motor drives, robotic systems |
| Telecommunications |
Edge routers, signal processing units |
| Automotive Electronics |
In-vehicle displays (non-safety critical) |
| Military & Aerospace |
Ground support systems (MIL-TEMP applications) |
| Medical Equipment |
Portable diagnostic instruments |
| Test & Measurement |
Field-deployed instruments and analyzers |
If your design will operate in environments with extreme temperature swings, vibration, or humidity, the industrial-grade XC4036XLA-08HQ240I is the correct choice.
XC4036XLA-08HQ240I Speed Grade Explained
What Does the -08 Speed Grade Mean?
The -08 speed grade indicates a maximum propagation delay of 8 ns through the logic fabric. This translates to a maximum clock frequency of approximately 125 MHz under typical conditions (actual performance depends on design complexity and placement).
Speed Grade Comparison for XC4036XLA
| Speed Grade |
Max Delay |
Approx. Max Frequency |
Notes |
| -07 |
7 ns |
~143 MHz |
Fastest, premium price |
| -08 |
8 ns |
~125 MHz |
Best price/performance balance |
| -09 |
9 ns |
~111 MHz |
Commercial grade (XC4036XLA-09HQ240C) |
The -08 speed grade provides an excellent balance for most high-speed logic, DSP, and communication interface designs without the premium cost of the fastest -07 variant.
Typical Applications for XC4036XLA-08HQ240I
The XC4036XLA-08HQ240I is well-suited for a wide range of embedded and industrial design scenarios:
Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
- FIR/IIR filter implementations
- FFT engines for frequency analysis
- Digital modulation/demodulation
Interface and Protocol Bridging
- UART, SPI, I2C, and parallel bus controllers
- PCI interface logic
- Custom protocol conversion
Industrial Control Systems
- State machine logic for PLCs
- Real-time sensor data acquisition
- Motor control feedback loops
Embedded Logic Replacement
- Legacy ASIC / CPLD replacement
- Glue logic consolidation
- Multi-chip-to-single-FPGA migration
Design and Development Support
Xilinx ISE Design Suite Compatibility
The XC4036XLA-08HQ240I is supported by the Xilinx ISE Design Suite (version 14.7 and earlier), which includes:
- XST (Xilinx Synthesis Technology) synthesizer
- Xilinx CORE Generator for IP cores
- iMPACT JTAG programming tool
- Timing Analyzer for performance verification
Note: This device is not supported by Vivado Design Suite. Engineers targeting new designs should evaluate whether the XC4036XLA series meets their long-term support requirements.
HDL Support
| Design Language |
Support Status |
| VHDL |
✅ Fully Supported |
| Verilog |
✅ Fully Supported |
| ABEL |
✅ Supported (via ISE) |
| SystemVerilog |
⚠️ Limited (ISE 14.x) |
Ordering Information
| Parameter |
Details |
| Full Part Number |
XC4036XLA-08HQ240I |
| Manufacturer |
AMD / Xilinx |
| Package |
240-PQFP |
| Temperature |
Industrial (–40°C to +100°C) |
| Speed Grade |
-08 |
| Similar Part (Commercial) |
XC4036XLA-09HQ240C |
| ECCN (Export Classification) |
3E001 (verify with supplier) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the difference between XC4036XLA-08HQ240I and XC4036XLA-09HQ240C?
The -08HQ240I features a faster 8 ns speed grade and an industrial temperature range (–40°C to +100°C), while the -09HQ240C is commercial-grade (0°C to +85°C) with a slightly slower 9 ns speed grade. Both use the same 240-pin PQFP package.
Q: Is the XC4036XLA-08HQ240I still in production?
The XC4000XLA family has reached end-of-life (EOL) status. Units are available through authorized distributors, franchised brokers, and component exchanges. Always purchase from reputable sources to avoid counterfeit components.
Q: Can I use Vivado to program the XC4036XLA-08HQ240I?
No. This device requires Xilinx ISE Design Suite (up to version 14.7). Vivado does not support legacy XC4000-series devices.
Q: What programming interface does this FPGA use?
The XC4036XLA-08HQ240I supports JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) boundary scan and in-circuit configuration via the SelectMAP interface for fast parallel programming.
Summary
The XC4036XLA-08HQ240I is a reliable, industrial-grade FPGA from Xilinx’s XC4000XLA family, offering 36,000 system gates, 192 user I/O pins, a fast -08 speed grade, and a wide industrial temperature range in a compact 240-pin PQFP package. It is ideal for engineers maintaining legacy systems, redesigning embedded control hardware, or developing industrial interface logic.
For procurement, compatibility support, and related devices, consult your authorized Xilinx distributor or visit pcbsync.com for more information.
