The XC4036XLA-4HQ208C is a high-performance field-programmable gate array (FPGA) from the Xilinx XC4000XLA family, manufactured by AMD (formerly Xilinx). Designed for logic-intensive applications requiring fast, reliable programmable logic, this device offers 36,000 usable gates, a 208-pin HQFP package, and a –4 speed grade — making it a strong choice for embedded systems, communications, signal processing, and industrial control designs.
If you are sourcing Xilinx FPGA components for your next PCB design, the XC4036XLA-4HQ208C delivers the proven reliability and logic density that engineers have trusted for decades.
XC4036XLA-4HQ208C Overview
The XC4036XLA-4HQ208C belongs to the XC4000XLA product family — an enhanced, low-voltage variant of Xilinx’s widely used XC4000 series. The “XLA” designation indicates an advanced low-voltage architecture optimized for 3.3V operation with improved speed and power efficiency compared to earlier XC4000E and XC4000XL devices.
Key Highlights
| Feature |
Value |
| Manufacturer |
AMD (Xilinx) |
| Part Number |
XC4036XLA-4HQ208C |
| Product Family |
XC4000XLA |
| Logic Gates |
~36,000 usable gates |
| CLBs (Configurable Logic Blocks) |
1,536 |
| Speed Grade |
–4 (fastest in XLA family) |
| Package Type |
HQFP (Heat-sink Quad Flat Pack) |
| Pin Count |
208 |
| Supply Voltage (VCC) |
3.3V |
| Operating Temperature |
0°C to +85°C (Commercial) |
| I/O Standards Supported |
LVTTL, LVCMOS, PCI (3.3V) |
Detailed Technical Specifications
Logic Resources
| Parameter |
Specification |
| Usable Gates |
36,000 |
| CLBs |
1,536 |
| Flip-Flops |
3,072 |
| LUT Width |
4-input |
| Distributed RAM |
12,288 bits |
| Maximum User I/Os |
144 |
| Global Clock Buffers |
4 |
Speed and Timing
The –4 speed grade represents the fastest performance tier within the XC4036XLA series. This grade is suitable for designs that demand low propagation delays and high clock frequencies.
| Timing Parameter |
Value (–4 Speed Grade) |
| Maximum System Clock (tSYSCLK) |
~80 MHz (typical) |
| CLB-to-CLB Propagation Delay |
~3.5 ns |
| IOB Input Setup Time |
~2.7 ns |
| IOB Clock-to-Output |
~5.0 ns |
Note: Exact timing values depend on design implementation, routing congestion, and junction temperature. Always refer to the official Xilinx XC4000XLA data sheet for worst-case corner analysis.
Power Specifications
| Parameter |
Value |
| Core Supply Voltage (VCCINT) |
3.3V |
| I/O Supply Voltage (VCCO) |
3.3V |
| Quiescent Current (IQ) |
~25 mA (typical) |
| Maximum Power Dissipation |
Application-dependent |
Package & Physical Information
| Parameter |
Value |
| Package |
HQFP-208 |
| Package Body |
28mm × 28mm |
| Lead Pitch |
0.5 mm |
| Mounting Type |
Surface Mount Technology (SMT) |
| Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL) |
3 |
| RoHS Status |
Contact supplier — legacy device |
XC4036XLA-4HQ208C Part Number Decoder
Understanding the part number structure helps verify that you are ordering the correct variant:
| Segment |
Meaning |
| XC |
Xilinx FPGA |
| 4036 |
Logic capacity: ~36,000 gates |
| XLA |
Product family: XC4000 eXtra Low-voltage Advanced |
| 4 |
Speed grade: –4 (fastest) |
| HQ |
Package: HQFP (Heat Sink Quad Flat Pack) |
| 208 |
Pin count: 208 pins |
| C |
Temperature grade: Commercial (0°C to +85°C) |
Comparison: XC4036XLA-4HQ208C vs. Related Variants
When selecting an FPGA for your design, it is helpful to compare the XC4036XLA-4HQ208C against nearby parts in the XC4000XLA family:
| Part Number |
Gates |
Package |
Pins |
Speed Grade |
Temp Grade |
| XC4036XLA-09HQ240C |
~36,000 |
HQFP |
240 |
–09 |
Commercial |
| XC4036XLA-4HQ208C |
~36,000 |
HQFP |
208 |
–4 |
Commercial |
| XC4028XLA-4HQ208C |
~28,000 |
HQFP |
208 |
–4 |
Commercial |
| XC4044XLA-4HQ240C |
~44,000 |
HQFP |
240 |
–4 |
Commercial |
The –4 speed grade in the XC4036XLA-4HQ208C delivers noticeably faster performance than the –09 variant, making it the preferred choice for high-frequency designs. The 208-pin package offers a more compact PCB footprint than the 240-pin version while still providing up to 144 user I/Os.
XC4036XLA-4HQ208C: Typical Applications
The XC4036XLA-4HQ208C is well-suited for a broad range of embedded and industrial applications:
#### Communications & Networking
- Protocol bridging (UART, SPI, I²C, PCI)
- Data serialization and deserialization (SERDES)
- Network packet filtering and routing logic
#### Industrial Control Systems
- Motor control state machines
- PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) I/O expansion
- Real-time sensor fusion and data acquisition
#### Signal Processing
- FIR/IIR digital filter implementations
- FFT co-processors
- Video and image processing pipelines
#### Embedded System Acceleration
- Hardware accelerators for microcontroller or DSP systems
- Custom bus interfaces and glue logic
- Memory controller designs
XC4000XLA Architecture: What Makes It Reliable
The XC4000XLA architecture is built around a symmetrical array of Configurable Logic Blocks (CLBs), each containing two 4-input lookup tables (LUTs), two D-type flip-flops, and dedicated carry and arithmetic logic. This structure makes the XC4036XLA-4HQ208C particularly efficient for:
- Arithmetic-intensive designs (fast carry chains accelerate adders, counters, and multipliers)
- Distributed memory (LUTs can be configured as 16×1 or 32×1 RAM/ROM cells)
- Flexible clocking (four global clock buffers with low-skew distribution networks)
Surrounding the CLB array, the I/O Blocks (IOBs) support programmable input and output slew-rate control, optional pull-up/pull-down resistors, and 3-state outputs — giving designers full flexibility to interface with a wide range of external components.
Design & Programming Notes
FPGA Configuration Method
The XC4036XLA-4HQ208C supports SRAM-based configuration, which means the bitstream is loaded at power-up from an external configuration source such as:
- Serial PROM (e.g., Xilinx XC17V series)
- Parallel NOR Flash
- Master/Slave Serial or SelectMAP (Parallel) modes via a microcontroller
EDA Tool Support
| Tool |
Version Notes |
| Xilinx ISE Design Suite |
Fully supported (ISE 14.x and earlier) |
| FPGA Editor |
Supported for placement and routing inspection |
| ModelSim / Questa |
For RTL and gate-level simulation |
| Synplify / Synopsys DC |
For logic synthesis targeting XC4000XLA |
Important: The XC4036XLA-4HQ208C is not supported in Xilinx Vivado Design Suite, which targets newer 7-Series and UltraScale devices. Use Xilinx ISE 14.7 for this device family.
Ordering Information
| Attribute |
Detail |
| Full Part Number |
XC4036XLA-4HQ208C |
| Manufacturer |
AMD / Xilinx |
| Package |
HQFP-208 |
| Speed Grade |
–4 |
| Temperature Grade |
Commercial (0°C to +85°C) |
| Lifecycle Status |
Not Recommended for New Designs (NRND) |
| Typical Lead Time |
Check with distributor; may require allocation |
Authorized Distributors
This part is typically available through:
- DigiKey Electronics
- Mouser Electronics
- Avnet
- Arrow Electronics
- PCBSync and other specialty FPGA component suppliers
Because the XC4036XLA-4HQ208C is a legacy device, availability may be limited. It is strongly recommended to confirm stock and date codes with your distributor before committing to a design.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between XC4036XLA and XC4036XL?
The XLA variant operates at 3.3V core voltage and offers improved speed grades and lower power consumption compared to the older XL family, which also runs at 3.3V but uses an earlier process node. The XLA delivers better logic utilization and faster timing.
Is the XC4036XLA-4HQ208C lead-free (RoHS compliant)?
The XC4036XLA-4HQ208C is a legacy part and may be available in both leaded (SnPb) and lead-free (Pb-free) versions depending on the date code and distributor stock. Verify with your supplier.
Can the XC4036XLA-4HQ208C replace the XC4036XLA-09HQ208C?
Yes. The –4 speed grade is faster than the –09, so the –4 device can drop in as a functional replacement for the –09 in most designs. Always verify setup and hold times in your system-level timing analysis.
What configuration PROM should I use?
Xilinx XC17V256, XC17V512, or XC18V512 serial PROMs are commonly used with the XC4036XLA family. Refer to Xilinx Application Note XAPP069 for detailed configuration circuit recommendations.
Summary
The XC4036XLA-4HQ208C is a reliable, well-characterized FPGA delivering ~36,000 gates of programmable logic in a compact 208-pin HQFP package at the –4 (fastest) speed grade. While it is a legacy device best suited for maintenance of existing designs, its proven architecture, rich I/O feature set, and strong tool support under Xilinx ISE make it a dependable choice whenever the XC4000XLA platform is specified.
For a wide selection of Xilinx legacy and current-generation devices, visit Xilinx FPGA to source the right part for your application.
