The XC4052XLA-09HQ208I is a high-performance Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) from Xilinx’s XC4000XLA/XV family, now distributed by Rochester Electronics. Housed in a 208-pin HSPQFP package, this industrial-grade FPGA delivers 52,000 gates of programmable logic in a proven 0.35µm CMOS process — making it a trusted solution for maintaining legacy embedded systems, defense electronics, telecommunications infrastructure, and long-lifecycle industrial designs.
If you are sourcing legacy or hard-to-find Xilinx FPGA components, the XC4052XLA-09HQ208I offers a fully authorized, traceable supply path through Rochester Electronics, ensuring genuine parts for critical applications.
What Is the XC4052XLA-09HQ208I?
The XC4052XLA-09HQ208I belongs to Xilinx’s XC4000XLA family — a series of 3.3V logic cell array FPGAs designed for complex, high-density digital designs. The part number decodes as follows:
| Part Number Segment |
Meaning |
| XC4052 |
XC4000 family, 52,000 equivalent gates |
| XLA |
Extended Low-power Architecture (3.3V, enhanced speed) |
| -09 |
Speed grade –9 (9 ns propagation delay) |
| HQ208 |
208-pin HSPQFP (Heat Spreader Plastic Quad Flat Pack) |
| I |
Industrial temperature range (–40°C to +100°C) |
This device is manufactured using Xilinx’s 0.35µm CMOS process technology and is built on a Logic Cell Array (LCA) architecture that combines configurable logic blocks (CLBs), I/O blocks (IOBs), and a programmable interconnect matrix.
XC4052XLA-09HQ208I Key Specifications
General Electrical Specifications
| Parameter |
Value |
| Manufacturer |
Xilinx (AMD) / Rochester Electronics |
| Part Number |
XC4052XLA-09HQ208I |
| Product Family |
XC4000XLA/XV |
| Technology |
CMOS FPGA (Logic Cell Array) |
| Gate Equivalent Count |
~52,000 gates |
| Logic Cells |
4,598 CLBs |
| Process Node |
0.35µm |
| Supply Voltage (VCC) |
3.3V |
| Speed Grade |
–9 (9 ns) |
| Maximum Frequency |
Up to 263 MHz (internal logic) |
| Operating Temperature |
–40°C to +100°C (Industrial) |
| RoHS Compliance |
Not RoHS Compliant (legacy component) |
Package & Mechanical Specifications
| Parameter |
Value |
| Package Type |
HSPQFP (Heat Spreader Plastic QFP) |
| Pin Count |
208 |
| Package Code |
HQ208 |
| Mounting Type |
Surface Mount (SMT) |
| Body Size |
28mm × 28mm (nominal) |
| Lead Pitch |
0.5mm |
Logic Resources
| Resource |
Count |
| Configurable Logic Blocks (CLBs) |
4,598 |
| Flip-Flops |
~9,196 |
| User I/O Pins |
Up to 166 |
| Internal RAM (SelectRAM) |
Available (distributed) |
| Dedicated Carry Logic |
Yes |
| Global Clock Buffers |
4 |
| On-chip Oscillator |
Yes |
XC4052XLA-09HQ208I Detailed Description
FPGA Architecture Overview
The XC4052XLA-09HQ208I is built on Xilinx’s mature Logic Cell Array architecture. Each Configurable Logic Block (CLB) contains look-up tables (LUTs), flip-flops, and carry logic that together implement complex combinational and sequential digital functions. The programmable interconnect allows designers to route signals with flexibility across the entire device.
The XC4000XLA family introduced enhanced performance over the original XC4000X series, offering lower power consumption at 3.3V operation while increasing switching speed. The –09 speed grade variant provides 9 ns worst-case propagation delay, suitable for many timing-sensitive designs.
I/O Block (IOB) Capabilities
Each I/O block (IOB) in the XC4052XLA-09HQ208I supports:
- Programmable slew rate control (fast/slow)
- Optional input latches or flip-flops
- Optional output flip-flops
- 3-state output control
- Compatibility with 5V-tolerant input levels (with proper configuration)
- Pull-up and pull-down resistors
Configuration and Programming
| Configuration Attribute |
Detail |
| Configuration Mode |
Slave Serial, Master Serial, Slave Parallel, Peripheral (JTAG) |
| JTAG Boundary Scan |
IEEE 1149.1 compliant |
| Configuration Data Retention |
SRAM-based (volatile, requires external PROM) |
| Supported External PROM |
XC17xxx, XC18V00 series PROMs |
| Configuration Voltage |
3.3V |
The XC4052XLA-09HQ208I uses SRAM-based configuration — meaning configuration data must be reloaded from an external serial or parallel PROM at power-up. This is standard for XC4000-family devices and is well-supported by Xilinx’s ISE design tools.
Part Number Comparison: XC4052XLA Speed Grades and Packages
The XC4052XLA is available in multiple speed grades and package options. The table below compares common variants to help with selection or substitution:
| Part Number |
Speed Grade |
Package |
Pins |
Temp Range |
| XC4052XLA-08HQ208C |
–8 (faster) |
HSPQFP |
208 |
Commercial (0°C to +85°C) |
| XC4052XLA-09HQ208C |
–9 |
HSPQFP |
208 |
Commercial (0°C to +85°C) |
| XC4052XLA-09HQ208I |
–9 |
HSPQFP |
208 |
Industrial (–40°C to +100°C) |
| XC4052XLA-09BGG352C |
–9 |
BGA |
352 |
Commercial (0°C to +85°C) |
| XC4052XLA-09BGG432C |
–9 |
BGA |
432 |
Commercial (0°C to +85°C) |
| XC4052XLA-08BG432C |
–8 (faster) |
BGA |
432 |
Commercial (0°C to +85°C) |
Note: The “I” suffix in XC4052XLA-09HQ208I designates the industrial temperature range (–40°C to +100°C), which is critical for harsh-environment applications in automotive, aerospace, military, and industrial automation fields.
XC4052XLA-09HQ208I Applications
This FPGA is used across industries where legacy system maintenance and long-term component availability are priorities:
Typical Application Areas
| Industry |
Use Case |
| Defense & Aerospace |
Avionics processing, radar signal processing, mission computers |
| Industrial Automation |
PLC expansion, motion control, machine vision interfaces |
| Telecommunications |
Line cards, protocol bridging, signal routing |
| Medical Devices |
Imaging logic, patient monitoring, real-time data acquisition |
| Test & Measurement |
Signal generation, protocol analyzers, data capture |
| Legacy System Maintenance |
PCB repair and replacement of obsolete FPGA boards |
Why Choose Rochester Electronics for the XC4052XLA-09HQ208I?
Rochester Electronics is an authorized, licensed source for end-of-life (EOL) and discontinued semiconductors. When sourcing the XC4052XLA-09HQ208I through Rochester:
- Full authorization: Parts are sourced directly from original manufacturer wafer or die inventory
- Traceable supply chain: Full documentation and certificates of conformance available
- Long-term availability: Rochester specializes in lifecycle management for mission-critical designs
- No counterfeiting risk: Eliminates the risks associated with unauthorized brokers or gray-market supply
This is especially important for the XC4052XLA-09HQ208I, which is not recommended for new designs but remains critical for maintaining existing deployed systems in industrial and defense sectors.
Design Tools and Support for XC4052XLA-09HQ208I
Supported Software
| Tool |
Status |
| Xilinx ISE Design Suite |
Fully supported (recommended for XC4000 family) |
| Xilinx Vivado |
Not supported (XC4000 family is not compatible) |
| ModelSim / ISIM |
Simulation supported via ISE |
| XACT Step 6 (legacy) |
Earlier tool chain, still referenced in legacy documentation |
The XC4052XLA-09HQ208I is programmed and implemented using Xilinx ISE Design Suite, which supports the full XC4000XLA family with synthesis, placement, routing, and bitstream generation. Designers should use ISE rather than the newer Vivado suite, as XC4000-series devices are not supported in Vivado.
JTAG Programming
The device supports IEEE 1149.1 JTAG boundary scan, enabling in-system testing and programming using standard JTAG cables and Xilinx’s iMPACT software (included with ISE).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is the XC4052XLA-09HQ208I still in production? A: No. This part is end-of-life (EOL) and is not recommended for new designs. However, it remains available through Rochester Electronics as an authorized source for legacy system support.
Q: What is the difference between XC4052XLA-09HQ208I and XC4052XLA-09HQ208C? A: The only difference is the temperature range. The “I” suffix indicates industrial grade (–40°C to +100°C), while the “C” suffix indicates commercial grade (0°C to +85°C). All other electrical parameters are the same.
Q: Can I replace the XC4052XLA-09HQ208I with a newer Xilinx FPGA? A: In theory, yes — newer Spartan or Artix families offer significantly more logic resources in a modern process. However, replacing an XC4052XLA in an existing PCB design requires re-routing I/O assignments, rewriting HDL for new primitives, and switching to Vivado. For most legacy maintenance scenarios, sourcing the original part is simpler and more cost-effective.
Q: What external PROM do I need to configure this FPGA? A: The XC4052XLA-09HQ208I is compatible with Xilinx XC17xxx and XC18V00 series serial configuration PROMs. The PROM stores the FPGA bitstream and automatically configures the device at power-up.
Q: Is this part RoHS compliant? A: No. As a legacy component, the XC4052XLA-09HQ208I is not RoHS compliant. For RoHS-required applications, alternative solutions should be evaluated.
Summary Specification Table
| Attribute |
XC4052XLA-09HQ208I |
| Manufacturer |
Xilinx (AMD) / Rochester Electronics |
| Family |
XC4000XLA |
| Gate Count |
~52,000 |
| Logic Cells |
4,598 CLBs |
| Speed Grade |
–9 (9 ns) |
| Supply Voltage |
3.3V |
| Package |
208-pin HSPQFP |
| Temperature Range |
–40°C to +100°C (Industrial) |
| Configuration |
SRAM (external PROM required) |
| JTAG |
Yes (IEEE 1149.1) |
| Process |
0.35µm CMOS |
| RoHS |
Not compliant |
| Design Software |
Xilinx ISE Design Suite |
| Status |
EOL / Legacy – Not for new designs |
The XC4052XLA-09HQ208I is a legacy product. For new design projects, consult current Xilinx FPGA families. For existing system maintenance and replacement, Rochester Electronics provides authorized and fully traceable inventory.