The XCS40-3PQ240C is a high-performance Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) from the renowned Xilinx Spartan family. Designed for ASIC replacement and high-volume logic applications, this 40K-gate FPGA delivers exceptional flexibility, on-chip RAM, and cost-effective programmable solutions for industrial, telecommunications, and embedded systems.
XCS40-3PQ240C Key Features and Benefits
The XCS40-3PQ240C belongs to the Spartan and Spartan-XL FPGA family, offering a perfect balance of performance, capacity, and affordability. This Xilinx FPGA device provides essential features for modern digital design requirements.
Core Advantages of XCS40-3PQ240C
- High Logic Density: 40,000 system gates with 1,862 logic cells
- Abundant I/O Resources: 192 user-configurable I/O pins
- Flexible Package: 240-pin PQFP (Plastic Quad Flat Pack) for easy PCB integration
- Commercial Temperature Range: 0°C to +85°C operating temperature
- In-System Programmable: Unlimited reprogrammability for rapid prototyping
- JTAG Boundary-Scan Support: IEEE 1149.1/1532 compliant for testing and programming
XCS40-3PQ240C Technical Specifications
Basic Device Information
| Parameter |
Specification |
| Manufacturer |
AMD (formerly Xilinx) |
| Part Number |
XCS40-3PQ240C |
| FPGA Family |
Spartan / Spartan-XL |
| Device Type |
IC FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) |
| Production Status |
Legacy / Obsolete |
| RoHS Compliance |
Lead-free / RoHS Compliant |
Logic Resources and Capacity
| Specification |
Value |
| System Gates |
40,000 (40K) |
| Logic Cells |
1,862 |
| CLBs (Configurable Logic Blocks) |
784 |
| Flip-Flops per CLB |
2 |
| Look-Up Tables (LUTs) |
3 per CLB |
| Maximum User I/O |
192 |
Electrical Characteristics
| Parameter |
Specification |
| Supply Voltage (VCC) |
5V |
| I/O Voltage Standard |
5V TTL / CMOS Compatible |
| Speed Grade |
-3 |
| Maximum System Frequency |
125 MHz |
| Propagation Delay (Typical) |
6.8 ns |
Package Information
| Specification |
Details |
| Package Type |
PQFP (Plastic Quad Flat Pack) |
| Pin Count |
240 Pins |
| Package Dimensions |
32mm × 32mm (typical) |
| Mounting Type |
Surface Mount (SMD) |
| Lead Pitch |
0.5mm |
Operating Conditions
| Parameter |
Range |
| Operating Temperature (Commercial) |
0°C to +85°C |
| Storage Temperature |
-65°C to +150°C |
| Junction Temperature (TJ) |
0°C to +85°C |
XCS40-3PQ240C Part Number Decoding
Understanding the XCS40-3PQ240C part number helps identify device specifications:
| Segment |
Value |
Meaning |
| XCS |
XCS |
Xilinx Commercial Spartan |
| 40 |
40 |
40,000 Gate Capacity |
| -3 |
-3 |
Speed Grade (-3 = Standard) |
| PQ |
PQ |
Plastic Quad Flat Pack |
| 240 |
240 |
240-Pin Package |
| C |
C |
Commercial Temperature (0°C to +85°C) |
XCS40-3PQ240C Architecture Overview
Configurable Logic Block (CLB) Structure
The XCS40-3PQ240C features an advanced CLB architecture optimized for high-speed digital logic implementation:
- Three Function Generators (LUTs): Each CLB contains three 4-input look-up tables capable of implementing any Boolean function of up to 4 variables
- Two Flip-Flops: Edge-triggered storage elements with clock enable and set/reset functionality
- Dedicated Carry Logic: Fast arithmetic operations for counters, adders, and comparators
- Distributed RAM Capability: CLBs can be configured as 16×1 or 32×1 RAM blocks
I/O Block (IOB) Features
| Feature |
Capability |
| I/O Standards |
TTL, CMOS, PCI Compatible |
| Programmable Slew Rate |
Fast / Slow selectable |
| Input Delay |
Programmable delay elements |
| Pull-up/Pull-down Resistors |
Individually programmable |
| Global Set/Reset |
Dedicated GSR signal |
| Tri-State Control |
Programmable GTS signal |
Routing Architecture
The XCS40-3PQ240C includes a comprehensive routing hierarchy:
- Single-Length Lines: Short-distance local interconnects
- Double-Length Lines: Medium-distance routing
- Long Lines: Chip-spanning global signals
- VersaRing: Perimeter routing for I/O connectivity
- Programmable Switch Matrices (PSM): Flexible signal routing
XCS40-3PQ240C Programming and Configuration
Configuration Modes
| Mode |
Description |
| Master Serial |
FPGA controls configuration from serial PROM |
| Slave Serial |
External controller provides serial bitstream |
| Master Parallel |
FPGA controls parallel configuration memory |
| Slave Parallel |
External controller provides parallel data |
| JTAG/Boundary-Scan |
IEEE 1149.1 programming and testing |
Configuration Memory
| Parameter |
Specification |
| Configuration Bits |
~400,000 bits |
| Programming Time |
< 100ms (typical) |
| Reprogrammability |
Unlimited cycles |
| Configuration Retention |
Volatile (requires external storage) |
XCS40-3PQ240C Typical Applications
The XCS40-3PQ240C FPGA is ideal for various applications:
Industrial and Automation
- Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) implementations
- Motor control systems
- Industrial communication interfaces
- Building automation systems
Telecommunications
- Protocol converters and bridges
- Digital signal processing front-ends
- Network interface controllers
- Wireless infrastructure equipment
Embedded Systems
- Microcontroller peripherals and coprocessors
- Custom interface controllers
- ASIC prototyping and emulation
- Legacy system upgrades
Consumer Electronics
- Video processing and display controllers
- Audio processing systems
- Gaming and entertainment devices
XCS40-3PQ240C vs. Alternative FPGA Devices
Spartan Family Comparison
| Device |
Logic Cells |
Max I/O |
Gates |
Speed Options |
| XCS05 |
238 |
77 |
5,000 |
-3, -4 |
| XCS10 |
466 |
112 |
10,000 |
-3, -4 |
| XCS20 |
950 |
160 |
20,000 |
-3, -4 |
| XCS30 |
1,368 |
192 |
30,000 |
-3, -4 |
| XCS40 |
1,862 |
192 |
40,000 |
-3, -4 |
Related Part Numbers
| Part Number |
Package |
Temperature Grade |
| XCS40-3PQ208C |
208-PQFP |
Commercial (C) |
| XCS40-3PQ240C |
240-PQFP |
Commercial (C) |
| XCS40-3BG256C |
256-BGA |
Commercial (C) |
| XCS40-4PQ240C |
240-PQFP |
Commercial (C), Speed -4 |
| XCS40-3PQ208I |
208-PQFP |
Industrial (I) |
XCS40-3PQ240C Development Tools and Software
Xilinx Design Software
The XCS40-3PQ240C is supported by Xilinx development tools:
- Xilinx ISE Design Suite: Complete FPGA development environment
- FPGA Editor: Low-level design visualization and editing
- Timing Analyzer: Static timing analysis and optimization
- iMPACT: Programming and configuration utility
Supported Design Entry Methods
| Method |
Description |
| Schematic Capture |
Graphical design entry |
| HDL (VHDL/Verilog) |
Hardware description language synthesis |
| IP Core Integration |
Pre-verified functional blocks |
| State Machine Editor |
FSM-based design entry |
XCS40-3PQ240C Design Considerations
Power Supply Requirements
| Supply |
Voltage |
Tolerance |
| VCC (Core) |
5.0V |
±5% |
| VCCO (I/O) |
5.0V / 3.3V |
±5% |
PCB Layout Recommendations
- Use adequate decoupling capacitors (0.1µF ceramic) on each VCC pin
- Implement proper ground plane for signal integrity
- Follow controlled impedance guidelines for high-speed signals
- Consider thermal management for high-utilization designs
Clock Distribution
- Utilize dedicated global clock buffers (BUFG)
- Support for 4 primary global clock networks
- Clock delay-locked loops for clock conditioning
XCS40-3PQ240C Ordering Information
Standard Ordering Part Numbers
| Part Number |
Description |
| XCS40-3PQ240C |
Commercial, Speed -3, 240-PQFP |
| XCS40-4PQ240C |
Commercial, Speed -4, 240-PQFP |
| XCS40-3PQ240I |
Industrial, Speed -3, 240-PQFP |
Packaging Options
- Tube Packaging: Standard anti-static tubes
- Tray Packaging: JEDEC-standard IC trays
- Tape and Reel: Available upon request
Conclusion
The XCS40-3PQ240C Xilinx Spartan FPGA remains a reliable choice for legacy designs and applications requiring a proven, cost-effective programmable logic solution. With 40,000 system gates, 192 I/O pins, and comprehensive development tool support, this device continues to serve industrial, telecommunications, and embedded applications worldwide.
For current availability, pricing, and technical documentation, contact authorized distributors or refer to the official AMD/Xilinx documentation.
