The XCV100E-7PQ240C is a high-performance, 1.8V field-programmable gate array (FPGA) from Xilinx’s Virtex-E family, housed in a compact 240-pin PQFP package. Designed for engineers who demand speed, flexibility, and low-power programmable logic, this device delivers 32,400 system gates across 2,700 logic cells running at up to 400 MHz — all built on an advanced 0.18 µm, 6-layer metal CMOS process. Whether you are prototyping a new digital system or deploying it in industrial, telecommunications, or embedded computing applications, the XCV100E-7PQ240C offers an exceptional balance of performance, density, and I/O flexibility.

What Is the XCV100E-7PQ240C?

The XCV100E-7PQ240C is part of Xilinx FPGA Virtex-E product line — one of Xilinx’s foundational FPGA families optimized for high-speed logic implementation at 1.8V operation. The “-7” suffix identifies its speed grade, indicating mid-range performance within the XCV100E family (with -6 being the slowest and -8 the fastest). The “PQ240” denotes the 240-pin PQFP (Plastic Quad Flat Package), and the trailing “C” confirms a commercial temperature range (0°C to +85°C junction temperature).

This FPGA is classified as an Embedded – Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and is manufactured by AMD (formerly Xilinx, now AMD Xilinx).

XCV100E-7PQ240C Key Specifications at a Glance

XCV100E-7PQ240C Detailed Electrical Characteristics

Understanding the electrical parameters of the XCV100E-7PQ240C is essential for proper PCB design, power supply planning, and signal integrity analysis.

Package & Pinout Information

The XCV100E-7PQ240C uses the PQ240 package — a 240-pin Plastic Quad Flat Package — which is a surface-mount form factor well-suited for standard PCB assembly processes. The 240-pin count provides a balance between routing flexibility and board space efficiency for mid-density FPGA designs.

XCV100E-7PQ240C vs. Other Speed Grades: Comparison Table

The XCV100E FPGA is available in three speed grades. The table below compares them to help you select the right variant for your design requirements.

Tip: The -7 speed grade offers an excellent trade-off between cost, thermal performance, and clock speed for most commercial FPGA applications.

Virtex-E Architecture: What Makes the XCV100E-7PQ240C Powerful

CLB (Configurable Logic Block) Structure

The XCV100E-7PQ240C contains 600 CLBs, each consisting of four slices. Every slice includes two 4-input Look-Up Tables (LUTs), two storage elements (flip-flops or latches), fast carry logic, and wide-function multiplexers. This architecture allows:

• Implementation of logic functions up to 5 or 6 inputs by combining adjacent LUTs
• Efficient arithmetic operations via dedicated carry chains
• Flexible storage of either data or configuration state

SelectI/O+ Technology

The Virtex-E SelectI/O+ interface supports a wide range of single-ended and differential I/O standards, enabling seamless interfacing with external components across multiple voltage domains.

Block SelectRAM

The XCV100E-7PQ240C includes 81,920 bits (10 kB) of dedicated Block RAM, distributed as dual-port 4K × 1 to 256 × 16 configurable memory blocks. This on-chip RAM is ideal for FIFOs, LUT-based ROM tables, shift registers, and data buffering — all without consuming CLB resources.

Dedicated DLL (Delay-Locked Loop)

The device integrates DLL (Delay-Locked Loop) circuits that provide zero-propagation-delay clock distribution, clock domain multiplication/division, and phase shifting. This enables reliable high-speed synchronous designs without external clock conditioning components.

XCV100E-7PQ240C Applications

The XCV100E-7PQ240C is suitable for a broad range of commercial and industrial design applications:

Ordering & Part Number Decoder

Understanding the Xilinx part number structure helps you select the correct variant for procurement and design.

XCV100E  -  7  P  Q  240  C
   │         │  │  │   │   └── Temperature: C = Commercial (0°C to +85°C)
   │         │  │  │   └────── Pin Count: 240 pins
   │         │  │  └────────── Package Body: Q = QFP (Quad Flat Pack)
   │         │  └──────────── Package Material: P = Plastic
   │         └─────────────── Speed Grade: 7 (mid-performance)
   └───────────────────────── Device: Virtex-E, 100K system gates

XCV100E-7PQ240C vs. Related Xilinx FPGA Parts

Boundary Scan and IEEE 1149.1 JTAG Support

The XCV100E-7PQ240C is fully compliant with IEEE 1149.1 Boundary Scan (JTAG), enabling in-system programming, board-level testing, and debug operations. The JTAG interface includes:

• A standard 4-pin TAP (Test Access Port): TDI, TDO, TMS, TCK
• Full Boundary Scan register for all bonded and un-bonded I/O pins (3 bits per IOB: IN, OUT, 3-State)
• USER1 and USER2 instructions for custom design access
• Full configuration readback capability for design verification

This makes the XCV100E-7PQ240C well-suited for use in automated test equipment (ATE) environments and complex multi-device JTAG chains.

Configuration Modes

The Virtex-E XCV100E-7PQ240C supports multiple configuration modes to suit different system architectures:

Configuration data is stored in an external non-volatile memory device (such as Xilinx XCFxxS PROM series), and the FPGA reloads this bitstream on every power cycle.

Design Tools and Software Support

The XCV100E-7PQ240C is supported by Xilinx’s legacy design toolchain:

• Xilinx ISE Design Suite — Primary synthesis, P&R, and bitstream generation tool
• Synopsys FPGA Express — HDL synthesis front-end
• ModelSim / Vivado Simulator — Functional and timing simulation
• EDIF (Electronic Design Interchange Format) — Cross-tool netlist exchange
• ChipScope Pro — In-system logic analyzer for debug

Note: While Vivado does not support the Virtex-E family directly, ISE 14.7 is the recommended tool for all XCV100E-series devices and remains freely available from AMD Xilinx.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the difference between XCV100E-7PQ240C and XCV100E-6PQ240C? The primary difference is speed grade. The -7 variant operates at up to 400 MHz, while the -6 runs at approximately 357 MHz. Both share the same die, pin count, logic resources, and package. Choose -7 for designs with tighter timing budgets.

Q: Is the XCV100E-7PQ240C RoHS compliant? RoHS-compliant versions of the XCV100E family are available. Verify with your distributor or the specific date code of the part, as legacy parts produced before RoHS requirements may not be compliant.

Q: What voltage does the XCV100E-7PQ240C operate at? The core (VCCINT) operates at 1.8V (1.71V–1.89V). The I/O supply (VCCO) is configurable from 1.14V to 3.45V depending on the I/O standard selected per bank.

Q: Can the XCV100E-7PQ240C be used in industrial temperature applications? The “C” suffix denotes commercial temperature range (0°C to +85°C TJ). For industrial temperature (-40°C to +100°C TJ), look for the “I” suffix variant, such as XCV100E-7PQ240I.

Q: What is the Block RAM capacity of the XCV100E-7PQ240C? The device contains 81,920 bits (approximately 10 kB) of dedicated Block SelectRAM, organized as dual-port memory configurable in various width/depth combinations.

Summary

The XCV100E-7PQ240C is a proven, mid-performance member of the Xilinx Virtex-E FPGA family, combining 32,400 system gates, 2,700 logic cells, 158 user I/Os, 10 kB of block RAM, and 400 MHz operation in a 240-pin PQFP surface-mount package. Operating from a 1.8V core supply with a commercial temperature rating, it remains a popular choice for legacy system maintenance, ASIC prototyping, telecom infrastructure, and embedded design across many industries. Its comprehensive I/O standard support, IEEE 1149.1 JTAG compliance, and flexible configuration modes make it a versatile solution for a wide range of digital logic applications.