A42MX24-PQG160A

Overview

The A42MX24-PQG160A is a non-volatile Flash-based Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) from the Microchip MX family, housed in a 160-pin PQFP package. It provides 36,000 system gates and 912 logic elements with 125 I/O pins. The device operates at a maximum frequency of 114.75 MHz and supports dual voltage supplies: 3.3V (2.97V to 3.6V) and 5V (4.75V to 5.25V). It features an industrial temperature range of -40°C to +85°C, includes IEEE 1149.1 JTAG boundary scan support, and utilizes SRAM configuration data stored in external non-volatile memory.

Feature Summary

• Non-volatile Flash architecture eliminates the need for external configuration PROMs by storing bitstream data directly on-chip.
• Supports deterministic timing through user-controllable clock routing and dedicated fast wide-decode circuitry.
• Enables in-system diagnostics via Silicon Explorer II technology for real-time signal monitoring without pin interference.
• Offers high resource utilization and 100% pin fixing capabilities suitable for ASIC design methodology migration.

Applications

• Automotive electronic control units requiring deterministic timing and robustness.
• Industrial automation systems needing in-system diagnostic capabilities.
• Military and aerospace applications utilizing radiation-tolerant or high-reliability programmable logic.
• Legacy interface bridging and protocol conversion in complex embedded systems.

Procurement Notes

Verify the specific suffix 'A' against official Microchip documentation to confirm it denotes the industrial temperature grade (-40°C to +85°C) rather than commercial grade. Confirm RoHS compliance status as historical MX series parts may have varying environmental declarations. Check for End-of-Life (EOL) notifications or Last-Time-Buy notices, as this family has faced discontinuation announcements. Ensure sourcing channels provide traceability certificates if required for regulated industries.

Selection Notes

Select this component when a non-volatile FPGA solution is required to reduce bill-of-materials complexity by removing external configuration memory. Choose the PQG160 package for applications needing a balance between I/O count (125 pins) and board space constraints. Verify that the target system can accommodate the 5V or 3.3V power domains and that the 114.75 MHz speed grade meets the design's timing requirements. Consider the MSL 3 rating for PCB assembly reflow profiles.

Part Context

This part belongs to the Microchip Actel MX family of Flash FPGAs, which are designed as single-chip ASIC alternatives. The A42MX24 variant specifically offers 36,000 system gates, positioning it for medium-complexity logic designs. The PQG160 package indicates a Plastic Quad Flat Package with 160 leads, suitable for surface-mount technology. This family is distinct from Microchip's PolarFire or IGLOO series due to its Flash-based non-volatility and analog-friendly I/O characteristics.

Replacement Considerations

Publicly confirmed direct substitutes include other variants within the A42MX24 family such as A42MX24-1PQG160 or A42MX24-2PQG160I, provided they match the package and temperature grade. Cross-family migration to PolarFire or IGLOO 2 requires significant architectural redesign. No alternative manufacturers offer pin-compatible equivalents for this specific legacy Flash FPGA architecture.