A54SX08A-PQ208I

Overview

The A54SX08A-PQ208I is a nonvolatile FPGA from the SX-A family, fabricated on 0.22 μm / 0.25 μm CMOS antifuse technology. It provides 12,000 system gates, 768 logic modules (combinatorial cells), and up to 512 dedicated flip-flops. The device supports up to 130 user-programmable I/O pins within a 208-pin Plastic Quad Flat Pack (PQFP) package. It operates at system frequencies up to 250 MHz with internal performance reaching 350 MHz. The component supports mixed-voltage operation across 2.5 V, 3.3 V, and 5 V supplies, features hot-swap compliant I/Os, and includes boundary-scan testing compliance.

Feature Summary

• Nonvolatile single-chip solution utilizing metal-to-metal programmable antifuse interconnect elements for permanent low-impedance connections.
• Supports mixed-voltage operation with 5 V input tolerance and drive strength across 2.5 V, 3.3 V, and 5 V I/O standards.
• Hot-swap compliant I/O architecture allowing safe insertion into electrically active systems without degrading host reliability.
• Includes Actel Secure Programming Technology with FuseLock to prevent reverse engineering and unauthorized design access.

Applications

• High-speed controllers and address decoding
• Peripheral bus interfaces including 66 MHz PCI compliant designs
• DSP and co-processor functions

Procurement Notes

Verify the specific ordering suffix against the manufacturer's current datasheet to confirm temperature grade and packaging compliance. The 'I' suffix denotes an industrial temperature range of -40°C to +85°C. Confirm lead-free status if RoHS compliance is required for the assembly process. Ensure the PQFP package dimensions match the target PCB footprint specifications.

Selection Notes

Select this device when a nonvolatile configuration is required to eliminate external configuration memory components. The SX-A architecture offers deterministic timing through its sea-of-modules design with DirectConnect and FastConnect routing resources. Consider the 12,000 gate capacity and 130 I/O limit for mid-complexity logic integration tasks requiring fast time-to-market.

Part Context

This component belongs to the Microsemi (formerly Actel) SX-A family of FPGAs. The family utilizes antifuse technology rather than SRAM-based configuration, providing inherent security and zero standby power. The A54SX08A represents the entry-level capacity in the series, offering a balance of logic density and pin count suitable for consolidating multiple CPLD or PAL functions into a single chip.

Replacement Considerations

Direct functional replacements within the same package and pinout include other speed grades of the A54SX08A series, such as the standard speed variant or faster grades like the A54SX08A-1PQ208I, provided timing requirements are met. Cross-family migration to newer Microchip PolarFire or SmartFusion devices requires significant architectural redesign due to differences in configuration technology and I/O structures.

FAQ

How does the SX-A architecture achieve deterministic timing?

The SX-A family uses a patented metal-to-metal antifuse interconnect that forms permanent low-impedance connections. Combined with local routing resources like DirectConnect and FastConnect, the place-and-route software can minimize signal propagation delays, ensuring highly predictable performance.

What is the behavior of I/Os during power-up or hot-swap events?

During power-up or hot-swap, all I/Os are tristated by default. The VCCA and VCCI supplies do not require sequencing and can be powered in any order. This prevents the device from sinking current or damaging the host system when plugged into an active circuit.

Can the JTAG pins be used as general-purpose I/Os?

Yes, in Flexible mode, TDI, TCK, and TDO can function as user I/Os or BST pins. However, TMS cannot be used as a user I/O in either Dedicated or Flexible modes. In Dedicated mode, all JTAG pins are reserved strictly for Boundary-Scan Testing.