Microchip Technology ATF16V8C-7XC

Overview

ATF16V8C-7XC from Atmel is a 20-pin electrically-erasable programmable logic device (EE PLD) with 5ns–10ns propagation delay, 100μA pin-controlled power-down mode, and CMOS/TTL-compatible I/Os featuring internal pin-keeper circuits. It implements eight macrocells with up to eight product terms each and supports registered, complex, and simple configuration modes for PAL emulation in legacy digital control systems.

For engineers reviewing the ATF16V8C-7XC datasheet, ATF16V8C-7XC pinout, ATF16V8C-7XC application, or ATF16V8C-7XC equivalent, key selection criteria include its 7.5ns max tPD, industrial-grade 5V ±10% operation, JEDEC 16V8 compatibility, and TSSOP-20 (20X) green ROHS-compliant packaging - critical for board-space-constrained, low-power, drop-in replacements in aging PLD-based designs.

Technical Context

The ATF16V8C-7XC uses Atmel's flash-based EECMOS technology enabling 100 erase/write cycles and 20-year data retention. Its architecture supports three auto-configured modes - registered (CLK/OE on Pins 1/11), complex (combinatorial I/O with OE per term), and simple (dedicated combinatorial outputs) - each mapping to distinct PAL families (e.g., 16R8, 16L8, 10L8).

Pin 4 serves as an optional PD control input: when high, ICC drops to ≤100μA while latching all register and output states; when unused, it functions as logic input I3. Pin-keeper circuits eliminate external pull-ups, reducing static power and preventing floating inputs without DC current draw.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

ATF16V8C-7XC is packaged in a 20-lead Thin Shrink Small Outline Package (TSSOP-20, package code 20X), 4.4 mm body width, ROHS-compliant and lead-free. Pin 1 is index-marked; pin 10 is GND; pin 20 is VCC.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar programmable logic device applications.

Compared with ATF16V8B-7XC and GAL16V8D-7LPN, the ATF16V8C-7XC uniquely delivers flash-based field reprogrammability, sub-100μA power-down, and integrated pin-keepers - making it the only option supporting zero-layout-change upgrades in power- and reliability-critical legacy PLD applications.

Availability

ATF16V8C-7XC is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for legacy industrial control upgrades, medical I/O expansion, and communications backplane glue logic requiring stable component supply and long-term obsolescence mitigation.

Supply support for ATF16V8C-7XC includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Atmel Corporation (now part of Microchip Technology) is a semiconductor manufacturer specializing in microcontrollers, nonvolatile memory, and programmable logic devices for industrial, automotive, and consumer applications.

The ATF16V8C product line was designed to provide flash-based, reprogrammable replacements for industry-standard 20-pin PAL devices - targeting design continuity, reduced system power, and simplified toolchain migration in legacy digital logic systems.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency supported by the ATF16V8C-7XC?

The ATF16V8C-7XC supports up to 100 MHz in configurations with internal feedback (1/(tS + tCF) = 125 MHz typical, 100 MHz guaranteed). Its 7.5 ns maximum tPD and 5 ns minimum clock width ensure reliable timing in synchronous logic designs using 5V microcontrollers or FPGAs. The actual achievable frequency depends on macrocell configuration mode and feedback path usage - registered mode yields higher sustained throughput than combinatorial-only layouts.

Does the ATF16V8C-7XC require external pull-up resistors on its I/O pins?

No, the ATF16V8C-7XC does not require external pull-up resistors because it integrates pin-keeper circuits on all I/Os - weak feedback inverters that maintain the last valid logic state without DC current draw. This feature eliminates board-level pull-ups, reduces static power consumption, and prevents floating inputs in un-driven or tri-stated conditions - a key advantage over earlier PAL/GAL devices.

Can the ATF16V8C-7XC be programmed using standard 16V8 JEDEC files?

Yes, the ATF16V8C-7XC accepts standard 16V8 JEDEC fuse files when configured in simple or complex mode without power-down enabled. When the power-down feature is selected, the compiler generates an extended JEDEC file (e.g., P16V8PDC) that remains compatible with most Atmel-qualified programmers. Legacy 16V8 files will program the ATF16V8C-7XC correctly but omit PD functionality unless explicitly enabled in the design source.

What is the purpose of Pin 4 (PD/I3) on the ATF16V8C-7XC?

Pin 4 on the ATF16V8C-7XC serves as an optional power-down control input: when driven high, it reduces ICC to ≤100 μA while latching all register and output states. If the power-down feature is disabled in the JEDEC file, Pin 4 functions as standard logic input I3. This dual-role pin enables flexible design reuse - same hardware supports both low-power and full-performance configurations via software-defined fuse settings.

Is the ATF16V8C-7XC RoHS compliant and lead-free?

Yes, the ATF16V8C-7XC carries the "X" suffix indicating a ROHS-compliant, lead-free TSSOP-20 (20X) package per Atmel's 2011 revision 0425H documentation. It meets JEDEC MO-153 AC standards and contains no lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, PBB, or PBDE - certified for use in environmentally regulated commercial and industrial equipment shipped globally.