AMD XC17S150APD8C

Overview

XC17S150APD8C from AMD (formerly Xilinx) is a serial configuration PROM designed to store and load bitstreams into Spartan-3 FPGAs. It provides 150 Kb of configuration memory, supports 3.3 V operation, features JTAG boundary-scan support, and is packaged in an 8-pin PDIP. It is used in industrial control systems requiring reliable FPGA reconfiguration.

For engineers reviewing the XC17S150APD8C datasheet, pinout, applications, or equivalent options, key selection criteria include configuration voltage compatibility, bitstream storage capacity, JTAG programmability, and through-hole mounting suitability for legacy PCB designs.

Technical Context

This PROM operates exclusively in master serial mode to configure Spartan-3 family FPGAs. It uses CMOS technology with TTL-compatible inputs and supports both parallel and serial programming via the JTAG interface.

Timing parameters include tCSS = 20 ns (chip select setup), tCSH = 10 ns (chip select hold), and tACC = 150 ns (address access time). The device requires no external pull-up resistors on data lines during configuration.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

8-pin plastic dual in-line package (PDIP) with 0.3-inch body width and 0.1-inch pin pitch.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar FPGA configuration memory applications.

Compared with XCF01SVO20C and XC17S150LVPC8C, the XC17S150APD8C offers guaranteed 3.3 V ±5% operation and legacy PDIP compatibility-critical for maintaining existing industrial control hardware without layout changes.

Availability

XC17S150APD8C is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial control systems, test equipment, legacy HMI panels, and academic prototyping platforms requiring stable component supply and long-term obsolescence management.

Supply support for XC17S150APD8C 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

AMD acquired Xilinx in 2022, inheriting its FPGA and configuration memory portfolio. Xilinx originally developed this PROM for seamless integration with its Spartan-3 architecture.

The XC17S150APD8C belongs to the XC17Sxx family of serial configuration PROMs, engineered specifically to provide single-chip, nonvolatile, pin-compatible configuration storage for Spartan-3 FPGAs in commercial-temperature industrial applications.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the XC17S150APD8C in an FPGA system?

The XC17S150APD8C serves as a nonvolatile configuration memory that stores and automatically loads the bitstream into Spartan-3 FPGAs at power-up. It operates in master serial mode, driving the FPGA's CCLK and DIN signals directly. Its 150 Kb capacity supports full configuration of XC3S1000 and smaller Spartan-3 devices. The XC17S150APD8C eliminates the need for external configuration controllers or microprocessors in basic FPGA boot sequences.

Can the XC17S150APD8C be programmed in-circuit using JTAG?

Yes, the XC17S150APD8C supports IEEE 1149.1 JTAG boundary-scan programming while mounted on the target PCB. This allows field updates and factory programming without socket removal. The JTAG TAP controller handles instruction decoding and data shifting, and the XC17S150APD8C responds to standard EXTEST and SAMPLE/PRELOAD instructions. Programming requires a compatible JTAG adapter and Xilinx IMPACT or Vivado Hardware Manager software.

Is the XC17S150APD8C compatible with Spartan-3E or Spartan-6 FPGAs?

No, the XC17S150APD8C is not compatible with Spartan-3E or Spartan-6 FPGAs. It is specifically designed for the original Spartan-3 family (e.g., XC3S50 through XC3S1000) and lacks the timing and command set required by later generations. Spartan-3E devices require XCFxx series PROMs, and Spartan-6 devices use the newer Platform Flash XL family. Using XC17S150APD8C with incompatible FPGAs results in failed configuration or undefined behavior.

What are the critical timing requirements for reliable configuration using the XC17S150APD8C?

Reliable configuration requires tCSS ≥ 20 ns (CE setup before CCLK), tCSH ≥ 10 ns (CE hold after CCLK), and tACC ≤ 150 ns (address access time). The maximum supported CCLK frequency is 6.67 MHz, derived from tACC. These values must be met in the FPGA's configuration controller logic or master oscillator design. Violating any of these timing constraints may cause bit errors or incomplete loading of the XC17S150APD8C bitstream.

Does the XC17S150APD8C support low-power operation during system standby?

Yes, the XC17S150APD8C draws less than 10 µA in standby mode when CE and PGM are deasserted, making it suitable for battery-backed or energy-sensitive industrial systems. This ultra-low ICC is achieved through internal power-gating of the memory array and peripheral logic. No external power-switching circuitry is needed to achieve this quiescent current, and the XC17S150APD8C retains stored configuration data indefinitely under these conditions.