AMD XC17S50APD8I

Overview

XC17S50APD8I from AMD (formerly Xilinx) is a serial configuration PROM designed to store and load bitstream data for Spartan-3 FPGAs. It provides 512 Kbit of OTP memory, operates at 3.3 V supply, supports 33 MHz read access time, and uses an 8-pin PDIP package. It is used in industrial control systems requiring reliable FPGA reconfiguration.

For engineers reviewing the XC17S50APD8I datasheet, pinout, applications, or equivalent options, key selection factors include OTP memory density, 3.3 V compatibility, PDIP-8 footprint, read timing compliance with Spartan-3 configuration clocks, and industrial temperature range support.

Technical Context

The XC17S50APD8I implements a synchronous serial interface compatible with Xilinx Spartan-3 FPGA configuration protocols. It requires no external clock during read operations and delivers data on the rising edge of the CCLK signal generated by the target FPGA.

It features built-in power-on reset logic and automatic address incrementing during sequential reads. The device lacks write capability after programming - it is one-time programmable and intended solely for configuration storage, not runtime data storage.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

XC17S50APD8I is housed in an 8-pin Plastic Dual In-line Package (PDIP) with 0.3-inch body width and 0.1-inch pin pitch. Pin functions are electrically and physically defined per Xilinx DS029 specification.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with XC17S50APD8I, XCF02SVO20C offers field-programmability and greater density but demands layout changes and voltage adaptation, while XC17S50PD8C sacrifices industrial temperature tolerance for cost reduction in benign environments.

Availability

XC17S50APD8I is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial automation, test instrumentation, and embedded motion control applications requiring stable component supply and long-lifecycle support.

Supply support for XC17S50APD8I 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 and maintains legacy product lines including the XC17Sxx family of configuration PROMs for Spartan FPGAs.

The XC17S50APD8I belongs to the XC17Sxx series - purpose-built OTP PROMs optimized for reliable, low-risk FPGA configuration in industrial and embedded systems.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the XC17S50APD8I in an FPGA-based system?

The XC17S50APD8I serves as a dedicated configuration PROM that stores and delivers the bitstream to initialize Spartan-3 FPGAs at power-up. It is not a general-purpose memory device. Its synchronous serial interface is timed by the FPGA's CCLK signal, and the XC17S50APD8I ensures deterministic, repeatable FPGA startup behavior without external controllers or software intervention.

Can the XC17S50APD8I be reprogrammed in the field?

No, the XC17S50APD8I is a one-time programmable (OTP) device. Programming occurs only once during manufacturing using 12.5 V on the VPP pin. Once programmed, the stored bitstream cannot be altered, erased, or rewritten. This design ensures configuration integrity and prevents accidental or malicious corruption of the FPGA's startup image - a critical requirement for the XC17S50APD8I in safety- or reliability-critical systems.

Is the XC17S50APD8I pin-compatible with other members of the XC17Sxx family?

Yes, the XC17S50APD8I shares identical pinout, interface signaling, and timing behavior with other XC17Sxx devices in the PDIP-8 package, including XC17S25APD8I and XC17S100APD8I. Differences lie solely in memory capacity and internal addressing - all use the same A0, CE, OE, D0, CCLK, VCC, GND, and VPP pin assignments defined in Xilinx DS029.

Does the XC17S50APD8I require an external clock source?

No, the XC17S50APD8I does not require an independent clock source. It operates synchronously with the CCLK signal generated by the target Spartan-3 FPGA during configuration. The XC17S50APD8I uses this externally supplied clock edge to time data output and internal address advancement - eliminating clock generation circuitry and reducing system complexity.

What is the significance of the "A" suffix in XC17S50APD8I?

The "A" in XC17S50APD8I denotes the industrial temperature grade (–40°C to +85°C), distinguishing it from the commercial-grade XC17S50PD8C (0°C to +70°C). This grading reflects extended process characterization and screening - essential for applications where the XC17S50APD8I operates in uncontrolled thermal environments such as factory floors or outdoor enclosures.