AMD XC2VP4-5FG256I

Overview

XC2VP4-5FG256I from Xilinx is a Virtex-II Pro platform FPGA integrating one PowerPC 405 RISC processor core, four RocketIO multi-gigabit transceivers (up to 2.5 Gb/s per channel), 6,768 logic cells, and 18 × 18-bit embedded multipliers. It targets high-reliability industrial communication systems requiring embedded processing, serial interconnect, and reconfigurable logic in a single wire-bond BGA package.

For engineers reviewing the XC2VP4-5FG256I datasheet, pinout, applications, or equivalent options, key selection criteria include its -5 speed grade (300 MHz PowerPC, 2.5 Gb/s transceivers), FG256 package (140 user I/Os), 1.5 V core supply, and industrial temperature rating (–40°C to +100°C).

Technical Context

The XC2VP4-5FG256I implements a hybrid architecture combining hard IP blocks - including a 32-bit PowerPC 405 core with 16 KB instruction and data caches, MMU, and OCM interface - with programmable FPGA fabric based on 4-input LUTs, distributed RAM, and 18 Kb Block SelectRAM+ modules. Its four RocketIO transceivers support full-duplex operation at 600 Mb/s to 2.5 Gb/s with 8B/10B encoding, internal CDR, and programmable pre-emphasis.

Digital Clock Manager (DCM) modules provide clock deskew, multiplication/division, and fine-grained phase shifting (1/256 period resolution); SelectIO-Ultra I/O supports 22 single-ended and 10 differential standards, including LVDS, SSTL, and PCI-X, with Digitally Controlled Impedance (DCI) for on-chip termination.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

XC2VP4-5FG256I uses the FG256 wire-bond fine-pitch BGA package (17 mm × 17 mm, 1.0 mm pitch), with 256 balls arranged in a 16 × 16 array. The package includes 140 user I/Os, 15 dedicated configuration/control pins (e.g., CCLK, DONE, M0–M2, PROG_B), and 4 RocketIO transceiver pairs (RX/TX differential pairs occupying dedicated ball positions).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar FPGA-with-embedded-processor applications.

Compared with XC2VP4-5FG256I, the XC2VP4-6FG256I offers higher CPU clock margin at commercial temperature, while the XC2VP7-5FF456I provides scalable bandwidth and logic capacity at the cost of larger footprint and higher power - making XC2VP4-5FG256I optimal for space-constrained industrial edge nodes needing verified thermal robustness.

Availability

XC2VP4-5FG256I is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial Ethernet gateways, avionics data concentrators, and medical imaging controllers requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for XC2VP4-5FG256I 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

Xilinx, now part of AMD, is a pioneer in programmable logic technology, specializing in FPGAs, adaptive SoCs, and software-defined platforms for high-performance computing and embedded systems.

The Virtex-II Pro family was designed to integrate hardened processor cores and high-speed serial transceivers into reconfigurable logic fabric, targeting communications infrastructure, defense, and industrial systems demanding both processing and hardware acceleration.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the PowerPC 405 core in XC2VP4-5FG256I?

The XC2VP4-5FG256I is rated for 300 MHz PowerPC 405 operation under industrial temperature conditions (–40°C to +100°C) and 1.5 V core supply. This is guaranteed by the -5 speed grade specification and confirmed in DS083 Table 4. Higher frequencies (e.g., 350 MHz) are only supported in -6 grade devices and are not valid for XC2VP4-5FG256I.

Does XC2VP4-5FG256I support JTAG boundary-scan testing?

Yes, XC2VP4-5FG256I fully supports IEEE 1149.1 boundary-scan testing via its dedicated TAP controller. The device implements standard instructions including EXTEST, INTEST, SAMPLE, PRELOAD, and BYPASS, and supports both system and test modes - enabling in-circuit verification of PCB interconnects and configuration integrity without requiring functional operation of the FPGA fabric or PowerPC core.

Can XC2VP4-5FG256I be configured using SPI flash memory?

No, XC2VP4-5FG256I does not support native SPI flash configuration. It supports Slave Serial, Master Serial, Slave SelectMAP, Master SelectMAP, and IEEE 1532 boundary-scan modes. To use SPI flash, an external microcontroller or CPLD must implement a configuration controller that loads the bitstream into XC2VP4-5FG256I via SelectMAP or serial mode - Xilinx does not provide integrated SPI boot capability for this device.

What I/O standards are supported by XC2VP4-5FG256I with on-chip termination?

XC2VP4-5FG256I supports Digitally Controlled Impedance (DCI) for on-chip termination across all 22 single-ended I/O standards (including LVCMOS 1.5/1.8/2.5/3.3 V, PCI-X, GTL) and selected differential standards (LVDS, BLVDS, ULVDS, LDT). DCI automatically calibrates termination resistance to match external reference resistors, eliminating discrete termination components and improving signal integrity in high-speed interfaces.

Is XC2VP4-5FG256I still recommended for new designs?

No, XC2VP4-5FG256I is marked "Product Not Recommended For New Designs" per Xilinx DS083 v5.0 (June 2011). While fully functional and supported for existing production, Xilinx recommends newer families (e.g., Kintex-7, Zynq-7000) for new projects due to superior performance, lower power, and enhanced toolchain support. Aetrix Electronics maintains inventory and lifecycle support for legacy industrial deployments.