AMD XC3S50-4TQG144C

Overview

XC3S50-4TQG144C from AMD (formerly Xilinx) is a Spartan-3 FPGA with 50,000 system gates, 1,728 logic cells, and 144-pin TQFP package. It operates at -4 speed grade (100 MHz system clock), supports 3.3V I/O, and includes embedded block RAM and DLLs for clock management. It is used in industrial control logic and low-cost communication interface bridging.

For engineers reviewing the XC3S50-4TQG144C datasheet, pinout, applications, or equivalent options, key selection factors include logic density, I/O voltage compatibility, DLL-based clock deskew capability, and TQFP-144 thermal and routing constraints.

Technical Context

The XC3S50-4TQG144C implements a configurable logic fabric based on 4-input LUTs and flip-flops, with dedicated carry logic for arithmetic. It integrates twelve 18-kbit block RAMs (total 216 kbits), four digital clock managers (DCMs), and supports SelectIO standards including LVCMOS, LVTTL, and PCI.

Configuration is performed via Master Serial mode using external PROM or JTAG boundary-scan. The device requires separate VCCINT (1.2V) and VCCO (3.3V) supplies, and supports multi-voltage I/O banks with independent bank voltage assignment.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

XC3S50-4TQG144C is housed in a 144-lead Thin Quad Flat Pack (TQFP) with 0.5 mm pitch, 20×20 mm body, and exposed thermal pad. Package meets JEDEC MS-026 standard and supports reflow soldering.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar FPGA logic and clock management applications.

Compared with XC3S50-4TQG144C, the XC3S100-4TQG144C offers headroom for logic growth within the same footprint, while XC3S50-4PQ208C trades compactness for I/O scalability-neither is pin-compatible, but both share identical configuration and DCM architecture.

Availability

XC3S50-4TQG144C is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial automation, legacy interface modernization, and entry-level video timing applications requiring stable component supply and long-term obsolescence planning.

Supply support for XC3S50-4TQG144C 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 now develops adaptive computing platforms including FPGAs, ACAPs, and related software tools.

The Spartan-3 family was originally designed by Xilinx for cost-sensitive, high-volume applications requiring predictable performance, low power, and ease of integration-especially in industrial and communications edge devices.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency supported by XC3S50-4TQG144C?

The XC3S50-4TQG144C is rated for 100 MHz system clock operation under worst-case commercial conditions (0°C to 85°C, VCCINT = 1.14V–1.26V). This speed grade (-4) applies to internal logic paths and DCM outputs, though actual achievable frequency depends on design placement, routing, and timing closure during implementation.

Does XC3S50-4TQG144C support JTAG programming and debugging?

Yes, XC3S50-4TQG144C fully supports IEEE 1149.1 JTAG boundary-scan for in-system programming, configuration verification, and debug access. Pins TCK, TMS, TDI, and TDO are dedicated for this purpose and require proper pull-up/pull-down biasing per Xilinx UG332 guidelines.

What power supply voltages does XC3S50-4TQG144C require?

XC3S50-4TQG144C requires two independent supplies: VCCINT = 1.2V ±5% for the core logic and VCCO = 3.3V ±10% for I/O banks. Each I/O bank may be set to different VCCO voltages, but all pins in a given bank must share the same VCCO value.

Can XC3S50-4TQG144C be configured using a serial PROM?

Yes, XC3S50-4TQG144C supports Master Serial configuration mode using standard Xilinx Platform Flash PROMs (e.g., XCF02S). The configuration bitstream loads automatically on power-up when PROGRAM_B is asserted and DONE goes high, enabling unattended boot without host processor involvement.

How many block RAMs does XC3S50-4TQG144C contain?

XC3S50-4TQG144C contains twelve 18-kbit block RAMs, totaling 216 kbits of true dual-port synchronous memory. These are distributed across the device fabric and can be instantiated as single-port RAM, dual-port RAM, ROM, or shift registers using Xilinx ISE primitives.