AMD XC3S50-5TQG144C

Overview

XC3S50-5TQG144C from AMD (formerly Xilinx) is a Spartan-3 FPGA with 50,000 system gates, 1,728 logic cells, 120 I/O pins, and a -5 speed grade operating at up to 333 MHz; used in industrial control logic, digital signal preprocessing, and low-power embedded interface bridging.

For engineers reviewing the XC3S50-5TQG144C datasheet, pinout, applications, or equivalent options, key selection criteria include I/O count, logic cell density, TQFP-144 package compatibility, LVCMOS25/LVCMOS33 I/O support, and single-ended clock input capability.

Technical Context

The XC3S50-5TQG144C implements a hierarchical FPGA architecture with configurable logic blocks (CLBs), distributed RAM, and dedicated multipliers. It supports SelectIO standards including LVCMOS, LVTTL, and PCI, with programmable slew rate and drive strength per I/O bank.

It features four global clock networks, internal DCM (Digital Clock Manager) for frequency synthesis and phase alignment, and configuration via Master Serial, Slave Serial, or JTAG modes using external PROM or processor-controlled loading.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

TQFP-144 (Thin Quad Flat Package, 20 mm × 20 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) with exposed thermal pad; RoHS-compliant, lead-free finish.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar FPGA-based logic implementation applications.

Compared with XC3S50-5TQG144C, the XC3S100-5TQG144C offers direct pin-compatible scalability within the same footprint, while XC3S200-5PQ208C delivers significantly greater logic and memory resources at the cost of package migration and routing effort.

Availability

XC3S50-5TQG144C is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial automation, medical instrumentation, and automotive diagnostics requiring stable component supply and long-term obsolescence management.

Supply support for XC3S50-5TQG144C 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 continues development and support of the Spartan FPGA family for cost-sensitive, high-volume embedded applications.

The Spartan-3 series, including XC3S50-5TQG144C, was designed for non-volatile, low-power logic replacement in space-constrained industrial and communications equipment.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the XC3S50-5TQG144C?

The XC3S50-5TQG144C has a -5 speed grade, guaranteeing timing closure for critical paths up to 333 MHz under worst-case industrial temperature and voltage conditions. Actual achievable frequency depends on design placement, routing, and clock domain structure. The XC3S50-5TQG144C DCM supports internal multiplication up to 384 MHz for derived clocks.

Does the XC3S50-5TQG144C support JTAG programming?

Yes, the XC3S50-5TQG144C supports IEEE 1149.1 JTAG boundary-scan and configuration through TMS, TCK, TDI, and TDO pins. JTAG mode allows in-system programming, debugging, and verification without requiring external PROM. The XC3S50-5TQG144C also supports Master Serial and Slave Serial configuration methods.

What I/O standards are supported by the XC3S50-5TQG144C?

The XC3S50-5TQG144C supports LVCMOS, LVTTL, PCI, and HSTL I/O standards across its 120 user I/O pins, with per-bank voltage selection (1.2 V to 3.3 V). Each I/O bank can be independently configured, enabling mixed-voltage operation. The XC3S50-5TQG144C does not support differential standards like LVDS or RSDS.

Is the XC3S50-5TQG144C RoHS compliant?

Yes, the XC3S50-5TQG144C is RoHS compliant and manufactured with lead-free finish. It meets EU Directive 2011/65/EU requirements and carries the appropriate marking. The TQFP-144 package uses matte tin plating and complies with JEDEC J-STD-020 moisture sensitivity level 3 (MSL3).

How many Digital Clock Managers (DCMs) does the XC3S50-5TQG144C include?

The XC3S50-5TQG144C integrates two fully independent Digital Clock Managers (DCMs). Each DCM provides input jitter filtering, frequency synthesis (multiply/divide), phase shifting, and duty cycle correction. These DCMs are essential for managing clock domains in the XC3S50-5TQG144C and eliminate the need for external clock ICs in most designs.