AMD XC5215-6HQ208I

Overview

XC5215-6HQ208I from Xilinx is a 0.5 µm SRAM-based Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) with 1,936 logic cells, 244 I/O pins, and four dedicated low-skew global clock nets. It implements combinational and sequential logic via 4-input LUTs and D-flip-flops/latches per logic cell, and supports IEEE 1149.1 boundary scan for board-level testability in industrial control and legacy telecom interface applications.

For engineers reviewing the XC5215-6HQ208I datasheet, pinout, applications, or equivalent options, key selection criteria include logic density (23,000 gate equivalent), VersaRing™ I/O flexibility, programmable slew-rate control, zero hold-time input timing guarantee, and compatibility with Xilinx Foundation design tools targeting cost-sensitive reconfigurable logic implementations.

Technical Context

The XC5215-6HQ208I uses a VersaBlock™ architecture comprising 484 Configurable Logic Blocks (CLBs), each containing four independent Logic Cells (LCs) with 4-input LUTs, edge-triggered D-flip-flops or transparent latches, and dedicated carry logic. Its Local Interconnect Matrix (LIM) provides full intra-CLB connectivity without consuming general routing resources.

It features a VersaRing™ I/O interface decoupling IOBs from core logic, enabling up to 244 user I/Os with programmable input delay, 8 mA drive strength, TTL/CMOS threshold selection, and IEEE 1149.1 boundary scan on all pins - but no IOB flip-flops, requiring CLB registers for registered I/O paths.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

XC5215-6HQ208I is housed in a 208-pin Plastic Quad Flat Pack (PQFP) with 0.5 mm pitch, designated HQ208. The package supports footprint compatibility across XC5200 and XC4000 series devices.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with XC5215-6PQ208I, XC5215-6HQ208I offers identical functionality in an HQ208 package optimized for thermal performance; compared with XC4013E-6PQ208C, it trades embedded RAM for higher I/O count and VersaRing™-enabled pin locking - making XC5215-6HQ208I preferable for I/O-intensive, timing-critical legacy system upgrades.

Availability

XC5215-6HQ208I is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial motion control, legacy telecom interface, automated test equipment, and avionics data acquisition requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for XC5215-6HQ208I 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, pioneered commercial FPGA technology and developed the XC5200 series to deliver cost-optimized, reprogrammable logic for mid-density applications in the late 1990s.

The XC5200 family-including XC5215-6HQ208I-was designed for cost-sensitive, high-I/O-count applications where pin-locking, deterministic timing, and JTAG testability were prioritized over embedded memory or ultra-high speed.

FAQ

What is the maximum system clock frequency supported by XC5215-6HQ208I?

The XC5215-6HQ208I is rated for system performance beyond 50 MHz, with actual achievable frequency depending on design complexity and routing. Benchmarks show synchronous operation exceeding 66 MHz in optimized paths. The -6 speed grade indicates worst-case propagation delays aligned to this timing target, and the four dedicated low-skew global clock nets help maintain timing closure across large logic blocks in XC5215-6HQ208I designs.

Does XC5215-6HQ208I include internal configuration memory or require external PROM?

XC5215-6HQ208I is an SRAM-based FPGA and does not contain non-volatile configuration memory. It requires external configuration PROM or processor-controlled loading at power-up. Configuration occurs via master serial, slave serial, or JTAG modes, with the PROGRAM pin initiating reinitialization. The XC5215-6HQ208I bitstream must be reloaded each time power is applied, which is inherent to its SRAM architecture.

Can XC5215-6HQ208I interface directly with 3.3 V devices?

XC5215-6HQ208I operates at 5 V and supports TTL input thresholds (1.2 V), allowing reliable interfacing with 3.3 V CMOS outputs when configured in TTL mode. However, its outputs swing rail-to-rail at 5 V and may exceed absolute maximum ratings of 3.3 V receivers. Level-shifting circuitry or bus-hold resistors are required for safe 5 V → 3.3 V signal transmission. The XC5215-6HQ208I datasheet explicitly states that 3.3 V outputs driving XC5215-6HQ208I inputs are reliable only in TTL mode.

What is the purpose of the programmable input delay in XC5215-6HQ208I IOBs?

XC5215-6HQ208I IOBs include a one-tap programmable input delay element primarily to eliminate hold-time violations. By inserting fixed delay on the data path, it ensures zero hold time relative to clocks distributed through the four global nets - critical for robust operation across voltage and temperature variations. This feature simplifies timing closure for registered inputs without requiring manual clock skew tuning or layout adjustments in XC5215-6HQ208I-based systems.

Is XC5215-6HQ208I still in production or considered obsolete?

XC5215-6HQ208I is classified as obsolete or under obsolescence per Xilinx documentation dated November 1998. No new production lots are manufactured, and long-term availability relies on remaining franchised inventory and authorized surplus channels. Aetrix Electronics maintains traceable, tested stock of XC5215-6HQ208I for legacy system repair and sustainment, with full lifecycle coordination support for customers maintaining deployed XC5200-based hardware.