AMD XC5VSX240T-2FFG1738C

Overview

XC5VSX240T-2FFG1738C from AMD (formerly Xilinx) is a Virtex-5 SXT family FPGA with 240,000 logic cells, 12.8 Gb/s total serial I/O bandwidth, and integrated PowerPC 440 hard processor cores. It features 16 multi-gigabit transceivers operating up to 3.75 Gb/s, 128 DSP48E slices, and supports PCI Express x8 Gen1 endpoint functionality in telecom line-card control applications.

For engineers reviewing the XC5VSX240T-2FFG1738C datasheet, pinout, applications, or equivalent options, key selection criteria include transceiver count and rate, embedded processor availability, DSP resource density, and thermal performance in high-speed backplane interface designs.

Technical Context

The XC5VSX240T-2FFG1738C implements a 65 nm copper CMOS process with dual-register LUTs, hierarchical clocking with 16 global clock networks, and SelectIO technology supporting LVDS, SSTL, HSTL, and differential signaling standards up to 1.25 Gb/s. It integrates two PowerPC 440 cores with 32 kB instruction and 32 kB data caches each, plus 512 kB on-chip Block RAM.

Its 16 RocketIO GTP transceivers support protocols including Serial RapidIO, Aurora, and 10 Gigabit Ethernet PHY layer, with programmable pre-emphasis and receiver equalization. Configuration occurs via Master SelectMAP or JTAG, with bitstream encryption and HMAC authentication enabled.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

XC5VSX240T-2FFG1738C is housed in a 1738-pin Flip-Chip Fine-Pitch Ball Grid Array (FFG) package with 1.0 mm ball pitch, designed for high thermal dissipation and signal integrity in dense PCB layouts.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar high-performance FPGA applications.

Compared with XC5VLX330T-2FFG1738C and XCVU3P-2FFVD1760E, the XC5VSX240T-2FFG1738C uniquely balances embedded processing, mature transceiver reliability, and legacy protocol support-making it optimal for field-upgradable telecom infrastructure where PowerPC firmware reuse and long-term qualification matter.

Availability

XC5VSX240T-2FFG1738C is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for telecom infrastructure upgrades, avionics retrofit programs, and industrial test equipment requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for XC5VSX240T-2FFG1738C 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 is a global semiconductor leader delivering adaptive computing solutions, acquired Xilinx in 2022 to expand its FPGA and adaptive SoC portfolio.

The Virtex-5 SXT family was engineered for high-bandwidth, low-latency system integration in wired communications and defense electronics, emphasizing hardened processor subsystems and multi-gigabit serial I/O.

FAQ

What is the maximum transceiver data rate supported by the XC5VSX240T-2FFG1738C?

The XC5VSX240T-2FFG1738C supports a maximum transceiver data rate of 3.75 Gb/s per RocketIO GTP lane. This rate is guaranteed under speed grade -2 conditions with proper reference clock stability and PCB interconnect design meeting Xilinx's IBIS-AMI modeling requirements. The XC5VSX240T-2FFG1738C achieves this using adaptive equalization and programmable pre-emphasis settings configured via the transceiver wizard in Vivado.

Does the XC5VSX240T-2FFG1738C include embedded processor cores?

Yes, the XC5VSX240T-2FFG1738C integrates two hardened PowerPC 440 processor cores, each with 32 kB instruction cache and 32 kB data cache, plus 512 kB of on-chip Block RAM accessible to both cores. These cores run independently of the FPGA fabric and support full Linux BSPs. The XC5VSX240T-2FFG1738C uses these cores for control-plane tasks while the programmable logic handles data-plane acceleration.

What configuration modes does the XC5VSX240T-2FFG1738C support?

The XC5VSX240T-2FFG1738C supports Master SelectMAP, Slave SelectMAP, JTAG, and Serial configuration modes. Master SelectMAP allows boot from external SPI flash with automatic fallback to JTAG if configuration fails. The XC5VSX240T-2FFG1738C also supports bitstream encryption and HMAC authentication during configuration to prevent unauthorized programming.

Is the XC5VSX240T-2FFG1738C pin-compatible with other Virtex-5 devices in the FFG1738 package?

No, the XC5VSX240T-2FFG1738C is not pin-compatible with other Virtex-5 families in the FFG1738 package due to differing I/O bank arrangements, power pin allocations, and transceiver placement. While the physical footprint matches, the XC5VSX240T-2FFG1738C requires unique PCB layout and power delivery design per Xilinx UG192. Pin mapping must be verified against the specific XC5VSX240T-2FFG1738C pinout table.

What thermal management guidance applies to the XC5VSX240T-2FFG1738C?

The XC5VSX240T-2FFG1738C requires a thermal solution capable of maintaining junction temperature below 100°C under worst-case static and dynamic power conditions. Xilinx recommends a 25 mm² copper thermal pad on the PCB underside, 2.0 W thermal resistance heatsink, and forced airflow ≥200 LFM. Thermal simulation using the XC5VSX240T-2FFG1738C power model in XPE is mandatory before final layout release.