AMD XC7A50T-1FTG256C

Overview

XC7A50T-1FTG256C from AMD (formerly Xilinx) is a Kintex-7 family FPGA with 47,520 logic cells, 210 DSP slices, 2.85 Mb of block RAM, and 16 GTX transceivers operating up to 6.6 Gb/s. It is packaged in a 256-pin Fine-Pitch Ball Grid Array (FBGA) with 0.8 mm pitch and supports industrial temperature range (–40°C to +100°C).

For engineers reviewing the XC7A50T-1FTG256C datasheet, pinout, applications, or equivalent options, key selection factors include I/O count (170 user I/Os), transceiver speed grade (–1 speed grade), configuration interface (SPIx4/JTAG), and thermal design requirements for convection-cooled embedded systems.

Technical Context

The XC7A50T-1FTG256C implements a 28 nm HKMG process architecture with configurable logic blocks (CLBs), distributed RAM, shift registers, and dedicated carry chains. It supports SelectIO standards including LVCMOS, SSTL, HSTL, and differential signaling such as LVDS and TMDS.

Configuration is performed via Master SPI or JTAG, with support for fallback and multi-boot modes. The device integrates a dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore processor only in Zynq-7000 series-not in Kintex-7-so XC7A50T-1FTG256C is a pure programmable logic device without integrated processing subsystem.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

XC7A50T-1FTG256C is housed in a 256-ball Fine-Pitch BGA (FTG) package with 0.8 mm ball pitch, 17 mm × 17 mm body size, and 1.05 mm height. Thermal pad on underside requires PCB thermal via array per Xilinx UG475.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with XC7A50T-1FTG256C, XC7A75T-1FTG256C offers headroom for algorithm expansion without board changes, while XC7A35T-1FTG256C reduces unit cost where logic density and memory bandwidth are less critical-both share pin-compatible packaging but differ in performance ceiling and power envelope.

Availability

XC7A50T-1FTG256C is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for wireless infrastructure, industrial vision, medical imaging, and test equipment requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for XC7A50T-1FTG256C 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 Kintex-7 family, including XC7A50T-1FTG256C, was designed for high-performance, cost-optimized applications demanding balanced logic, DSP, memory, and serial connectivity-targeting communications, video, and industrial systems.

FAQ

What is the maximum supported transceiver data rate for XC7A50T-1FTG256C?

The XC7A50T-1FTG256C integrates GTX transceivers rated for operation up to 6.6 Gb/s per lane. This specification is guaranteed under industrial temperature conditions and –1 speed grade, supporting protocols including PCIe Gen2, CPRI, and Serial RapidIO. Actual achievable rate depends on PCB layout quality, reference clock stability, and equalization settings configured in Vivado.

Does XC7A50T-1FTG256C include an integrated processor core?

No, XC7A50T-1FTG256C is a pure FPGA without embedded processors. It belongs to the Kintex-7 family, which lacks the dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 found in Zynq-7000 SoCs. All processing must be implemented using programmable logic or external microprocessors interfaced via I/O or high-speed transceivers.

What configuration modes does XC7A50T-1FTG256C support?

XC7A50T-1FTG256C supports Master SPI (x1/x2/x4), Slave Serial, JTAG, and BPI modes. Configuration is selected using M0–M2 pins. SPI x4 is most common for fast, single-image loading from flash; JTAG is used for debugging and in-system programming during development and field updates.

How many user I/O banks does XC7A50T-1FTG256C have, and what voltage levels are supported?

XC7A50T-1FTG256C has 10 user I/O banks supporting selectable I/O standards. Each bank operates at 1.2 V, 1.35 V, 1.5 V, 1.8 V, 2.5 V, or 3.3 V, enabling mixed-voltage interfacing with legacy and modern peripherals. Bank-specific VCCO supplies must be independently regulated and decoupled.

Is partial reconfiguration supported on XC7A50T-1FTG256C?

Yes, XC7A50T-1FTG256C fully supports partial reconfiguration through Vivado Design Suite. This capability allows dynamic replacement of logic modules while the rest of the design remains operational-critical for applications like adaptive radio protocols or real-time system upgrades without service interruption.