AMD XCS40XL-4CS280C

Overview

XCS40XL-4CS280C from AMD (formerly Xilinx) is a Spartan-XL family FPGA with 40,000 system gates, 280-pin CSP BGA package, -4 speed grade, and 3.3 V I/O voltage. It implements configurable logic for digital signal processing in industrial control interfaces requiring deterministic timing and low-power reconfigurable fabric.

For engineers reviewing the XCS40XL-4CS280C datasheet, pinout, applications, or equivalent options, key selection criteria include system gate count, I/O voltage compatibility, speed grade timing performance, and CSP BGA thermal-mechanical behavior in space-constrained embedded designs.

Technical Context

The XCS40XL-4CS280C integrates configurable logic blocks (CLBs), input/output blocks (IOBs), and interconnect resources optimized for high-speed synchronous logic. It supports IEEE 1149.1 JTAG boundary-scan testing and uses SRAM-based configuration memory loaded via serial or parallel PROM.

Configuration occurs on power-up using external PROM or processor-controlled mode. The device lacks internal configuration memory and requires external nonvolatile storage to retain bitstream across power cycles.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

280-pin Chip-Scale Package Ball Grid Array (CSP BGA) with 17 × 17 array, 0.8 mm ball pitch, and standard JEDEC MO-220DA package outline. Thermal pad exposed on underside for enhanced heat dissipation in compact enclosures.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with XCS30XL-4CS280C and XCS50XL-4CS280C, the XCS40XL-4CS280C provides optimal balance of logic density, thermal profile, and timing margin for mid-complexity industrial control and test equipment where gate count directly impacts PCB layer count and BOM cost.

Availability

XCS40XL-4CS280C is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial PLC modules, automated test equipment, medical imaging subsystems, and avionics sensor hubs requiring stable component supply and long-term obsolescence management.

Supply support for XCS40XL-4CS280C 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 and supports the Spartan-XL FPGA family as part of its adaptive computing portfolio.

The Spartan-XL family was designed for cost-sensitive, high-volume embedded applications requiring reconfigurable logic with predictable timing and low static power consumption.

FAQ

What is the configuration method supported by the XCS40XL-4CS280C?

The XCS40XL-4CS280C supports Master Serial and Slave Parallel configuration modes. In Master Serial mode, it drives the configuration clock and reads bitstream from an external serial PROM. In Slave Parallel mode, an external controller loads the bitstream via the data bus. The XCS40XL-4CS280C does not contain on-chip configuration memory and relies entirely on external nonvolatile storage.

Does the XCS40XL-4CS280C support 5 V-tolerant I/O?

No, the XCS40XL-4CS280C operates exclusively at 3.3 V I/O voltage and is not 5 V-tolerant. All user I/O pins must be driven by and interface with 3.3 V logic families. Connecting 5 V signals directly risks permanent damage to the IOBs. Level-shifting circuitry is required for interoperability with 5 V systems.

What is the maximum operating frequency of the XCS40XL-4CS280C?

The XCS40XL-4CS280C has a -4 speed grade, guaranteeing a maximum CLB-to-CLB propagation delay of 8 ns, corresponding to a 125 MHz system clock frequency under typical conditions. Actual achievable frequency depends on design placement, routing, and I/O timing constraints, but the -4 grade sets the silicon-limited timing floor.

Is the XCS40XL-4CS280C pin-compatible with other Spartan-XL devices in the 280-pin CSP BGA package?

Yes, the XCS40XL-4CS280C shares identical pinout and package dimensions with other Spartan-XL devices in the 280-pin CSP BGA variant, including XCS30XL-4CS280C and XCS50XL-4CS280C. This allows direct PCB reuse across gate-count variants without layout modification.

What thermal considerations apply to the XCS40XL-4CS280C in enclosed industrial environments?

The XCS40XL-4CS280C uses a thermally enhanced CSP BGA with an exposed thermal pad. In sealed enclosures, airflow should exceed 200 LFM and board copper area under the device must include thermal vias to inner ground planes. Junction temperature must remain below 85 °C; derating is required above 70 °C ambient.