AMD XCV50-4BG256C

Overview

XCV50-4BG256C from Xilinx is a 2.5 V SRAM-based Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) with 57,906 system gates, 1,728 logic cells, 180 user I/O pins, and four dedicated delay-locked loops (DLLs) for advanced clock control. It supports 66-MHz PCI compliance, hot-swappable operation in Compact PCI systems, and hierarchical memory configuration including LUTs usable as 16-bit RAM or shift registers.

For engineers reviewing the XCV50-4BG256C datasheet, pinout, applications, or equivalent options, this page delivers verified architecture details, I/O banking constraints, CLB-level timing behavior, SelectIO™ interface compatibility, and migration guidance from Virtex-1 generation design constraints.

Technical Context

The XCV50-4BG256C implements a regular array of Configurable Logic Blocks (CLBs), each containing two slices with four logic cells (LCs), carry chains, F5/F6 multiplexers for wide-input logic, and dual-port block RAMs. Its routing hierarchy includes General Routing Matrix (GRM), VersaRing™ I/O interconnect, and dedicated horizontal bus lines per CLB row.

It features eight I/O banks with independent VCCO and VREF supply domains, supporting mixed-voltage signaling standards such as LVTTL (3.3 V), LVCMOS2 (2.5 V), HSTL Class IV (1.5 V), and SSTL3 (3.3 V) - subject to bank-level voltage co-location rules. All IOBs include IEEE 1149.1 boundary-scan logic and configurable weak-keeper circuits.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 256-ball Fine-Pitch Ball Grid Array (BG256), 1.27 mm pitch, RoHS-compliant, commercial temperature range (0°C to +85°C).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with XCV50-4BG256C, the -5 variant improves timing margin without layout change, while XCV100-4BG256C increases logic density and memory within identical BG256 mechanical constraints - both retain full toolchain compatibility with Xilinx Foundation and Alliance software.

Availability

XCV50-4BG256C is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for PCI-compliant embedded controllers, high-speed data acquisition systems, telecom line card interfaces, and legacy ASIC emulation requiring stable component supply through obsolescence management programs.

Supply support for XCV50-4BG256C 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, Inc. is a pioneering programmable logic company founded in 1984, acquired by AMD in 2022, and historically responsible for introducing the first commercial FPGA architecture.

The Virtex family - including XCV50-4BG256C - was designed for high-performance, high-density system integration in telecommunications infrastructure, military/aerospace platforms, and industrial automation where reconfigurability and silicon efficiency were critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency supported by XCV50-4BG256C?

XCV50-4BG256C supports synchronous system clock rates up to 200 MHz when using DLL-compensated clock networks and optimized placement. The -4 speed grade guarantees timing closure for register-to-register paths at 160 MHz under worst-case commercial conditions (0°C to +85°C, 2.5 V ±5%). Actual achievable frequency depends on design topology, routing congestion, and I/O standard selection.

Does XCV50-4BG256C support hot-swap operation in Compact PCI systems?

Yes, XCV50-4BG256C is explicitly designed for hot-swappable Compact PCI applications. Its I/O structure meets PCI 66-MHz electrical specifications, and its configuration architecture allows safe power-up sequencing and isolation during card insertion/removal. The device includes bus-hold circuitry and programmable weak-keeper logic to maintain signal integrity during transition states.

How many block RAMs does XCV50-4BG256C contain, and what are their configurations?

XCV50-4BG256C contains eight 4,096-bit block SelectRAMs totaling 32,768 bits. Each block is a fully synchronous dual-ported RAM with independent address, data, and control buses per port. Supported configurations include 1×4096, 2×2048, 4×1024, 8×512, and 16×256 - enabling flexible FIFO depth/width trade-offs and on-chip buffer memory without consuming CLB resources.

Can XCV50-4BG256C interface directly with 5 V TTL devices?

XCV50-4BG256C supports 5 V tolerant inputs for LVTTL, LVCMOS2, and PCI 5 V standards, but only when configured with appropriate VCCO and termination. Outputs are not 5 V tolerant - they operate at VCCO levels (1.5 V, 2.5 V, or 3.3 V). Direct connection to 5 V logic requires external level-shifting or clamping for output signals; input-only connections may use series resistors and rely on internal Zener protection.

What configuration modes are supported by XCV50-4BG256C?

XCV50-4BG256C supports four configuration modes: Master Serial (loads bitstream from external PROM), Slave Serial (receives bitstream from host processor), SelectMAP™ (8-bit parallel interface with handshaking), and JTAG (boundary-scan based programming and debugging). All modes use the same BG256 pinout; mode selection is determined by INIT_B, PROGRAM_B, and mode pins at power-up.