AMD XCV50E-8PQ240C

Overview

XCV50E-8PQ240C from Xilinx is a 1.8 V SRAM-based Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) with 20,736 logic cells, 176 user I/O pins in PQ240 package, and eight digital Delay-Locked Loops (DLLs). It delivers 130 MHz internal performance (four LUT levels), supports LVDS/BLVDS/LVPECL differential I/O up to 622 Mb/s, and targets high-speed communication and embedded control applications requiring reconfigurable logic.

For engineers reviewing the XCV50E-8PQ240C datasheet, pinout, applications, or equivalent options, key selection criteria include its -8 speed grade (guaranteed 133 MHz system clock), 1.8 V core voltage, PCI-compliant 3.3 V I/O, and support for true dual-port block RAM at 250 MHz - critical for protocol bridging, video processing pipelines, and real-time signal conditioning.

Technical Context

The XCV50E-8PQ240C implements a regular array architecture of Configurable Logic Blocks (CLBs) and Input/Output Blocks (IOBs) interconnected via a General Routing Matrix (GRM) and VersaRing peripheral routing. Each CLB contains four logic cells with 4-input LUTs, dedicated carry chains, and dual flip-flops per slice with independent clock enable and synchronous/asynchronous set/reset.

Its IOBs support 20 interface standards including LVTTL, LVCMOS2, SSTL3, HSTL, and differential LVDS/LVPECL, with banked VCCO and VREF constraints. Eight DLLs provide zero-delay clock conversion, 50% duty cycle synthesis for DDR, and frequency multiplication - enabling precise timing control across mixed-voltage I/O domains and high-speed source-synchronous interfaces.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

PQ240 refers to a 240-pin Plastic Quad Flat Package (PQFP) with 0.5 mm pitch, 32.5 mm × 32.5 mm body size, and exposed thermal pad. Pin assignment follows Xilinx's standardized Virtex-E PQ240 pinout layout with dedicated global clock inputs (GCLK0–GCLK3), configuration pins (INIT, PROGRAM, DONE), JTAG boundary-scan (TCK/TMS/TDI/TDO), and banked VCCO/VREF pins.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with XCV50E-8PQ240C, the -7 variant trades 7% timing margin for cost savings, while the XCV100E-8PQ240C doubles logic capacity within the same PQ240 footprint - making it ideal for scalable architectures where I/O count and package compatibility are preserved.

Availability

XCV50E-8PQ240C is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for high-reliability industrial control, communications infrastructure, and test equipment requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for XCV50E-8PQ240C 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 FPGA technology and developed the Virtex family as high-performance programmable logic solutions for demanding compute and connectivity applications.

The Virtex-E product line was engineered for 1.8 V operation and enhanced I/O flexibility, targeting applications needing PCI compliance, differential signaling, and integrated memory - such as telecom line cards and military avionics.

FAQ

What is the maximum guaranteed system clock frequency for XCV50E-8PQ240C?

The XCV50E-8PQ240C speed grade -8 guarantees a maximum synchronous system clock frequency of 133 MHz under worst-case timing conditions, validated by its 4.3 ns register-to-register delay specification. This applies to internal logic paths; actual achievable frequency depends on design complexity, placement, and routing. The device supports higher I/O rates (e.g., 622 Mb/s LVDS) using source-synchronous techniques independent of the system clock.

Does XCV50E-8PQ240C support true dual-port block RAM?

Yes, XCV50E-8PQ240C includes 16 block RAM units totaling 65,536 bits, each configured as true dual-port synchronous RAM with independent read/write addresses, enables, and clocks per port. This allows concurrent access for applications like FIFOs, frame buffers, or lookup tables without arbitration logic - a key differentiator from single-port or pseudo-dual-port alternatives.

Can XCV50E-8PQ240C interface directly with 3.3 V PCI buses?

Yes, XCV50E-8PQ240C is fully compliant with 3.3 V PCI specifications for both 33 MHz and 66 MHz operation. Its I/O buffers support LVTTL and PCI signaling standards at 3.3 V, with 10 mA drive strength and fast slew rate control. No external level shifters are needed, though proper termination and noise suppression per PCI spec must be implemented on the PCB.

How many differential I/O pairs does XCV50E-8PQ240C support?

XCV50E-8PQ240C supports up to 83 differential I/O pairs in the PQ240 package, corresponding to 166 pins used for LVDS, BLVDS, or LVPECL signaling. These are allocated across I/O banks with shared VCCO and VREF constraints; actual usable count depends on bank partitioning and voltage assignments per design requirements.

Is XCV50E-8PQ240C pin-compatible with other Virtex-E devices in PQ240 package?

Yes, XCV50E-8PQ240C shares identical pinout with XCV100E-8PQ240C and XCV200E-8PQ240C in the PQ240 package, as confirmed in Xilinx DS022-4 (Pinout Tables). All three devices use the same 240-pin mapping, enabling hardware reuse across density tiers - though higher-density variants may leave some pins as no-connect or require updated I/O banking constraints.