Xilinx is a top manufacturer of FPGA, known globally for releasing FPGA-related products and other new boards, which are relevant in different markets. Also, these boards ensure that the industry functions efficiently and securely. It also leads to faster, safer, as well as more reliable products.
In this article, we will be discussing what the Xilinx Spartan 3AN is, its features, as well as its devices. Please read on as we explain this FPGA family further.
What is Xilinx Spartan 3AN FPGA?
The Xilinx Spartan 3AN is made up of the best features and attributes of low cost, leading edge FPGA, and featuring non volatile technology across different densities. This family is made of all the great features of the Xilinx Spartan 3A family including leading technology, flash memory to help with configuration, as well as a data storage that is non volatile.
This Spartan 3AN is included in the extended Xilinx Spartan 3A family that includes Spartan 3AN FPGA as well as the higher density Xilinx Spartan 3A DSP FPGAs. Furthermore, the Xilinx Spartan 3AN FPGA is great for applications that are space-constrained like medical devices, blade servers, GPS, telematics, automotive infotainment, as well as some small consumer products. Also, it combines flash technology and FPGA to help minimize the PCB traces, chip count, as well as the overall size as you increase the system reliability.
Furthermore, the configuration interface of the Xilinx Spartan 3AN FPGA is self-contained and increases design security. This family offers complete support for the external configuration. Also, the xilinx Spartan 3AN is the first non-volatile FPGA in the world with MultiBoot and supporting at least two configuration files all in one device. Also, this allows alternative configurations to be made for test modes, field upgrades, as well as many system configurations.
Features of the Xilinx Spartan 3AN FPGA Family
Configuration of the Xilinx Spartan 3AN
This family is programmed with the help of loading the configuration data into reprogrammable, robust, and static CCLS, which collectively controls the routing resources and functional elements. Furthermore, the configuration data of the FPGA is stored on the chip in a non-volatile flash memory.
It can also be done externally inside a PROM, as well as other non-volatile mediums, which can be either off or on the board. Also, after the application of power, this configuration data is then written into the FPGA making use of one of these seven modes.
- Serial peripheral interface
- Master Serial
- SPI flash memory
- Slave parallel, which is usually downloaded from the processor
- Slave serial, which is usually downloaded from the processor
- Byte peripheral interface
- Boundary-Scan, which is usually downloaded from the system tester or processor
In-System Flash Memory
For each of the Xilinx Spartan 3AN family, it is made up of many SPI flash memories. These are mainly used in storing the configuration bitstream of the FPGA. However, the array of this flash memory is very large and will store a minimum of two non-volatile data or MultiBoot FPGA configuration necessary for the application of the FPGA like MicroBlaze code-shadowed processor applications.
Furthermore, after the configuration, the design of the FPGA will have a complete access to the flash memory through the internal SPI interface. Also, this control logic is then implemented with the FPGA logic. Furthermore, this FPGA application has the ability to store any non-volatile data, as well as offer in-system, live Flash features.
I/O Capabilities
This Xilinx Spartan 3AM SelectIO interface backs many well-known differential and single-ended standards. Also, the Xilinx Spartan 3an supports these single-ended standards.
- 3.3V at a frequency of 66 MHz or 33 MHz
- CMOS of low voltage at 1.2V, 1.5V, 1.8V, 2.5V, and 3.3V
- Low voltage TTL at 3.3V
- SSTL I as well as SSTL II at 3.3V, 2.5V, and 1.8V which are usually useful in memory applications
- HSTL I, HSTL II, and HSTL iii at 1.8V and 1.5V, which are very useful in the memory applications
In addition, the Xilinx Spartan 3AN backs these differential standards:
- Differential SSTL and HSTL I/O
- Bus LVDS input/output at 2.5V
- TMDS input/output at 3.3V
- PPDS, RSDS, mini-LVDS, LVDS input/output at 3.3V or 2.5V
- LVPECL inputs, usually at 3.3V or 2.5V
Package Marking
The markings for BGA packages are almost identical, especially for any quad-flat package. The only thing contrasting is that the rotation of the marking depends on the ball indicator. Also, devices featuring the dual mark are guaranteed only for the temperature range as well as the marked speed grade.
What are the Devices of the Xilinx Spartan 3AN FPGA Family?
The devices of the Xilinx Spartan 3AN FPGA family include:
XC3S1400AN-4FGG484C XC3S700AN-4FGG484I XC3S700AN-5FGG484C
XC3S700AN-4FGG484C XC3S700AN-5FG484C XC3S1400AN-4FG676C
XC3S700AN-4FG484I XC3S1400AN-5FGG676C XC3S700AN-4FG484C
XC3S1400AN-4FGG676I XC3S1400AN-4FG676I XC3S1400AN-4FGG676C
XC3S700AN-4FGG484I4346 XC3S700AN-4FGG484CES XC3S1400AN-5FG676C
XC3S1400AN-5FG484C XC3S1400AN-4FG484C XC3S1400AN-4FG484I
XC3S700AN-FGG484I XC3S700AN-6FGG484C XC3S700AN-6FGG484I
XC3S700AN-5FG484I XC3S1400AN-5FGG676I XC3S1400AN-FG676
XC3S1400AN-5FGG484C XC3S1400AN-4FGG484I
Features of the Xilinx Spartan 3A FPGA Devices
- Saves enough board space
- Also, it reduces the support issues
- MultiBoot support
- Simplifies the design
- Improves the ease of use
- Power management, hot swap, SelectIO, DCMs, multipliers, memory, etc.
- Also, it improves the ease of use
- Code shadowing
- About 11 Mb available
- New standard for nonvolatile low cost FPGA solutions
- Also, the configuration interface is buried
- Suspend mode helps in reducing the power consumption of the system
- Hot-swap compliance
- Quick response time
- Also, it retains the entire FPGA configuration data and design state
- Multi-standard, multi-voltage SelectIO interface pins
- Output drive of about 24 mA
- Flexible, abundant logic resources
- 227 signal pairs pr 502 input/output pins
- Dedicated block RAM of about 576 Kbits
- Distributed RAM of about 176 Kbits
- BGA Pb-free and low-cost QFP packaging options
Conclusion
Here comes the end of our article on the Xilinx Spartan 3AN FPGA family. The Xilinx Spartan 3AN FPGA is great for applications that are space-constrained like medical devices, blade servers, GPS, telematics, automotive infotainment, and other consumer products. In addition, it combines flash technology and FPGA to help minimize the PCB traces, chip count, as well as the overall size. If you need answers to some questions please feel free to contact us.
