Microchip AGL250V2-FG144I: Low-Power FPGA for Embedded System Design
In the rapidly evolving landscape of embedded systems, designers face the constant challenge of balancing performance, power consumption, and cost. The Microchip AGL250V2-FG144I emerges as a compelling solution, specifically engineered to meet the demands of power-sensitive and space-constrained applications. As part of the low-power IGLOO® 2 FPGA family, this device offers a unique blend of programmability, efficiency, and reliability.
The core strength of the AGL250V2 lies in its ultra-low power consumption. Built on a 65-nanometer flash-based process, this FPGA utilizes a single flash cell for configuration storage. This architecture eliminates the high in-rush current and configuration overhead associated with SRAM-based FPGAs, enabling a dramatically lower static power profile. This feature is critical for battery-operated devices, portable medical equipment, and always-on applications where every milliwatt counts. Furthermore, the device supports the FlashFreeze technology, allowing the system to enter and exit an ultra-low-power state in microseconds while retaining all SRAM and register data, effectively reducing power consumption to a minimum during idle periods.
Despite its focus on low power, the AGL250V2-FG144I does not compromise on capability. With 250,000 system gates, it provides ample programmable logic resources for a wide range of functions. The device features a high-performance memory system, including embedded block RAM (eSRAM) and non-volatile memory (NVM), facilitating efficient data storage and processing. Its 144-pin Fine-Pitch Ball Grid Array (FG144) package ensures a compact footprint, making it ideal for applications where board real estate is at a premium.
Connectivity is another area where this FPGA excels. It is equipped with advanced I/O capabilities supporting various standards such as LVCMOS, LVDS, and PCI Express. This flexibility allows seamless integration with a multitude of sensors, processors, and peripherals, making it a versatile hub in an embedded design. The inclusion of hardened intellectual property (IP) blocks, such as SPI and I2C controllers, further accelerates development and reduces the logic resource burden on the designer.
For system architects, the AGL250V2 is supported by Microchip's Libero® SoC Design Suite, a comprehensive toolset that streamlines the entire design flow from synthesis and simulation to place-and-route and debugging. This robust software environment, combined with the FPGA's live-at-power-up capability and high immunity to radiation-induced upsets, ensures a reliable and secure development process for mission-critical applications.
ICGOOODFIND: The Microchip AGL250V2-FG144I stands out as a highly efficient and reliable low-power FPGA. Its flash-based technology, FlashFreeze capability, and robust feature set make it an exceptional choice for designers creating next-generation embedded systems in automotive, industrial, communications, and medical markets, where longevity and energy efficiency are paramount.
Keywords: Low-Power FPGA, Flash-Based, Embedded Systems, FlashFreeze, IGLOO® 2
