Lattice LCMXO2280C-5FT324C: A Comprehensive Technical Overview of the Low-Cost FPGA

The Lattice LCMXO2280C-5FT324C is a prominent member of the Lattice MachXO™ family, representing a significant solution in the realm of low-cost, low-power FPGAs. Designed for a wide array of general-purpose applications, this device strikes a careful balance between capacity, performance, and power efficiency, making it an ideal choice for system control, power management, and bridging functions in consumer, industrial, and communication systems.

At its core, this FPGA features 2280 Look-Up Tables (LUTs) as its fundamental logic building blocks. This provides a sufficient logic density to implement complex state machines, glue logic, and various interface protocols. The device is built on a proven non-volatile technology, which offers the critical advantage of instant-on operation. This means the device configures itself immediately at power-up without requiring an external boot PROM, simplifying board design and improving system reliability.

The part number specifies the -5 speed grade, indicating a robust performance level for most control-oriented applications. The package is a 324-ball Fine-Pitch Ball Grid Array (ftBGA). This FT324C package offers a high number of user I/Os in a relatively compact footprint, enabling connections to a multitude of peripheral devices and interfaces. A key architectural strength of the MachXO family is its flexible I/O structure. The LCMXO2280C supports multiple I/O standards, including LVCMOS, LVTTL, PCI, and LVDS, providing designers with the versatility to interface with various voltage levels and signaling types across a system.

Furthermore, the device integrates embedded memory in the form of distributed and block RAM (EBR). This on-chip memory is invaluable for storing data, implementing FIFOs, or acting as a small buffer, reducing the need for external memory components and further lowering the total system cost. For clock management, it features Programmable Phase-Locked Loops (PPLs) that allow for clock synthesis, multiplication, division, and phase shifting, ensuring precise clock control throughout the design.

Power consumption is a standout feature. The device leverages Lattice’s low-power process technology, making it suitable for power-sensitive applications. This focus on power efficiency, combined with its small form factor and integration capabilities, positions it perfectly for portable and battery-operated devices.

In summary, the Lattice LCMXO2280C-5FT324C is a highly integrated and economical FPGA. It delivers just the right amount of logic, memory, and I/O in a low-power, instant-on package, effectively replacing fixed-function ASICs and ASSPs to provide greater design flexibility and faster time-to-market.

ICGOODFIND: The Lattice LCMXO2280C-5FT324C is a cost-optimized FPGA that excels in power-sensitive control applications, offering a strong feature set of logic, memory, and flexible I/O in a compact package, making it a superior choice for system integration and bridging tasks.

Keywords:

1. Low-Cost FPGA

2. Instant-On Operation

3. Flexible I/O

4. Low-Power

5. System Control