Lattice LFXP2-30E-5F484C: An In-Depth Technical Overview of the Low-Density FPGA

The Lattice LFXP2-30E-5F484C is a specific member of Lattice Semiconductor's LatticeXP2 family, a series of non-volatile, low-density FPGAs engineered to bridge the gap between high-performance CPLDs and larger, more complex FPGAs. This device is particularly optimized for applications requiring instant-on operation, low power consumption, and a high level of integration in a compact form factor.

At the core of the LFXP2-30E lies its innovative non-volatile technology. Unlike SRAM-based FPGAs that require an external boot PROM, the LFXP2 family incorporates flash cells directly within the die to store the configuration data. This enables a fast startup time of less than 1ms, making it ideal for systems that must become operational immediately upon power-up, such as in automotive, industrial control, and communications infrastructure.

The device identifier provides key information about its capabilities:

LFXP2: Denotes the product family.

30E: Specifies the logic density, which in this case is approximately 30,000 LUTs (Look-Up Tables). This places it firmly in the low-density segment, offering ample resources for control-oriented logic, glue logic, and bridging functions without the overhead of a high-end FPGA.

5F484C: Indicates the package type (Fine-pitch Ball Grid Array, or ftBGA), the number of pins (484), and the device grade (Commercial temperature range, 0°C to +85°C).

The architecture is built around a fundamental Programmable Functional Unit (PFU) that contains logic, arithmetic, and RAM elements. These PFUs are interconnected through a high-performance, low-skew routing hierarchy. The LFXP2-30E-5F484C is rich in embedded memory, featuring block RAM (EBR) and distributed RAM, providing flexible data storage and FIFO implementation options. Furthermore, it includes dedicated DSP blocks for efficient implementation of multipliers and arithmetic functions, offloading these tasks from the core logic fabric.

A significant number of its 484 pins are user I/Os, which support a wide range of single-ended and differential I/O standards, including LVCMOS, LVTTL, LVDS, LVPECL, and 7:1 LVDS. This flexibility allows for seamless interfacing with processors, memory devices, and other peripherals across different voltage domains.

Power management is a critical design consideration. The LFXP2 family is renowned for its low static and dynamic power consumption, a direct benefit of its non-volatile, flash-based process technology. This makes the -30E-5F484C an excellent choice for power-sensitive and battery-operated portable devices.

In summary, the Lattice LFXP2-30E-5F484C is a highly integrated solution that combines the flexibility of an FPGA with the convenience and security of a non-volatile device. Its balanced mix of logic, memory, and DSP resources, coupled with its instant-on capability and low power profile, positions it as a powerful enabler for a vast array of applications in the embedded world.

ICGOODFIND: The Lattice LFXP2-30E-5F484C is a standout low-density FPGA that excels in providing instant-on functionality, low power operation, and a secure, single-chip solution, making it a superior choice for system control, signal bridging, and portable applications where reliability and fast time-to-market are paramount.

Keywords: Non-volatile FPGA, Instant-on Operation, Low-Power Consumption, Low-Density FPGA, Embedded Block RAM