A54SX32-CQ256M - 32K Gate SX FPGA 205MHz CQFP-256 | Microsemi
MPN: A54SX32-CQ256M β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
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| 1 | $0 | $0.00 |
| 10 | $0 | $0.00 |
| 100 | $0 | $0.00 |
| 500 | $0 | $0.00 |
| 1,000 | $0 | $0.00 |
Drop-in alternatives for A54SX32-CQ256M β same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
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A54SX32-CQ256
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$111.95 / Unit
View Datasheet βA54SX32A-CQ256M
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
A54SX32A-CQ256
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
A54SX32-CQ256M Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Series | SX (Actel SX family) |
| Gate Count | 32000 gates (48000 system gates per some distributor listings) |
| Logic Cells / Modules | 1800 cells (2880 logic modules per Partstack listing) |
| User I/O | 203 |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 205 MHz |
| Process Technology | 0.35 um |
| Supply Voltage (Rail 1) | 3 V to 3.6 V |
| Supply Voltage (Rail 2) | 4.75 V to 5.25 V |
| Maximum Supply Voltage | 3.63 V (core rail, per Partstack listing) |
| Programming Technology | Antifuse (one-time programmable) |
| Architecture | Sea-of-modules |
| Package / Case | 256-BFCQFP Exposed Pad and Tie Bar |
| Supplier Device Package | 256-CQFP (75x75) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Packaging | Bulk |
| Number of Inputs | 246 (per Partstack listing) |
A54SX32-CQ256M 256-cqfp (75x75) Pin Configuration Guide
Complete pinout information for A54SX32-CQ256M (256-cqfp (75x75) package). This digital IC includes GPIO, communication interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C), and power pins. Refer to the manufacturer datasheet for alternate pin functions and configuration options. Essential for embedded system design and PCB layout.
No detailed pinout data available for A54SX32-CQ256M.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Safe Operating Area (SOA) & Thermal Characteristics
No official SOA curve available for this digital IC. Always operate within absolute maximum ratings specified in the datasheet. Ensure adequate cooling and derate as needed.
Typical Applications
A54SX32-CQ256M is suitable for 6 applications: Aerospace and Defense Logic Integration, Industrial Control and Automation, Communications Infrastructure Glue Logic, Bridge and Interface Functions, Test and Measurement Equipment, Legacy System Sustainment and Obsolescence Bridging.
Aerospace and Defense Logic Integration
The A54SX32-CQ256M fits aerospace and defense payloads because its ceramic 256-CQFP package with exposed pad and tie bar supports high-reliability assembly, and the antifuse fabric is inherently non-volatile and resistant to configuration readout - a property SRAM FPGAs cannot match. The 32,000-gate capacity and 203 user I/O allow glue logic, bus bridging, and protocol conversion to be consolidated into one device, while the 205 MHz capability handles timing-critical paths in signal conditioning chains. Because the configuration is permanent, the design is instant-on at power-up with no configuration device to fail in the field. Performance consideration: one-time programming demands full simulation sign-off before programming, and the 3.0V-3.6V / 4.75V-5.25V dual rails must both be sequenced per the Microchip 54SX datasheet.
Recommended
Industrial Control and Automation
In industrial control systems, the A54SX32-CQ256M is valuable where legacy 5V backplanes persist: its 4.75V-5.25V supply range directly interfaces with TTL-era PLC I/O without level shifters, while the 3.0V-3.6V rail powers modern internal logic. The 203 user I/O support wide parallel buses for encoder, sensor-array, and actuator interfaces, and the 205 MHz ceiling comfortably covers state-machine and interlock logic. The antifuse configuration survives power interruptions and industrial brown-outs with no reconfiguration delay - critical for safety interlocks that must be active at power-on. Design trade-off: the one-time-programmable fabric means design updates require physically replacing devices, so keep spare programmed units or reserve I/O margin for future changes in the initial design.
Recommended
Communications Infrastructure Glue Logic
For telecom and datacom line cards, the A54SX32-CQ256M consolidates address decoding, bus switching, and framer-to-backplane interfacing into a single 256-pin device, replacing multiple ASSPs. The sea-of-modules architecture provides deterministic pin-to-pin delays (per the Microchip 54SX datasheet), which simplifies meeting fixed backplane setup/hold budgets at line rates supported by the 205 MHz maximum frequency. Its 246 inputs and 203 user I/O handle wide TDM or parallel POS-PHY-style buses, while the non-volatile antifuse configuration eliminates the configuration PROM and its boot-time sequencing from the card. Performance consideration: verify the 3.3V I/O compatibility with 5V-tolerant requirements of adjacent legacy components using the datasheet I/O electrical tables before layout.
Recommended
Bridge and Interface Functions
The A54SX32-CQ256M serves as a protocol bridge between mismatching bus standards - for example a 5V VME-style parallel bus on one side and 3.3V processor local bus on the other - leveraging its dual 3.0V-3.6V and 4.75V-5.25V rails. The 1,800 logic cells provide enough capacity for FIFO control, byte-lane swapping, wait-state generation, and interrupt aggregation, while 203 user I/O accommodate 32/64-bit bus widths with parity. Because antifuse routing delays are fixed after programming, timing analysis performed once remains valid across production units, easing qualification of interface cards. Design tip: reserve clock-capable pins for the bridged clock domains and follow the Microchip 54SX datasheet timing model in Libero Designer constraint files.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Equipment
Test instruments benefit from the A54SX32-CQ256M's deterministic timing and instant-on behavior: counter/timer channels, trigger matrices, and instrument bus (GPIB-style) interfacing can be implemented in the 32,000-gate fabric with 203 I/O reaching front-end connectors. The antifuse configuration is immune to the repeated power cycling typical of bench instruments, and the ceramic CQFP handles the thermal cycling of instrument environments. The 205 MHz capability supports time-to-digital conversion front ends, while the sea-of-modules fabric keeps channel-to-channel skew predictable - important for measurement repeatability. Trade-off: since the device is one-time programmable, instrument firmware fixes require hardware service; consider socketing the CQFP in serviceable instrument designs to simplify field upgrades.
Recommended
Legacy System Sustainment and Obsolescence Bridging
Many defense and industrial platforms were designed around the Actel SX family, and the A54SX32-CQ256M is the sustainment part for these systems: it is still active per the Microchip product page and stocked by multiple distributors (Components-House reported 6,295 pieces as of 2026-09-03). Existing Libero/Designer projects compile unchanged to this die, and the CQFP package mates with legacy sockets and tie-bar hardware. For platforms migrating gradually, the same-footprint SX-A family (A54SX32A-CQ256M, 238 MHz, 0.25 um) offers a performance refresh with board-level reuse after power and timing re-verification. Recommendation: secure lifetime-buy quantities against future end-of-life notices and maintain archived Libero project files for recompilation.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for A54SX32-CQ256M β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | A54SX32-CQ256 | A54SX32A-CQ256M | A54SX32A-CQ256 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 256-BFCQFP Exposed Pad and Tie Bar (75x75 mm) | 256-CQFP - same footprint | 256-CQFP - same footprint | 256-CQFP - same footprint |
| Brand | Microsemi (Microchip Technology) | Microsemi (Microchip Technology) | Microsemi (Microchip Technology) | Microsemi (Microchip Technology) |
| Family | SX (Actel SX, antifuse) | SX | SX-A | SX-A |
| Gate Count | 32000 | 32000 | 32000 | 32000 |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 205 MHz | 205 MHz | 238 MHz | 238 MHz |
| Process Technology | 0.35 um | 0.35 um | 0.25 um | 0.25 um |
| Supply Voltage | 3V-3.6V and 4.75V-5.25V | 3V-3.6V and 4.75V-5.25V | 2.5V (per FindIC data) | 2.5V (per FindIC data) |
| Temperature Grade | M (military/extended, per M suffix) | Commercial | M (military/extended) | Commercial |
| Programming Technology | Antifuse (one-time programmable) | Antifuse | Antifuse | Antifuse |
Key Differentiators
- Dual-rail 5V compatibility (vs A54SX32A-CQ256M)
- Extended temperature (M) grade (vs A54SX32-CQ256)
- Deterministic antifuse timing (vs A54SX32A-CQ256M)
Design Notes
The A54SX32-CQ256M requires two supply domains: 3.0V-3.6V and 4.75V-5.25V per the Microsemi specification page. Decouple both rails locally with a network of ceramic capacitors (e.g., 10 uF bulk plus 0.1 uF per supply pin group) and follow the Microchip 54SX datasheet power-up requirements - both rails must reach valid levels within the datasheet-specified sequence for reliable antifuse state retention at power-on. Verify the 5V rail tolerance of adjacent I/O before connecting directly to legacy TTL buses.
Antifuse devices are one-time programmable: unlike SRAM FPGAs, a design error after programming requires physically replacing the device. Complete all simulation, static timing analysis in Microsemi Libero/Designer, and prototype validation on lower-cost plastic packages (e.g., A54SX32-TQ144 or PQ208) before committing to the expensive ceramic CQ256M. Also note the M-suffix grade carries a price premium - do not specify it unless the extended temperature range is genuinely required.
The 256-CQFP is a 75x75 mm ceramic package with exposed pad and tie bar; the tie bar must be soldered or mechanically secured per the Microchip 54SX datasheet package drawing to meet thermal and mechanical specifications. Provide generous copper under the exposed pad for heat spreading, handle the package by its body (not leads) to avoid lead-frame damage, and if socketing for upgradeability, select a zero-insertion-force CQFP-256 socket rated for the package mass. Mind the wide body during reflow - profile per ceramic package guidelines rather than plastic PQFP profiles.
Compliance Information
Ceramic CQFP hermetic package typical of military-grade Microsemi devices; specific RoHS/REACH status for this exact ordering code was not stated in the provided web data and should be confirmed with Microchip.
