Lattice LCMXO1200C-3TN100C: A Comprehensive Technical Overview of the Low-Cost, Low-Power FPGA
The Lattice LCMXO1200C-3TN100C represents a critical component in the landscape of modern digital design, offering a compelling blend of low power consumption, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility. As a member of Lattice Semiconductor's MachXO™ family, this FPGA is engineered for a wide array of applications, including system control, power management, sensor interfacing, and consumer electronics bridging.
Fabricated on a low-power process technology, the device is architected from the ground up for ultra-low static and dynamic power consumption. This makes it an ideal candidate for battery-operated and power-sensitive applications where every milliwatt counts. The "3" in its part number denotes a 3ns pin-to-pin timing performance, enabling the device to handle moderate-speed logic and control functions with ease.
At its core, the LCMXO1200C features 1280 Look-Up Tables (LUTs) alongside associated flip-flops, providing a sufficient logic fabric for implementing complex state machines, glue logic, and various interface protocols. The device is supported by 64 Kbits of embedded block RAM (EBR), which can be configured as true dual-port memory, single-port memory, or FIFO buffers, offering essential on-chip data storage. Furthermore, it includes one dedicated PLL (Phase-Locked Loop) for advanced clock management, allowing for clock multiplication, division, and phase shifting to meet specific system timing requirements.
A significant feature of this FPGA is its non-volatile, flash-based configuration memory. Unlike SRAM-based FPGAs that require an external boot PROM, the MachXO family instantly powers on and begins operation, simplifying board design and enhancing system security and reliability. The device supports transFR technology, enabling in-field updates and background programming without interrupting the system's operation, a vital capability for field upgrades.
Housed in a thin 100-ball Fine-Pitch BGA (TFBGA) package measuring just 6x6mm, the LCMXO1200C-3TN100C offers a remarkably small form factor. This tiny footprint is crucial for space-constrained designs like mobile devices, portable medical equipment, and compact industrial modules. The package provides 80 user I/O pins, which support a range of popular I/O standards, including LVCMOS (1.2V to 3.3V), LVTTL, and PCI. These I/Os are organized into banks, allowing for flexible interface with multiple voltage domains.
Development is streamlined through the Lattice Diamond® design software and the more recent Lattice Radiant® software, which offer a complete suite of tools for design entry, synthesis, place-and-route, and verification. The availability of numerous pre-engineered IP (Intellectual Property) cores for interfaces like I²C, SPI, and timers further accelerates the development process.
ICGOOODFIND: The Lattice LCMXO1200C-3TN100C stands out as a premier solution for designers prioritizing minimal power budget, low system cost, and a tiny footprint. Its unique combination of non-volatile configuration, adequate logic density, and advanced packaging makes it an exceptionally versatile and reliable choice for a vast spectrum of control-oriented applications in the consumer, industrial, and communications markets.
Keywords: Low-Power FPGA, Non-Volatile Configuration, MachXO Family, TFBGA Package, System Control
