Xilinx Solution Summary

Traditionally, Programmable Logic has addressed applications that fit at the upper end of the power spectrum (large to small transformers). Now with CoolRunner™ and Spartan-XL, Xilinx has expanded the coverage down the spectrum to the battery pack and small dual cell arena. This allows Xilinx to provide programmable solutions for laptops, cellular communications, MP3, GPS, hand-held instruments, PCMCIA, and PDAs, to mention a few.

The CoolRunner CPLDs are the world's only CPLDs using the patented Fast Zero Power (FZP) design technique to simultaneously deliver high performance and low power consumption. These devices offer pin-to-pin (t_PD) delays of 5ns (or greater than 250 MHz system operation), less than 100uA of standby current and approximately 1/3 the total power consumed by all non-CoolRunner CPLDs at f_MAX. The Spartan-XL Family gives portable designs up to 10X longer battery life and flexible power management over other FPGAs. The low power attributes of the CoolRunner and SpartanXL translate to lower power dissipation and higher reliability for customer applications. These Xilinx at Work solutions eliminate the need for expensive heat sinks and fans. These low power features also allow Xilinx the ability to offer a wide range of small form factor, low cost packaging in the fine pitch and chip scale BGA technologies.

Low Power Advantages

Advantages

• Helps Meet Battery Life Design Goals
• Xilinx Only FPGA with Power Management
• Lower Heat Dissipation
• Higher Reliability
• Leading Packaging Development for Small Form Factors Packaging

Xilinx at Work: Low Power can increase battery life up to 10X longer than competing PLDs due to the lower voltage and operating current of the CoolRunner & Spartan-XL families. The flexible power management of the Spartan-XL Family results in lower power and longer battery life.

Flexible Power Management

Spartan-XL has two power down modes to solve designer's needs. Both modes offer low standby power. The Manual mode is a dedicated pin control power saving mode. This puts the Spartan-XL into a full inactive state (sleep mode) and provides the lowest possible standby power. The second mode is the Automatic mode. In this mode, the Spartan-XL stays fully active and is completely controlled by the designer. This allows the designer to control the amount of power the Spartan-XL device consumes. Both modes are excellent for portable designs with long periods of inactivity or minimal activity.

Heat Dissipation

In todays low cost portable designs, heat dissipation is a major concern. Heat sink and fans are not cost effective. Xilinx is helping solve this problem with Xilinx at Work: Low Power. The lower the power consumption the lower the heat dissipation. Xilinx low power is eliminating the need for expensive fans and heat sinks. This makes Xilinx high volume devices an excellent choice for small portable computing, hand held instruments and low profile rack mount applications.

Higher Reliability

High reliability and quality is a goal of all companies. Xilinx has helped customers for years by providing FIT rates of 10ppm. Lower power can significantly improves device reliability. Just a 10 degrees drop in junction temperature can improve FIT rate to 4ppm. Lower FIT rates can save costly in-house rework and very expensive field failures. Xilinx Solutions increase the complete system reliability and allow you to provide a higher quality product to your customers.

Small Form Factor Packaging

Continuous size reductions of portable applications require smaller and smaller form factor packaging. Xilinx at Work: Low Power solves this requirement by offering a wide breath of very thin QFP, fine pitch BGA, and chip scale CSP packages. These packages provide low profile and small footprint, while still offering a range of pin counts from 48 to 256 pins.