The Xilinx CoolRunner XPLA3 family, with its ultra low standby and total current consumption, is the world’s lowest power CPLD. Additionally, CoolRunner devices radiate the lowest amount of heat and are a perfect solution for heat sensitive applications. Heat problems can manifest themselves in many of the following ways:

Thermal Emission What We Tested

How We Tested Thermal Imaging Test Results

Infrared Solutions More Information

Thermal Emission:

Even in low power mode, competitor devices dissipate more heat than CoolRunner CPLDs:

How we tested

All parts were programmed with as many 16-bit counters as possible. The 256 Macrocell devices were programmed with a total of sixteen 16-bit counters, the Lattice ispLSI 192 Macrocell part was programmed with twelve 16-bit counters and the Lattice Mach 4LV 128 Macrocell part was programmed with eight 16-bit counters.

In order to give the competitive devices a fair comparison, they were programmed in non-turbo mode. This allows lower power dissipation at the cost of speed. It is important to note that Xilinx CoolRunner parts do not have, nor need, a non-turbo mode.

Lab Setup: Each device was mounted on an individual PC board. A 50 MHz Crystal Oscillator generated clock signal was routed to the devices through a terminated connection. All designs had a clock input, one control input to set the mode of operation, and one output to verify circuit operation. Figure 1 shows the lab setup used in the experiments.

Figure 1: Lab Setup

Thermal Imaging Test Results

The following pictures were taken with Infrared Solutions, Inc. IR SnapShot® camera. In all cases, P2 represents CoolRunner and P1 represents the competitor part, while P3 represents the ambient temperature.

Xilinx XCR3256XL vs. Altera EPM7256AE

Xilinx XCR3256XL vs. Altera EPM3256AE

Xilinx XCR3256XL vs. Lattice M4LV-128/64

Note: 128 macrocell Lattice device

Xilinx XCR3256XL vs. Lattice ispLSI2192VE

Note: 192 macrocell Lattice device

Xilinx XCR3256XL vs. Cypress 37256VP160

Infrared Solutions Information:

Infrared Solutions SnapShot® infrared imaging technology was used to produced the thermal images of "CoolRunner vs. the Competition". The infrared camera operates similar to a digital camera and captures high definition, fully calibrated infrared images. It displays color IR images on a 4-inch LCD display through customized software that adds reference temperatures on a gradient scale. It is highly portable, weighing only 4.5 pounds, and is battery powered. It is simple to operate and uses familiar computer interface buttons and menu system. As the world's first imaging radiometer under $15,000, the IR SnapShot has dramatically reduced the entry level cost of infrared imaging and temperature measurement.

Features Overview: Instant on, low power and low maintenance Very accurate temperature measurement capability Large dynamic range allows temperatures differing by hundreds of degrees to be read and displayed at the same time Uses long wavelength (8 to 14 µm) infrared radiation, which is best for measuring room temperature targets and which minimizes sun glints and lighting reflection interference Computer compatible - Optional communications software enables the user to acquire images at definable intervals and alarm on "out-of-specification" temperature

More Information:

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