Lattice LCMXO2-4000HC-4TG144C: A Comprehensive Technical Overview of Low-Power FPGA Capabilities

The Lattice Semiconductor LCMXO2-4000HC-4TG144C represents a significant milestone in the evolution of low-power, low-cost Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). As a member of the Lattice MachXO2™ family, this device is engineered to bridge the gap between traditional CPLDs and larger, more power-hungry FPGAs. It is specifically designed for applications where minimal power consumption, a small form factor, and high integration are paramount. This article provides a detailed technical examination of its architecture, key features, and target applications.

At the core of the LCMXO2-4000HC-4TG144C is an advanced non-volatile flash-based technology. This foundational choice eliminates the need for an external boot PROM, streamlining board design and reducing both component count and system cost. The device boasts 4,320 Look-Up Tables (LUTs), a capacity that places it in the mid-range of the MachXO2 family, making it suitable for complex glue logic, bus bridging, and control plane management.

One of the most compelling attributes of this FPGA is its ultra-low static power consumption, often measured in microamps (µA). This feature is critical for battery-operated and always-on applications, enabling designs that were previously impossible with SRAM-based FPGAs. Furthermore, the device supports 1.2V to 3.3V programmable I/O banks, offering unparalleled flexibility in interfacing with a wide variety of other components, from legacy microcontrollers to modern low-voltage sensors.

The device’s integration extends beyond its logic fabric. It includes hardened intellectual property (IP) blocks that are essential for system management. Key among these are:

Embedded User Flash Memory (UFM): Provides up to 256 Kbits of non-volatile storage for critical data, user configuration, or small boot code, acting as a small, internal EEPROM.

Pre-engineered SPI and I²C Controllers: These hardened blocks allow the FPGA to easily function as a bus master or slave for communication with other chips, saving valuable LUT resources.

On-Chip Oscillator: An internal oscillator eliminates the need for an external crystal in many applications, further reducing the bill of materials (BOM) and board space.

Housed in a compact 6 mm x 6 mm 4TG144C package, this device offers 94 user I/O pins. This high I/O-to-logic ratio is ideal for I/O expansion and interfacing in space-constrained designs. The robust feature set makes the LCMXO2-4000HC-4TG144C an excellent solution for a diverse range of markets, including consumer electronics, industrial control systems, telecommunications infrastructure, and computer networking.

ICGOOODFIND: The Lattice LCMXO2-4000HC-4TG144C is a highly integrated, power-optimized FPGA that excels in cost-sensitive and power-conscious designs. Its combination of non-volatile technology, hardened system blocks, and flexible I/O provides a potent solution for replacing fixed-function ASICs and CPLDs, enabling faster development cycles and greater design flexibility.

Keywords:

Low-Power FPGA

Non-Volatile Flash Technology

MachXO2 Family

Programmable I/O

Embedded User Flash Memory