A3PE1500-1FG484 - ProASIC3E Flash FPGA 16KLE 484-BGA | Microchip
MPN: A3PE1500-1FG484 ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $97.37 | $97.37 |
| 10 | $92.5 | $925.00 |
| 100 | $85.9 | $8,590.00 |
| 500 | $79.8 | $39,900.00 |
| 1,000 | $74.2 | $74,200.00 |
A3PE1500-1FG484 Overview
A flash-based FPGA is a field-programmable gate array whose configuration is stored in on-chip nonvolatile flash memory rather than an external configuration PROM. This places the ProASIC3E family in the broader hierarchy: FPGA -> programmable logic device -> digital integrated circuit -> semiconductor. Unlike SRAM FPGAs, a flash FPGA is a single-chip solution that boots instantly at power-up, requires no external boot device, and offers inherently higher design security.
Key features include a 130-nm, 7-layer-metal (6 copper) flash-based CMOS process, up to 504 kbits of true dual-port SRAM, optional soft ARM support, and low total cost of ownership through single-chip integration. The -1 speed grade supports commercial 0C to +70C operating temperature, and the 1.5V core enables low dynamic power. The FG484 package is footprint-compatible with the FG256 variant, simplifying family migration.
Technically, the ProASIC3E fabric uses VersTile logic elements and dedicated block RAM organized in minibanks with per-bank VREF support for voltage-referenced I/O standards. Abundant user I/O (280 on the FG484) supports multiple single-ended and differential standards for system interfacing.
Typical applications include ASIC replacement and prototyping, industrial control, networking and communications equipment, avionics and defense systems, and consumer designs requiring instant-on operation.
Design consideration: flash FPGAs dissipate static power continuously; estimate power with the Microchip Libero SoC power calculator before committing to the 1.5V core supply topology. Verify I/O bank voltage assignments early to avoid PCB respins.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, same-family drop-in alternatives, design notes, and FAQ content not consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for A3PE1500-1FG484 — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with A3PE1500-1FG484 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, System Gates, Operating Temperature, Process Technology, Speed Grade.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
A3PE1500-1FGG484
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$48.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →A3PE1500-1FGG484I
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
Contact for price
View Datasheet →A3PE1500-FG484I
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
A3PE1500-2FG484
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$210 / Unit
View Datasheet →M1A3PE1500-1FG484
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
A3PE3000-1FG484
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$49.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →A3PE1500-1FG484 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | ProASIC3E (Flash-based FPGA) |
| Logic Elements | 16K (approx. 1.5 million system gates) |
| User I/O | 280 |
| Embedded SRAM | 276480 bits (504 kbits true dual-port family maximum) |
| Core Supply Voltage | 1.5 V |
| Process Technology | 130-nm, 7-layer metal (6 copper) flash-based CMOS |
| Package | 484-BGA (FBGA-484, 1 mm pitch) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Speed Grade | -1 |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C |
| Configuration Memory | On-chip flash (nonvolatile, single-chip) |
| Soft ARM Support | Yes (optional) |
| Logic Family | CMOS |
| Reprogrammability | Yes (in-system reprogrammable flash) |
| Footprint Compatibility | FG256 and FG484 footprint-compatible |
A3PE1500-1FG484 484-bga (fbga-484, 1 mm pitch) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for A3PE1500-1FG484 (484-bga (fbga-484, 1 mm pitch) 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 A3PE1500-1FG484.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
A3PE1500-1FG484 is suitable for 6 applications: ASIC Replacement and Prototyping, Avionics and Defense Systems, Networking and Communications Equipment, Industrial Control and Automation, Consumer and Computing Platforms, Embedded Processing with Soft ARM Cores.
ASIC Replacement and Prototyping
The ProASIC3E family is explicitly positioned by Microchip as a cost-effective ASIC replacement, and the A3PE1500-1FG484 fits this role because its 16K logic elements and 1.5 million system gates cover many mid-complexity ASIC designs while avoiding NRE charges and mask costs. The flash-based fabric reprograms in-system, so design iterations that would take weeks in an ASIC tape-out complete in minutes. Because configuration is nonvolatile and on-chip, the FPGA behaves like a hard-wired ASIC at power-up with no boot controller required, simplifying replacement of mask-ROM logic. For production, single-unit pricing from $97.37 (as of 2026-09-01) is economical at volumes below full-mask ASIC break-even.
Recommended
Avionics and Defense Systems
Microchip datasheet material lists avionics among ProASIC3E target markets, and the A3PE1500-1FG484 contributes two properties valued there: flash configuration resists readback-based IP extraction, and the single-chip design removes the external configuration PROM that complicates reliability analysis in flight hardware. The 1.5V core limits dynamic power, easing conduction-cooled enclosure budgets common in avionics boxes. For programs with extended temperature requirements, the pin-compatible A3PE1500-1FGG484I and A3PE1500-FG484I industrial variants (same FBGA-484 footprint) allow board reuse across commercial prototype and qualified flight builds. Soft ARM support permits embedding a processor core alongside glue logic to consolidate discrete components.
Recommended
Networking and Communications Equipment
The 280 user I/Os of the A3PE1500-1FG484 support the dense single-ended and differential signaling found in line cards, backplane interfaces, and control planes of networking equipment. Embedded true dual-port SRAM (276,480 bits on this device) buffers packet data and implements FIFOs without external memory, and per-minibank VREF support accommodates voltage-referenced I/O standards used in legacy board architectures. The -1 speed grade handles control-plane and bridge logic clock rates while the 1.5V core keeps continuous operating power manageable in always-on equipment. The nonvolatile flash configuration enables instant-on link bring-up after hot plugging, a requirement in redundant systems.
Recommended
Industrial Control and Automation
Industrial controllers benefit from the A3PE1500-1FG484's instant-on flash configuration: machinery logic is active the moment power is applied, without a microcontroller waiting through FPGA configuration. The 0C to +70C commercial rating suits cabinet-mounted equipment in conditioned environments, while the pin-compatible industrial-grade -1FGG484I variant covers harsher floor installations without PCB changes. The 16K logic elements implement motor sequencing, safety interlocks, and communication bridges, and the 280 I/Os connect sensors, encoders, and fieldbus transceivers directly. Longevity matters here - Microchip maintains the mature ProASIC3E family for industrial customers needing multi-year supply continuity for installed bases.
Recommended
Consumer and Computing Platforms
Microchip positions ProASIC3E for consumer and computing markets as a single-chip alternative to ASIC or CPLD-plus-PROM combinations. The A3PE1500-1FG484 consolidates board-level glue logic, bus bridging, and interface conversion into one 1.5V-core device, cutting BOM count and assembly cost in products such as set-top platforms, printers, and display controllers. The 504-kbit true dual-port SRAM capability (276,480 bits on this density) supports video line buffers and dual-clock-domain data paths common in consumer designs. Because the flash fabric reprograms in the field, one PCB supports multiple SKUs via firmware personalization, reducing inventory complexity for high-mix consumer product lines.
Recommended
Embedded Processing with Soft ARM Cores
The A3PE1500-1FG484 supports optional soft ARM implementations per the datasheet title 'ProASIC3E Flash Family FPGAs with Optional Soft ARM Support', allowing designers to embed a processor core plus custom peripherals in the 16K-element fabric. This suits smart sensor nodes, industrial gateways, and board-management controllers where a standalone MCU would leave interfacing logic unimplemented. The nonvolatile configuration means the soft processor boots autonomously at power-up without host intervention, and the embedded dual-port SRAM serves as tightly-coupled scratchpad memory for the processor subsystem. Combining control firmware and deterministic logic in one 484-ball device reduces board area versus separate MCU plus CPLD architectures.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for A3PE1500-1FG484 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | A3PE1500-1FGG484 | A3PE1500-1FGG484I | A3PE1500-2FG484 | M1A3PE1500-1FG484 | A3PE3000-1FG484 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | FBGA-484 (1 mm pitch) | FBGA-484 - same | FBGA-484 - same | FBGA-484 - same | FBGA-484 - same | FBGA-484 - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Logic Elements | 16K (1.5M system gates) | 16K (1.5M system gates) | 16K (1.5M system gates) | 16K (1.5M system gates) | 16K (1.5M system gates) | ~2x density (3M system gates family) |
| User I/O | 280 | 280 | 280 | 280 | 280 | 280 |
| Speed Grade | -1 | -1 | -1 | -2 (faster) | -1 | -1 |
| Core Supply Voltage | 1.5 V | 1.5 V | 1.5 V | 1.5 V | 1.5 V | 1.5 V |
| Configuration | On-chip flash (single-chip) | On-chip flash (single-chip) | On-chip flash (single-chip) | On-chip flash (single-chip) | On-chip flash (single-chip) | On-chip flash (single-chip) |
Key Differentiators
- Single-chip nonvolatile flash configuration (vs A3P600-FGG484I (SRAM-less ProASIC3 alternative families) and all SRAM FPGAs)
- Industrial-temperature drop-in path (vs A3PE1500-1FGG484I)
- Faster speed grade option on same footprint (vs A3PE1500-2FG484)
Design Notes
Estimated: a ProASIC3E device at 1.5V core with an active design typically draws hundreds of milliwatts of combined static and dynamic power; for example, 200 mA of core current implies 0.3 W at the core rail alone. Run the Microchip Libero SoC power calculator with your actual utilization and toggle rates before sizing the 1.5V regulator, and do not rely on generic FPGA power figures. Flash FPGAs also exhibit temperature-dependent static current, so validate worst-case hot-corner consumption, not just typical, against your regulator thermal margin.
The FBGA-484 uses a 1 mm ball pitch requiring controlled-impedance escape routing; plan microvia or via-in-pad fanout for the center balls. Per the datasheet, FG256 and FG484 are footprint-compatible packages - if migration between densities is possible, design the land pattern to support both and reserve the shared power/ground ball assignments. Decouple each I/O bank supply with at least 0.1 uF plus bulk capacitance placed close to the bank balls, and assign one VREF pin per I/O minibank when using voltage-referenced standards.
Two common mistakes with this part: first, ordering the commercial 0C to +70C A3PE1500-1FG484 for an application that actually sees -40C - the industrial variants (-1FGG484I, FG484I) are pin-compatible, so select temperature grade at design time. Second, assuming drop-in compatibility with SRAM FPGAs such as Xilinx Spartan at similar density - they require external configuration devices and have different pinouts, so substitution requires a respin. Verify the FGG (lead-free) suffix against your RoHS requirement before release.
Compliance Information
The base FG484 suffix does not denote a RoHS finish; Microchip's FGG-suffixed variants (e.g., A3PE1500-1FGG484) are the lead-free ordering options. Confirm RoHS status on the Microchip product page for the specific ordering code.
