A42MX09-3PQG160I - 14K Gate MX FPGA, 160-PQFP | Microchip
MPN: A42MX09-3PQG160I ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $58.9 | $58.90 |
| 10 | $54.1 | $541.00 |
| 100 | $49.6 | $4,960.00 |
| 500 | $45.3 | $22,650.00 |
| 1,000 | $41.8 | $41,800.00 |
A42MX09-3PQG160I Overview
An FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is a programmable logic device whose interconnect and logic function are configured after manufacturing. Unlike SRAM-based FPGAs, the MX family uses antifuse technology: configuration is one-time-programmable, requiring no external boot flash and providing inherent resistance to configuration corruption, which is why MX is widely used as a single-chip ASIC alternative for legacy PLD integration in high-volume industrial and defense systems.
Key features include the 14K-gate capacity suitable for consolidating multiple legacy PLDs and glue logic, 5V-tolerant I/O for direct interfacing with legacy 5V buses, and the low-cost 160-pin quad flat package with surface-mount assembly compatibility. The industrial temperature range (-40C to +85C, denoted by the I suffix) supports harsh-environment deployment, and lead-free termination supports RoHS-focused supply chains.
The MX architecture comprises a sea-of-programmable-logic matrix with routing channels, combinatorial and sequential logic cells, and I/O blocks, programmed via Microsemi (Actel) Designer software and standard programmers. Configuration data is hardened at programming time, eliminating boot delays and configuration memory concerns.
Typical applications include legacy PLD consolidation, ASIC prototyping and bridge logic, industrial control, avionics and defense subsystems, and high-volume embedded control where one-time programmability and 5V I/O compatibility are required.
Design consideration: antifuse FPGAs are one-time-programmable - finalize and fully verify the design in the free Designer software before committing devices; use speed grade -3 (this part) when timing closure at higher frequencies is needed, as slower grades cost less but reduce timing margin.
Drop-in alternatives for A42MX09-3PQG160I — 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 A42MX09-3PQG160I (same form factor and footprint) — differing in RoHS Status, Package, System Gates, Family, Supply Voltage.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
A42MX09-3PQG160
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
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View Datasheet →A42MX09-2PQG160I
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View Datasheet →A42MX09-1PQG160
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
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View Datasheet →A42MX09-PQG160A
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View Datasheet →A42MX09-PQG160M
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
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View Datasheet →A42MX16-2PQG160
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$298 / Unit
View Datasheet →A42MX09-3PQG160I Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | 42MX (Actel MX antifuse FPGA) |
| System Gates | 14,000 gates |
| Logic Cells | 336 |
| User I/O | 101 |
| Speed Grade | -3 (177 MHz / 296 MHz toggle) |
| Core/I-O Voltage | 3.3 V / 5 V tolerant |
| Process Technology | 0.45 um CMOS antifuse |
| Programming Technology | Antifuse (one-time programmable) |
| Package | 160-Pin PQFP (BQFP) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial, I suffix) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant / Lead Free |
| Packaging | Tray |
| Product Type | FPGA - Field Programmable Gate Array |
| Configuration | Single-chip, no external boot flash required |
A42MX09-3PQG160I Pin Configuration
| Pin 1-101 (assigned) | IO — User I/O (101 usable), assignment per Designer placement; see DS2316 PQ160 pin tables |
| Pin [DATA_NEEDED: dedicated VDD pin numbers] | VDD — Core supply 3.3 V (5.0 V tolerant architecture) |
| Pin [DATA_NEEDED: dedicated GND pin numbers] | GND — Ground |
| Pin [DATA_NEEDED: VPP pin] | VPP — Programming voltage supply for antifuse programming |
| Pin [DATA_NEEDED: CLK pin] | CLK — Dedicated clock input routed to array |
| Pin [DATA_NEEDED: remaining dedicated pins] | DEDICATED — Programming and test pins per DS2316 PQ160 figure |
Typical Applications
A42MX09-3PQG160I is suitable for 6 applications: Legacy PLD Consolidation, Industrial Control and Automation, Avionics and Defense Subsystems, ASIC Prototyping and Bridge Logic, Medical Equipment Interface Boards, Test and Measurement Instrumentation.
Legacy PLD Consolidation
The MX family's 5.0V-tolerant architecture was designed explicitly to integrate legacy PLDs (PAL, GAL, 22V10, EPLD) into a single low-cost device. The A42MX09-3PQG160I's 14K gates and 101 user I/O provide enough capacity to absorb multiple 20-40 pin legacy devices, cutting board area and BOM count. Antifuse one-time programming means no configuration flash and instant power-up, matching the behavior of the bipolar/EE devices it replaces. In industrial retrofit programs this eliminates obsolete-PLD supply risk while preserving 5V bus compatibility.
Recommended
Industrial Control and Automation
With an industrial rating of -40C to +85C and 5V-tolerant I/O, the A42MX09-3PQG160I fits factory controllers, motor interface glue logic, and sensor aggregation boards that still run 5V signal standards. The -3 speed grade's 177 MHz/296 MHz toggle capability comfortably covers PWM, quadrature decoding, and state-machine logic. OTP antifuse configuration removes configuration-corruption failure modes common in SRAM FPGAs exposed to noisy industrial power environments, improving field reliability without external configuration devices.
Recommended
Avionics and Defense Subsystems
Antifuse FPGAs are favored in avionics and defense because configuration is permanently hardened - there is no volatile configuration to upset or read back. The A42MX09-PQG160M and A42MX09-PQG160A share the A42MX09-3PQG160I's exact PQG160 footprint, allowing defense programs to migrate between commercial-industrial and M/A-screened parts with no PCB change. The 14K-gate capacity handles interface bridging, bus protocol glue, and custom counters in radar, telemetry, and flight-control support equipment.
Recommended
ASIC Prototyping and Bridge Logic
Before committing to an ASIC mask set, designers use the A42MX09-3PQG160I to implement and ship early production logic; its 0.45 um antifuse structure provides ASIC-like deterministic timing without SRAM configuration overhead. As glue logic between modern processors and legacy 5V peripherals, the 101 user I/O and 3.3V/5V dual supply compatibility remove the need for level shifters. The one-time-programmable nature also dumps IP concerns tied to configuration bitstream exposure in fielded bridge designs.
Recommended
Medical Equipment Interface Boards
Medical monitoring and diagnostic equipment with long service lives benefits from the A42MX09-3PQG160I's active lifecycle status, fixed OTP logic (no accidental reconfiguration), and industrial temperature margin. The 160-PQFP surface-mount package supports standard SMT assembly, and its 5V-tolerant I/O interfaces directly with older analog-front-end and display drivers common in installed medical bases. Deterministic, configuration-free power-up simplifies safety analyses compared to flash- or SRAM-based programmable logic.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Instrumentation
Bench and automated test instruments use the A42MX09-3PQG160I as timing generators, trigger logic, and bus interface logic where -3 grade toggle rates up to 296 MHz cover fast counter and encoder emulation tasks. Because configuration is burned in, instruments power up instantly with the production personality - no configuration latency in test sequencing. The 101 I/O in a 160-PQFP offers broad channel count for parallel digital test fixtures at a fraction of the cost of larger SRAM FPGA platforms.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for A42MX09-3PQG160I — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | A42MX09-3PQG160 | A42MX09-2PQG160I | A42MX09-PQG160M | A42MX16-2PQG160 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 160-PQFP (BQFP) | 160-PQFP - same | 160-PQFP - same | 160-PQFP - same | 160-PQFP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology (Microsemi) | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| System Gates | 14,000 | 14,000 | 14,000 | 14,000 | 24,000 |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (I) | 0C to +70C (commercial) | -40C to +85C | Military screening | Commercial |
| Programming Technology | Antifuse OTP | Antifuse OTP | Antifuse OTP | Antifuse OTP | Antifuse OTP |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3V / 5V tolerant | 3.3V / 5V | 3.3V / 5V | 3.3V / 5V | 3.3V / 5V |
Key Differentiators
- Fastest standard speed grade in the MX09 PQG160 lineup (vs A42MX09-2PQG160I)
- Industrial temperature range in a commercial-price package (vs A42MX09-3PQG160)
- Upgrade path in the same footprint (vs A42MX16-2PQG160)
Design Notes
MX antifuse FPGAs are one-time programmable. Complete functional simulation and timing verification in Microsemi (Actel) Designer software before submitting devices for programming; a logic change requires physically new devices. Reserve spare user I/O for debug and future revisions, since burned antifuses cannot be reworked.
Decouple all VDD pins with 0.1 uF ceramic capacitors placed within 5 mm of each supply pin, plus bulk 10 uF per supply rail. The 5V-tolerant I/O structure does not regulate 5V on the core rail - core must be 3.3V while I/O levels follow the MX 5.0V-tolerant architecture; confirm per-rail connections from the DS2316 datasheet power-pin tables for the PQ160 package.
The 160-PQFP relies on PCB copper for heat spreading. For high toggle-rate designs near the 296 MHz limit, estimate dynamic power with the Designer power calculator and provide at least 2x2 cm of copper pours on the outer layers connected to ground pins to keep junction temperature within the -40C to +85C industrial rating at elevated ambient.
With 5V-tolerant I/O driving legacy buses, add series 22-33 ohm resistors on heavily loaded outputs to control overshoot and ringing; group related I/O on adjacent package pins to keep return paths short. Use the datasheet AC timing models for speed grade -3 when closing setup/hold at 177 MHz-class interfaces.
Compliance Information
Distributor listings (PCB Electronics, Kynix) identify the part as LEAD FREE; MX production parts are RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. REACH and halogen-free status not stated in provided data.
