A42MX16-1PLG84I - 24K Gate MX FPGA, 84-PLCC | Microchip
MPN: A42MX16-1PLG84I ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1 | $1.00 |
| 10 | $1 | $10.00 |
| 100 | $1 | $100.00 |
| 500 | $1 | $500.00 |
| 1,000 | $1 | $1,000.00 |
Drop-in alternatives for A42MX16-1PLG84I — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
A42MX16-2PLG84I
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$30.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →A42MX16-1PLG84
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$44.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →A42MX16-FPLG84I
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
A42MX16-3PLG84
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1 / Unit
View Datasheet →A42MX16-1PLG84I Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | MX (Actel/Microsemi antifuse FPGA) |
| System Gates | 24000 |
| Configurable Logic Blocks (CLBs) | 608 |
| Number of I/O | 72 |
| Speed Grade | -1 |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 56.16 MHz |
| CLB Combinatorial Delay (max) | 4.000 ns |
| Supply Voltage | 5.0 V |
| Programming Technology | Antifuse (one-time programmable) |
| Package | 84-LCC (J-Lead), PLCC-84 |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial, I suffix) |
| Lead Free | Yes |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Configuration | Non-volatile, no external configuration device |
A42MX16-1PLG84I Pin Configuration
| Pin 1-84 | USER I/O — 72 user-defined I/O distributed across the PLCC-84 ring; exact per-pin assignment defined in 40MX/42MX FPGA Families datasheet package tables |
| Pin - | VCC — 5.0 V core and I/O supply pins |
| Pin - | GND — Ground pins |
| Pin - | CLK — Dedicated global clock input(s) |
| Pin - | MODE — Programming/protocol control pin for antifuse programming |
Safe Operating Area (SOA) & Thermal Characteristics
No official SOA curve available for this digital IC. Always operate within absolute maximum ratings specified in the datasheet. Ensure adequate cooling and derate as needed.
Typical Applications
A42MX16-1PLG84I is suitable for 6 applications: Legacy PLD Consolidation, Industrial Control Systems, Defense and Aerospace Upgrades, Single-Chip ASIC Alternative, Communication Interface Bridging, Test and Measurement Fixturing.
Legacy PLD Consolidation
Microchip positions the MX family as the ideal platform for integrating legacy PLDs into a single, low-cost device. The A42MX16-1PLG84I's 24,000 system gates and 608 CLBs replace multiple PAL, GAL, and 22V10-type devices, while its 72 I/O absorb wide legacy bus interfaces. Because the antifuse fabric is non-volatile, consolidated designs power up instantly without a configuration PROM, cutting board area, BOM cost, and programming inventory. At 56.16 MHz maximum clock, it comfortably handles counters, state machines, and address decoding inherited from older systems.
Recommended
Industrial Control Systems
The industrial temperature rating of the I suffix (-40C to +85C) makes the A42MX16-1PLG84I well suited for factory automation controllers, motor-drive interface boards, and sensor-gateway logic operating on unconditioned shop floors. The 5.0V architecture directly interfaces with legacy 5V TTL and CMOS peripherals common in industrial equipment, avoiding level-shift circuitry. The 84-PLCC J-lead package withstands thermal cycling and permits socketed or reworkable assembly, valuable for long-life industrial platforms serviced in the field over 10-20 year deployments.
Recommended
Defense and Aerospace Upgrades
Antifuse FPGAs are favored in defense electronics because the programmed fabric cannot be read back, providing inherent design security unavailable in SRAM FPGAs. The A42MX16-1PLG84I suits obsolescence-driven upgrades of radar interface cards, secure-communication glue logic, and test-equipment fixturing. Its non-volatile, single-chip operation eliminates configuration-boot vulnerabilities and external configuration memory that could be attacked or fail in harsh environments. The metal-lidded 84-PLCC package supports conventional military-style assembly, rework, and socketing practices used in maintenance depots.
Recommended
Single-Chip ASIC Alternative
Microchip markets MX as 'a reliable, single-chip ASIC alternative' for high-volume platforms. The A42MX16-1PLG84I delivers ASIC-like benefits - no NRE mask charges, instant one-time programming, and secure non-readable configuration - at FPGA economics. With 24,000 system gates, it absorbs modest custom logic such as protocol converters and custom bus bridges that would otherwise require a full-mask ASIC with long lead times. The antifuse interconnect also offers lower jitter and deterministic timing compared to SRAM FPGA routing, benefiting fixed-function high-volume designs.
Recommended
Communication Interface Bridging
With 72 user I/O and 56.16 MHz maximum clock frequency, the A42MX16-1PLG84I implements parallel-bus bridges, serial-protocol converters, and backplane interface logic between incompatible subsystems. The 5.0V-tolerant architecture connects directly to legacy telecom and industrial line cards still operating at 5V CMOS levels, while the deterministic antifuse routing guarantees stable propagation delay - useful for bus-timing-critical interfaces where SRAM FPGA routing variance complicates timing sign-off. The one-time-programmed configuration also prevents field tampering of interface logic.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Fixturing
Bed-of-nails fixtures, protocol emulators, and production test adapters benefit from the A42MX16-1PLG84I's instant-on antifuse configuration and 72 flexible I/O. Test engineers program each fixture variant once; the non-volatile fabric needs no download cable or host controller at test time, reducing fixture complexity and per-cycle overhead. The 84-PLCC package is socket-friendly, allowing quick fixture rework, and the industrial temperature rating tolerates unconditioned production-floor environments. Its 4.000 ns maximum CLB combinatorial delay supports timing-gated test sequences at moderate clock rates.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for A42MX16-1PLG84I — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | A42MX16-2PLG84I | A42MX16-1PLG84 | A42MX16-FPLG84I | A42MX16-1PQG100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 84-PLCC (J-Lead) | 84-PLCC (J-Lead) - same | 84-PLCC (J-Lead) - same | 84-PLCC (J-Lead) - same | 100-PQFP - different |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| System Gates | 24,000 | 24,000 | 24,000 | 24,000 | 24,000 |
| User I/O | 72 | 72 | 72 | 72 | [DATA_NEEDED] |
| Speed Grade | -1 | -2 (faster) | -1 | -1 equivalent | -1 |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +85C (I) | 0C to +70C (commercial) | [DATA_NEEDED] | 0C to +70C (commercial) |
| Supply Voltage | 5.0 V | 5.0 V | 5.0 V | 5.0 V | 5.0 V |
| Programming Technology | Antifuse (OTP) | Antifuse (OTP) | Antifuse (OTP) | Antifuse (OTP) | Antifuse (OTP) |
Key Differentiators
- Industrial temperature with 5V-tolerant I/O (vs A42MX16-1PLG84)
- Standard speed grade cost efficiency (vs A42MX16-2PLG84I)
- Non-volatile antifuse configuration security (vs Any SRAM FPGA (e.g., Xilinx Spartan))
Design Notes
The MX family operates from a single 5.0V rail. Decouple each VCC pin pair with at least 0.1uF ceramic capacitors placed within 5 mm of the pin, plus one bulk 10uF per device. Antifuse FPGAs draw no configuration surge current at power-up, but inrush from decoupling network and I/O charging should still be verified against the upstream regulator, especially in legacy 5V systems with limited current margin.
The A42MX16 is one-time-programmable (antifuse). Do not treat programming like an SRAM FPGA: run full timing simulation, verify I/O assignments against the 84-PLCC pin table in the 40MX/42MX datasheet, and program only a final validated bitstream. Always build at least 10-15% spare programmed units into production planning since a design change requires new parts. The I suffix guarantees only -40C to +85C - do not use commercial-temperature siblings in extended-temperature sockets.
The 84-PLCC J-lead footprint requires careful land-pattern design per IPC-SM-782 PLCC-84 geometry; J-leads need slightly larger pads than gull-wing parts for inspection access. Use a solid ground plane on the inner layer and connect all GND pins directly to it. Unused user I/O should be configured as inputs with pull-up or tied per Microchip Designer defaults to avoid floating-node metastability and excess supply current.
Keep global clock routing short and assign timing-critical signals to MX dedicated clock resources during pin assignment in Microchip Designer (Libero legacy flow). Because antifuse routing is fixed at programming time, route-and-pin assignment decisions are permanent; lock critical pins before final programming and reserve 10-15% of I/O as spares on the PCB to accommodate late fixes without respinning the board.
Compliance Information
Distributor listings (PCB Electronics) identify the part as LEAD FREE; RoHS compliance per Microchip standard PLG84 finish. REACH/halogen details: obtain Microchip material declaration.
