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A42MX16-1PQG160I - 24K Gate 5V FPGA 160-BQFP | Microchip

MPN: A42MX16-1PQG160I ✓ Active
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5 V (3.3V/5V I/O support) Vdss 160-BQFP (PQFP), 0.65 mm pitch Package 119 MHz / 198 MHz Speed
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Drop-in alternatives for A42MX16-1PQG160I — 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:

A42MX16-2PQG160

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📦 160-BQFP (PQG160)
24,000 · 608 · 1232 · 125 · 5.0 V (core architecture) · 117 MHz (speed grade -2) · 200 MHz · 6.1 ns (family)

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A42MX16-2PQG160I

✅ Drop-In
Microchip Technology
📦 160-BQFP (PQG160)
42MX (MX FPGA Family) · 24000 · 1232 · 608 · 125 · 125 MHz · 129 MHz / 215 MHz · 0.45 um CMOS

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$1 / Unit

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A42MX09-3PQG160I

✅ Drop-In
Microchip Technology
📦 160-BQFP (PQG160)
42MX (Actel MX antifuse FPGA) · 14,000 gates · 336 · 101 · -3 (177 MHz / 296 MHz toggle) · 3.3 V / 5 V tolerant · 0.45 um CMOS antifuse · Antifuse (one-time programmable)

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A42MX09-1PQG160

✅ Drop-In
Microchip Technology
📦 160-BQFP (PQG160)
42MX (MX FPGA) · 14000 · 684 · 101 · 224 MHz · -1 · 3.3 V / 5 V · 0.45 um CMOS

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$20.6 / Unit

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A42MX24-2PQG160I

✅ Drop-In
Microchip Technology
📦 160-BQFP (PQG160)
42MX (MX FPGA) · 36000 gates · 912 · 125 · 0.45 um CMOS · 3.3V / 5V (mixed-voltage) · Antifuse (one-time programmable) · -2

✓ In Stock

$44 / Unit

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A42MX16-1PQG160I Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics

Family MX (42MX)
System Gates 24000 gates
Logic Cells 1232
CLBs (Logic Modules) 608
User I/O 125
Supply Voltage 5 V (3.3V/5V I/O support)
Max Toggle Frequency 119 MHz / 198 MHz
Process Technology 0.45 um CMOS antifuse
Speed Grade -1
Programming Technology Antifuse (one-time programmable)
Package 160-BQFP (PQFP), 0.65 mm pitch
Mounting Type Surface Mount
Operating Temperature [DATA_NEEDED: operating temperature range]
JTAG Boundary Scan IEEE 1149.1 compatible (family feature)
RoHS Status Lead free per distributor data
Configuration Non-volatile, no external PROM required

A42MX16-1PQG160I Pin Configuration

Electronic Component Package Diagram Default generic electronic component package diagram 1 2 3 Package
Pin [DATA_NEEDED: pin number] VCC — 5.0 V core supply
Pin [DATA_NEEDED: pin number] GND — Ground
Pin [DATA_NEEDED: pin number] I/O — User I/O (125 total, user-definable)
Pin [DATA_NEEDED: pin number] TCK — JTAG test clock
Pin [DATA_NEEDED: pin number] TDI — JTAG test data in
Pin [DATA_NEEDED: pin number] TDO — JTAG test data out
Pin [DATA_NEEDED: pin number] TMS — JTAG test mode select

Safe Operating Area (SOA) & Thermal Characteristics

Safe Operating Area Chart Default safe operating area chart for A42MX16-1PQG160I Drain-to-Source Voltage (Vds) Drain Current (Id)

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

A42MX16-1PQG160I is suitable for 6 applications: Legacy PLD Consolidation, Industrial Control Systems, Aerospace and Defense Legacy Sustainment, Single-Chip ASIC Alternative, Test and Measurement Fixtures, Medical Device Legacy Boards.

🔧

Legacy PLD Consolidation

MX FPGAs were explicitly designed to integrate legacy PLDs, PALs, and GALs into a single low-cost device. The A42MX16-1PQG160I provides 24K gates and 125 user I/O, enough to replace dozens of 22V10-class PALs while its 5V-tolerant I/O speaks directly to legacy TTL/CMOS logic without level shifters. Because the antifuse configuration is non-volatile and instant-on, the consolidated design boots immediately like the original fixed logic, with no configuration controller or PROM to qualify. This shortens BOM and obsolescence risk for boards that must remain in production for decades.

🏭

Industrial Control Systems

In industrial controllers, PLC I/O modules, and motor interface boards, the A42MX16-1PQG160I supplies glue logic, address decoding, and state-machine functions with a 5V core that matches industrial 5V backplanes. The industrial temperature rating supports factory-floor environments, and the one-time-programmable antifuse bitstream cannot be corrupted by power glitches or EMI events common in electrically noisy plants. With toggle rates up to 119 MHz on fast paths, the device comfortably handles counters, PWM generation, and interlock logic while drawing less cost than an SRAM FPGA plus configuration flash combination.

✈️

Aerospace and Defense Legacy Sustainment

Defense upgrade programs frequently encounter boards designed around 5V Actel/Microsemi MX devices. The A42MX16-1PQG160I allows exact-form-fit-function replenishment: same 160-pin BQFP footprint, same antifuse security model, and the same instant-on behavior as the original ASIC-replacement FPGA. The non-volatile one-time-programmed bitstream offers resistance to configuration upset and design extraction, which matters in hostile environments. Microchip's continued support of the MX line in Libero SoC lets program offices re-generate programming files without legacy tool barriers.

🖥️

Single-Chip ASIC Alternative

For mid-volume products where full ASIC mask costs are unjustified, the A42MX16 acts as a single-chip ASIC alternative. The 24K-gate capacity integrates control logic, bus interfaces, and custom peripherals that would otherwise span multiple SSI/MSI devices, reducing board area and assembly cost. Antifuse programming makes the resulting design effectively an ASIC: fixed at programming time, secure against bitstream readout, and deterministic at power-up. The 0.45 um process is mature, meaning stable silicon and long-term supply continuity for products with 10-20 year field lives.

🔬

Test and Measurement Fixtures

Production test fixtures and ATE adapter boards use the A42MX16-1PQG160I for protocol emulation, timing generators, and signal routing between the tester and device-under-test. The 125 user I/Os provide dense channel counts in a single 160-pin BQFP, and 5V/3.3V I/O support matches both legacy and newer fixture electronics. Instant-on antifuse configuration means the fixture is functional the moment power is applied - important in high-throughput production lines where configuration delay per cycle would reduce throughput.

💊

Medical Device Legacy Boards

Long-lifecycle medical equipment - patient monitors, infusion systems, imaging subsystems - often contains MX FPGAs from original designs. The A42MX16-1PQG160I supports regulatory-driven board re-qualification by providing an identical drop-in to the originally qualified device, minimizing revalidation scope. Its deterministic instant-on behavior simplifies power-on self-test sequencing required by IEC 60601-style safety analyses, and the burned-in antifuse bitstream cannot be altered in the field, supporting cybersecurity and software-validation documentation over the product's service life.

What is the gate count of A42MX16-1PQG160I?
The A42MX16-1PQG160I provides 24,000 system gates with 608 CLBs and 1,232 logic cells. According to the Microsemi/Microchip 40MX and 42MX FPGA families datasheet (DS2136), the A42MX16 also offers up to 125 user I/Os in the 160-pin BQFP package and is fabricated on a 0.45 um antifuse CMOS process.
What supply voltage does the A42MX16-1PQG160I require?
The A42MX16-1PQG160I operates from a 5.0 V core supply, with 3.3V/5V I/O support per distributor data. This 5V architecture is the main reason designers select MX devices to interface directly with legacy TTL/CMOS logic without level translators. Always confirm the exact I/O bank voltage requirements in the DS2136 datasheet before board design.
What is the difference between A42MX16-1PQG160I and A42MX16-2PQG160?
The speed grade is the primary difference: the -1 suffix indicates a slower (base) speed grade, while -2 indicates a faster grade with higher toggle frequency. Both share the same 160-pin PQG160 package footprint, 24K gate array, and pinout, so they are footprint-identical; only maximum operating frequency and timing parameters differ. Choose -2 when your design exceeds -1 timing closure.
Is the A42MX16-1PQG160I still in production?
Yes, the A42MX16 family remains an active Microchip (formerly Microsemi) product line targeted at high-volume legacy integration. Distributors such as DigiKey and Mouser list the A42MX16-1PQG160I with stock and pricing as of 2026-08-30. Check distributor inventory for current lead times, as specialty FPGA demand can affect availability.
Where can I buy A42MX16-1PQG160I and what is the price?
The A42MX16-1PQG160I is available from distributors including DigiKey (part 2858338), Mouser, and authorized brokers such as Microchip USA. Pricing as of 2026-08-30 varies by quantity and distributor; consult the XAIPART pricing tiers on this page or the DigiKey/Mouser product pages for real-time quotes. For production volumes, request quotes via MicrochipDirect.
What is the best drop-in replacement for A42MX16-1PQG160I?
The closest same-package drop-ins are other A42MX16 devices in the 160-pin PQG160 footprint, such as A42MX16-2PQG160 or A42MX16-2PQG160I (faster speed grades, same pinout). Lower-density A42MX09 in PQG160 packages (e.g., A42MX09-3PQG160I) fit the same footprint with reduced logic capacity. Cross-brand drop-in equivalents do not exist - antifuse MX pinouts are Microchip-proprietary, so replacement must stay within the family.
Can an SRAM FPGA like an Artix-7 replace the A42MX16-1PQG160I?
Not as a drop-in - different packages, pinouts, voltages, and configuration schemes require a PCB redesign. Functionally, a modern SRAM FPGA can exceed 24K gates easily, but you lose the MX family advantages: instant-on antifuse configuration, no external configuration PROM, 5V-tolerant I/O, and lower configuration-bitstream security exposure. Migrate only when redesigning the board or when lifecycle cost justifies it.
Where can I download the A42MX16 datasheet PDF?
The official datasheet is the Microsemi document DS2136, '40MX and 42MX FPGA Families', available as a PDF from Microchip's website. It covers the A42MX16 architecture, DC/AC characteristics, package mechanical drawings for the 160-pin BQFP, and programming information. A direct link is provided in the datasheet field on this page.
Where can I find the A42MX16-1PQG160I pinout?
The 160-pin BQFP pinout is defined in the DS2136 datasheet package section, which lists pin assignments per package for each family member. Because I/O assignments are partly user-defined in FPGA designs, the datasheet provides dedicated power, ground, configuration, and JTAG pins; the remaining 125 user I/O positions are mapped in the designer's project files. See the datasheet for the exact BQFP-160 mechanical drawing.
Is the A42MX16-1PQG160I suitable for industrial and aerospace systems?
Yes. The industrial (I) temperature rating and antifuse one-time-programmable technology make it well suited for industrial control and aerospace/military legacy sustainment. Antifuse configuration is immune to configuration memory upsets and needs no boot device, and the 5V-tolerant I/O integrates directly with legacy boards. For new space-grade designs, Microchip offers dedicated radiation-tolerant families, so verify program requirements.
Hey Google, what can replace the A42MX16-1PQG160I?
Replacement options are limited to the Microchip MX family: A42MX16-2PQG160 (same footprint, faster speed grade) or A42MX09 PQG160 variants (same footprint, smaller die). No cross-brand pin-compatible equivalent exists. If a board redesign is acceptable, modern Microchip PolarFire or low-cost SRAM FPGAs can replace the function but not the footprint.
What are the key specifications of the A42MX16-1PQG160I engineers should know?
Key specs: 24,000 system gates, 608 CLBs (1,232 logic cells), 125 user I/O, 5.0 V supply with 3.3V/5V I/O, toggle rates up to 119/198 MHz, 0.45 um antifuse CMOS process, -1 speed grade, industrial temperature rating, and 160-pin BQFP (0.65 mm pitch) package. Configuration is one-time programmable and non-volatile, requiring no external boot PROM.
Which design software is used for the A42MX16-1PQG160I?
MX family devices are designed with Microchip/Microsemi Libero SoC design suite, which replaced the legacy Actel Designer flow. Libero supports synthesis, place-and-route, timing analysis, and antifuse programming file generation for 42MX devices. Verify your Libero license includes legacy device support before committing to new MX designs.
Is the A42MX16-1PQG160I RoHS compliant?
Distributor listings (PCB Electronics Supply Chain) describe the A42MX16-1PQG160I as lead free, and the G suffix in PQG160 indicates RoHS-compliant plating. For formal compliance certificates (RoHS, REACH, halogen-free status), obtain the material declaration from Microchip's product compliance portal, as XAIPART does not independently certify these values.
Why choose an antifuse FPGA over an SRAM FPGA for legacy redesigns?
Antifuse FPGAs like the A42MX16 offer instant-on operation without a configuration PROM, immunity to configuration bitstream corruption, inherently higher design security (the bitstream is burned in and unreadable), and 5V-tolerant I/O. The trade-offs are one-time programmability (no rework after programming) and older 0.45 um process technology with lower logic density and higher power than modern SRAM FPGAs.

Engineering reference data for A42MX16-1PQG160I — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.

Selection Guide

Choose the A42MX16-1PQG160I when you need the lowest-cost 24K-gate MX device with industrial temperature rating in a 160-pin BQFP, typically for legacy board sustainment, PLD consolidation, or 5V industrial control. Choose A42MX16-2PQG160 variants when your design fails -1 timing closure and the faster -2 grade is required (commercial temp) or when industrial temp plus speed is needed (A42MX16-2PQG160I). Choose A42MX09 PQG160 parts when the logic fits in 9K gates and cost matters most. Choose A42MX24-2PQG160I when more than 24K gates are needed without a PCB change. There are no cross-brand pin-compatible alternatives: the MX antifuse architecture and pinout are Microchip-proprietary, so any drop-in must remain within the A42MX family. For new designs without a 5V legacy constraint, evaluate modern Microchip FPGA families instead, since 0.45 um antifuse technology is optimized for sustainment, not new density or power advantages.

Comparison with Alternatives

Parameter This Product A42MX16-2PQG160 A42MX09-3PQG160I A42MX24-2PQG160I
Package 160-BQFP (PQG160) 160-BQFP (PQG160) - same 160-BQFP (PQG160) - same 160-BQFP (PQG160) - same
Brand Microchip Technology (Microsemi) Microchip Technology Microchip Technology Microchip Technology
System Gates 24000 24000 9000 36000
Speed Grade -1 -2 (faster) -3 (fastest small die) -2
Supply Voltage 5 V 5 V 5 V 5 V
Temperature Range Industrial (I) Commercial Industrial Industrial
Programming Technology Antifuse OTP Antifuse OTP Antifuse OTP Antifuse OTP
Cross-Brand Pin-Compatible N/A N/A (family-proprietary) N/A (family-proprietary) N/A (family-proprietary)

Key Differentiators

  • Base speed grade at lowest cost (vs A42MX16-2PQG160)
  • Industrial temperature rating (vs A42MX16-2PQG160)
  • Same-footprint density scalability (vs A42MX24-2PQG160I)

Design Notes

The A42MX16 operates from a single 5.0 V rail with 3.3V/5V I/O support. Decouple each VCC pin with 0.1 uF ceramic capacitors placed within 5 mm of the pin, plus bulk 10 uF per rail. Because antifuse FPGAs are instant-on, ensure the 5V rail monotonicity meets datasheet power-up requirements - no configuration controller is needed, but brown-out glitches mid-operation can still disrupt state machines, so consider a supervisor for critical designs.

The 160-BQFP has 0.65 mm lead pitch - use fine-pitch QFP footprint per IPC-7351 conventions with nonsolder-mask-defined pads. Thermal relief via the package center is limited, so connect exposed copper under the body only for mechanical support, not thermal dissipation. Route JTAG (TCK/TDI/TDO/TMS) as a daisy chain with series termination on TCK to avoid ringing at programming frequencies.

Antifuse devices are one-time programmable: there is no rework path after programming errors. Lock your design in Libero SoC and verify timing closure against the -1 speed grade before committing silicon. Do not substitute the commercial-temperature A42MX16-2PQG160 into an industrial build - the I suffix temperature range must match the end application, and the die speed/timing derating differs across grades.

Compliance Information

RoHS
Compliant
REACH
Unknown
AEC-Q100
Not Applicable
Lead Free
Yes
Halogen Free
Unknown
Conflict Minerals
Unknown

Distributor data (PCB Electronics Supply Chain) describes the part as LEAD FREE; the G suffix in PQG160 indicates RoHS-compliant plating per Microchip ordering-code convention. Formal REACH/halogen certificates not in provided data.

Related Searches

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Related Components & Terms

Microchip Technology Microsemi Corporation A42MX16-1PQG160I A42MX16 42MX family MX FPGA FPGA field-programmable gate array antifuse one-time programmable 160-BQFP PQFP IEEE 1149.1 JTAG Libero SoC DS2136 datasheet 24K system gates 125 user I/O 5V tolerant I/O industrial temperature legacy PLD consolidation ASIC alternative
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