A42MX24-PQ160I - 36K Gate 5V FPGA 160-BQFP | Microchip
MPN: A42MX24-PQ160I β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $32.5 | $32.50 |
| 10 | $29.9 | $299.00 |
| 100 | $27.1 | $2,710.00 |
| 500 | $24.6 | $12,300.00 |
| 1,000 | $22.3 | $22,300.00 |
Drop-in alternatives for A42MX24-PQ160I β same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
A42MX24-1PQ160I
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
A42MX24-2PQ160I
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
A42MX24-PQ160
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
A42MX16-PQ160I
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
XC4010E-4PQ160I
β‘ Same Packageπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
A42MX24-PQ160I Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | MX (Actel antifuse FPGA) |
| System Gates | 36000 |
| Logic Cells | 912 |
| Number of I/O | 125 |
| Core Supply Voltage | 3 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Supply Voltage | 4.75 V to 5.25 V |
| Process Technology | 0.45 um antifuse |
| Programming Type | One-Time Programmable (antifuse) |
| Package | 160-BQFP (28x28 mm PQFP) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Speed Grade | Standard (see datasheet for timing) |
| RoHS Status | [DATA_NEEDED: RoHS status] |
| MSL Level | [DATA_NEEDED: MSL level] |
| Packaging | Tray |
| Configuration Storage | Internal (no external PROM required) |
A42MX24-PQ160I Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | IO β User programmable I/O (5V-tolerant bank) |
| Pin [DATA_NEEDED: exact pin map] | VCC (core) β 3V to 3.6V core supply pins distributed around the package |
| Pin [DATA_NEEDED: exact pin map] | VCCI (I/O) β 4.75V to 5.25V I/O supply pins |
| Pin [DATA_NEEDED: exact pin map] | GND β Ground pins |
| Pin [DATA_NEEDED: exact pin map] | CLK β Dedicated clock input pins |
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
A42MX24-PQ160I is suitable for 6 applications: Legacy 5V System Migration, Industrial Control and Automation, Aerospace and Defense Logic Replacement, ASIC Prototyping and Bridging, Telecommunications Interface Boards, Test and Measurement Fixtures.
Legacy 5V System Migration
The A42MX24-PQ160I consolidates legacy PAL, GAL, and 22V10 PLD glue logic into a single 36K-gate device while interfacing directly with 5V TTL backplanes. Its 4.75V to 5.25V I/O rail and 5.0V-tolerant architecture eliminate level shifters, and antifuse permanence means the migrated design behaves identically to discrete logic on power-up with no configuration delay. Industrial temperature support (-40C to +85C) suits factory-floor retrofits.
Recommended
Industrial Control and Automation
In PLC I/O modules and motor control interface boards, the A42MX24-PQ160I provides deterministic, configuration-immutable logic with 125 flexible I/O for sensor and actuator interfacing. The antifuse fabric cannot be corrupted by configuration upsets, and the dual-rail scheme bridges 3.3V control processors to 5V field-side signals. Industrial temperature rating and 160-BQFP rework-friendly pitch suit long-life industrial deployments.
Recommended
Aerospace and Defense Logic Replacement
Antifuse FPGAs like the A42MX24 are historically favored in defense upgrades because programming is permanent, resistant to configuration readback, and immune to SEU-driven configuration loss. The PQ160I industrial grade supports -40C to +85C for avionic bay environments, and the 5V-tolerant I/O sustains legacy mil-spec bus interfaces. Microchip maintains the MX family as an active platform for these high-reliability replacement programs.
Recommended
ASIC Prototyping and Bridging
The MX family serves as a low-cost, high-volume ASIC alternative: the 36K-gate A42MX24 absorbs moderate-scale RTL blocks with one-time programming that locks the netlist against cloning. In ASIC bridge roles it interfaces 5V system buses with 3.3V core logic on the same die, simplifying mixed-voltage prototypes. No external PROM or boot sequence is needed, so prototypes power up with production-like behavior.
Recommended
Telecommunications Interface Boards
Telecom line cards and backplane adapters built around 5V signaling use the A42MX24-PQ160I for framing, decode, and glue logic with 125 I/O and dual-rail operation. The antifuse architecture gives deterministic routing delays, useful for timing-constrained interface logic, and the 28x28 mm BQFP fits standard card formats. Its security against design theft also protects proprietary protocol implementations.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Fixtures
Custom test fixtures and board-level functional testers use the A42MX24-PQ160I as a fixed-pattern stimulus/response engine. One-time programming guarantees the test pattern logic cannot drift or be altered in the field, and 5V-tolerant I/O connects directly to DUT pins of legacy boards. The 125 I/O count covers wide parallel buses, and industrial temperature supports unattended production-floor equipment.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for A42MX24-PQ160I β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | A42MX24-1PQ160I | A42MX24-2PQ160I | A42MX24-PQ160 | A42MX16-PQ160I | XC4010E-4PQ160I |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 160-BQFP (28x28 mm) | 160-BQFP - same | 160-BQFP - same | 160-BQFP - same | 160-BQFP - same | 160-PQFP - similar footprint |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Xilinx |
| System Gates | 36000 | 36000 | 36000 | 36000 | 24000 | 10000 |
| Logic Cells | 912 | 912 | 912 | 912 | 608 | 400 CLBs (architecture differs) |
| Number of I/O | 125 | 125 | 125 | 125 | [DATA_NEEDED] | [DATA_NEEDED] |
| Supply Voltage | 3V-3.6V core, 4.75V-5.25V I/O | same dual rail | same dual rail | same dual rail | same dual rail | 3.3V (no 5V I/O rail) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
| Programming Technology | Antifuse OTP (no config PROM) | Antifuse OTP | Antifuse OTP | Antifuse OTP | Antifuse OTP | SRAM (needs config PROM) |
Key Differentiators
- Native 5V I/O rail eliminates level shifters (vs XC4010E-4PQ160I)
- Configuration-free instant-on operation (vs XC4010E-4PQ160I)
- Industrial temperature at no package penalty (vs A42MX24-PQ160)
Design Notes
The A42MX24-PQ160I requires sequencing-aware dual rails: 3V-3.6V core and 4.75V-5.25V I/O. Decouple each supply with at least 0.1uF ceramic per VCC pin plus bulk 10uF. Antifuse devices draw near-zero configuration current and no inrush from bitstream loading, but 5V I/O switching into heavy legacy bus loads creates ground bounce - use generous ground return paths on the BQFP breakout.
Antifuse FPGAs are one-time programmable: a failed programming cycle or post-route timing miss wastes the device permanently. Complete full timing simulation in Libero SoC / Actel Designer before programming production parts, and reserve engineering-grade devices for design iterations. Also confirm speed grade ordering (standard vs -1/-2) matches your timing-critical paths.
The 160-BQFP has 0.65mm lead pitch: use a footprint per the Microchip mechanical drawing with solder-mask-defined pads for reliable reflow, and include via-stitched thermal relief under the center of the package. Keep clock traces short and, since MX routing is deterministic but not reprogrammable, budget skew statically during place-and-route.
Compliance Information
Compliance data not present in provided verified web data. Verify RoHS/REACH status on the Microchip product page or DigiKey listing before procurement.
