A42MX24-PQG160A - 36K Gate 5V MX FPGA | Microchip Technology
MPN: A42MX24-PQG160A ✓ 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 A42MX24-PQG160A — 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:
A42MX09-PQG160A
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1 / Unit
View Datasheet →A42MX09-3PQG160I
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$41.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →A42MX09-1PQG160
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$20.6 / Unit
View Datasheet →A42MX09-3PQG160
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$26.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →A42MX09-PQG160M
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$29.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →A42MX24-PQG160A Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | MX (42MX) |
| System Gates | 36000 |
| Logic Cells | 912 |
| User I/O | 125 |
| Maximum System Frequency | 135 MHz |
| Process Technology | 0.45 um |
| Supply Voltage | 3V to 3.6V, 4.5V to 5.5V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (TA) |
| Package / Case | 160-BQFP |
| Supplier Device Package | 160-PQFP (28x28 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Grade | Automotive |
| Packaging | Tray |
| RoHS Status | ROHS3 Compliant |
| Lead Free | Yes |
| Manufacturer Lead Time | 10 weeks |
| Product Status | Active |
A42MX24-PQG160A Pin Configuration
| Pin [DATA_NEEDED] | VDDA — 3V-3.6V core/I-O supply domain |
| Pin [DATA_NEEDED] | VDDI — 4.5V-5.5V supply domain |
| Pin [DATA_NEEDED] | GND — Ground |
| Pin [DATA_NEEDED] | I/O — 125 user programmable I/O pins |
| Pin [DATA_NEEDED] | CONFIG — Programming/configuration pins per MX datasheet |
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-PQG160A is suitable for 6 applications: Legacy PLD Consolidation, 5V Industrial Control Systems, Automotive Electronic Modules, ASIC Prototyping and Bridge Logic, Bus Interface and Protocol Translation, Test and Measurement Fixtures.
Legacy PLD Consolidation
The A42MX24-PQG160A's 36K gates and 912 logic cells let designers fold dozens of legacy PAL/GAL/22V10 devices into one chip, cutting board area and BOM count. Its flexible 5.0V-tolerant MX architecture directly accepts legacy 5V TTL/CMOS signaling on the 125 user I/O, eliminating level-shifting circuitry. Per Microchip, MX is explicitly positioned as a single-chip ASIC alternative for integrating legacy PLDs at low cost in high-volume production.
Recommended
5V Industrial Control Systems
Industrial PLC backplanes and motor-control boards still run 5V logic, and the A42MX24-PQG160A's dual-rail operation (3V-3.6V and 4.5V-5.5V) plus 5V-tolerant I/O makes it a natural fit. Its 135 MHz system speed covers sequencers, bus arbitration, and interlock logic, while -40C to +125C operation survives cabinet and floor environments. Deterministic FPGA timing avoids software latency of MCU-based glue logic in safety interlocks.
Recommended
Automotive Electronic Modules
Listed as an automotive-grade MX device, the A42MX24-PQG160A operates from -40C to +125C, covering underhood-adjacent and body-electronics zones. It implements seat/door module sequencing, lamp diagnostics, and sensor-interface glue logic with 125 flexible I/O. The 0.45 um mature process offers stable long-term supply for programs spanning a decade, and the ROHS3-compliant A-suffix package meets current automotive environmental directives.
Recommended
ASIC Prototyping and Bridge Logic
Before committing to an ASIC, engineers validate RTL on the A42MX24's 36K gates; the MX architecture is the direct predecessor platform for Microsemi Axcelerator/ProASIC migration paths. Its 912 cells and 135 MHz performance suffice for peripheral controllers, bus bridges, and protocol translators. The 160-PQFP 28x28 mm package is hand-solderable on prototype boards, and tray packaging suits low-volume lab builds without reel commitments.
Recommended
Bus Interface and Protocol Translation
With 125 user I/O and 135 MHz toggle capability, the A42MX24-PQG160A bridges ISA/VME-style parallel buses, parallel peripherals, and custom serializers to modern controllers. The 5V-tolerant MX I/O accepts direct legacy signaling, while the FPGA fabric implements state machines for handshaking, wait-state generation, and byte-lane steering. Its deterministic single-chip solution removes the timing-skew risks of multi-chip PLD chains.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Fixtures
Production test equipment often needs custom timing generators, pattern muxes, and pass/fail comparators; the A42MX24's 36K gates implement these in one 28x28 mm PQFP running up to 135 MHz. The -40C to +125C range suits thermally stressed rack environments, and the deterministic FPGA fabric delivers repeatable stimulus timing that software-driven testers cannot match. 125 I/O covers wide parallel bus poke/probe applications.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for A42MX24-PQG160A — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | A42MX09-PQG160A | A42MX09-3PQG160I | A42MX09-1PQG160 | A42MX09-3PQG160 | A42MX09-PQG160M |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 160-PQFP (PQG160, 28x28 mm) | 160-PQFP - same | 160-PQFP - same | 160-PQFP - same | 160-PQFP - same | 160-PQFP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology (Microsemi) | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| System Gates | 36000 | 9000 | 9000 | 9000 | 9000 | 9000 |
| Logic Cells | 912 | [DATA_NEEDED] | [DATA_NEEDED] | [DATA_NEEDED] | [DATA_NEEDED] | [DATA_NEEDED] |
| User I/O | 125 | [DATA_NEEDED] | [DATA_NEEDED] | [DATA_NEEDED] | [DATA_NEEDED] | [DATA_NEEDED] |
| Max Frequency | 135 MHz | 135 MHz class | -3 speed grade (faster) | -1 speed grade (slower) | -3 speed grade (faster) | [DATA_NEEDED] |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C | [DATA_NEEDED] | Industrial (-40C to +85C class) | [DATA_NEEDED] | [DATA_NEEDED] | Military/extended screening |
| Supply Voltage | 3V-3.6V, 4.5V-5.5V | 3V-3.6V, 4.5V-5.5V | 3V-3.6V, 4.5V-5.5V | 3V-3.6V, 4.5V-5.5V | 3V-3.6V, 4.5V-5.5V | 3V-3.6V, 4.5V-5.5V |
Key Differentiators
- 4x the logic capacity of smaller same-footprint MX parts (vs A42MX09-PQG160A)
- Full automotive temperature range (vs A42MX09-3PQG160I)
- 5V-tolerant dual-rail architecture (vs Cross-brand modern FPGAs (Xilinx/Altera))
Design Notes
The A42MX24-PQG160A requires two supply domains: 3V-3.6V and 4.5V-5.5V. Implement each rail with local 0.1 uF ceramic decoupling per supply pin pair plus 10 uF bulk per rail. Follow the MX datasheet power-up sequence to avoid latch-up on the 5V-tolerant I/O structure. Verify worst-case core current against the datasheet supply-current tables at 135 MHz toggle rates before sizing the 3.3V regulator.
The 160-PQFP 28x28 mm package has 0.65 mm-pitch leads requiring careful solder-paste stencil design; use NSMD pads per IPC guidance found in the Microchip packaging data. Reserve keep-out clearance for lead forming and inspection. Unused user I/O should be programmed to a defined state (input with pull or grounded output) per MX design guidelines to prevent floating-node EMI.
Do not confuse the A-suffix (RoHS3 lead-free) part with legacy leaded A42MX24-PQG160 in mixed stock - they are not drop-in equivalent for RoHS-restricted builds. Also confirm the 10-week manufacturer lead time in production plans, and verify logic capacity in Libero/MX tools before migrating smaller A42MX09 designs up to the 36K device, since routing congestion affects achievable gate utilization.
Compliance Information
ROHS3 compliant per Microchip USA and DigiKey product data. Automotive grade per MX family listing; AEC-Q100 qualification status not stated in provided data.
