A42MX36-PQG208I - 54K Gate FPGA, 176 I/O PQFP-208 | Microchip
MPN: A42MX36-PQG208I ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $85 | $85.00 |
| 10 | $78.2 | $782.00 |
| 100 | $69.5 | $6,950.00 |
| 500 | $62 | $31,000.00 |
| 1,000 | $55 | $55,000.00 |
A42MX36-PQG208I Overview
An FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is a semiconductor device containing programmable logic blocks and interconnects that designers configure after manufacturing. The MX family uses antifuse programmability - one-time programmable connections that are inherently non-volatile, immune to configuration readback attacks, and require no external configuration ROM. This makes MX devices a reliable, single-chip ASIC alternative well suited to high-volume, cost-sensitive systems and legacy PLD integration.
Key features include a flexible 5.0V-tolerant architecture, dual-port SRAM (2560 bits), multiple clock resources with hard-wired FIFO support, and JTAG boundary-scan testing. The antifuse interconnect provides routing comparable to ASIC metal layers with low parasitic capacitance, contributing to predictable timing. All MX devices are fully tested over automotive and military temperature ranges, and the A42MX36 is also available in CQ208 and CQ256 ceramic packages screened to MIL-STD-883 levels, with CQ208 and PQ208 devices pin-compatible for easy prototyping and conversion.
Typical applications include industrial control, aerospace and defense logic glue, bridge logic, bus interfacing, high-volume embedded systems, and consolidation of legacy PAL/GAL/PLD devices into a single low-cost device.
When designing with the A42MX36-PQG208I, plan I/O standards and power sequencing per the 40MX/42MX FPGA Families datasheet, and reserve design reuse headroom: the one-time-programmable antifuse fabric requires correct first-pass programming, so validate thoroughly in the pin-compatible ceramic CQ208 package before production commits.
Drop-in alternatives for A42MX36-PQG208I — 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 A42MX36-PQG208I (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, System Gates, Operating Temperature, RoHS Status, Family.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
A42MX36-PQG208
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
A42MX36-PQ208I
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
A42MX36-CQ208I
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
A42MX36-PQG208I Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | 42MX (MX FPGA Family) |
| System Gates | 54000 gates |
| Logic Cells | 1184 |
| User I/O | 176 |
| RAM Bits | 2560 bits |
| System Speed | 79 MHz / 131 MHz |
| Process Technology | 0.45 um |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V / 5 V |
| Programming Technology | Antifuse (one-time programmable) |
| Package | 208-Pin PQFP (PQG208 / 208-BFQFP) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Lead Finish | Lead free |
| Packaging | Tray |
| Boundary Scan | JTAG |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (LEAD FREE per Mouser) |
A42MX36-PQG208I Pin Configuration
| Pin 1-208 | USER I/O / POWER / JTAG — The A42MX36-PQG208I pinout is flexibly assigned: 176 user I/O pins, VDD/VSS power pairs, and dedicated JTAG (TDI, TDO, TMS, TCK) pins are distributed across the 208-pin PQFP. Exact per-pin signal assignment is defined at design time in Microchip design tools and documented in the 40MX/42MX Families datasheet pin tables. Per-pin assignment requires the family datasheet pin table - see [DATA_NEEDED: per-pin signal map]. |
Typical Applications
A42MX36-PQG208I is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control and Automation, Aerospace and Defense Glue Logic, Legacy PLD Consolidation, Bus Interface and Bridge Logic, High-Volume Embedded Systems, Test and Measurement Instrumentation.
Industrial Control and Automation
The A42MX36-PQG208I fits industrial control because its 5.0V-tolerant MX architecture directly interfaces with legacy 24V-referenced and 5V TTL field I/O that modern FPGAs cannot accept, while its 176 user I/O absorb large glue-logic and bus-interface fabrics. In a PLC backplane or motor control card, the 1184 logic cells implement state machines, address decoders, and interlocks at deterministic speeds up to 79 MHz. The antifuse fabric powers up instantly with no configuration flash, meeting industrial boot-time expectations; at -40C to +85C industrial rating it covers unconditioned cabinets.
Recommended
Aerospace and Defense Glue Logic
Aerospace and defense designs use the A42MX36 because the same die is offered in CQ208/CQ256 ceramic packages screened to MIL-STD-883, and Microchip tests all MX devices over automotive and military temperature ranges. The antifuse configuration is non-volatile and resistant to configuration readback, a key advantage over SRAM FPGAs in secure programs. Designers prototype on the plastic PQG208, then convert to the pin-compatible ceramic CQ208 without PCB change, while the 54K gates absorb bridge logic, bus protocols, and telemetry formatting at up to 131 MHz.
Recommended
Legacy PLD Consolidation
Microchip positions MX explicitly as the platform for integrating legacy PLDs into a single low-cost device. Boards carrying multiple 22V10-style PALs, GALs, or 4000-series glue chips are consolidated into one A42MX36-PQG208I, cutting BOM count, board area, and assembly cost. The 5.0V architecture preserves 5V TTL compatibility of the replaced devices, and 2560 bits of dual-port SRAM absorb small FIFOs and scratchpads formerly built from discrete SRAM. One-time programming eliminates configuration storage, matching the always-on behavior of the replaced PLDs.
Recommended
Bus Interface and Bridge Logic
With 176 user I/O and up to 131 MHz toggle performance, the A42MX36-PQG208I implements bus bridges between ISA/VME-style parallel buses, backplanes, and modern microcontroller peripherals. The 0.45um antifuse interconnect delivers low, predictable routing capacitance, simplifying timing closure for wide parallel buses where skew matters. Dual-port SRAM (2560 bits) builds mailbox registers and small FIFOs at the bridge boundary, while 5V-tolerant I/O banks connect directly to legacy signaling without level shifters, reducing component count in retrofit designs.
Recommended
High-Volume Embedded Systems
MX is a high-volume, low-cost platform: antifuse wafers need no configuration memory BOM, and the mature 0.45um process yields cost-stable pricing at volume, as reflected in quantity-break pricing at 100/500/1000 units. Embedded product lines use the A42MX36-PQG208I for fixed-function control, display timing, and peripheral sequencing where an MCU is insufficient but an ASIC is not economical. Because the programmed bitstream is permanently fused, shipped units behave identically year over year with no firmware re-configuration risk in the field.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Instrumentation
Instrumentation backplanes use the A42MX36-PQG208I as a deterministic trigger, timing, and interface controller. The 2560-bit dual-port SRAM implements capture buffers and delay lines, while hard clock resources distribute low-skew sample clocks at up to 131 MHz system speed. Instant-on antifuse configuration means the instrument is operational at power application, critical for bench gear with fast power-cycle test cycles. The 208-pin PQFP offers abundant I/O for probing front-panel switches, relay controls, and ADC/DAC interfaces on a single programmable device.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for A42MX36-PQG208I — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | A42MX36-PQG208 | A42MX36-PQ208I | A42MX36-CQ208I |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 208-Pin PQFP (PQG208) | 208-Pin PQFP - same | 208-Pin PQFP - same | 208-Pin CQFP - pin-compatible |
| Brand | Microchip Technology (Actel/Microsemi) | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| System Gates | 54000 | 54000 | 54000 | 54000 |
| Logic Cells | 1184 | 1184 | 1184 | 1184 |
| User I/O | 176 | 176 | 176 | 176 |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | Military range, MIL-STD-883 screened |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V / 5 V | 3.3 V / 5 V | 3.3 V / 5 V | 3.3 V / 5 V |
| Lead Finish | Lead free (G suffix) | Lead free | Standard finish | Ceramic package |
Key Differentiators
- Industrial temperature rating for harsh environments (vs A42MX36-PQG208)
- Lead-free finish for RoHS supply chains (vs A42MX36-PQ208I)
- Plastic-package cost for MIL-STD-883-pin-compatible prototyping (vs A42MX36-CQ208I)
Design Notes
The MX family operates from a single 5.0V or 3.3V supply; verify your I/O bank voltage against the datasheet DC characteristics before pin assignment. Decouple all VDD pins with at least one 0.1uF ceramic per pin plus bulk capacitance at the board entry point. Because antifuse configuration draws no configuration current at power-up, inrush is dominated by decoupling network charge, simplifying power supply sequencing versus SRAM FPGAs.
The antifuse fabric is one-time programmable - an incorrect or marginal programming pass cannot be erased and reworked. Validate the complete design in the pin-compatible ceramic CQ208 package or on development hardware before programming production PQG208 units, and always program with Microchip-approved programmers and current Silicon Explorer/software versions to guarantee fuse programming margins.
The 208-pin PQFP requires careful lead pitch (0.5mm class) soldering; inspect with X-ray or AOI for solder bridging on fine-pitch perimeter leads. Provide solid ground pour under the package and short, low-impedance returns for high-speed clock routing. If future conversion to MIL-STD-883 ceramic CQ208 is possible, keep the footprint per the shared CQ208/PQ208 landing pattern in the Microchip datasheet.
The 0.45um MX fabric at 54K gates dissipates modest static power, but dynamic power scales with clock frequency and I/O switching. Estimate power in Microchip design tools at your actual toggle rates; above approximately 50 MHz with heavily loaded I/O, verify junction temperature stays within -40C to +85C industrial limits using the theta-JA of the PQFP-208 from the datasheet thermal section.
Compliance Information
Mouser lists A42MX36-PQG208I as LEAD FREE. Microchip product change notifications confirm ongoing assembly-site qualification for MX products. Full REACH/halogen-free status per Microchip product page.
