XC3S400-5PQ208C - 400K Gate Spartan-3 FPGA | Xilinx
MPN: XC3S400-5PQ208C ✗ End of LifeXC3S400-5PQ208C Overview
A field-programmable gate array, or FPGA, is a semiconductor whose digital logic can be configured after fabrication. FPGAs sit above programmable logic devices in the hardware hierarchy and combine configurable logic blocks, programmable interconnect, input/output blocks, and embedded memory resources. The Spartan-3 architecture uses a 90 nm process and provides a substantial logic capacity while using a conventional 208-pin PQFP surface-mount package, avoiding the larger ball-grid-array footprints used by many comparable devices.
The XC3S400-5PQ208C provides 8,064 logic cells, 400,000 system gates, and 141 I/O. The -5 suffix identifies the device speed grade, while PQ208 identifies the 208-pin PQFP package. The available component listings also identify the device as lead-free and classify the package as 208-BFQFP. Exact core-voltage tolerances, configuration-memory organization, I/O standards, and recommended decoupling values were not supplied in the verified data and therefore are not inferred here.
Typical applications include industrial control and automation, embedded instrumentation, communications gateways, digital signal-processing front ends, and general-purpose logic consolidation. The 141 I/O sites allow the FPGA to interface with parallel data buses, control signals, clocks, and external memory, while the 8,064 logic cells support state machines, protocol handling, data formatting, and arithmetic logic. Designers should assess clock-rate requirements carefully because a faster internal fabric does not guarantee that an external interface meets its specified timing.
For a new PCB, the key design consideration is package-level planning. The 208-pin PQFP footprint requires adequate escape routing, exposed via access, and careful decoupling around the 1.2 V supply. A finished Spartan-3 design must also include a supported configuration path and a valid bitstream generated for the exact device, speed grade, and package identifier. Legacy software support should be verified before committing the part to a long-lived production program.
This page consolidates verified distributor specifications, same-package replacement information, package and sourcing constraints, and engineering selection guidance. It also distinguishes directly compatible PQ208 alternatives from FG320 options that require a different PCB footprint, helping prevent a functionally similar FPGA from being mistaken for a true drop-in replacement.
Drop-in alternatives for XC3S400-5PQ208C — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
XC3S400-4PQ208C
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
XC3S400-4PQG208C
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
XC3S400-4PQ208I
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
XC3S400-5PQG208C
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
XC3S400-5PQ208C Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Device Type | Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) |
| FPGA Family | Spartan-3 |
| System Gates | 400,000 gates |
| Logic Cells | 8,064 cells |
| User I/O | 141 I/O |
| Core Supply Voltage | 1.2 V |
| Device Speed Grade | -5 |
| Maximum Device Frequency | 725 MHz |
| Process Technology | 90 nm |
| Package | 208-pin PQFP |
| DigiKey Package Designation | 208-BFQFP |
| Number of Terminals | 208 terminals |
| Package Shape | Square |
| Mounting Style | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to 85°C |
| Terminal Form | Gull Wing |
| Lead-Free Status | Lead Free |
| RoHS Compliance | Compliant |
| REACH Compliance | Compliant |
XC3S400-5PQ208C square Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for XC3S400-5PQ208C (square package). This digital IC includes GPIO, communication interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C), and power pins. Refer to the manufacturer datasheet for alternate pin functions and configuration options. Essential for embedded system design and PCB layout.
No detailed pinout data available for XC3S400-5PQ208C.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
XC3S400-5PQ208C is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Automation Controllers, Embedded Communications Interfaces, Data Acquisition and Signal Processing, Programmable Logic Consolidation, Test and Measurement Instrumentation, LED Signage and Display Control.
Industrial Automation Controllers
The XC3S400-5PQ208C fits compact industrial control systems requiring deterministic programmable logic, 141 I/O, and a 208-pin surface-mount footprint. Its 8,064 logic cells can support sequencing, interlocks, signal conditioning, communication framing, and supervisory control without requiring a separate processor for every deterministic task. The -5 speed grade provides more timing margin than the -4 alternative when clocks and bus timing are critical. Because the specified 0°C to 85°C range is commercial rather than extended industrial, use the PQG or PQ208I variants when the enclosure exceeds that range. Legacy Spartan-3 design-tool support and bitstream reproducibility should also be confirmed before production release.
Recommended
Embedded Communications Interfaces
The Spartan-3 XC3S400-5PQ208C can implement protocol converters, packet filters, UART bridges, and custom communication interfaces where parallel logic offers more flexibility than a fixed-function controller. Its 400,000 system gates and 141 I/O provide substantial capacity for framing, checksums, FIFO control, clock-domain crossing, and bus arbitration. The 1.2 V core and 90 nm implementation identify it as a conventional legacy FPGA requiring the corresponding Spartan-3 configuration and power design. For designs near timing limits, retain the -5 grade rather than substituting XC3S400-4PQ208C. Engineers should also budget logic and routing resources carefully because advertised system gates do not translate directly into application logic capacity.
Recommended
Data Acquisition and Signal Processing
The XC3S400-5PQ208C is suitable for data-acquisition front ends that require parallel sampling interfaces, digital filtering, calibration tables, trigger logic, and data formatting in one programmable device. Its 141 I/O sites can support multi-bit ADC and DAC connections, while 8,064 logic cells can host counters, FIR filters, interpolation stages, and control sequencers. The reported 725 MHz device frequency is a device characterization value rather than a guarantee that a particular external interface will operate at that rate, so timing must be closed with the selected I/O standard. Use the -5 grade when acquisition-clock headroom is critical, and verify input-voltage tolerances and supported I/O standards from the relevant family documentation.
Recommended
Programmable Logic Consolidation
The XC3S400-5PQ208C can consolidate glue logic, state machines, address decoders, timing controls, and peripheral bridges into a single Spartan-3 device. With 8,064 logic cells and 141 I/O, it is useful when a design needs more deterministic parallel control than a microcontroller provides but does not justify a larger, more expensive FPGA package. The 208-pin PQFP format also makes the device easier to inspect and service than a fine-pitch BGA. Design teams should map existing glue logic into LUTs, registers, and block RAM before committing to the part, because routing congestion can reduce achievable clock frequency. The XC3S400-4PQ208C is a viable consolidation option only when its lower speed grade meets all timing requirements.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Instrumentation
The XC3S400-5PQ208C can implement sequencing, pattern generation, timing control, capture logic, and instrument interconnect in compact test equipment. Its programmable logic permits revision-friendly changes to trigger systems and measurement pipelines, while the 141 available I/O allow direct connection to sensors, converters, and control buses. The -5 grade is appropriate for timing-sensitive acquisition paths, while the commercial 0°C to 85°C rating requires careful internal thermal placement in a laboratory enclosure. The PQ208 package exposes enough pins for moderate-speed parallel interfaces but demands controlled escape routing and adequate ground distribution. Validate the legacy bitstream toolchain and reproduce the complete build configuration before transferring the design to manufacturing.
Recommended
LED Signage and Display Control
The XC3S400-5PQ208C is applicable to multi-panel LED signage, refresh controllers, and programmable display timing systems requiring many parallel outputs and sustained real-time logic. Its 141 I/O sites can distribute display row and column-control signals, while 8,064 logic cells support refresh timing, fault detection, color mapping, and communication protocols. The 208-pin PQFP package provides a practical surface-mount option for medium-sized controller boards. Performance design should include timing margins for row and column multiplexing, especially if the -4 grade is considered instead of the -5 target. Confirm that the chosen I/O voltage, drive strength, and package-specific pin assignments meet the display interface requirements before schematic sign-off.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for XC3S400-5PQ208C — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | XC3S400-4PQ208C | XC3S400-4PQG208C | XC3S400-4PQ208I | XC3S400-5PQG208C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Xilinx | Xilinx | Xilinx | Xilinx | Xilinx |
| Package | 208-pin PQFP | 208-pin PQFP | 208-pin PQFP | 208-pin PQFP | 208-pin PQFP |
| FPGA Family | Spartan-3 | Spartan-3 | Spartan-3 | Spartan-3 | Spartan-3 |
| System Gates | 400,000 gates | 400,000 gates | 400,000 gates | 400,000 gates | 400,000 gates |
| Logic Cells | 8,064 cells | 8,064 cells | 8,064 cells | 8,064 cells | 8,064 cells |
| User I/O | 141 I/O | 141 I/O | 141 I/O | 141 I/O | 141 I/O |
| Core Supply Voltage | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V |
| Speed Grade | -5 | -4 | -4 | -4 | -5 |
| Process Technology | 90 nm | 90 nm | 90 nm | 90 nm | 90 nm |
Key Differentiators
- Faster speed grade than the same-package -4 alternatives (vs XC3S400-4PQ208C)
- Higher-grade temperature option available in the same footprint (vs XC3S400-5PQG208C)
- Direct package compatibility avoids a PCB redesign (vs XC3S400-5FG320C)
Design Notes
Treat the PQ208 footprint as a legacy gull-wing land pattern rather than substituting a BGA device. Route the 1.2 V core supply and ground using the recommended plane or via arrangement from the applicable Xilinx package documentation, and place local high-frequency bypass capacitors close to the supply pins. Because the verified data does not include the official pinout or decoupling table, do not infer capacitor values or connectivity from generic PQFP examples.
Use the -5 device for timing-constrained interfaces whenever the design was originally qualified against XC3S400-5PQ208C. The XC3S400-4PQ208C and other -4 alternatives have the same logical capacity and package, but their slower speed grade can change achievable clock rates and I/O timing margins. Rerun static timing analysis with the actual replacement identifier, selected I/O standard, speed grade, and worst-case process or temperature corner before release.
Do not treat XC3S400-5FG320C as a drop-in replacement for the PQ208 target. The verified comparison identifies a 320-ball BGA for the FG320 option, which requires a different footprint, assembly process, and board layout. Likewise, confirm the full ordering-code temperature suffix before substituting PQ208 variants. A compatible package does not by itself prove that operating-temperature or legacy-tool requirements are satisfied.
The available specifications confirm a 1.2 V core supply but do not provide the complete power-consumption table or current limits. Before designing the supply, obtain the relevant Spartan-3 datasheet and power-estimation guidance for the selected speed, I/O activity, and temperature. Verify core and auxiliary supplies independently, account for configuration-pin states, and avoid deriving power limits from the nominal 1.2 V label alone.
Ensure that the software release, device database, license, and bitstream are validated for the legacy Spartan-3 device before committing an existing design to the PQ208 source. Device identifiers can differ by speed and temperature suffix even when the FPGA architecture and package are unchanged. Preserve a reproducible archive containing the original constraints, pin mapping, bitstream, and test results for any transition to an alternative ordering code.
Compliance Information
The supplied comparison data identifies the XC3S400 family as RoHS and REACH compliant, and the component listings identify this ordering code as lead-free. Halogen-free status, conflict-minerals status, and AEC-Q100 qualification were not explicitly established by the verified data.
