A42MX09-F - 54K Gate 5V FPGA | Microsemi/Microchip

The Microsemi (now Microchip Technology) A42MX09-F is a member of the Actel 42MX FPGA family, a single-chip, 5.0V anti-fuse-based field programmable gate array providing up to 54,000 system gates, up to 2.5 kbits of configurable dual-port SRAM, fast wide-decode circuitry, and up to 202 user-programmable I/O pins. Performance figures include 5.6 ns clock-to-out, 250 MHz internal performance, 5 ns dual-port SRAM access, and 100 MHz FIFO capability.

An FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is a semiconductor device containing programmable logic blocks and interconnects that designers configure after manufacturing. Within the programmable logic hierarchy, the MX family sits as a cost-effective, single-chip ASIC alternative, replacing multi-chip PLD and glue-logic solutions with one reliable, high-volume device operating from a 5.0V architecture.

Key differentiating features include the anti-fuse programming technology, which yields non-volatile, secure, radiation-tolerant configuration with no external boot memory, and the flexible dual-port SRAM that supports FIFOs and embedded memory functions. Fast wide-decode circuitry accelerates address decoding in microprocessor glue-logic designs.

The A42MX09 architecture is based on combinational and sequential logic modules arranged in a segmented routing fabric, delivering predictable timing performance suited to legacy system consolidation. The 5.0V-tolerant I/O structure makes the device a direct fit for older 5V bus environments where modern 3.3V FPGAs require level shifting.

Typical applications include legacy PLD consolidation, industrial control systems, 5V bus interfaces, telecommunications backplane logic, and defense/aerospace upgrade programs where long-lifecycle availability matters.

Design consideration: verify the exact package suffix (e.g., PQ100, PLG84) before layout, since A42MX09-F is offered in multiple package variants with differing I/O counts, and confirm 5V supply sequencing and programming adapter support in Libero/Macroflow toolchains.