The Xilinx XC7A200T-2FBG676i is a high performance Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) part of the Artix-7 family built on a 28nm process. This article provides an overview of the XC7A200T architecture, key features, available development tools, and example applications leveraging this FPGA.
FPGA Overview
A field programmable gate array is an integrated circuit designed to be configured by the customer after manufacturing. FPGAs contain:
- Configurable logic blocks to implement custom hardware logic functions
- Programmable interconnects to route signals between logic blocks
- Embedded memory blocks including block RAM and registers
- Input/output ports and transceivers to interface with external peripherals
FPGAs provide the flexibility of software with the performance of custom ASIC hardware designs.
Xilinx Artix-7 FPGA Family
The Xilinx Artix-7 family delivers low cost, high performance FPGAs on a 28nm process optimized for cost sensitive applications:
- High density variants with over 200K logic cells
- Mixed signal options with up to 16 ADC channels
- Low power versions optimized for power efficiency
- Industrial temperature range support from -40C to +100C
The Artix-7 combines high performance with small form factors. The family targets applications like broadcast, medical, and embedded vision requiring low power along with DSP and real-time control.
XC7A200T FPGA Overview
The Xilinx XC7A200T specifically provides:
- 218,600 logic cells in 11,661 logic slices
- 655KB of fast block RAM
- 240 DSP slices using 25×18 multipliers
- Robust clock management with 8 PLLs and 16 clock management tiles
- High speed transceivers up to 12.5Gb/s
- Two 12-bit 1MSPS analog-to-digital converters
The large programmable logic capacity supports complex designs. DSP blocks allow high performance math-intensive processing. The XC7A200T provides flexible digital processing for a wide range of applications.
Internal Architecture
Inside the FPGA, the key programmable elements include:
Configurable Logic Blocks (CLBs)
- Basic logic cell providing LUTs and flip-flops
- Combinable into more complex logic functions
Block RAM (BRAM)
- 36Kb memory blocks to implement data buffers and caches
Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Slices
- Fast arithmetic units for high performance math
Input/Output Blocks (IOBs)
- Support high speed differential I/O standards
Clock Management Tiles (CMTs)
- Provide clock synthesis, conditioning, and distribution
Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs)
- Integrated data converters to capture analog signals
Interconnects route signals between these blocks. The FPGA fabric can be programmed to create almost any digital system.
Development Tools
Xilinx provides a comprehensive suite of development tools:
Vivado Design Suite
- All Programmable SoC architecture
- Design entry using IP integrator and block design
- Synthesis, place and route to generate programming files
- Hardware debug with signal tap logic analyzer
SDx Development Environment
- C/C++ and OpenCL programming with libraries for connectivity, math, video
- Debug and profiling capabilties
- Ability to integrate custom IP
- High level synthesis for converting algorithms to RTL
Embedded Development Kit (EDK)
- Tools for embedded processing hardware design
- Standalone embedded processor creation
- Integrated MicroBlaze soft-core CPU
System Generator for DSP
- Xilinx blockset for high performance DSP design in Simulink
- Bit accurate model simulation
- Automatic generation of RTL from Simulink models
Xilinx provides the software and IP infrastructure needed for productive FPGA designs leveraging VHDL, Verilog or higher level programming.
Applications
The Artix-7 family excels in high bandwidth, power sensitive embedded applications including:
Embedded Vision – Low latency image processing for machine inspection
Industrial Automation – Real-time motor servo control
Alternative Energy – Smart grid management systems
Medical – Ultrasound and imaging systems
Broadcast – Video connectivity and encoding
Military/Aerospace – Rugged airborne controls and signal processing
Automotive – Advanced driver assist (ADAS) systems
FPGA flexibility allows tailoring to exact algorithmic needs versus fixed function ASICs.
XC7A200T-2FBG676i Specifics
Let’s examine key details of this particular Artix-7 variant:
Grade
- 2 – Industrial temperature range (-40C to +100C)
Package
- FBG676 – 27x27mm 1.0mm ball pitch flip-chip BGA with 676 balls
Speed
- -2 – Up to -2 speed grade, supporting clock rates up to 550MHz
This combination provides a high density FPGA with robust thermal and mechanical characteristics required for industrial usage.
Summary
The Xilinx XC7A200T-2FBG676i provides a high logic capacity, low power Artix-7 FPGA suitable for embedded systems requiring significant real-time processing power. The part’s large programmable fabric, abundant memory blocks, high speed I/O, and thermal resilience allow implementing complex algorithms and control logic for industrial electronics. Xilinx’s comprehensive development tools enable design, debug, and programming targeting this 28nm FPGA.
XC7A200T-2FBG676i FPGA – FAQ
Q: What is the main benefit of using an FPGA like the XC7A200T vs a microcontroller or ASIC?
A: FPGAs provide custom hardware performance without the high upfront cost and lead time of an ASIC. This allows hardware acceleration of algorithms with more flexibility than hard silicon ASICs or off-the-shelf microcontrollers.
Q: What is the advantage of the flip-chip BGA package used on the XC7A200T-2FBG676i?
A: The flip-chip BGA provides a very dense, low inductance interconnect to the PCB allowing high bandwidth signal transfer over the large number of I/O balls. This facilitates maximizing performance in computationally intensive designs.
Q: What clock speed is supported by the XC7A200T after configuration?
A: The -2 speed grade Artix-7 supports clock rates up to 550MHz, enabling high speed register-to-register performance. Actual system speed depends on the user’s specific implementation.
Q: What is the typical power consumption of the XC7A200T FPGA?
A: Static power is 125mW. Active power ranges from 2.4W for 100MHz operation up to 5W for 550MHz peak operation. The low 28nm static power facilitates battery operated and green energy applications.
Q: What real-time control interfaces are supported by the XC7A200T FPGA?
A: The FPGA integrates hard cores for Ethernet, PCIe, CANbus, and GPIO providing standard real-time communication with external systems.
Looking for Xilinx XC7A200T-2FBG676i FPGA Quote
Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) used to be only used with electronics engineering. However, the use case or application is taking a new dimension with the integration of FPGAs in software development.
No doubt, there are several FPGAs in the market with each of them promising to offer better features than the others do.
That notwithstanding, there are a couple of Field Programmable Gate Arrays that can be used across different applications. One of such FPGAs is XC7A200T-2FBG676i.
In this article, you will learn more about this FPGA, as well as the applications and components.
What is XC7A200T-2FBG676i?
XC7A200T-2FBG676i is a Field Programmable Gaye Array (FPGA) that is categorized under Xilinx 7 Series FPGA family. Xilinx is one of the core manufacturers of Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs).
The XC7A200T-2FBG676i has programmable logic, which makes it easier for the designer, the software developer, or the consumer to re-program or remodels the FPGA for any other applications.
Technical Attributes
Like any other Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) out there, the XC7A200T-2FBG676i has a variety of technical specifications/features.
We have explained some of them below so you will understand what you should expect from the FPGA.
1. Macrocells
This Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) has digital logic components incorporated into the design. These logic components are also known as Logic Cells.
The XC7A200T-2FBG676i has Logic Cells of 215,360. Going by the functions of Logic Cells, this number is quite impressive.
Ideally, Logic Cells are the basic building blocks in a Configurable Logic Board (CLB). The Logic Cells often comprise a Configurable Register, as well as five product terms.
One of the main attributes of Logic Cells is that the cells can be configured. The configuration can either be done individually or by the sequential or combinational logic operation.
Logic Cells that perform this function are also called Macrocells.
As a designer, software provider, or consumer, you can be confident that the XC7A200T-2FBG676i will deliver the kind of precision you expect from a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA).
2. Voltage
Voltage is also one of the important factors to consider when looking for a Field Programmable gate Array (FPGA). It is important because you want to be sure that the FPGA can function optimally, without having to overheat.
In the case of the XC7A200T-2FBG676i, it has a voltage for different uses. The first is the 1.05V, which is the maximum voltage used for core supplies. The minimum core supply voltage is pegged at 950mv.
The Artix-7 Family Connection
XC7A200T-2FBG676i is one of the Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) under the Xilinx Artix-7 Series.
As a member of this FPGA family, the Gate Array is used to tackle most of the challenges with software engineering.
Some of the issues tackled are:
1. Better Functionality
Currently, there is limited room for the integration of several components in a circuit board. Therefore, it is paramount that advanced functionality is created to bolster the integration of more components that would improve the efficiency of the circuit board.
2. Power Management
Excess power can trigger issues on a circuit board. Likewise, a limited power supply may reduce the efficiency of the board.
3. Cost Management
It is also imperative to improve the efficiency of circuit boards while reducing costs.
Those are some of the issues that the XC7A200T-2FBG676i solves to a greater extent.
The Solutions Offered by XC7A200T-2FBG676i FPGA
To tackle those issues above, here are the applications of the XC7A200T-2FBG676i. This Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) can solve most of the challenges with current circuit boards.
To do that, here is the wide range of features that would be leveraged to improve the efficiency and functionality of the gate array:
1. Faster Processor
One of the main advantages of the XC7A200T-2FBG676i Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is that it has a fast processor – just like the other FPGAs under the Artix-7 Series.
The faster processor that comes with this gate array includes multiple features that would be used to improve the efficiency of the circuit.
First, there is the Application Processor Configuration that allows the designers or consumers to configure the gate array for different applications.
The second aspect of the fast processor is the over 200DMIPs of processing power. That way, the gate array can process faster and get the configuration or reconfiguration done in the shortest time possible.
The third aspect of the fast processor is the Real-Time Processor. This is impressive, considering that the gate array needs to process all that it needs to process in the shortest time possible. The work of the Real-Time Processor is to ensure that the gate array is faster when compared to other processors in other Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs).
Last but not least – the XC7A200T-2FBG676i Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is powered by the MicroBlaze soft processor. This is the primary processor that coordinates most of the processing power and functionalities of the gate array.
2. Power Reduction
The XC7A200T-2FBG676i FPGA also does something to address the power challenges with traditional circuit boards.
This gate array deploys different power reduction mechanisms to ensure that the gate array works optimally.
The first power reduction metric used on the XC7A200T-2FBG676i FPGA is the 50% total power capacity. This means that the gate array can reduce up to 50% more power than the other FPGAs can.
3. Instant Development
Is it possible to develop or reprogram a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) in a couple of hours?
This seems to be the logic behind FPGAs because they are meant to reduce the hassles associated with developing or building circuit boards with Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC).
However, not all FPGAs can bolster instant circuit development – or at the shortest time possible.
However, the XC7A200T-2FBG676i Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) proves to do otherwise.
This FPGA assures designers and consumers of instant development and reconfiguration of circuits and associated components.
The instant circuit board development and or reconfiguration is because of the Linux support for the MicroBlaze processor. The MicroBlaze processor comes with a drag and drop functionality, which empowers designers and consumers to reconfigure or remodel the FPGA to their taste.
Conclusion
The XC7A200T-2FBG676i is one of the best Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) you will find out there.
Just make sure you are experienced with FPGA reconfiguration or reprogramming so you can get the most out of it.
As an alternative, you may want to contact a professional FPGA engineer to do the job for you at the most affordable cost.
