FPGA family from Nu Horizons integrates connectivity standards for cost-sensitive low-power applications

Spartan-6 LX FPGAs are optimised for applications that require absolute lowest cost, supporting up to 150K logic density, 4.8Mb memory, integrated memory controllers, and easy-to-use and high-performance system IP such as DSP blocks, with an innovative open standards-based configuration. Spartan-6 LXT FPGAs extend the LX platform to deliver up to eight 3.125Gbps GTP transceivers and an integrated PCI Express-compatible core for serial connectivity.



Spartan-6 FPGAs offer differentiated technology for cost- and power-sensitive markets. A new high-performance, integrated memory controller core supports DDR, DDR2, DDR3, and mobile DDR memories, along with a hardened multi-port bus structure for predictable timing and performance of up to DDR2/DDR3 800 (400MHz). Design wizards make the process of building memory controllers for Spartan-6 FPGAs simple and straight forward.

The sixth generation in the Spartan FPGA Series, the Spartan-6 FPGA family is fabricated on a proven, low-power 45nm, 9-metal layer, dual-oxide process technology. The Spartan-6 FPGA family's efficient, dual-register 6-input LUT (look-up table) logic structure leverages the proven Virtex architecture to enable cross-platform compatibility and to optimise system performance. A rich selection of built-in system-level blocks, including DSP slices, high-speed transceivers, and PCI Express interface cores, are also derived from the Virtex Series for greater system-level integration.



Innovation in advanced power management technology and the ability to operate at a lower power 1.0V core option enables the new Spartan-6 FPGA family to achieve 65% lower power than previous Spartan families. Fast, flexible I/Os enable over 12Gbps memory access bandwidth with 3.3V compatibility and 'greener' RoHS-compliant Pb-free packaging.