Intel 5CGXFC4F7M11C8N: A Comprehensive Technical Overview of the Cyclone V FPGA

The Intel 5CGXFC4F7M11C8N represents a specific member of the highly successful Cyclone V FPGA family, architected for a balance of low power, cost-effectiveness, and integrated system-level capabilities. This device exemplifies Intel's (formerly Altera's) strategy of delivering more than just programmable logic; it offers a complete System-on-a-Chip (SoC) solution for a wide array of applications, from industrial automation and automotive driver assistance to communications and video processing.

At its core, this FPGA is built on a 28 nm low-power (28LP) process technology. This foundational choice is critical, as it directly enables the device's hallmark characteristic: exceptionally low static and dynamic power consumption. This makes it a superior choice for power-sensitive and often fanless designs where thermal management is a key constraint.

The logic fabric of the 5CGXFC4F7M11C8N is comprised of an array of Adaptive Logic Modules (ALMs). Each ALM can be partitioned to implement complex combinatorial and sequential logic functions efficiently. This specific device, denoted by the "C4" in its product code, contains approximately 49,000 logic elements (LEs), providing a substantial capacity for implementing complex digital circuits, custom processors, and various control logic.

A defining feature of the Cyclone V family, and this device in particular, is the integration of hard intellectual property (IP) blocks. This includes a dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore processor, which operates as a hardened processing system (PS) alongside the programmable logic (PL). This Hard Processor System (HPS) integrates peripherals like timers, cache memory, and interrupt controllers, enabling true SoC designs that reduce board space, bill-of-materials cost, and power consumption compared to a two-chip solution.

Furthermore, the device includes high-performance memory interfaces. It supports DDR2, DDR3, and LPDDR2 memory controllers with data rates exceeding 800 MHz, ensuring the processor and FPGA fabric have efficient access to external memory. For serial connectivity, it features multi-gigabit transceivers capable of supporting prevalent protocols like PCI Express (Gen1/2), Gigabit Ethernet, and Serial RapidIO.

Other key peripherals include:

Nios II Soft-Core Processor: For additional, custom-defined processors implemented in the FPGA fabric.

Hard Memory Controllers and PHYs: For seamless connection to external memory.

Variable-Precision DSP Blocks: Optimized for high-performance fixed-point and floating-point signal processing algorithms.

Embedded Memory: M10K blocks provide over 3.5 Mbits of on-chip RAM for buffering and data storage.

The device is offered in a 11x11 mm, 484-pin Flip-Chip BGA package (F7M11C8N), designed for space-constrained applications requiring a moderate number of I/O connections.

ICGOODFIND: The Intel 5CGXFC4F7M11C8N is a robust and versatile FPGA SoC that masterfully combines low power, a mid-range logic capacity, and a rich set of hardened system blocks. Its integrated ARM processor and suite of peripherals make it an ideal single-chip solution for embedded systems demanding processing power, real-time control, and custom hardware acceleration, all while prioritizing energy efficiency and cost.

Keywords: Cyclone V FPGA, Low-Power 28LP, Hard Processor System (HPS), ARM Cortex-A9, System-on-Chip (SoC)