An Introduction of FPGA Series: Naming Rules and Examples of Xilinx and Altera
Tags: tutorial, learning
Published: 2024-01-24 06:54:07

## What is FPGA?

An FPGA, short for Field-Programmable Gate Array, is a type of programmable device that offers advancements over PAL, GAL, and CPLD devices. It serves as a semi-specialized circuit that overcomes the limitations of both specialized circuits and traditional programmable gate arrays. Unlike programming a standard microcontroller, an FPGA enables the "implementation" of digital circuits using a hardware description language (HDL) such as VHDL or Verilog. If you wish to delve deeper into the subject of FPGAs, I recommend reading a blog post I have previously written on the topic： [what is FPGA](https://www.vemeko.com/blog/what-is-fpga.html)?

## Introduction of FPGA Series

In the subsequent section, we will delve into the typical series of FPGAs and their characteristics, as well as the rules governing their nomenclature.

The initial series that I would like to discuss is produced by Xilinx, a renowned company. Xilinx offers a diverse array of FPGA series to cater to various application requirements. Among the notable series from Xilinx are:

Virtex Series: The Virtex series serves as Xilinx's flagship FPGA series, renowned for its exceptional performance capabilities. It encompasses cutting-edge features such as extensive logic capacity, high-speed transceivers, advanced DSP blocks, and on-chip memory resources. The Virtex series is particularly well-suited for applications that necessitate extensive parallel processing, high-speed data communication, and real-time analytics.

Kintex Series: The Kintex series of FPGAs strikes a harmonious balance between performance and power efficiency. These FPGAs offer a cost-effective solution, encompassing a wide range of features including substantial logic density, moderate-speed transceivers, and efficient power management capabilities. The Kintex series finds suitability in applications such as wireless communication, video processing, and embedded systems.

Artix Series: The Artix series provides cost-optimized FPGAs while maintaining significant performance capabilities. These FPGAs offer a well-balanced combination of cost, power efficiency, and performance, making them suitable for applications that require moderate logic density and low-to-moderate-speed transceivers. Industries such as industrial automation, automotive, and consumer electronics often utilize the Artix series.

Spartan Series: Designed for low-cost and low-power applications, the Spartan series offers a balanced solution between cost-effectiveness and functionality. These FPGAs provide basic to moderate logic density and moderate-speed transceivers. Commonly used in IoT devices, automotive electronics, and industrial control systems, the Spartan series caters to a wide range of applications.

Versal Series: Representing Xilinx's Adaptive Compute Acceleration Platform (ACAP), the Versal series combines FPGA fabric with advanced processing elements. Versal ACAPs offer a unique blend of FPGA flexibility and AI acceleration capabilities, targeting applications in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data center acceleration.

RFSoC Series: The RFSoC (Radio Frequency System-on-Chip) series integrates RF data converters, high-speed transceivers, and FPGA fabric into a single device. These FPGAs are specifically designed for applications that require high-performance data conversion and digital signal processing in wireless communication, radar, and other RF-intensive applications.

## Naming Rules of Xilinx

Below is a picture from Xilinx, which you can see its naming rules easily.



![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/3ek4rqmstg6x4h8umn60.png)

Common Series Numbers

XCF04SVOG20C
XCF32PFSG48C
XC7K325T-2FFG900I
XC6SLX9-2TQG144C
XC7A35T-2FGG484I
XC7Z020-2CLG400I
XC6SLX75-3CSG484I
XC7Z100-2FFG900I
XC7Z045-2FFG900I
XC6SLX9-2TQG144I
XCF02SVOG20C
XC7Z020-2CLG484I
XC7K325T-2FFG676I
XC7A200T-2FBG484I
XC7K160T-2FFG676I
XC7K410T-2FFG900I
XC7Z020-1CLG484I
XCF01SVOG20C
XC6SLX16-2FTG256C

For more information about other Xilinx FPGA, you can click [Vemeko electronics](https://www.vemeko.com/) to know more. 

The FPGA series produced by Altera, now a subsidiary of Intel Corporation, will be the focus of my discussion. Known as the Intel® FPGA series, Altera's FPGA products offer a diverse range of solutions for different industries and applications.

Altera's FPGA series is highly regarded for its cutting-edge technology, exceptional performance, and dependable reliability. With a significant market presence, they cater to various sectors including telecommunications, automotive, industrial automation, data centers, and more. The Intel FPGA series comprises multiple families of FPGAs, each tailored to meet specific needs and deliver outstanding performance.

The Stratix® series is one of the notable families in the Intel FPGA series. These FPGAs are specifically designed for high-performance applications that require fast processing, minimal delay, and extensive logic resources. With advanced features like high-speed transceivers, high-performance DSP blocks, and embedded memory, Stratix FPGAs are well-suited for applications such as high-frequency trading, data centers, and signal processing.

Another prominent family in the Intel FPGA series is the Arria® series. Arria FPGAs strike a balance between performance and power efficiency, making them suitable for a wide range of applications. They offer a comprehensive set of features, including medium-range density, high-speed transceivers, and low power consumption. Arria FPGAs are commonly used in automotive electronics, video processing, and wireless communication applications.

Intel also offers the Cyclone® series within its FPGA portfolio, which targets low-cost and power-efficient applications. Cyclone FPGAs provide a cost-effective solution without compromising on functionality and performance. These FPGAs are widely used in applications such as IoT, motor control, human-machine interface, and embedded systems.

In addition to these families, Intel's FPGA series includes the MAX® series, which offers low-density FPGAs suitable for control and interface applications. These FPGAs provide a cost-effective solution with features like non-volatile configuration memory and on-chip analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), making them suitable for applications such as sensor interface and system control.

To support its FPGA series, Intel provides a comprehensive suite of development tools, including the Quartus® Prime Design Software. This software provides a complete environment for FPGA design, simulation, synthesis, and verification. Intel also offers a rich ecosystem of IP cores, libraries, and development kits to accelerate the development process.

Intel's FPGA series stands out for its commitment to advanced technology and innovation. Their FPGAs are designed to meet the evolving needs of emerging technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence, and edge computing. With a strong focus on performance, power efficiency, and reliability, Altera's FPGA series continues to be a preferred choice for engineers and developers seeking flexible and scalable solutions for their applications.

## Naming Rules of Altera

Naming Rules of Stratix® series

The Stratix® series, part of the Intel FPGA family, adheres to specific naming rules that help users understand the features and capabilities of each FPGA within the series. These naming rules provide valuable information about the device's performance, capabilities, and target applications. Let's explore the key aspects of the naming conventions for the Stratix series. Below I present an official picture to explain it fully.


![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/3nddr9ggwxg2ez89evd2.jpg)

Naming rule of Cyclone Family


![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/idq9f8iohj40o2gc676l.png)

Common Series Number  

5CEFA9F23I7N
EPCQ64ASI16N
EPM240T100C5N
EPCS4SI8N
EPCS16SI8N
EN6337QI
EP4CE6E22C8N
EPM240T100I5N
EPM570T100C5N
EP3C40F484I7N
EPM7064AETI44-7N

## Conclusion

By following these naming conventions, users can gain insights into the capabilities, performance levels, and target applications of the FPGAs. The naming rules allow designers to select the most suitable FPGA for their specific requirements.

It's important to note that the naming conventions and identifiers may evolve over time as new generations and variants of FPGAs are introduced. Therefore, it's recommended to refer to the official documentation and product specifications provided by manufacturers for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding the FPGA devices.