The Xilinx XC2S100-5TQG144C is a member of the Spartan-II FPGA family, a landmark series that brought FPGA technology to high-volume, cost-sensitive applications in the early 2000s. Built on 0.18 µm CMOS technology and operating at a core voltage of 2.5V, this device delivers 100,000 system gates and a maximum clock frequency of 263 MHz. The Spartan-II family represented a significant leap forward from its predecessor, offering higher density, better performance, and lower cost per gate — factors that enabled FPGAs to move beyond prototyping and into production volumes.

Architecture

The XC2S100-5TQG144C features 2,700 logic cells organised into 600 configurable logic blocks (CLBs). Each CLB contains four slices, each slice containing two 4-input look-up tables (LUTs) and two flip-flops, providing flexible logic implementation for a wide range of digital designs. The hierarchical SelectRAM memory architecture includes 40,960 bits of on-chip RAM, distributed across the device for efficient data storage and retrieval. The device also includes dedicated multipliers for digital signal processing acceleration, a feature that was advanced for its time.

I/O and Clock Management

The device provides 92 user I/O pins supporting a wide range of single-ended and differential signalling standards, including LVCMOS, LVTTL, HSTL, SSTL, LVDS, and RSDS. SelectIO technology allows flexible I/O voltage selection per bank. The device features eight low-skew global clock networks plus additional clocks per half device, ensuring predictable timing across the entire FPGA fabric.

Speed Grade -5

The -5 speed grade represents the fastest variant in the Spartan-II family, with a maximum pin-to-pin propagation delay of 5 ns and a system frequency of 263 MHz. This performance level was competitive with ASICs at the time of release, while offering the inherent flexibility of programmable logic. The -5 grade was typically used in high-performance applications such as telecommunications infrastructure, networking equipment, and industrial control systems.

Power Considerations

The XC2S100-5TQG144C operates from a 2.5V core supply with a tolerance range of 2.375V to 2.625V. The device features a power-down mode that significantly reduces quiescent current when the FPGA is not actively processing, a power management feature that was innovative for its time. The SelectIO architecture allows I/O banks to operate at 3.3V, 2.5V, or 1.8V levels, enabling mixed-voltage system integration.

Technical Specifications

Packaging and Environmental

The XC2S100-5TQG144C is housed in a 144-pin TQFP (Thin Quad Flat Pack) package measuring 20 x 20 mm with a 0.5 mm pitch. The package is RoHS3 compliant and REACH unaffected. Moisture Sensitivity Level is MSL 3, requiring a floor life of 168 hours after opening. The device is supplied in tray packaging with 60 pieces per tray. Country of origin is Taiwan. EAN: 4099879145451.

Development Support

The Spartan-II family is supported by Xilinx ISE WebPACK and ISE Design Suite (ISE 14.7). The device is not supported by the newer Vivado toolchain. Programming is performed via JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) using standard cables such as the Xilinx Parallel Cable IV or Platform Cable USB. The device also supports Slave Serial and Master Serial configuration modes, as well as Boundary-Scan testing.

Product Status

The XC2S100-5TQG144C was formally discontinued on January 1, 2024, as part of Xilinx's product lifecycle management. The device is now obsolete and no longer in active production. Stock is limited to remaining distributor inventory. For existing designs, verify supply availability before committing to volume production. For new designs, consider newer families such as Spartan-6, Spartan-7, or Artix-7, which offer lower power consumption, higher performance, and modern tool support.