XC7A50T-2CPG236I Artix-7 FPGA for Compact High-Speed Designs

ElecSuppliers Part Number GuideSep 06, 2026

The XC7A50T-2CPG236I is an AMD Xilinx Artix-7 FPGA designed for applications that need a combination of programmable logic, digital signal processing and high-speed connectivity in a relatively compact device. With 52,160 logic cells and 8,150 slices, it provides considerably more programmable capacity than entry-level FPGA devices while remaining positioned below the larger Artix-7 models.

The device is particularly interesting for embedded hardware where high-speed interfaces are required but the system does not need the processing resources of a larger Kintex-7 FPGA.

A Balanced Artix-7 Resource Set

The XC7A50T provides 52,160 logic cells and 4,075 configurable logic blocks. These resources can be configured for parallel processing, timing control, protocol handling, data conversion and custom digital logic.

The architecture is based on Xilinx 7-series FPGA technology, giving developers a flexible hardware platform that can be reprogrammed as system requirements evolve.

For products with several independent digital functions, programmable logic can consolidate interface control and processing tasks into one device rather than relying on multiple dedicated logic components.

DSP Performance Without a Large FPGA Footprint

The XC7A50T family includes 120 DSP slices for hardware-based arithmetic and signal processing. These resources can be used for multiplication, accumulation, filtering and other repetitive numerical operations.

This makes the XC7A50T-2CPG236I suitable for applications such as motor control, instrumentation, image processing, communications and industrial data acquisition.

The combination of DSP resources and programmable logic also allows designers to build parallel processing pipelines, reducing the amount of work that needs to be performed sequentially by a host processor.

Built-In Memory for Buffering

The device provides approximately 2.76 Mbits of total block RAM together with distributed RAM resources. These memory resources can be used for FIFOs, lookup tables, signal buffers and intermediate processing data.

For real-time systems, local FPGA memory can be useful when data needs to be stored close to the logic processing it. This is particularly relevant for streaming applications where predictable data movement is more important than large general-purpose storage capacity.

The internal memory can also be combined with external DDR memory interfaces when the application requires additional storage.

High-Speed Serial Connectivity

One of the important differences between the XC7A50T and smaller FPGA families is its high-speed connectivity capability. Artix-7 devices in this class integrate multi-gigabit serial transceiver resources and support PCI Express-related designs.

The transceiver architecture can be used for high-speed board-to-board links, communications interfaces and data-intensive embedded systems. PCIe functionality can also make the XC7A50T useful as a programmable interface between an FPGA-based processing system and a host computer or other PCIe device.

This combination allows the FPGA to handle both the physical data connection and the programmable logic required to process the incoming information.

236-CSBGA Package

The XC7A50T-2CPG236I uses a 236-ball CSBGA package with an approximately 10 mm × 10 mm body size. The compact package is one of the practical advantages of using this device in space-conscious embedded hardware.

The package provides access to a large number of programmable I/O connections while keeping the overall component footprint relatively small.

When designing the PCB, engineers should consider power distribution, FPGA configuration connections, high-speed differential routing and thermal characteristics from the beginning of the layout process.

Industrial Temperature Operation

The final “I” in XC7A50T-2CPG236I identifies the industrial temperature grade. The device is specified for operation across a junction temperature range of approximately -40°C to +100°C.

This makes it appropriate for industrial controllers, instrumentation, communications equipment and other embedded products that may experience wider temperature variations than standard commercial electronics.

The “-2” identifies the speed grade, while “CPG236” identifies the 236-ball package option.

Where XC7A50T-2CPG236I Fits

The XC7A50T-2CPG236I offers a useful balance between FPGA capacity, connectivity and physical size. It can be used in industrial control systems, machine vision equipment, communications hardware, test instruments, motor-control platforms and embedded processing boards.

Its high-speed interface capabilities also make it relevant to applications where data needs to move between the FPGA and another processor or system at substantially higher rates than conventional parallel control interfaces.

For designs that require programmable logic but have strict PCB space requirements, the compact package can be an important selection factor.

Design Selection for XC7A50T

When evaluating the XC7A50T-2CPG236I, designers should consider more than the 52,160 logic-cell figure. DSP requirements, block RAM usage, I/O count, transceiver needs and PCIe implementation can all influence the final device choice.

The XC7A50T provides a strong middle ground within the Artix-7 family. It offers enough logic and memory for sophisticated embedded applications while maintaining a compact package and supporting high-speed communication functions.

For new hardware platforms that need configurable processing, dedicated DSP resources and fast external connectivity without moving to a much larger FPGA, the XC7A50T-2CPG236I is a practical Artix-7 option.