Overview of the 5CSXFC6D6F31C6N
The 5CSXFC6D6F31C6N is a high-performance System-on-Chip (SoC) FPGA from Intel's (formerly Altera) Cyclone V SX family. This device uniquely integrates a dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore hard processor system (HPS) with 28nm FPGA fabric, delivering a powerful heterogeneous computing platform. With 110,000 logic elements, 41,509 adaptive logic modules (ALMs), and 288 user I/O pins housed in a 896-ball FBGA package, the 5CSXFC6D6F31C6N bridges the gap between processor-based and FPGA-based design approaches.
The Cyclone V SX SoC family is designed for applications that demand the flexibility of programmable logic alongside the software programmability of an ARM processor. The tight integration between the HPS and FPGA fabric enables over 128 Gbps peak bandwidth with built-in data coherency, eliminating the need for separate processor and FPGA devices on the PCB. This reduces board complexity, lowers BOM cost, and improves system-level performance.
Typical applications include industrial automation and motor control, embedded vision and video processing, network equipment and protocol bridging, automotive ADAS systems, medical imaging, and military/aerospace electronics. The combination of hard processor cores, programmable logic, DSP blocks, and high-speed transceivers makes the 5CSXFC6D6F31C6N an ideal choice for next-generation embedded systems requiring real-time processing with software flexibility.
Key Specifications and Parameters
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Intel (formerly Altera) |
| Family | Cyclone V SX SoC |
| Part Number | 5CSXFC6D6F31C6N |
| Logic Elements (LEs) | 110,000 |
| Adaptive Logic Modules (ALMs) | 41,509 |
| ALM Registers | 166,036 |
| Embedded Memory | 6.191 Mb |
| DSP Blocks (Variable Precision) | 112 |
| Fabric and I/O PLLs | 6 |
| Hard Processor System | Dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore |
| NRZ Transceivers | 9 (up to 3.125 Gbps) |
| Maximum LVDS Pairs | 144 |
| Maximum User I/O | 288 |
| Package Type | 896-FBGA (31 x 31 mm) |
| Supply Voltage | 1.1V (core), 1.8V / 2.5V / 3.0V / 3.3V (I/O) |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to 85°C (commercial) |
| Process Technology | 28nm Low-Power |
| External Memory Support | DDR2, DDR3, LPDDR2 |
| Speed Grade | C6N (commercial, speed grade 6) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (SMD/SMT) |
| RoHS Compliance | Yes (Lead-Free) |
| Product Status | Active |
The 5CSXFC6D6F31C6N features an extensive set of embedded resources. The 112 variable-precision DSP blocks support 9x9, 18x18, and 27x27 multiplication modes, enabling efficient digital signal processing. The hard processor system includes a shared multiport SDRAM controller, DMA engine, L2 cache, and a rich peripheral set including Ethernet MAC, USB OTG, UART, SPI, I2C, and CAN controllers. The C6N suffix indicates a commercial temperature range device with speed grade 6 and lead-free packaging.
Block Diagram and Architecture
The Cyclone V SX SoC architecture in the 5CSXFC6D6F31C6N is built around two main subsystems: the Hard Processor System (HPS) and the FPGA fabric. These are connected through a high-bandwidth AXI interconnect that provides multiple bridges for data transfer between the processor and programmable logic domains.
Key architectural features include:
- Dual-Core ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore: The HPS integrates two ARM Cortex-A9 cores with NEON SIMD coprocessor, VFPv3 floating-point unit, and 32KB L1 instruction/data caches per core, plus a shared 512KB L2 cache.
- FPGA-to-HPS Bridges: Three bridge interfaces (FPGA-to-HPS, HPS-to-FPGA, and Lightweight HPS-to-FPGA) provide flexible 32-bit and 64-bit AXI connectivity with over 128 Gbps aggregate bandwidth.
- Adaptive Logic Modules (ALMs): Each ALM contains an 8-input fracturable LUT, two dedicated registers, and carry chain logic, offering superior logic utilization compared to traditional 4-input LUT architectures.
- Shared Multiport SDRAM Controller: The hard memory controller supports DDR2, DDR3, and LPDDR2 external memory interfaces accessible from both the HPS and FPGA fabric with built-in data coherency.
Pinout and Package Information
The 5CSXFC6D6F31C6N is packaged in a 896-ball Fine-Pitch Ball Grid Array (FBGA) with a 31mm x 31mm body size and 1.0mm ball pitch. The F31 package designation identifies the specific pin configuration optimized for the Cyclone V SX SoC 5CSXFC6 device variant. The large pin count accommodates dedicated HPS peripheral I/O, FPGA user I/O, configuration pins, and power/ground connections.
The 288 FPGA user I/O pins are organized into multiple I/O banks supporting various standards including LVTTL, LVCMOS (1.2V to 3.3V), SSTL, HSTL, HSUL, and LVDS. The HPS subsystem has its own dedicated I/O pins for Ethernet RGMII/RMII, USB, UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, SDIO/MMC, NAND flash, and QSPI flash interfaces. The device supports up to 9 high-speed serial transceivers operating at up to 3.125 Gbps for protocols such as PCIe Gen1, CPRI, and SRIO.
For detailed pin assignment tables and recommended PCB layout guidelines, refer to the official Intel Cyclone V Device Pin-Out Files.
Application Circuit and Design Guide
The 5CSXFC6D6F31C6N is widely used in embedded systems that leverage the combined power of ARM processing and FPGA acceleration. The Cyclone V SX SoC Development Kit from Intel provides a complete hardware platform for prototyping and evaluation, featuring onboard DDR3 memory, Gigabit Ethernet, USB OTG, and various expansion connectors.
When designing with the 5CSXFC6D6F31C6N, consider the following guidelines:
- Power Supply Design: The device requires multiple voltage rails: 1.1V core (VCCINT), 1.5V/1.35V for DDR3 memory (VCCPD), and 1.8V/2.5V/3.3V for I/O banks. Use dedicated low-noise regulators with proper decoupling capacitors. Intel recommends bulk and local bypass capacitors placed as close to the FPGA power pins as possible.
- HPS Boot Configuration: The ARM processor supports booting from QSPI flash, NAND flash, SD/MMC card, or FPGA fabric. The BSEL pins determine the boot source. A preloader (SPL) initializes the HPS peripherals and loads the bootloader (U-Boot), which then boots Linux or a bare-metal application.
- FPGA Configuration: The FPGA fabric can be configured independently via JTAG, Active Serial (AS), or through the HPS using the FPGA Manager. The HPS-based configuration approach allows the ARM processor to load the FPGA bitstream from any storage medium.
- PCB Layout: Follow Intel's recommended via fanout patterns for the 896-FBGA package. Use a minimum 10-layer PCB stackup with dedicated power and ground planes. Maintain controlled impedance for high-speed differential pairs and DDR3 memory interfaces.
Development is supported by Intel Quartus Prime software for FPGA design, ARM DS-5 Development Studio for HPS software, and the SoC Embedded Design Suite (EDS) which provides a comprehensive Linux BSP and bare-metal development environment.
Video Tutorial: Getting Started with Intel Cyclone V SoC FPGA
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 5CSXFC6D6F31C6N and what makes it different from other Cyclone V devices?
The 5CSXFC6D6F31C6N is an SoC FPGA from Intel's Cyclone V SX family. Unlike standard Cyclone V FPGAs (E, GX series), the SX variant integrates a dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 hard processor system directly on-chip alongside 110,000 logic elements, 6.191 Mb embedded memory, and 112 DSP blocks. This SoC architecture eliminates the need for a separate processor chip, reducing board space and improving system performance through tight HPS-FPGA integration.
What ARM processor features are included in the 5CSXFC6D6F31C6N?
The 5CSXFC6D6F31C6N includes a dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore running up to 925 MHz with NEON SIMD engine, VFPv3 floating-point unit, CoreSight debug and trace capability, 32KB L1 caches per core, and a shared 512KB L2 cache. The HPS also integrates a hard memory controller (DDR2/DDR3/LPDDR2), DMA controller, Ethernet MAC, USB OTG, UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, and SD/MMC controllers.
What is the operating temperature range and speed grade of the 5CSXFC6D6F31C6N?
The 5CSXFC6D6F31C6N operates over a commercial temperature range of 0°C to 85°C (junction temperature). The C6N designation indicates speed grade 6 (the fastest commercial speed grade for Cyclone V SX), commercial temperature, and lead-free (N) packaging. For industrial temperature range (-40°C to 100°C), consider the 5CSXFC6D6F31I7N variant.
What software tools are needed to develop with the 5CSXFC6D6F31C6N?
Development requires Intel Quartus Prime for FPGA design (synthesis, place-and-route, timing analysis), the SoC Embedded Design Suite (EDS) for ARM software development, and ARM DS-5 Altera Edition for debugging. Platform Designer (Qsys) is used for system integration. The Quartus Prime Standard or Pro Edition supports Cyclone V SX devices. Linux BSP, U-Boot, and bare-metal examples are provided through the SoC EDS.
What are the typical applications of the 5CSXFC6D6F31C6N SoC FPGA?
The 5CSXFC6D6F31C6N is used in industrial automation and motor control, embedded vision and video processing, network equipment and protocol bridging, automotive ADAS, medical imaging systems, software-defined radio, military/aerospace electronics, and IoT edge computing. The ARM+FPGA architecture is ideal for applications requiring both real-time hardware acceleration and software flexibility with Linux or RTOS environments.
Where can I purchase the 5CSXFC6D6F31C6N and what development kits are available?
The 5CSXFC6D6F31C6N is available from authorized distributors including WWD Parts, Mouser Electronics, Digi-Key, and Arrow Electronics. For evaluation, the Cyclone V SX SoC Development Kit provides a complete hardware platform with DDR3 memory, Gigabit Ethernet, USB, and expansion headers. Third-party boards from Terasic (DE1-SoC, SoCKit) also support Cyclone V SoC development at lower price points.
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