Lattice LCMXO3L-6900C-6BG256C: Ultra-Low Power FPGA for Compact and Cost-Sensitive Designs
In the rapidly evolving electronics landscape, the demand for flexible, power-efficient, and cost-effective logic solutions is higher than ever. The Lattice LCMXO3L-6900C-6BG256C, a member of the high-performance, low-power Lattice MachXO3™ family, stands out as a premier FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) engineered specifically for space-constrained and budget-conscious applications. This device masterfully balances capability, power consumption, and physical size, making it an ideal cornerstone for modern innovative designs.
A defining characteristic of this FPGA is its ultra-low power consumption. Leveraging Lattice Semiconductor's advanced 65nm non-volatile memory technology, the device consumes a fraction of the power of competing FPGAs and even many microcontrollers. This feature is paramount for battery-operated portable devices, such as handheld medical instruments, wearable technology, and IoT sensor nodes, where extended operational life is a critical design parameter. The instant-on capability of its non-volatile configuration memory further eliminates the need for an external boot PROM, simplifying board design and reducing both component count and system cost.

Despite its minimal power draw, the LCMXO3L-6900C does not compromise on integration or performance. The ‘-6900C’ variant offers 6900 Look-Up Tables (LUTs), providing ample programmable logic resources to implement complex control logic, glue logic, and bridging functions between other processors or sensors. Housed in a compact 6mm x 6mm, 256-ball caBGA package, it delivers a high I/O-to-size ratio, enabling robust functionality within an extremely small footprint. This is crucial for applications like consumer electronics, drones, and industrial automation controls where PCB real estate is at a premium.
The device is further fortified with hardened intellectual property (IP) blocks that accelerate development and enhance reliability. It includes embedded Block RAM (EBR), user flash memory, and hardened implementations for fundamental functions like SPI, I²C, and timer/counters. These features allow designers to quickly interface with common peripherals without consuming valuable programmable logic resources, thereby accelerating time-to-market.
For cost-sensitive designs, the MachXO3L family offers an exceptional value proposition. By integrating multiple discrete components into a single, reprogrammable chip, it lowers overall Bill of Materials (BOM) costs, reduces power supply complexity, and increases system reliability. Its inherent flexibility allows for easy design updates and field upgrades, protecting against future design changes and extending the product's lifecycle without requiring a hardware respin.
ICGOOODFIND: The Lattice LCMXO3L-6900C-6BG256C is a superior choice for designers prioritizing ultra-low power, high integration, and cost efficiency. It empowers the creation of innovative, compact, and reliable products across a wide spectrum of markets, from IoT and mobile computing to industrial and medical systems.
Keywords: Ultra-Low Power FPGA, Cost-Sensitive Designs, Compact Packaging, MachXO3L Family, Non-Volatile Memory.
