The Spartan Series of FPGAs is the best high volume FPGA solution for ASIC replacement. Derived from the highly successful XC4000 architecture and spanning up to 40,000 system gates, the Spartan Series combines high performance, on-chip RAM, software cores, and low prices. The Spartan Series is the first FPGA that meets all the key requirements of ASIC designs for high volume production, and delivers unmatched benefits over competing PLDs. 

Family Highlights 

Features 

First ASIC replacement FPGA with on-chip RAM  First ASIC replacement FPGA with high performance  Industry's lowest price FPGA  Advanced process technology for lowest die cost  Total cost management for lowest overall cost  No compromises: Performance, Price, Core solutions and on-chip RAM

Effective ASIC Replacement 

FPGA benefits of fast time to market with: 

High Performance - over 80 MHz system speeds  On-chip memory with dual-port, synchronous SelectRAM memory  Extensive and verified cores with AllianceCORE and LogiCORE products  Comprehensive software support - supported in Alliance and Foundation 1.4 and 1.5 releases  Low prices: $2.95 high volume price for SpartanXL device

Total Cost Management 
The Spartan Series FPGAs from the outset have been designed and produced to achieve lowest total cost to meet an important need of high volume products. This comprehensive effort in total cost management includes: 

Leading edge process technology: die size parity with gate arrays  Streamlined feature set  Focused product and package offering  Simplified speed file methodology  Reduction in assembly, test and overhead expenses  Low power design that permits Spartan devices in inexpensive plastic packages.

Advantages Over Competing PLDs 

Performance. Benchmark designs show the Spartan Series to be at least 10% faster than competing FPGAs.  On-chip SelectRAM memory. The Spartan architecture's dual-port, synchronous RAM feature delivers over twice the performance of FPGAs with only single-port RAM capabilities.  Broad product offering. The Spartan Series offers 32 device-package combinations covering 3.3 and 5 volts.  Footprint compatibility. Under 2000 logic cells, competing vendors offer at most two devices per package, limiting migration to higher densities while keeping the same footprint.  Lower power. Spartan devices consume half the power of competing FPGA devices.  Lower price. $2.95 for SpartanXL device.

Distributed High-Performance SelectRAM Memory  

SelectRAM Flexibility 

Build as many high-performance RAM blocks as needed  Each block can be cascaded to any width and depth  Placed at any desired location within the FPGA  Ideal for functions such as FIFOs, DSP filters, accumulators, and scratch-pad memories