AGM vs. Gowin

I had a talk with the Gowin folks. They have plans for FPGA/CPU in a 48 pi n package, to be out 1Q2020, but not nearly enough I/Os, only 30ish (don't recall the exact number). To bring the chip out in a larger package with m ore I/Os means they need a customer with plans to use the device in large n umbers. My quantities aren't enough.

On the other hand, an email I sent to AGM has not received a reply. That s eems pretty clear. They are only dealing with large customers and won't be selling through distribution for some time.

Anlogic is another FPGA startup, but I see no sign they are selling to smal l buyers. Their chip is used for a RISC-V board as a soft core on the EG4S

1. Again, I haven't been able to contact them. In fact, their web site i s all in Chinese. Maybe I need to learn a new language.

Microsemi (now part of Microchip) has some smaller FPGAs (with an optional Arm Cortex M3) in a 144QFN. Its a bit bigger than you are talking about

A. There are a few out there, very few, but none of them are available in appropriate packages and inexpensive.

ing devices. AGM has the AG6K, a 6k LUT with 250 MHz ARM in a QFP100, pret ty much the perfect part. Trouble is I can't tell if this company is real. Or maybe they are targeting customers buying millions with nothing to off er the smaller users.

r extra memory along with an ARM CPU and 2 or 4 kLUTs. But they fall down on the packaging. They offer a 48QFN and a couple of other larger packages , but nothing suitable. They use the 88QFN and 100QFP, but not for the ARM version. They even have a version with a Bluetooth stack, but for some re ason that uses an ARC processor (not that it's a problem) and still comes u p very short in the packaging/IO count. Gowin seems a bit more real, but s till hard to find anyone selling their product line.

ss that goes with the territory of start ups.

Yes, I'm familiar with the general features of the Microsemi (now Microchip ?, formerly Actel) line. The QFP144 is wider than the board I want to put this chip on. The QFP100 barely fits. A QN88 is a good fit if the undersi de pad doesn't get in the way of routing vias, but I think it will be ok. I have five resistor packs on the other side of the board, but they might n ot be needed with a new FPGA. They are mostly just insurance of I/Os being in the right state after power up and before configuration is complete. A lso, their parts with the ARM are rather pricey.

Lattice has a newer XO3D in a 100QFP that should do the job. A bit more th an I'd like to pay, but workable. The Chinese parts could be the perfect f it if both they and the company making them are real enough. If I have to I can use another old part like the Spartan 3A, but how much longer will th ey be affordable nearing the 20 year point? If none of the Chinese parts w ork out, it will be the XO3D or a BGA. High pin count BGAs tend to cost mo re and the finer design rules for the PWB make that cost more too.