Lattice LC4064V-25TN48C: A Comprehensive Technical Overview of the Low-Power CPLD

In the realm of digital logic design, Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs) remain a cornerstone for "glue logic," system configuration, and power-sensitive control applications. Among these, the Lattice LC4064V-25TN48C stands out as a particularly compelling solution, engineered to deliver a robust combination of low power consumption, high performance, and design flexibility. This article provides a detailed technical examination of this specific CPLD variant.

The LC4064V is part of Lattice Semiconductor's proven ispMACH® 4000V CPLD family. Fabricated on an advanced CMOS process, this architecture is fundamentally designed for ultra-low power operation, making it an ideal choice for battery-powered and portable electronics where every milliwatt counts. The "-25" in its part number denotes a maximum pin-to-pin delay of 5.0 ns, enabling high-performance operation for a wide range of control and arbitration tasks.

At its core, the device features 64 macrocells, organized into four Function Blocks. This provides a sufficient logic density for integrating numerous discrete logic components into a single, compact package. Each macrocell is configurable and can efficiently implement combinatorial or registered logic functions. The device offers in-system programmability (ISP) via a standard JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) interface. This feature is critical for modern manufacturing and development workflows, allowing for rapid design iterations and field upgrades without removing the chip from the circuit board.

A key highlight of the LC4064V-25TN48C is its versatile I/O capability. The "TN48C" suffix indicates a 48-pin Thin Quad Flat Pack (TQFP) package. This package offers a compact footprint suitable for space-constrained PCB designs. The 33 I/O pins are 5V tolerant, allowing them to interface seamlessly with higher voltage logic systems without requiring external level shifters. This significantly simplifies board design and reduces the overall component count.

The device operates on a 1.8V core voltage with 3.3V I/O banks, which is the primary contributor to its low dynamic and standby power consumption. This is further enhanced by the ispMACH 4000V's unique block-based architecture, which allows unused function blocks to be automatically placed in a low-power "sleep" mode, conserving energy without designer intervention.

Typical applications for the LC4064V-25TN48C are diverse, including:

Power Management Sequencing: Controlling the power-up and power-down sequences of FPGAs, ASICs, and processors.

Interface Bridging: Translating between different communication protocols like SPI, I2C, and UART.

Portable and Consumer Electronics: Serving as a central control unit in devices where battery life is paramount.

System Configuration: Loading configuration data for larger devices upon system startup.

ICGOODFIND: The Lattice LC4064V-25TN48C is a highly optimized CPLD that successfully balances performance with exceptional power efficiency. Its 5V tolerant I/Os, compact package, and in-system programmability make it a versatile and reliable choice for designers looking to reduce system complexity, power consumption, and board space. For control-oriented, low-to-medium density logic designs, it remains a relevant and powerful solution.

Keywords: Low-Power CPLD, 5V Tolerant I/O, In-System Programmability (ISP), Lattice ispMACH 4000V, High-Performance Logic.