Lattice ICE40HX1K-CB132: An Overview of the Low-Power FPGA for Embedded Applications

The relentless drive towards smarter, more efficient, and compact embedded systems has elevated the importance of flexible logic devices. Among these, Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) offer unparalleled reconfigurability. The Lattice ICE40HX1K-CB132 stands out as a particularly compelling solution, engineered explicitly for low-power and space-constrained applications. This article provides an overview of its key features and the value it brings to embedded design.

Part of Lattice Semiconductor's renowned iCE40 UltraPlus™ family, the HX1K-CB132 is built on a mature low-power process technology. Its defining characteristic is its exceptionally low power consumption, making it ideal for battery-operated and always-on devices where every milliwatt counts. This is achieved through advanced architecture design and power gating capabilities that allow sections of the FPGA to be powered down when not in use.

Despite its focus on low power, the device does not compromise on capability. It features 1,280 Look-Up Tables (LUTs) alongside a complement of embedded block RAM and distributed RAM for efficient on-chip data storage and processing. A critical feature for modern embedded applications is its integrated I2C and SPI hard IP cores. These reduce the logic resource overhead required for communication with peripheral sensors and chips, simplifying design and improving reliability.

The device is packaged in a compact 132-ball caBGA package, which offers a robust solution for designs with severe PCB area constraints. This small form factor, combined with the FPGA's low heat output, allows for high-density layouts without requiring complex thermal management.

For development, Lattice provides a comprehensive and accessible toolchain. The Lattice Radiant® software (free for small designs) offers a complete design environment from synthesis and place-and-route to programming and debug. Furthermore, the open-source Icestorm toolflow provides the engineering community with a powerful, vendor-agnostic alternative for project development, fostering innovation and reducing barriers to entry.

ICGOODFIND: The Lattice ICE40HX1K-CB132 is a highly optimized FPGA that successfully balances ultra-low power consumption, a compact physical footprint, and sufficient logic capacity. Its integrated hard IP and supportive development ecosystems make it a superior choice for a wide range of portable, consumer, and industrial embedded applications where power and size are critical design parameters.

Keywords:

1. Low-Power FPGA

2. Embedded Applications

3. iCE40 UltraPlus Family

4. Hard IP Cores

5. Compact BGA Package