Detailed Specifications
2- 20
R e visio n 3
Tightest Delay Distributions
Propagation delay between logic modules depends on the resistive and capacitive loading of the routing
tracks, the interconnect elements, and the module inputs being driven. Propagation delay increases as
the length of routing tracks, the number of interconnect elements, or the number of inputs increases.
From a design perspective, the propagation delay can be statistically correlated or modeled by the fanout
(number of loads) driven by a module. Higher fanout usually requires some paths to have longer lengths
of routing track. The ACT 3 family delivers the tightest fanout delay distribution of any FPGA. This tight
distribution is achieved in two ways: by decreasing the delay of the interconnect elements and by
decreasing the number of interconnect elements per path.
Microsemi’s patented PLICE antifuse offers a very low resistive/capacitive interconnect. The ACT 3
family’s antifuses, fabricated in 0.8 micron m lithography, offer nominal levels of 200
Ω resistance and 6
femtofarad (fF) capacitance per antifuse. The ACT 3 fanout distribution is also tighter than alternative
devices due to the low number of antifuses required per interconnect path. The ACT 3 family’s
proprietary architecture limits the number of antifuses per path to only four, with 90% of interconnects
using only two antifuses.
The ACT 3 family’s tight fanout delay distribution offers an FPGA design environment in which fanout can
be traded for the increased performance of reduced logic level designs. This also simplifies performance
estimates when designing with ACT 3 devices.
Timing Characteristics
Timing characteristics for ACT 3 devices fall into three categories: family dependent, device dependent,
and design dependent. The input and output buffer characteristics are common to all ACT 3 family
members. Internal routing delays are device dependent. Design dependency means actual delays are
not determined until after placement and routing of the user’s design is complete. Delay values may then
be determined by using the ALS Timer utility or performing simulation with post-layout delays.
Critical Nets and Typical Nets
Propagation delays are expressed only for typical nets, which are used for initial design performance
evaluation. Critical net delays can then be applied to the most time-critical paths. Critical nets are
determined by net property assignment prior to placement and routing. Up to 6% of the nets in a design
may be designated as critical, while 90% of the nets in a design are typical.
Long Tracks
Some nets in the design use long tracks. Long tracks are special routing resources that span multiple
rows, columns, or modules. Long tracks employ three and sometimes four antifuse connections. This
increases capacitance and resistance, result ng in longer net delays for macros connected to long tracks.
Typically up to 6% of nets in a fully utilized device require long tracks. Long tracks contribute
approximately 4 ns to 14 ns delay. This additional delay is represented statistically in higher fanout
(FO = 8) routing delays in the datasheet specifications section.
Table 2-14 Logic Module and Routing Delay by Fanout (ns); Worst-Case Commercial Conditions
Speed Grade
FO = 1
FO = 2
FO = 3
FO = 4
FO = 8
ACT 3 –3
2.9
3.2
3.4
3.7
4.8
ACT 3 –2
3.3
3.7
3.9
4.2
5.5
ACT 3 –1
3.7
4.2
4.4
4.8
6.2
ACT 3 STD
4.3
4.8
5.1
5.5
7.2
Notes:
1. Obtained by added tRD(x=FO) to tPD from the Logic Module Timing Characteristics Tables found in this
datasheet.
2. The –2 and –3 speed grades have been discontinued. Refer to