Efinix T4 F49 WLCSP Package SPI Flash programming

[mon2]

Hi. Would anyone here have experience in using the Efinix T4 F49 WLCSP packaged FPGA ?

If yes, specifically, how to deploy the SPI Active x1 Mode to boot using an external SPI flash? This package does not offer JTAG pins so a pre-flashed device must be present to load the IP into the CRAM.

Respectively, for us to flash the IP onto a blank PCB, do we hold CRESET_N line LOW and then we can use an external SPI bus master to flash the IP onto the external memory device? The (AN006) Trion FPGA memory guide is not clear to us and would rather avoid using a mux onboard to steer the SPI lines in the external programmer or FPGA direction.

The T4 FPGA appears to be ~$.60 USD on LCSC.com which is very attractive for us to consider as a CPLD replacement.

To rephrase, how do we park this FPGA in the 49 ball WLCSP package into a tri-state mode so that we can use the external SPI flash programmer without conflict on the shared pins.

Thanks.

[mon2]

Efinix factory support has confirmed that if CRESET_N line is held LOW, the SPI interface lines on the Trion F49 package will tristate. Thanks.

[gnuarm]

The T4 FPGA appears to be ~$.60 USD on LCSC.com which is very attractive for us to consider as a CPLD replacement.

I can't find any mention of Efinix on the LCSC web site.... AT ALL.  Are you sure you found this part there?

[mon2]

Yes. It WAS there but no longer. Shady business. Will confirm with the contact we have there.



Dear customer,

 

Thanks for reaching out.

Manufacturer: Efinix. Mfr. Part #T4F49C2X，LCSC Part #C3273075. Currently is out of stock.

As for 100pcs, we are unable to confirm its price now, please submit a backorder(no need to pay) from our website. Our purchasing team will check if there is a new availability and quota it with the latest price and estimated lead time within 48 hours. For more details, please refer to When will be the part /more quantity available again?

As for the package of 100pcs probably is a cut tape as the quantity doesn't meet a full reel(2500pcs). Hope it will be helpful.

Looking forward to your backorder soon.

Best regards,

Oriana

[gnuarm]

I've seen indication on the Efinix web site that they sell through Arrow too, but no sign on the Arrow web site.  The only place I've found them is at Digikey which offers no quantity discount.  I'm going to have to work with Efinix to figure out a better price and how to get them.  I should be needing around 6k per year starting next year.

[mon2]

Will update this thread once LCSC replies back to our request of the same part again. Should have screen grabbed it but it was a very fair and cost effective price of ~$0.60 USD each to replace logic. The lack of JTAG on the board is a small hindrance but willing to work around it for the cost savings. Alternatively, there are low cost Gowin devices. Contact Roger @ Efinix USA. Cannot help thinking that Asia continues to receive better costs than we do here in North America. Historically, the large OEM players in Asia will often sell their surplus stock at costs that are still lower than our resales here.

[mon2]

Here is the update from LCSC:

[c64]

The T4 FPGA appears to be ~$.60 USD on LCSC.com which is very attractive for us to consider as a CPLD replacement.

Anyone actually managed to buy it at this price? Fpga with 4K LE for less than dollar sounds too good to be true. Even for LCSC

[mon2]

I think Debbie Downer is running on this product line. Placed a formal request for a full T&R and/or full factory MPQ in trays for this device. LCSC returned with a quick, unable to support the device and asked if we can replace it. Openly, we designed in the product based on price. Will now consider to switch to Gowin or use discretes - we are only after a simple address decoder for our slow bus decoding. There is no doubt that these components sell at lower resales in Asia than our local markets. Most of the time, not always, parts are just at a lower resale on such components. Perhaps to flush out overstocked items.