SoC FPGA with a hard ARM core and programmable fabric
The M2S005-VFG256 is a SmartFusion®2 SoC FPGA from Microchip, combining an ARM Cortex-M3 processor running at 166 MHz with 5K logic modules in the FPGA fabric. This hybrid architecture offloads deterministic real-time control to the hard processor while the FPGA handles parallel data processing or custom peripheral emulation — no external CPLD or glue logic needed. On-chip memory totals 64 KB of RAM and 128 KB of flash, enough for boot code, a lightweight RTOS, and moderate data buffers without external memory. The 161 user I/O pins give ample room for sensor arrays, display interfaces, or parallel buses in a single-chip system.
Built-in connectivity includes CANbus, Ethernet, I²C, SPI, UART/USART, and USB — covering the common industrial fieldbus and debug interfaces. The Ethernet MAC integrates directly into the Cortex-M3 memory map, so a TCP/IP stack runs without an external PHY controller in the FPGA fabric. For extended temperature applications, check the industrial-grade variants in the same family.
Package, footprint, and board integration
Supplied in a 256-ball LFBGA package (14×14 mm body, 0.80 mm ball pitch). The 256-FPBGA (14x14) footprint requires a multi-layer PCB with via-in-pad or microvia fan-out for the inner rows — standard for this density. The package is ROHS3 compliant, no lead or halide restrictions for global shipping.