Microchip Technology has introduced its Polarfire Core line of field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and system on chips (SoCs).

Mid-range FPGA developers are ever striving to maintain performance and reliability while staying within shrinking budgets. Rising bill-of-material (BOM) costs and feature overkill in existing solutions only complicate the equation, leaving electronic component manufacturers scrambling for smarter alternatives that don’t compromise on critical capabilities.

Microchip says its new Core devices retain the core benefits of the original Polarfire family while cutting their current costs by up to 30%. It strikes this balance by eliminating integrated serial transceivers, which many mid-range applications don’t require.

Right-Sized Features for the Mid-Range Market

What makes these devices an apt fit for mid-range applications? Microchip seems to have aligned capability with need. The Polarfire Core FPGAs (datasheet linked) are architected to deliver exactly what many developers actually use without tacking on bells and whistles that drive up costs. Instead of integrated transceivers, which are essential only in high-speed communication systems, the Core line focuses on flexible logic density (ranging from 48K to 481K logic elements), hardened security IP, and efficient memory and I/O options.

This focused feature set not only trims the BOM but also reduces total power consumption. In fact, the static power draw of these devices is roughly one-tenth that of competing mid-range FPGAs. This advantage could propel the Polarfire Core devices in markets like medical and industrial automation, where thermal management and power budgets are tightly constrained. Developers can still count on high-speed DDR4, DDR3, and LPDDR3 support, along with compact form factors, including an 11 mm × 11 mm package.

Pin-to-Pin Compatibility Offers Development Flexibility

One of the most practical features of the Polarfire Core line is its full pin-to-pin compatibility with Microchip’s broader family of Polarfire FPGAs. That might sound like a minor engineering detail, but for companies that build across multiple product SKUs or need to scale designs rapidly, it’s a significant feature. A developer can prototype with a fully-featured Polarfire FPGA and later shift to a Core version for production without changing the PCB layout. That reduces redesign effort, cuts validation time, and keeps product cycles lean.

This design continuity also opens doors for more agile product development. Companies can make early-stage design decisions based on performance targets, not cost constraints, knowing they can later “right-size” the hardware without re-engineering the entire platform.

Target Applications Span Critical Sectors

So, where exactly are these Core devices expected to make the biggest impact? Microchip is focusing on several fast-evolving sectors, including automotive, industrial automation, aerospace, defense, communications, and medical devices. These industries often require rock-solid reliability, but not necessarily high-speed transceivers. With features like single-event upset (SEU) immunity and a quad-core, 64-bit RISC-V microprocessor, Polarfire Core SoCs offer the dependability and computing flexibility demanded by real-time control systems, edge processing units, and safety-critical infrastructure.

The Polarfire Core line is backed by Microchip’s full suite of development tools, including the Libero SoC Design Suite and the Mi-V RISC-V ecosystem. That means a gentler learning curve and faster time to market.

As mid-range FPGA developers wrestle with rising BOM costs and the challenge of avoiding over-spec’ed hardware, Microchip’s Polarfire Core devices offer a welcome compromise: performance where it matters and savings where it counts. By eliminating unneeded transceivers while preserving reliability, security, and development flexibility, these FPGAs may hit the sweet spot for cost-conscious innovation.

By: DocMemory
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