ICE40UL1K-CM36AI

The ICE40UL1K-CM36AI is an iCE40 UltraLite field programmable gate array (FPGA) in a compact 36‑VFBGA package. It combines a flexible low‑power logic architecture with integrated peripherals targeted at mobile and handheld sensor‑management applications.

Designed for ultra‑low power operation and small form‑factor integration, this device is well suited for functions such as sensor interfacing, RGB and IR LED control, barcode emulation and other custom I/O tasks in space‑constrained designs.

Key Features

• Core Logic – 1248 logic elements for custom user logic and glue functions, enabling compact implementation of control and interface logic.
• Embedded Memory – Approximately 56 kbits of on‑chip RAM (57,344 bits) to support FIFOs, buffers and state storage for user logic.
• I/O – 26 programmable I/O pins suitable for interface ports or general‑purpose signals.
• On‑chip Oscillators – Two built‑in oscillators (10 kHz LFOSC and 48 MHz HFOSC) for always‑on low‑power tasks and higher speed activities without external clock sources.
• Hardened LED and IR Drivers – Integrated RGB PWM with three 24 mA constant‑current outputs, a 400 mA IR driver output (combinable with the 100 mA barcode driver to form up to 500 mA), and a 100 mA barcode emulation driver for direct LED driving.
• Flexible Clocking and PLL – Multiple low‑skew global signal resources and one PLL with dynamic interface for on‑chip clock distribution.
• Power and Configuration – Operates from a core supply range of 1.14 V to 1.26 V; configuration via standard SPI or internal nonvolatile configuration memory (NVCM).
• Package and Mounting – Surface mount 36‑VFBGA / 36‑ucBGA (2.5 × 2.5 mm) offering a very small PCB footprint.
• Industrial Temperature Grade – Rated for operation from −40 °C to 100 °C for use in industrial environments.
• Ultra‑Low Power Standby – Device family exhibits ultra‑low standby currents suitable for always‑on and battery‑sensitive applications.

Typical Applications

• Smartphones and Tablets – Sensor management, service LED control and small peripheral glue logic in mobile devices where board area and power are constrained.
• Handheld Industrial Devices – On‑device protocol bridging, I/O expansion and barcode emulation in portable industrial instruments operating across the industrial temperature range.
• Multi‑Sensor Management – Aggregation and preprocessing of signals from multiple sensors using embedded RAM and programmable logic.
• IR Remote and Barcode Emulation – Direct IR LED drive and barcode emulator outputs with integrated pulse logic and high‑current driver capability.
• RGB Lighting Control – Hardware PWM for RGB LEDs with integrated constant‑current outputs for compact lighting/status indicators.

Unique Advantages

• Compact, low‑power integration: Small 36‑ball ucBGA package and ultra‑low power operation reduce board area and energy consumption for mobile and battery‑sensitive designs.
• Direct LED/IR driving: Hardened PWM and high‑current LED drivers reduce external component count and simplify PCB design for lighting and IR functions.
• On‑chip memory and oscillators: Embedded RAM and two internal oscillators support always‑on use cases and simplify system clocking without external components.
• Industrial temperature range: −40 °C to 100 °C rating broadens deployment options for rugged and industrial handheld products.
• Flexible configuration options: Standard SPI configuration or internal NVCM enable adaptable boot and field update strategies.

Why Choose ICE40UL1K-CM36AI?

The ICE40UL1K-CM36AI positions itself as a compact, ultra‑low power FPGA option for designs that need programmable logic combined with integrated LED/IR drivers and on‑chip memory. Its small ucBGA package, internal oscillators and industrial temperature rating make it a practical choice for designers of mobile, handheld and industrial sensor‑management systems.

For engineers seeking a space‑efficient programmable device with direct LED/IR drive capability and embedded resources, the ICE40UL1K-CM36AI provides targeted functionality that simplifies BOM and PCB layout while supporting low‑power operation.

Request a quote or submit an inquiry to receive pricing, availability and technical assistance for the ICE40UL1K-CM36AI.