AMD’s product discontinuation notice for several Xilinx Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLD) and lower-end FPGA models issued with a Last Time Buy date of June 29th, 2024, became a defining moment for the electronic component industry. The announcement marked a major shift in AMD’s product strategy following its 2022 acquisition of Xilinx. The official notice stated, "AMD will be discontinuing XC9500XL, CoolRunner XPLA 3, CoolRunner II, Spartan II, and Spartan 3, 3A, 3AN, 3E, 3ADSP Commercial/Industrial ‘XC’ and Automotive ‘XA’ Product Families due to declining run-rate and suppliers sustainability reasons.”

The move surprised many industry watchers, especially given AMD’s earlier commitment to continue supporting Xilinx’s legacy CPLD products. The Spartan-3 family, for example, had been a market staple since its introduction in 2011, while parts of the CoolRunner-II line traced their origins back to 2002.

The Acquisition and Its Implications

When AMD acquired Xilinx in 2022, analysts viewed the merger as a strategic expansion into the FPGA market. Xilinx, as a leading provider of programmable logic devices, added a broad and established product portfolio to AMD’s lineup of processors and graphics technologies. At the time, the acquisition was considered mutually beneficial -positioning AMD to broaden its technological reach and enter new long-term market segments.

However, by 2024 it became clear that AMD had begun reevaluating its legacy product strategy. The decision to discontinue several CPLD and FPGA families suggested a deliberate shift toward more advanced, forward-looking technologies. It also reflected the reality that sustaining older device lines was becoming less viable from both a cost and supply-chain standpoint.

Learn More: AMD/Xilinx

Reasons for Last Time Buy Notice

AMD attributed the discontinuation to two main factors: declining run-rate and supplier sustainability issues. The declining run-rate referred to steadily decreasing production volumes for these older devices, making continued manufacturing increasingly difficult to justify. Supplier sustainability challenges indicated that sourcing components for these legacy parts had become more costly and less reliable as semiconductor technologies evolved.

Given the fast-paced nature of the semiconductor industry where innovation quickly obsoletes older architectures - AMD’s decision ultimately aligned with broader market trends. Focusing on modern, efficient solutions allowed the company to better meet evolving customer and industry demands.

Impact on the Industry

The discontinuation of the XC9500XL, CoolRunner XPLA-3, CoolRunner II, Spartan II, and Spartan 3 lineups had a noticeable impact across multiple industries. These components were widely used in industrial, automotive, and embedded applications. Their removal from the market required many companies to seek alternative solutions or migrate to newer technologies.

For businesses whose product designs depended on these legacy devices, the transition often required substantial resources for redesign, testing, and requalification. Although challenging, this shift also created opportunities to adopt more efficient architectures and improve long-term product roadmaps.

Microchip USA Supporting the Transition

Following AMD’s announcement, many companies turned to independent distributors like Microchip USA to secure remaining inventory or locate hard-to-find components. With a strong reputation for reliability, we helped businesses source obsolete and end-of-life semiconductors during this transition period. Our expert team supported customers throughout the shift, ensuring businesses had access to legacy parts when they needed them most.

The Last Time Buy (LTB) Window

The discontinuation notice outlined a firm Last Time Buy deadline of June 29, 2024, giving customers a limited opportunity to place final orders. This window proved essential for organizations evaluating their long-term needs, building buffer stock, and testing replacement solutions. The LTB period helped companies prepare for the migration process and reduce operational disruptions as AMD moved away from these older device families.

Looking Back

AMD’s phase-out of these CPLD and lower-end FPGA models reflected a growing industry emphasis on innovation, modernization, and technology consolidation. While the discontinuation marked the end of a long era for many popular Xilinx components, it also represented the start of a new phase in AMD’s evolution.

As the semiconductor landscape continued to advance through 2024 and into 2025, companies across the supply chain adapted to these predictable yet significant changes. For AMD customers and partners, the transition underscored the importance of forward planning, agility, and continued investment in next-generation technologies.

Learn More: CPLDs vs FPGAs