AMD declared the End of Life (EOL) for a number of CPLDs and FPGAs that started January 1, 2024. The affected models include the XC9500XL, CoolRunner and CoolRunner II CPLDs, along with the Spartan II and Spartan 3 FPGA families. These products that were twenty-five years old, were part of Xilinx’s lineup prior to AMDs acquisition of Xilinx in 2022. AMD will accept orders for these devices until June 29, 2024.
The decision to discontinue these products is primarily driven by two factors. Firstly, these devices are produced using outdated process nodes on production lines that have long been fully amortized. The maintenance costs associated with these aging lines are becoming prohibitively expensive. Secondly, the demand no longer justifies maintaining an inventory of these chips. Given the lack of designs utilizing these programmable logic chips market is expected to decline steadily over time.
Despite the announcement of discontinuation, AMD will offer customers the opportunity to purchase these chips to support existing system designs that rely on them. This EOL notification allows for a reflection on the history and development of these logic devices.
Looking ahead, the discontinuation of the older CPLDs and FPGAs presents an opportunity for designers and engineers to explore and adopt newer, more advanced technologies. Modern CPLDs and FPGAs offer increased performance, lower power consumption, and enhanced features compared to their predecessors. With the ongoing development of artificial intelligence, internet of things (IoT), and other emerging technologies, the demand of programmable logic devices that can meet these requirements is expected to grow. Manufacturers like AMD and others are investing heavily in the development of next-generation programmable logic solutions, ensuring that the industry continues to evolve and innovate.
In conclusion, the discontinuation of these devices marks the end of an era in programmable logic, as these chips have been foundational in numerous electronic systems and industrial applications. Over their lifespan, these CPLDs and FPGAs have contributed to advancements in telecommunications, aerospace, automotive, and many other industries. Their EOL status highlights the importance of ongoing innovation in semiconductor technology, pushing designers and manufacturers to embrace newer, more efficient solutions. As these legacy devices phase out, it paves the way for newer technologies to address the evolving needs of modern electronics.
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