Lattice ICE40UP5K-SG48I: An Ultra-Low Power FPGA for Compact, Efficient Embedded Designs

The demand for compact, power-efficient, and highly responsive embedded systems continues to grow across industries such as IoT, consumer electronics, industrial automation, and portable medical devices. Meeting these demands requires a flexible yet optimized semiconductor solution—one that balances processing capability, energy consumption, and physical footprint. The Lattice ICE40UP5K-SG48I stands out as a leading ultra-low power FPGA tailored specifically for such applications.

As part of Lattice Semiconductor’s iCE40 UltraPlus™ family, this FPGA delivers exceptional power efficiency without sacrificing performance. Its architecture is designed from the ground up for power-sensitive operations, consuming as little as 100 µW in standby mode and offering dynamic power management features that allow designers to minimize active power consumption based on real-time processing needs.

Despite its small form factor—offered in a compact 48-ball SNFS (SG48) package—the ICE40UP5K doesn’t compromise on functionality. It features 5280 Look-Up Tables (LUTs), 1 MBit of single-port RAM, and 120 Kbits of sysMEM™ embedded block RAM. In addition, it integrates an array of hardened IP blocks including an I²C, SPI, and up to three I3C ports. These features make it ideal for tasks such as sensor aggregation, power management, signal bridging, and hardware acceleration in always-on applications.

Another key strength of the ICE40UP5K-SG48I is its high degree of design flexibility. Engineers can implement custom logic, DSP functions, and even RISC-V soft processors using Lattice’s development tools like the free Lattice Radiant® software or the open-source Icestorm toolchain. This programmability allows for rapid prototyping and iteration, reducing both development time and time-to-market.

Moreover, the device supports a wide range of I/O standards (LVCMOS, LVTTL, LVDS, etc.) and includes an on-board oscillator, PLL, and programmable I/O pull-up/pull-down resistors. Such integration simplifies PCB design, reduces BOM cost, and enhances system reliability.

From smart home hubs and wearable devices to edge computing nodes and motor control systems, the ICE40UP5K-SG48I enables innovators to build highly differentiated products with longer battery life and a smaller physical footprint.

ICGOODFIND: The Lattice ICE40UP5K-SG48I is an ideal solution for developers seeking an ultra-low power, small form factor FPGA that delivers both efficiency and design flexibility for modern embedded systems.

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Keywords: Ultra-Low Power FPGA, Embedded Systems, Sensor Bridging, iCE40 UltraPlus, Power-Efficient Design