GW1N-LV1QN48C6/I5
Ultra-low-power FPGA with 1,152 LUTs, embedded flash, and 48-pin QFN package for battery-powered applications.
Product Overview
Description
The GW1N-1 is an entry-level FPGA in the LittleBee family, featuring 1,152 LUTs and ultra-low static power consumption.
With embedded flash configuration memory, this device offers instant-on operation without external configuration devices.
The 48-pin QFN package provides a balance between I/O capability and compact size, making it ideal for portable electronics.
Product Series
GW
Primary Application
IoT sensor nodes
Key Features
- Ultra-low static power consumption
- Embedded flash for instant-on operation
- Flexible I/O supporting multiple voltage standards
- Built-in oscillator and PLL
- Small form factor QFN package
- AEC-Q100 automotive grade available
Specifications
| Logic Elements | 1,152 LUT4s |
|---|---|
| Registers | 1,152 |
| Embedded Flash | 256 Kbits |
| Static Power | < 50uA typical |
| I/O Count | 41 user I/Os |
| Package | QN48 (6x6mm) |
| Core Voltage | 1.2V |
| I/O Voltage | 1.2V - 3.3V |
| Temperature Range | C6: 0°C to +85°C, I5: -40°C to +100°C |
Applications
IoT sensor nodes
Sensor signal conditioning
Wearable devices
Electronic system design
Battery-powered portable electronics
Battery and charging management
Industrial control interfaces
Industrial automation and control
Smart home devices
Electronic system design
FAE Expert Insights
"The GW1N-1 is my go-to recommendation for customers developing battery-powered IoT devices. Its sub-50uA static power consumption is genuinely impressive - I've measured it myself in our lab. The embedded flash eliminates the need for external configuration memory, which not only saves power but also reduces BOM cost and board space. For a recent smart sensor project, we replaced an SRAM-based FPGA with the GW1N-1 and achieved a 90% reduction in standby power. The instant-on feature is particularly valuable for devices that wake up periodically to take measurements. I recommend using the built-in oscillator for low-frequency applications to minimize external components. For I/O planning, note that the QFN48 package provides adequate I/O for most sensor applications while maintaining a compact footprint."
Sub-50uA static power enables year-long battery life in IoT applications
— Michael Chen, BeiLuo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical battery life when using GW1N-1 in a sensor application?
Battery life depends on the duty cycle and power management strategy. For a typical IoT sensor waking up every 10 minutes to take a reading and transmit data, the GW1N-1's sub-50uA static power consumption means the standby current is negligible compared to the active power. With a CR2032 coin cell (220mAh), such a device could operate for several years. The key is minimizing active time - the instant-on feature eliminates configuration delays, allowing the FPGA to perform its function and return to standby quickly. For continuous low-frequency operation (like sensor polling), power consumption would be higher but still significantly lower than SRAM-based alternatives. I recommend using the power estimator in Gowin Cloud Designer for your specific use case.
Use Gowin Cloud Designer's power analyzer to model your specific duty cycle and estimate battery life. Contact us for power optimization guidance.
Can the GW1N-1 operate from a single 3.3V supply?
The GW1N-1 requires a 1.2V core supply for the FPGA logic, but the I/O banks can operate at 3.3V, 2.5V, 1.8V, 1.5V, or 1.2V depending on the interface requirements. For single-supply operation from 3.3V, you need an onboard LDO or DC-DC converter to generate the 1.2V core voltage. The current draw on the 1.2V rail is relatively low (typically tens of milliamps depending on design and frequency), so a small LDO is usually sufficient for low-power applications. The I/O banks can be powered directly from 3.3V for interfacing with standard 3.3V peripherals. Gowin provides reference designs showing recommended power supply configurations.
Plan your power supply architecture to provide both 1.2V (core) and the required I/O voltage. Contact us for reference power supply designs.
How do I program the GW1N-1 FPGA?
The GW1N-1 can be programmed through several methods: 1) JTAG - standard JTAG interface for debugging and programming during development. 2) Gowin programmer - USB-based programmer that connects to the JTAG or SPI interface on your board. 3) SPI mode - the FPGA can be configured from an external SPI flash (though this is typically not needed due to embedded flash). 4) Onboard programming - many development boards include a USB-to-JTAG bridge for direct programming from the Gowin Cloud Designer software. For production, the embedded flash is programmed during manufacturing, and the device boots automatically on power-up. The Gowin Cloud Designer software includes a programmer utility that supports all these programming modes.
Use JTAG for development and debugging. For production, program the embedded flash during manufacturing. Contact us for programming guidelines and production support.
What is the difference between C6 and I5 temperature grades?
The C6 and I5 suffixes indicate different temperature ranges: C6 (Commercial grade) supports 0°C to +85°C ambient temperature, suitable for consumer electronics and indoor applications. I5 (Industrial grade) supports -40°C to +100°C ambient temperature, suitable for industrial control, outdoor equipment, and harsh environments. The I5 grade devices undergo additional screening and testing to ensure reliability across the wider temperature range. There may be slight differences in timing specifications between grades, so consult the datasheet for detailed specifications. For automotive applications, AEC-Q100 qualified versions are also available with specific automotive temperature ranges.
Choose C6 for consumer and indoor applications. Choose I5 for industrial, outdoor, or harsh environment applications. Contact us for automotive-grade options.
Can I use the GW1N-1 for motor control applications?
Yes, the GW1N-1 can be used for simple motor control applications, particularly for small DC motors or stepper motors. The device has sufficient logic resources to implement PWM controllers, encoder interfaces, and basic control algorithms. However, for complex motor control requiring high-speed DSP operations or multiple motor axes, you may want to consider the GW1N-2 or GW1N-4 with more logic resources, or the Arora family for higher performance. The GW1N-1 is well-suited for sensorless BLDC control, simple stepper sequencing, or as a companion FPGA to a dedicated motor control MCU. For precise timing-critical applications, consider using the built-in PLL to generate accurate clock frequencies.
Evaluate your motor control complexity and performance requirements. For simple motors, the GW1N-1 is sufficient. For complex multi-axis control, consider higher-capacity devices.