EP1C12Q240C6N - Cyclone FPGA, 12060 LE, 240-Pin QFP | Intel
MPN: EP1C12Q240C6N ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $175.6 | $175.60 |
| 10 | $159.99 | $1,599.90 |
| 100 | $145.75 | $14,575.00 |
| 500 | $129.5 | $64,750.00 |
| 1,000 | $119 | $119,000.00 |
Drop-in alternatives for EP1C12Q240C6N — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
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View Datasheet →EP1C12Q240C6N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Family | Cyclone FPGA (Intel/Altera) |
| Number of Logic Elements | 12060 |
| Total RAM Bits | 239616 |
| Number of M4K Blocks | 52 |
| Number of User I/Os | 173 |
| Maximum Internal Clock (speed grade -6) | 320.1 MHz |
| Core Supply Voltage | 1.5 V |
| Package | 240-pin PQFP/BFQFP (34.6 x 34.6 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Temperature Grade | Commercial (C suffix) |
| Process Technology | 130 nm |
| Configuration Type | SRAM-based, in-circuit programmable |
| RoHS Lead-Free Finish | Yes (N suffix) |
| JTAG Boundary Scan | Supported |
EP1C12Q240C6N 240-pin pqfp/bfqfp (34.6 x 34.6 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) Pin Configuration Guide
Complete pinout information for EP1C12Q240C6N (240-pin pqfp/bfqfp (34.6 x 34.6 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) package). This digital IC includes GPIO, communication interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C), and power pins. Refer to the manufacturer datasheet for alternate pin functions and configuration options. Essential for embedded system design and PCB layout.
No detailed pinout data available for EP1C12Q240C6N.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Safe Operating Area (SOA) & Thermal Characteristics
No official SOA curve available for this digital IC. Always operate within absolute maximum ratings specified in the datasheet. Ensure adequate cooling and derate as needed.
Typical Applications
EP1C12Q240C6N is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control and Motion Interface, Communication Line-Card Bridge, Video and Image Capture Formatting, Automotive Body Electronics Controller, Consumer Display and LCD Controller, FPGA Prototyping and ASIC Validation.
Industrial Control and Motion Interface
The EP1C12Q240C6N provides 173 programmable I/Os that can implement high-speed position-capture inputs, PWM generation, and external memory or encoder interfaces in industrial motor controllers and PLC I/O modules. Its 12,060 logic elements are sufficient for state-machine-based communication bridging, fault monitoring, and deterministic pulse generation. The 1.5 V core with commercial temperature rating is suitable for cabinet or machine-mounted controls with controlled ventilation. A QFP package also simplifies board inspection in harsh, vibration-prone environments compared with BGA. For a compact industrial controller, pair the FPGA with an EPCS configuration memory and a MAX V CPLD for power-up sequencing and board management.
Recommended
Communication Line-Card Bridge
In networking and telecom line cards, the EP1C12Q240C6N can act as a flexible protocol bridge between media-access control devices, physical-layer transceivers, and system controllers. The 173 I/Os allow connection to multiple parallel busses, and the M4K embedded memory blocks create FIFOs for rate-matching and domain crossing. The 130 nm process and -6 speed grade deliver internal clock frequencies near 320 MHz for datapath logic, while external I/O rates are set by the selected I/O standard. Because the device is SRAM-based, configuration can be updated in the field to support protocol revisions or bug fixes. This makes the EP1C12 a useful low-cost, reconfigurable companion in a line-card that also contains a host processor or network processor.
Recommended
Video and Image Capture Formatting
Video capture systems need low-latency pixel processing, sensor timing generation, and parallel data formatting before the image reaches an application processor or display pipe. The EP1C12Q240C6N has enough logic elements to implement pixel reconstruction, line buffers, resampling, and simple image statistics. The 239,616 RAM bits are arranged in M4K blocks that can form multiple horizontal line buffers for video modes up to a few megapixels. Its 173 I/Os can connect to CMOS image sensors, parallel ADCs, or DDR/graphics buses with an appropriate level shifter. The commercial temperature range suits consumer cameras and machine-vision modules in an indoor environment. Designers should provide a clean clock tree and use the FPGA's internal PLL/DLL resources or an external clock syntonization device if supported by the family.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics Controller
Automotive body controllers require deterministic inputs and outputs for switches, relays, and indicator lamps, often with several communication interfaces such as CAN or LIN. The EP1C12Q240C6N can integrate bus protocol logic, switch debounce, lamp/relay sequencing, and diagnostic status generation without needing a large ASIC. Its 173 I/Os are more than enough for multiplexed switch arrays and parallel loads. The plastic QFP package is suitable for low-to-medium vibration environments when correctly attached. Note that the C grade is normally specified for 0 °C to +85 °C; if the module is mounted in an engine bay or unheated area, the EP1C12Q240I7N industrial-temperature variant should be used instead. Use a serial configuration device and an external or integrated CAN transceiver to complete the module.
Recommended
Consumer Display and LCD Controller
For consumer LCD monitors, low-cost projectors, and infotainment displays, the EP1C12Q240C6N can implement interface timing, simple graphics overlays, panel synchronization, and backlight control value generation. The M4K memory blocks form efficient scanline buffers and small framebuffers, while the 12,060 logic elements handle timing generators, address counters, and test-pattern logic. The 240-pin package is well suited to compact controller boards, and the lead-free N finish helps meet consumer electronic environmental regulations. The commercial temperature range is adequate for most display products operating indoors. If high-speed LVDS or TMDS is needed on the same board, driver and serializer devices must be supplied externally because this older Cyclone FPGA does not contain hardened video serializer blocks.
Recommended
FPGA Prototyping and ASIC Validation
Before taping out an ASIC, designers often prototype the RTL in FPGAs to validate functionality and start firmware development. The EP1C12Q240C6N provides 12,060 logic elements and 173 I/O pins, which is large enough for control-dominated ASIC logic and small datapath prototypes, though not for large System-on-Chip emulation. Its QFP package is easy to mount on custom breakout boards and socketed prototyping systems, and the use of Intel/Altera Quartus tools allows RTL synthesis, fitting, and timing analysis. The part supports JTAG configuration through a download cable, enabling rapid iterations of internal test modes. Since the FPGA is SRAM based, every board power-up requires an external configuration controller or associated EPCS device. For more advanced prototyping requirements, consider newer Intel Cyclone FPGAs with larger logic density and embedded DSP resources.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP1C12Q240C6N — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP1C12Q240C6 | EP1C12Q240C7N | EP1C12Q240C8N | EP1C12Q240I7N | EP1C12Q240C8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | PQFP-240/BFQFP-240 | PQFP-240/BFQFP-240 | PQFP-240/BFQFP-240 | PQFP-240/BFQFP-240 | PQFP-240/BFQFP-240 | PQFP-240/BFQFP-240 |
| Brand | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) |
| Logic Elements | 12060 | 12060 | 12060 | 12060 | 12060 | 12060 |
| RAM Bits | 239616 | 239616 | 239616 | 239616 | 239616 | 239616 |
| User I/O | 173 | 173 | 173 | 173 | 173 | 173 |
| Core Voltage | 1.5 V | 1.5 V | 1.5 V | 1.5 V | 1.5 V | 1.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +85 °C (commercial) | 0 °C to +85 °C | 0 °C to +85 °C | 0 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +100 °C (industrial) | 0 °C to +85 °C |
| Speed Grade | 6 (-6) | 6 (-6) | 7 (-7) | 8 (-8) | 7 (-7) | 8 (-8) |
| RoHS/Lead Finish | RoHS compliant / Pb-free (N) | Non-RoHS / tin-lead | RoHS compliant / Pb-free (N) | RoHS compliant / Pb-free (N) | RoHS compliant / Pb-free (N) | Non-RoHS / tin-lead |
Key Differentiators
- RoHS-compliant lead-free N suffix without changing electrical performance (vs EP1C12Q240C6)
- Fastcommercial -6 speed grade in the Q240 package (vs EP1C12Q240C8N)
- Same-cycle pin-compatible upgrade path for temperature and speed variants (vs EP1C12Q240I7N)
Design Notes
Estimated: In a design drawing 0.5 A from the 1.5 V core supply, power dissipation is approximately 0.75 W. Add a low-impedance 1.5 V plane and place 0.1 uF ceramic decoupling capacitors close to each VCC/GND pin pair, plus a 10 uF bulk capacitor near the FPGA. Use low-ESR ceramic capacitors on the I/O bank supplies as well.
The EP1C12Q240C6N comes in a 240-pin PQFP/BFQFP with 0.5 mm pitch. Use stencil openings sized for the actual land pattern recommended by Intel/Altera, typically with pad width around 0.25 mm and adequate solder mask clearance. For prototype boards, route breakouts on an inner layer or use blind vias if the fan-out becomes congested. A solid ground reference plane under the package is important for controlled I/O impedance.
Do not power up an SRAM-based FPGA without a valid configuration source. If the EP1C12Q240C6N is not loaded from active-serial or passive-serial configuration or through JTAG, its I/O pins will remain high-impedance after power-up, and the application will not function. Verify the MSEL pin strap values match the selected configuration scheme and that the configuration device is properly connected to the DATA0/DCLK/nCONFIG/nSTATUS pins.
Compliance Information
The N suffix on EP1C12Q240C6N indicates lead-free finish and RoHS compliance in Intel/Altera ordering nomenclature. Other environmental compliance data was not present in the verified web data.
