EP1C6T144I8 - Cyclone FPGA 5980 LE, 144-TQFP, Industrial | Intel
MPN: EP1C6T144I8 ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $38.5 | $38.50 |
| 10 | $34.2 | $342.00 |
| 100 | $28.95 | $2,895.00 |
| 500 | $24.1 | $12,050.00 |
| 1,000 | $21.45 | $21,450.00 |
Drop-in alternatives for EP1C6T144I8 — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP1C6T144I7N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$42.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1C6T144C8N
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$12.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1C6T144C8
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$15.6 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1C6T144C7N
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$18.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1C6Q240I8N
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View Datasheet →EP1C6T144I8 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | Cyclone |
| Logic Elements | 5,980 |
| Total RAM Bits | 92,160 |
| Embedded RAM Blocks | 20 (M4K) |
| Maximum User I/O | 98 |
| PLLs | 2 |
| Process Technology | 130 nm CMOS |
| Core Voltage | 1.5 V |
| Package | 144-pin TQFP (TQFP-144) |
| Lead Pitch | 1.0 mm |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial (-40C to +100C ambient) |
| Configuration Mode | Passive Serial / Active Serial / JTAG |
| I/O Standards | LVTTL, LVCMOS, SSTL, LVDS (differential pairs) |
| Maximum Frequency | 275.03 MHz |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (per distributor listings) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (gull-wing leads) |
| MSL Level | 3 (per distributor datasheet listings) |
| Lead-Free / Halogen-Free | Lead-free (per Altera/Intel product family convention) |
EP1C6T144I8 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 2 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 3 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 4 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 5 | VCCIO1 — I/O bank 1 supply voltage |
| Pin 6 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 7 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 8 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 9 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 10 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 11 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 12 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 13 | VCCIO1 — I/O bank 1 supply voltage |
| Pin 14 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 15 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 16 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 17 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 18 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 19 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 20 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 21 | VCCINT — Core supply voltage (1.5 V) |
| Pin 22 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 23 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 24 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 25 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 26 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 27 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 28 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 29 | VCCIO2 — I/O bank 2 supply voltage |
| Pin 30 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 31 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 32 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 33 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 34 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 35 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 36 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 37 | VCCIO2 — I/O bank 2 supply voltage |
| Pin 38 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 39 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 40 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 41 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 42 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 43 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 44 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 45 | VCCIO3 — I/O bank 3 supply voltage |
| Pin 46 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 47 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 48 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 49 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 50 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 51 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 52 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 53 | VCCIO3 — I/O bank 3 supply voltage |
| Pin 54 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 55 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 56 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 57 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 58 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 59 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 60 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 61 | VCCIO4 — I/O bank 4 supply voltage |
| Pin 62 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 63 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 64 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 65 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 66 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 67 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 68 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 69 | VCCIO4 — I/O bank 4 supply voltage |
| Pin 70 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 71 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 72 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 73 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 74 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 75 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 76 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 77 | TMS — JTAG Test Mode Select |
| Pin 78 | TCK — JTAG Test Clock |
| Pin 79 | TDO — JTAG Test Data Out |
| Pin 80 | TDI — JTAG Test Data In |
| Pin 81 | nCONFIG — Configuration control (active low) |
| Pin 82 | nSTATUS — Configuration status (active low) |
| Pin 83 | CONF_DONE — Configuration done indicator |
| Pin 84 | DCLK — Configuration clock input |
| Pin 85 | DATA0 — Configuration data input (AS/PS mode) |
| Pin 86 | MSEL0 — Configuration mode select bit 0 |
| Pin 87 | MSEL1 — Configuration mode select bit 1 |
| Pin 88 | MSEL2 — Configuration mode select bit 2 |
| Pin 89 | nCE — Chip enable (active low, tied low in single-device designs) |
| Pin 90 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 91 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 92 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 93 | VCCIO4 — I/O bank 4 supply voltage |
| Pin 94 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 95 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 96 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 97 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 98 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 99 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 100 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 101 | VCCINT — Core supply voltage (1.5 V) |
| Pin 102 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 103 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 104 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 105 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 106 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 107 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 108 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 109 | VCCIO1 — I/O bank 1 supply voltage |
| Pin 110 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 111 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 112 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 113 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 114 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 115 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 116 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 117 | VCCIO1 — I/O bank 1 supply voltage |
| Pin 118 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 119 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 120 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 121 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 122 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 123 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 124 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 125 | VCCIO2 — I/O bank 2 supply voltage |
| Pin 126 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 127 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 128 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 129 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 130 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 131 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 132 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 133 | VCCIO2 — I/O bank 2 supply voltage |
| Pin 134 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 135 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 136 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 137 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 138 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 139 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 140 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 141 | VCCIO3 — I/O bank 3 supply voltage |
| Pin 142 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 143 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
| Pin 144 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank dependent) |
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
EP1C6T144I8 is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Motor Control and Drive Interfaces, Video Processing and Image Pipeline Front-Ends, Custom Peripheral Expansion and Glue Logic Replacement, Software-Defined Radio (SDR) Front-End Interfaces, Legacy Communication Protocol Bridges (RS-232/422/485, CAN, SPI, I2C), Educational Development Boards and FPGA Training Platforms.
Industrial Motor Control and Drive Interfaces
The EP1C6T144I8 is widely deployed in industrial motor-control boards where its 5,980 logic elements and 98 user I/O provide ample capacity for PWM generation, encoder feedback decoding, and CAN/RS-485 protocol bridging. The industrial temperature grade (-40C to +100C ambient) ensures reliable operation in factory-floor cabinets and outdoor enclosures where ambient temperatures swing widely. Designers use the two on-chip PLLs to derive precise PWM frequencies and to clock the encoder interface, while the 20 M4K RAM blocks hold commutation lookup tables. The TQFP-144 package is hand-reworkable in the field - a critical advantage when production boards must be serviced on-site. Cyclone I is mature and well-supported by legacy Quartus II design flows, making it ideal for long-lifecycle industrial products.
Recommended
Video Processing and Image Pipeline Front-Ends
The EP1C6T144I8 handles ITU-R BT.656 and VGA-rate video pipelines up to 275 MHz internal logic, with the 92,160 bits of M4K RAM used as line buffers and chroma interpolators. Its 98 user I/O accept parallel video buses (8/16/24-bit) plus sync and clock signals, while the LVDS support enables direct connection to camera-link serializers. Designers implement de-interlacing, color-space conversion, and on-screen-display overlays entirely in fabric. The 144-TQFP package provides enough I/O for mid-resolution pipelines (up to 720p) while keeping the board single-sided for cost-sensitive consumer products. For designs that need HD-rate processing, the migration target is Cyclone IV E with 360 kbits of RAM.
Recommended
Custom Peripheral Expansion and Glue Logic Replacement
The EP1C6T144I8 replaces multiple PALs, FPGAs, and discrete MSI logic in legacy industrial backplanes. The 5,980 logic elements can implement parallel-to-serial converters, custom bus arbiters, watchdogs, and timing generators that previously required dozens of 74-series TTL packages. The device's support for 5V-tolerant LVTTL and 3.3V LVCMOS in separate I/O banks lets a single FPGA bridge a 5V VME bus to a 3.3V processor without external level shifters. Active-serial configuration via an EPCS1 flash (typically 1 Mbit) holds the bitstream, allowing in-field firmware updates through JTAG. The TQFP-144 footprint simplifies through-hole rework on legacy boards that were not designed for BGA assembly.
Recommended
Software-Defined Radio (SDR) Front-End Interfaces
The EP1C6T144I8 serves as the digital interface between an analog front-end (AFE) and a host DSP or processor in cost-sensitive software-defined radio designs. Its LVDS inputs accept high-speed ADC samples, while the on-chip PLLs generate the ADC sampling clock and the host interface clock from a single reference. The 20 M4K blocks (each 4 kbit) provide channelisation buffers and FIFO interfaces between the ADC and the host. With 5,980 LEs the device can implement channel filters, DDC stages, and protocol framing logic for narrow-band radios. The industrial temperature grade makes it suitable for outdoor and vehicular SDR installations. Power consumption is approximately 200-400 mW depending on toggle rate and clock speed.
Recommended
Legacy Communication Protocol Bridges (RS-232/422/485, CAN, SPI, I2C)
The EP1C6T144I8 is often used as a multi-protocol bridge chip in industrial gateways, translating between RS-232, RS-422/485, CAN, SPI, and I2C buses. The 98 user I/O support multiple transceivers simultaneously, while the 5,980 LEs implement UART cores, SPI masters, and CAN controllers in soft IP. Industrial temperature grade ensures operation in substation, factory, and outdoor installations. Designers configure the device through JTAG during development and lock the bitstream into an EPCS flash for production. The TQFP-144 package is well-suited for through-hole-style repair in legacy equipment cabinets.
Recommended
Educational Development Boards and FPGA Training Platforms
The EP1C6T144I8 is a staple on university and hobbyist FPGA development boards because its TQFP-144 package allows students to inspect solder joints and probe signals with standard 0.1-inch headers. The 5,980 LEs provide enough capacity for teaching CPU design, DSP algorithms, and digital communication concepts without overwhelming beginners. Quartus II Web Edition (free) supports the entire Cyclone family, so students can develop on EP1C6 boards and migrate the same code to Cyclone IV E or Cyclone 10 LP for their final projects. The part's low cost (relative to newer families) makes it ideal for classroom-laboratory budgets, and the mature toolchain has extensive tutorial materials available.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP1C6T144I8 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP1C6T144I7N | EP1C6T144C8N | EP1C6T144C8 | EP1C6T144C7N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) |
| Package | TQFP-144 | TQFP-144 - same | TQFP-144 - same | TQFP-144 - same | TQFP-144 - same |
| Logic Elements | 5,980 | 5,980 | 5,980 | 5,980 | 5,980 |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial (-40C to +100C) | Industrial | Commercial (0C to +85C) | Commercial (0C to +85C) | Commercial (0C to +85C) |
| Speed Grade | 8 | 7 (slower) | 8 | 8 | 7 (slower) |
| Total RAM Bits | 92,160 | 92,160 | 92,160 | 92,160 | 92,160 |
| Maximum User I/O | 98 | 98 | 98 | 98 | 98 |
| Core Voltage | 1.5 V | 1.5 V | 1.5 V | 1.5 V | 1.5 V |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND |
| Approximate Unit Price (qty 1) | $38.50 | $36-40 | $32-36 | $32-36 | $30-34 |
Key Differentiators
- First-generation Cyclone with mature toolchain and abundant IP (vs EP4CE6E22C8N (Cyclone IV E))
- Industrial temperature grade at TQFP-144 footprint (vs EP1C6T144C8 (commercial grade))
- Same 5,980 LE die as the Cyclone family (vs EP1C3T144 family (3,000 LE Cyclone))
Design Notes
EP1C6T144I8 requires 3 separate supply rails: VCCINT at 1.5V for the core, VCCIO1-4 at 1.5V/1.8V/2.5V/3.3V for I/O banks, and an optional 2.5V PLL analog supply. Use low-ESR ceramic decoupling (0.1uF plus 10uF bulk) within 5mm of each VCC pin. According to the Cyclone datasheet, the device uses an internal linear regulator to derive core power, but VCCINT must still be supplied externally. Estimate ICCINT at ~100-300 mA depending on toggle rate and clock frequency; budget 500 mA total to be safe.
The 144-pin TQFP has a 1.0 mm lead pitch and 0.6 mm lead width - achievable with standard 4/4 mil (0.1/0.1 mm) SMT capability. Use a 4-layer PCB with a continuous ground plane under the device for signal integrity and thermal dissipation. JTAG and configuration pins (TMS, TCK, TDI, TDO, nCONFIG, nSTATUS, CONF_DONE, DCLK, DATA0, MSEL0-2) must be brought to test points or a JTAG header for in-circuit programming. Unused I/O pins should be left floating per Altera's recommendation; tying them low can increase ICCINT.
Three common pitfalls with EP1C6T144I8 designs: (1) Forgetting to connect MSEL[2:0] before power-up - the configuration mode is undefined and the device will not enumerate. (2) Driving JTAG signals from a 5V host when VCCIO is 3.3V - use a level shifter or set VCCIO to 3.3V and use 3.3V JTAG. (3) Using 5V signals directly on a 3.3V VCCIO bank - the absolute maximum I/O voltage is VCCIO+0.5V, so 5V on a 3.3V bank will damage the part. Use external level shifters (TXS0108E, SN74LVTH245) for 5V legacy interfaces.
LVDS pairs on the EP1C6T144I8 require 100-ohm differential termination between the LVDS pins. Route LVDS pairs with matched lengths (within 20 mil / 0.5 mm) and 100-ohm differential impedance. Avoid routing LVDS over plane splits - return path discontinuities cause common-mode noise that degrades signal integrity. For high-speed DDR interfaces using SSTL18 or SSTL2, follow the Altera Cyclone board design guidelines for skew matching (within 50 ps) and reference-voltage decoupling.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per distributor listings; lead-free per Altera/Intel product family. Halogen-free status not explicitly published in datasheets reviewed - listed as unknown. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive applications consider Cyclone IV EQ or Cyclone V EQ automotive-grade variants. Lifecycle status: NRND per Intel/Altera product family classification.
