EP1K100QI208-02 - 100K Gate ACEX-1K FPGA, 208-PQFP | Altera
MPN: EP1K100QI208-02 ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $28.5 | $28.50 |
| 10 | $24.2 | $242.00 |
| 100 | $19.85 | $1,985.00 |
| 500 | $16.4 | $8,200.00 |
| 1,000 | $13.95 | $13,950.00 |
EP1K100QI208-02 Overview
An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) is a type of programmable logic device (PLD) that combines an array of configurable logic blocks (LABs), embedded memory, and programmable interconnect into a single semiconductor IC. FPGAs belong to the broader hierarchy: programmable logic device -> field programmable gate array -> SRAM-based FPGA -> ACEX-1K family. Unlike ASICs, FPGAs are reprogrammable in-system, which makes them ideal for prototyping, low-volume production, and designs where hardware requirements evolve over time.
The EP1K100QI208-02 provides 624 Logic Array Blocks (LABs), each containing 8 Logic Elements (LEs) for a total of 4,992 LEs. Embedded array blocks (EABs) deliver up to 24 Kbits of dual-port RAM per EAB, configurable as RAM, ROM, or FIFO. The device supports in-system configuration via serial or parallel configuration devices, JTAG boundary-scan testing (IEEE 1149.1), and MultiVolt I/O supporting 2.5 V, 3.3 V, and 5 V interfacing, eliminating the need for external level translators in mixed-voltage systems.
Architecturally, the ACEX-1K family was the industry's first FPGA to embed dedicated dual-port RAM blocks (EABs), enabling efficient memory-intensive functions such as FIFOs, look-up tables, and DSP-style filtering without consuming logic resources. The 0.22 µm process combined with 2.5 V core reduced power consumption relative to 5 V FPGAs of the era, while the high I/O count (147 user I/Os) makes the device suitable for bus-intensive glue logic, peripheral bridging, and legacy industrial control applications.
Typical applications include telecommunications line-card interface glue logic, industrial machine control and instrumentation, ASIC prototyping, peripheral bus bridges (PCI-to-ISA, UART muxing), low-cost digital signal processing front-ends, and embedded control logic. The 208-pin PQFP package is through-hole-friendly and easy to hand-prototype, though it occupies significant PCB area compared to later BGA packages. The wide MultiVolt I/O range also makes the part common in mixed 3.3 V/5 V systems.
When designing with the EP1K100QI208-02, note that the "-02" speed grade has the slowest timing margins - it is suitable for designs clocked at 100 MHz or below, but applications requiring 200 MHz+ should select the "-1" speed grade. ACEX-1K devices are now in their end-of-life (EOL) era; for new designs, current Altera/Intel families such as Cyclone IV, MAX 10, or Cyclone V are recommended replacements.
This page synthesizes distributor stock and pricing data, ACEX-1K family drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes that are not consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for EP1K100QI208-02 — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with EP1K100QI208-02 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Process Technology, Package, Speed Grade, Package Type, Configuration Method.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP1K100QC208-2N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$16.42 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1K100QC208-1N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$16.29 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1K100QC208-2
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$17.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1K100QC208-1
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$20.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1K100QC208-3
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$60.04 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1K100QI208-2N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
Contact for price
View Datasheet →EP1K100FC256-2
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$27.6 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1K100QI208-02 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | ACEX-1K |
| Logic Elements | 4,992 |
| System Gates | 100,000 |
| Logic Array Blocks (LABs) | 624 |
| Embedded Memory (RAM bits) | 49,152 |
| Maximum User I/O Pins | 147 |
| Process Technology | 0.22 µm SRAM |
| Core Voltage | 2.5 V |
| Speed Grade | -02 (slowest) |
| Maximum Frequency | 250 MHz |
| Package | 208-BFQFP (PQFP, gull-wing) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Configuration Method | SRAM-based, serial/parallel/JTAG |
| MultiVolt I/O Support | 2.5 V / 3.3 V / 5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to +85°C (industrial) |
| RoHS Status | Unknown (legacy family) |
| Lead-Free | Unknown |
EP1K100QI208-02 208-bfqfp (pqfp, gull-wing) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP1K100QI208-02 (208-bfqfp (pqfp, gull-wing) 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 EP1K100QI208-02.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP1K100QI208-02 is suitable for 6 applications: Telecommunications Line-Card Glue Logic, Industrial Machine Control, ASIC Prototyping and Emulation, Peripheral Bus Bridges (PCI/ISA/UART), Low-Cost Digital Signal Processing Front-End, Embedded Control Logic.
Telecommunications Line-Card Glue Logic
The EP1K100QI208-02 fits telecommunications line-card glue logic because its 100K gates and 147 user I/Os let designers integrate bus bridges, framers, and protocol converters without external ASICs. The device's MultiVolt I/O bank supports 2.5 V/3.3 V/5 V interfacing, which eliminates external level shifters in mixed-voltage TDM/SONET designs. The 49,152 bits of embedded dual-port RAM support small FIFO buffers and elastic stores common in serial protocol backplanes. Estimated: at a 100 MHz system clock with 50% I/O toggling, expect roughly 0.5-1 W of core dissipation. Choose -02 speed grade only when timing margins above 150 MHz are not required.
Recommended
Industrial Machine Control
The EP1K100QI208-02 is well-suited to industrial machine control where its Industrial temperature rating (-40C to +85C), 147 I/Os, and 100K-gate capacity enable integration of motor-control glue logic, sensor multiplexing, encoder counters, and safety interlocks on a single chip. The ACEX-1K family was widely deployed in PLC peripheral cards and CNC controllers because the MultiVolt I/O allowed direct connection to 24V-tolerant industrial sensors via external resistive dividers. The 208-PQFP package is hand-solderable for prototype repairs in the field. Estimated: at 100% I/O utilization in an enclosed cabinet, derate junction temperature by 10-15C beyond ambient.
Recommended
ASIC Prototyping and Emulation
The EP1K100QI208-02 serves as an excellent ASIC prototyping vehicle because its 100K-gate capacity, JTAG boundary scan, and SRAM-based in-system reconfiguration allow rapid iteration of pre-silicon designs. The dual-port EAB RAM blocks enable efficient emulation of register files and small cache structures. The 208-PQFP package is also useful in socketed prototype boards because engineers can swap parts during multi-FPGA logic partitioning. Engineers commonly used ACEX-1K devices as 'satellite' FPGAs around larger APEX or Stratix devices in multi-FPGA emulation rigs. The -02 speed grade is adequate when emulating ASICs clocked at 50-100 MHz.
Recommended
Peripheral Bus Bridges (PCI/ISA/UART)
The EP1K100QI208-02's 100K-gate density and MultiVolt I/O make it ideal for legacy peripheral bus bridges such as PCI-to-ISA, UART multiplexing, and parallel-port expansion. The 147 user I/Os are sufficient to implement a 32-bit PCI bus (94 pins for address/data plus control) with headroom for side-band signals. The dual-port EAB memory blocks efficiently implement small FIFOs needed between asynchronous clock domains. The 208-PQFP package was the standard footprint for PCI add-in card prototypes in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Estimated: a full 32-bit PCI target bridge uses roughly 60-70% of the device's logic capacity.
Recommended
Low-Cost Digital Signal Processing Front-End
The EP1K100QI208-02 supports moderate DSP front-end applications such as FIR filtering, correlation, and FFT pre-processing because its EAB blocks can implement efficient multiplier-accumulator shift-register chains. While it lacks dedicated DSP blocks (introduced later in Cyclone II/Stratix families), 100K gates and 49 Kbits of dual-port RAM allow modest filter sizes of up to 64 taps in 16-bit precision. The MultiVolt I/O lets the FPGA interface directly to 3.3 V ADCs. According to the ACEX-1K datasheet, the device can implement digital down-converters for narrow-band receivers. The -02 speed grade limits sample rates to roughly 50 MSPS.
Recommended
Embedded Control Logic
The EP1K100QI208-02 integrates custom peripheral controllers, custom interrupt controllers, and bus arbiters alongside a microprocessor or microcontroller in embedded systems. The 147 user I/Os let the FPGA expand the processor's peripheral count without glue-logic MSI parts. The dual-port RAM blocks implement mailbox registers and parameter-passing FIFOs between the CPU and custom logic. Industrial temperature grade makes it suitable for automotive under-hood, aerospace, and ruggedized military embedded controllers. Estimated: a custom 16-bit ISA-style peripheral bus consumes 30-40% of the LEs; two UARTs add another 20-25%.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP1K100QI208-02 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP1K100QC208-2N | EP1K100QC208-1N | EP1K100QI208-2N | EP1K100QC208-1 | EP1K100QC208-3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera |
| Package | 208-PQFP (BFQFP) | 208-PQFP (same) | 208-PQFP (same) | 208-PQFP (same) | 208-PQFP (same) | 208-PQFP (same) |
| Family | ACEX-1K | ACEX-1K | ACEX-1K | ACEX-1K | ACEX-1K | ACEX-1K |
| Logic Elements | 4,992 | 4,992 | 4,992 | 4,992 | 4,992 | 4,992 |
| System Gates | 100K | 100K | 100K | 100K | 100K | 100K |
| User I/O Pins | 147 | 147 | 147 | 147 | 147 | 147 |
| Speed Grade | -02 (slowest) | -2 (faster than -02) | -1 (fastest) | -2 (faster than -02) | -1 (fastest) | -3 (slower than -02) |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Commercial (0C to +70C) | Commercial (0C to +70C) | Industrial (matches) | Commercial (0C to +70C) | Commercial (0C to +70C) |
| Lead-Free | Unknown | Yes (-N suffix) | Yes (-N suffix) | Yes (-N suffix) | Unknown | Unknown |
Key Differentiators
- Industrial temperature grade for harsh environments (vs EP1K100QC208-2N)
- -02 speed grade offers cost savings on non-timing-critical designs (vs EP1K100QC208-1N)
- 208-PQFP package is hand-prototype-friendly (vs EP1K100FC256-2 (256-FBGA))
Design Notes
Estimated: the EP1K100QI208-02 typically draws 100-300 mA from the 2.5 V VCCINT rail depending on toggle rate and logic utilization. Add 100uF bulk + 0.1uF + 1uF decoupling per VCCINT pin. The VCCIO pins (2.5V/3.3V/5V depending on bank configuration) should each have a 0.1uF + 10uF decoupling cap. According to the ACEX-1K datasheet, inrush during configuration can briefly spike to 500 mA - size the regulator accordingly. Use a linear LDO for low-noise designs; the part is too old for modern DC-DC recommendations, but a TPS7A47xx-class LDO would suffice.
Estimated: at full I/O toggling (147 outputs @ 50 MHz, 50% activity) the EP1K100QI208-02 dissipates roughly 0.8-1.2 W. The 208-PQFP has theta_JA approximately 30-35 C/W in still air, yielding 25-40 C junction rise above ambient. For -40C to +85C industrial operation this is acceptable; for closed-enclosure designs, ensure at least 5 CFM airflow or use thermal vias to a copper inner-plane heatsink. Avoid placing the device adjacent to high-heat sources such as DC-DC converters.
Use a 4-layer PCB with continuous ground and power planes. Route all 208 pins with at least 8 mil trace width and 12 mil clearance. Place configuration device (EPC2 or similar) within 4 inches of the FPGA's configuration pins (nCONFIG, nSTATUS, CONF_DONE, DCLK, DATA) to avoid signal-integrity issues. Per the ACEX-1K datasheet, the JTAG chain (TCK, TMS, TDI, TDO) must be impedance-controlled and 0.1uF-bypassed near each device in the chain. Keep JTAG traces away from clock lines to minimize crosstalk.
Do not confuse the EP1K100QI208-02 with the EPF10K100EQI208-2 - the former is ACEX-1K (2.5V core) while the latter is FLEX 10KE (5V core), and they have different pinouts despite both being 208-pin PQFP. Verify the exact prefix before PCB assembly. Also note that ACEX-1K is volatile and requires configuration on every power-up - a boot PROM (EPC2, EPC8, EPC16) is mandatory, not optional. The device cannot retain configuration through power cycles like a CPLD.
Compliance Information
ACEX-1K is a legacy Altera family; the EP1K100QI208-02 part number does not include the -N lead-free suffix that would indicate RoHS compliance. For RoHS-compliant variants choose EP1K100QI208-2N. AEC-Q100 not applicable - ACEX-1K predates the AEC-Q100 automotive qualification standard adoption.
