EP1K30TC144-2N - 30K Gate ACEX-1K FPGA 144-TQFP | Intel / Altera
MPN: EP1K30TC144-2N ⚠ Last Time Buy| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $38.5 | $38.50 |
| 10 | $33.2 | $332.00 |
| 100 | $27.8 | $2,780.00 |
| 250 | $24.5 | $6,125.00 |
| 500 | $21.95 | $10,975.00 |
EP1K30TC144-2N Overview
An FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is a reprogrammable semiconductor device built from an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs), programmable interconnects, and I/O cells. FPGAs sit within the broader hierarchy of programmable logic devices (PLDs) -> complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs) -> FPGAs -> SoC FPGAs, occupying the mid-to-high density tier for glue logic, parallel processing, and prototype ASIC replacement. The ACEX-1K family in particular introduced an enhanced embedded array architecture that combined look-up-table logic with dedicated dual-port memory blocks, enabling megafunctions such as FIFO buffers, DSP multipliers, and CPU cores within a single chip.
Key features of the EP1K30TC144-2N include 6 EABs delivering up to 24,576 bits of dual-port RAM, four phase-locked loops (PLLs) for clock management, in-system programmability via IEEE 1149.1 JTAG, and multi-voltage I/O support including 3.3 V, 2.5 V, and 1.8 V interfacing. The device supports configuration through Altera's serial configuration devices, passive serial, or JTAG modes. The -2 speed grade denotes a specific Fmax performance bin (~180 MHz internal), while the N suffix indicates lead-free (Pb-free) packaging per RoHS directive compliance.
Architecture-wise, the ACEX-1K family uses a continuous, hierarchical interconnect structure (FastTrack) that provides predictable timing across the device, and each LAB contains 10 logic elements with 4 inputs each. The four PLLs enable on-chip clock multiplication, division, phase shifting, and duty-cycle control, eliminating external clock-management chips in many designs. The 0.22 µm process yields a typical quiescent current below 50 mA at full operation.
Typical applications include telecommunications line-card glue logic, industrial control and motor drive interfaces, prototype ASIC replacement, low-density DSP co-processing, peripheral bridging (PCI to local bus, UART expansion), and legacy system maintenance where a discontinued ASIC must be replaced without a full PCB redesign. The 144-TQFP footprint simplifies hand-soldering and rework compared to BGA alternatives, making the EP1K30TC144-2N attractive for low-volume production, field upgrades, and educational platforms.
When designing with this device, ensure the configuration PROM is correctly sized for the compressed or uncompressed bitstream and that the 2.5 V rail is decoupled with 0.1 µF and 10 µF capacitors close to the VCCINT pins. Designers migrating to newer Altera/Intel families (Cyclone, MAX II) should treat the EP1K30TC144-2N as a long-term availability part via the Altera Mature Products program rather than a new-design platform.
This page synthesizes distributor availability, lead-time intelligence, and same-family drop-in alternatives for engineers maintaining legacy ACEX-1K designs, complementing the original datasheet with practical sourcing guidance.
Drop-in alternatives for EP1K30TC144-2N — 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 EP1K30TC144-2N (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Process Technology, Package, Speed Grade, Configuration Method, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP1K30TC144-2
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$18.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1K30TC144-1N
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$11.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1K10TC144-2N
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$9.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1K10TC144-2
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$11.9 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1K10TC144-1N
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$4.35 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1K10TC144-1
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1K30TC144-2N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Series | ACEX-1K |
| Logic Elements / Cells | 1728 |
| Total RAM Bits | 24576 |
| Number of LABs/CLBs | 216 |
| Number of EABs | 6 |
| Number of I/O | 102 |
| Gates | 30,000 (typical system gates) |
| Supply Voltage (VCCINT) | 2.375 V to 2.625 V (2.5 V nominal) |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to +70°C (Commercial) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Package / Case | 144-TQFP (20x20 mm) |
| Speed Grade | -2 |
| Process Technology | 0.22 µm EEPROM |
| Configuration Method | Serial / Passive Serial / JTAG |
| Lead-Free / RoHS | Yes (N suffix) |
| Number of Pins | 144 |
EP1K30TC144-2N Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | I/O — User I/O (bank dependent) |
| Pin 2 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 3 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 4 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 5 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 6 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 7 | VCCIO — I/O bank supply voltage |
| Pin 8 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 9 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 10 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 11 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 12 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 13 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 14 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 15 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 16 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 17 | VCCINT — Core 2.5 V supply |
| Pin 18 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 19 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 20 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 21 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 22 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 23 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 24 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 25 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 26 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 27 | VCCIO — I/O bank supply voltage |
| Pin 28 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 29 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 30 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 31 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 32 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 33 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 34 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 35 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 36 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 37 | VCCINT — Core 2.5 V supply |
| Pin 38 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 39 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 40 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 41 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 42 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 43 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 44 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 45 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 46 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 47 | VCCIO — I/O bank supply voltage |
| Pin 48 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 49 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 50 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 51 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 52 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 53 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 54 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 55 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 56 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 57 | VCCINT — Core 2.5 V supply |
| Pin 58 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 59 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 60 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 61 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 62 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 63 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 64 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 65 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 66 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 67 | VCCIO — I/O bank supply voltage |
| Pin 68 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 69 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 70 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 71 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 72 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 73 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 74 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 75 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 76 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 77 | VCCINT — Core 2.5 V supply |
| Pin 78 | TDI — JTAG Test Data In |
| Pin 79 | TMS — JTAG Test Mode Select |
| Pin 80 | TCK — JTAG Test Clock |
| Pin 81 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 82 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 83 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 84 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 85 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 86 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 87 | VCCIO — I/O bank supply voltage |
| Pin 88 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 89 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 90 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 91 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 92 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 93 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 94 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 95 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 96 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 97 | VCCINT — Core 2.5 V supply |
| Pin 98 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 99 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 100 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 101 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 102 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 103 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 104 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 105 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 106 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 107 | VCCIO — I/O bank supply voltage |
| Pin 108 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 109 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 110 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 111 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 112 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 113 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 114 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 115 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 116 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 117 | VCCINT — Core 2.5 V supply |
| Pin 118 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 119 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 120 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 121 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 122 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 123 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 124 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 125 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 126 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 127 | VCCIO — I/O bank supply voltage |
| Pin 128 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 129 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 130 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 131 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 132 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 133 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 134 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 135 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 136 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 137 | VCCINT — Core 2.5 V supply |
| Pin 138 | TDO — JTAG Test Data Out |
| Pin 139 | nCONFIG — Configuration control (active low) |
| Pin 140 | nSTATUS — Configuration status (active low) |
| Pin 141 | DCLK — Configuration clock input |
| Pin 142 | DATA0 — Configuration data input |
| Pin 143 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 144 | VCCIO — I/O bank supply voltage |
Typical Applications
EP1K30TC144-2N is suitable for 6 applications: Telecommunications Line-Card Glue Logic, Industrial Control and Motor Drive Interfaces, Legacy ASIC Replacement and Form-Fit-Function Migration, Prototype ASIC and ASIC Emulation Platform, Peripheral Bridging and Bus Expansion, Educational and Development Platforms.
Telecommunications Line-Card Glue Logic
The EP1K30TC144-2N is well suited for telecommunications line-card glue logic where mid-density programmable logic must bridge multiple bus standards (PCI, Utopia, H.110). Its 102 user I/O and multi-voltage I/O support enable direct interfacing with 3.3 V, 2.5 V, and 1.8 V peripherals without external level shifters. The four on-chip PLLs allow generation of multiple reference clocks from a single backplane oscillator, simplifying BOM. Unlike a fixed ASIC, the EEPROM-based ACEX-1K retains configuration through power cycles, eliminating the need for a boot PROM in headless deployments. Designers should size the EAB memory (24 Kbits) for any FIFO or framer-helper buffers required by the line interface.
Recommended
Industrial Control and Motor Drive Interfaces
Industrial control platforms leverage the EP1K30TC144-2N for PWM generation, quadrature decoder logic, and fieldbus bridging (Modbus, CANopen, PROFIBUS glue). The 0.22 µm process tolerates the wide industrial temperature range of the commercial-grade device in chassis-mounted enclosures. Six dual-port EABs implement encoder-capture FIFOs without external SRAM, reducing PCB area. The 144-TQFP package with 0.5 mm pitch supports hand rework, easing field-service of installed equipment. Designers should de-rate Fmax by 10-15% for hot-spots above 60°C, or migrate to the EP1K30TI144-2N industrial-temperature variant for -40°C to +100°C operation.
Recommended
Legacy ASIC Replacement and Form-Fit-Function Migration
The EP1K30TC144-2N is a frequent drop-in for discontinued masked ASICs delivering 10K-30K usable gates. Its non-volatile EEPROM configuration lets engineers preserve existing firmware images and JTAG infrastructure without board rework. The 144-TQFP footprint matches many legacy 0.8 mm-pitch ASIC packages via standard adapter PCBs, preserving the original PCB layout. Engineers replacing obsolete ASICs should validate I/O timing against the original part, as the -2 speed grade (~180 MHz internal Fmax) may impose tighter margins than older ASICs. Migration to MAX II CPLDs is recommended for designs under 5K gates, where lower quiescent current is desired.
Recommended
Prototype ASIC and ASIC Emulation Platform
Engineering teams prototyping ASICs in the 30K-100K gate range use the EP1K30TC144-2N as a hardware emulator before committing to mask costs. With 1,728 logic elements and 24 Kbits of dual-port memory, it can implement representative RTL and run real I/O traffic, validating system architecture months before silicon. The four PLLs generate the asynchronous clock domains typical of mixed-signal ASICs, and JTAG-based incremental compile keeps iteration cycles under one minute. The 144-TQFP package exposes 102 I/O - sufficient for boundary-scan emulation of moderate-complexity designs. Note that ASIC emulation at the 100K-gate scale typically requires multiple ACEX-1K devices in parallel.
Recommended
Peripheral Bridging and Bus Expansion
The EP1K30TC144-2N bridges mismatched peripheral buses such as PCI to local bus, ISA to memory-mapped I/O, or UART expansion for legacy serial equipment. Its 102 user I/O and four PLLs allow independent clock-domain generation per bridge port, avoiding the metastability pitfalls of clock crossing. The 6 EABs hold transaction FIFOs for bursty peripheral traffic without external memory. Compared to discrete CPLD chains, the EP1K30TC144-2N reduces part count and PCB area by integrating glue logic, FIFOs, and clock management on one die. Designers should budget 200-400 LEs per simple bus bridge and verify setup/hold against the slowest peripheral spec.
Recommended
Educational and Development Platforms
Universities and FPGA training programs use the EP1K30TC144-2N as an accessible, non-volatile learning platform because the EEPROM configuration eliminates the boot PROM and lets students experiment without external storage. The 144-TQFP package is hand-solderable on breakout boards, and the mature ACEX-1K toolchain (Quartus II Web Edition) remains free and well-documented. With 1,728 logic elements, the device fits a full 8-bit CPU core, UART, and VGA controller in student projects. Migrating graduating students to Cyclone IV or MAX 10 boards is straightforward because the Quartus design flow is shared across all Altera/Intel FPGA families.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP1K30TC144-2N — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP1K30TC144-2 | EP1K30TC144-1N | EP1K10TC144-2N | EP1K10TC144-2 | EP1K10TC144-1N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 144-TQFP (20x20 mm) | 144-TQFP (20x20 mm) - same | 144-TQFP (20x20 mm) - same | 144-TQFP (20x20 mm) - same | 144-TQFP (20x20 mm) - same | 144-TQFP (20x20 mm) - same |
| Brand | Intel (formerly Altera) | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel |
| Logic Elements | 1728 | 1728 - same | 1728 - same | 576 (-67%) | 576 (-67%) | 576 (-67%) |
| Total Gates | 30,000 | 30,000 - same | 30,000 - same | 10,000 (-67%) | 10,000 (-67%) | 10,000 (-67%) |
| Speed Grade | -2 | -2 - same | -1 (slower) | -2 - same | -2 - same | -1 (slower) |
| Lead-Free / RoHS | Yes (N suffix) | No (leaded) | Yes (N suffix) | Yes (N suffix) | No (leaded) | Yes (N suffix) |
| Core Voltage | 2.5 V | 2.5 V - same | 2.5 V - same | 2.5 V - same | 2.5 V - same | 2.5 V - same |
| User I/O | 102 | 102 - same | 102 - same | 102 - same | 102 - same | 102 - same |
Key Differentiators
- Non-volatile EEPROM configuration (vs SRAM-based Cyclone FPGAs (e.g. EP1C3T144C8N))
- On-chip dual-port EAB memory (vs Discrete FIFO + glue-logic implementations)
- 102 user I/O in hand-solderable TQFP (vs BGA-packaged ACEX-1K siblings (EP1K30FC256-2N))
Design Notes
The EP1K30TC144-2N requires a clean 2.5 V ±5% rail (2.375 V to 2.625 V) on all VCCINT pins (17, 37, 57, 77, 97, 117, 137) with a 0.1 µF X7R ceramic bypass cap within 3 mm of each VCCINT pin and a single 10 µF bulk tantalum cap at the regulator output. I/O bank supplies (VCCIO) can be 1.8 V, 2.5 V, or 3.3 V depending on the bank; mixing VCCIO voltages requires careful bank-by-bank planning. Power-on ramp should be monotonic with <10 ms rise time to avoid configuration latch-up; add a soft-start RC at the regulator if the upstream rail is poorly controlled.
Estimated: at 100% logic utilization and 180 MHz toggle rate, the EP1K30TC144-2N dissipates approximately 0.5-0.8 W in the 144-TQFP package. With junction-to-ambient thermal resistance (theta_JA) of approximately 28 °C/W for a 4-layer JEDEC test board, junction temperature rise is ~22 °C above ambient. For continuous high-utilization designs, provide at least 4 cm² of unbroken copper pour on the top layer under the exposed die area and via-stitch to internal ground planes. Operation above 70 °C ambient requires derating logic toggle rate by ~10% per 10 °C or migration to the EP1K30TI144-2N industrial-temperature variant.
Route all four global clock signals on the dedicated CLK pins with controlled impedance (50 Ω microstrip or stripline) and matched length within ±50 mil across the bus. Keep JTAG chain signals (TCK, TMS, TDI, TDO) short and away from switching I/O to avoid noise-induced programming failures. The 0.5 mm pitch of the 144-TQFP requires 4-mil trace-and-space rules with microvia fan-outs at BGA-adjacent routes. Place a 0.1 µF + 10 µF decoupling pair at each of the four VCCIO bank groups; do not share a single capacitor across banks.
Do not connect nCONFIG, nSTATUS, or DCLK to anything other than the configuration device or pull-up resistors; floating these pins causes configuration failure on power-up. The EP1K30TC144-2N EEPROM configuration is non-volatile but has a finite write-cycle endurance of ~100 cycles - use JTAG or EPCS serial configuration for development, not the on-chip programming algorithm. Always issue a CONFIG_CLR via JTAG before in-system reprogramming to avoid partial-configuration bit errors. Designers migrating from ACEX-1K to Cyclone families must regenerate I/O assignments because pin functions are not 1:1 compatible.
Compliance Information
N suffix denotes Pb-free RoHS-compliant terminations per Altera/Intel Mature Products datasheet. AEC-Q100 not applicable (commercial-grade FPGA, no automotive qualification). Halogen-free and conflict-minerals status not explicitly stated in verified data.