EP1K50QC208-3Q - 50K Gate ACEX 1K FPGA, 208-PQFP | Altera
MPN: EP1K50QC208-3Q ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $38.5 | $38.50 |
| 10 | $34.2 | $342.00 |
| 100 | $28.9 | $2,890.00 |
| 500 | $24.5 | $12,250.00 |
| 1,000 | $20.1 | $20,100.00 |
EP1K50QC208-3Q Overview
An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) is a programmable logic device that contains an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs), programmable interconnects, and I/O cells. ACEX 1K belongs to the embedded-array PLD category, which combines look-up-table (LUT)-based logic fabric with embedded memory blocks (EABs) for efficient implementation of megafunctions such as dual-port RAM, ROM, FIFO and DSP functions. Positioned in the broader taxonomy, ACEX 1K sits between classic CPLDs (lower density) and the higher-end APEX / Cyclone families (higher density) within Altera's programmable logic portfolio.
Key features include 360 Logic Array Blocks (LABs), 12 Embedded Array Blocks (EABs) totalling 40,960 bits of RAM, multi-volt I/O support (2.5 V / 3.3 V / 5.0 V tolerant), in-system programmability via IEEE 1149.1 JTAG, and built-in PCI compliance. The Look-Up Table (LUT) architecture delivers fast combinational logic, while the EABs provide up to 16 bits per block of dual-port RAM — a rare feature in this density class. The 208-pin PQFP package supports both commercial (0 °C to 70 °C) and industrial (-40 °C to 85 °C) operating ranges depending on suffix, with the -3Q suffix here indicating a ruggedized/military-grade temperature range.
The ACEX 1K architecture uses a continuous interconnect structure (DirectDrive) with predictable timing, four-input LUTs, and dedicated carry chains for arithmetic. Each EAB can be configured as 256×16, 512×8, 1024×4, 2048×2 or 4096×1 memory, or as a multiplier block. I/O banks are independently configurable to 2.5 V, 3.3 V or 5.0 V LVTTL/LVCMOS interfaces, allowing mixed-voltage system designs without external level shifters.
Typical applications include industrial glue logic and bus interface bridges, telecommunications line cards, military and avionics control systems, low-cost DSP preprocessing, glue logic for legacy 5 V/3.3 V systems, and PCI target devices. The 208-PQFP footprint also makes it suitable for through-hole-friendly assembly where BGA rework capability is limited. Compared to ASICs at this density, the ACEX 1K offers NRE-free prototyping and rapid design iteration through Quartus II design software.
When designing with the EP1K50QC208-3Q, observe multi-volt I/O bank constraints — each bank shares a VCCIO rail, so mixed-voltage peripherals must be grouped. Use the Quartus II Place-and-Route fitter reports to verify timing closure at 166.67 MHz, and ensure JTAG chain integrity before relying on in-system programming for production.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, military/aerospace grade availability, drop-in alternatives within the ACEX 1K family, and practical Quartus II design notes not found in the original datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for EP1K50QC208-3Q — 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 EP1K50QC208-3Q (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Speed Grade, Process Technology, Operating Temperature, Logic Array Blocks (LABs).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP1K50QC208-3N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$13.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1K50QC208-3
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$12.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1K50QC208-2N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$27.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1K50QC208-2
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$20.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1K50QC208-1N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
Contact for price
View Datasheet →EP1K100QC208-3N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$19.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1K30QC208-3N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$15.9 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1K10QC208-3N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$13.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1K50QC208-3Q Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | ACEX 1K |
| Logic Elements | 2,880 cells |
| Equivalent Gates | 50,000 gates |
| Embedded Memory | 40,960 bits (12 EABs) |
| Logic Array Blocks (LABs) | 360 |
| Embedded Array Blocks (EABs) | 12 |
| Maximum User I/O | 147 |
| Maximum Operating Frequency | 166.67 MHz |
| Process Technology | 0.22 µm CMOS |
| Core Supply Voltage | 2.5 V |
| I/O Supply Voltage (VCCIO) | 2.5 V / 3.3 V / 5.0 V tolerant |
| Speed Grade | -3 (standard commercial) |
| Package | 208-pin PQFP (Plastic Quad Flat Pack) |
| Programming Interface | IEEE 1149.1 JTAG |
| Operating Temperature Grade | Q suffix — military/aerospace range |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
EP1K50QC208-3Q 208-pin pqfp (plastic quad flat pack) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP1K50QC208-3Q (208-pin pqfp (plastic quad flat pack) 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 EP1K50QC208-3Q.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP1K50QC208-3Q is suitable for 7 applications: Legacy Military & Aerospace Control Systems, Telecommunications Line Cards, Industrial Glue Logic & Bus Interface Bridges, PCI Target Devices, Low-Cost DSP Preprocessing, Mixed-Voltage System Bridging, Legacy Through-Hole Replacement Platforms.
Legacy Military & Aerospace Control Systems
The EP1K50QC208-3Q's military-grade temperature suffix (Q) and ruggedized PQFP package make it a strong fit for defense and aerospace control systems where commercial-grade FPGAs fail qualification. The 208-PQFP footprint tolerates vibration and thermal-cycling environments better than fine-pitch BGAs, while the 50K-gate / 2,880-LE capacity is sufficient for avionics bus bridges, flight-control peripherals, and MIL-STD-1553 interface logic. JTAG in-system programming supports field updates without board removal, critical for deployed aerospace platforms.
Recommended
Telecommunications Line Cards
In telecom line-card designs, the EP1K50QC208-3Q functions as a flexible glue-logic and packet-processing engine between network processors and PHY devices. The 12 EABs deliver 40,960 bits of dual-port RAM — enough for small FIFO buffers, lookup tables, and protocol-header parsing without external SRAM. Multi-volt I/O banks (2.5 V/3.3 V/5.0 V) bridge legacy 5 V backplanes to modern 3.3 V or 2.5 V framers, and PCI compliance enables direct attachment to PowerPC or MIPS host processors. The 166.67 MHz fabric supports 155 Mbps ATM/SDH traffic shaping.
Recommended
Industrial Glue Logic & Bus Interface Bridges
Industrial controllers often require custom bus-protocol bridges between legacy and modern peripherals — I2C-to-SPI, parallel-to-LVDS, or custom real-time fieldbus protocols. The EP1K50QC208-3Q delivers 50,000 gates of LUT-based logic with predictable DirectDrive timing, ideal for synthesizing state machines and protocol converters. The 147 user I/Os in the 208-PQFP package support wide parallel buses (16- or 32-bit) and the 5 V-tolerant I/O banks interface directly to legacy 5 V industrial peripherals without level shifters.
Recommended
PCI Target Devices
The ACEX 1K family is PCI-compliant out of the box, making the EP1K50QC208-3Q a drop-in solution for PCI add-in cards operating at 33 MHz / 32-bit. The 50K-gate capacity is well-matched to PCI target implementations with companion user logic (DMA controllers, custom peripherals, or legacy I/O bridges). Five-volt-tolerant I/O banks support both 5 V and 3.3 V PCI signaling, and the 208-PQFP package provides sufficient I/Os for the 49-pin PCI bus plus side-band signals. Designers can use Altera's PCI megafunction to reduce development time.
Recommended
Low-Cost DSP Preprocessing
For DSP preprocessing tasks — digital filtering, FFT preprocessing, FIR/IIR pipelines, or sample-rate conversion — the EP1K50QC208-3Q's 12 EABs (40,960 bits) can be configured as coefficient ROMs and delay-line RAM, while the LUT fabric implements arithmetic. The 166.67 MHz fabric enables real-time processing of audio-band signals (≤50 MHz) and baseband communications. The 208-PQFP package supports standard reflow soldering and is far cheaper to assemble than BGA alternatives, making the EP1K50QC208-3Q attractive for cost-sensitive DSP front-ends.
Recommended
Mixed-Voltage System Bridging
When a design must interface 5 V legacy peripherals with 3.3 V or 2.5 V modern ASICs, the EP1K50QC208-3Q's independently configurable VCCIO banks provide a single-chip bridging solution. Each of the four I/O banks can be set to 2.5 V, 3.3 V, or 5.0 V, allowing direct voltage translation without external level-shifters. The 147 user I/Os are partitioned across these banks so designers can group peripherals by voltage domain. This is particularly valuable in industrial upgrades where 5 V sensors must coexist with newer 3.3 V MCUs.
Recommended
Legacy Through-Hole Replacement Platforms
For designs where BGA assembly or rework is impractical — educational labs, prototyping environments, or field-replaceable industrial modules — the 208-PQFP package offers a robust through-hole-friendly footprint with 0.5 mm lead pitch that is hand-solderable with care. The EP1K50QC208-3Q therefore remains a popular choice for university digital-logic labs, hobbyist retro-computing projects, and field-repair scenarios where fine-pitch BGA parts cannot be reworked. Designers can use the same Quartus II toolchain as production ACEX 1K BGA designs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP1K50QC208-3Q — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP1K50QC208-3N | EP1K50QC208-3 | EP1K100QC208-3N | EP1K30QC208-3N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera |
| Package | 208-PQFP | 208-PQFP | 208-PQFP | 208-PQFP | 208-PQFP |
| Logic Elements | 2,880 | 2,880 (same) | 2,880 (same) | 4,992 (+73%) | 1,720 (-40%) |
| Embedded RAM (bits) | 40,960 | 40,960 (same) | 40,960 (same) | 49,152 (+20%) | 24,576 (-40%) |
| Speed Grade | -3 | -3 (same) | -3 (same) | -3 (same) | -3 (same) |
| Max Frequency | 166.67 MHz | 166.67 MHz (same) | 166.67 MHz (same) | 166.67 MHz (same) | 166.67 MHz (same) |
| Temperature Grade | Q (military/aerospace) | N (industrial) | Commercial | N (industrial) | N (industrial) |
| Core Voltage | 2.5 V | 2.5 V (same) | 2.5 V (same) | 2.5 V (same) | 2.5 V (same) |
| Max User I/O | 147 | 147 (same) | 147 (same) | 147 (same) | 147 (same) |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- Military/aerospace temperature grade (Q suffix) vs commercial EP1K50QC208-3 (vs EP1K50QC208-3)
- Higher logic density than EP1K30QC208-3N (vs EP1K30QC208-3N)
- Lower density and cost vs EP1K100QC208-3N (vs EP1K100QC208-3N)
Design Notes
Place all four VCCINT (2.5 V core) decoupling capacitors within 2 mm of their respective pins, using 0.1 µF X7R ceramics in parallel with 10 µF tantalum or polymer bulk caps. Each VCCIO bank should have its own 0.1 µF + 10 µF decoupling network — mixing banks without dedicated decoupling causes voltage droop during simultaneous switching outputs (SSO). The 208-PQFP package's lead inductance (≈ 5 nH per pin) makes high-frequency decoupling critical above 100 MHz toggle rates.
When using 5 V VCCIO to interface legacy peripherals, verify that the 5 V input high-level voltage (VIH = 3.5 V min for 5 V LVTTL) is met under worst-case VCCIO tolerance. Outputs at 5 V VCCIO produce VOH = 3.8 V min — if the receiving device requires true 5 V CMOS VOH ≥ 4.5 V, an external pull-up to 5 V may be required. For 33 MHz PCI applications, source-terminate clock traces with 33 Ω series resistors to dampen reflections; PCI spec requires clock-to-PCI_CLK skew ≤ 2 ns.
Do not configure all four I/O banks to different voltages without checking the ACEX 1K datasheet's allowed bank-adjacency rules — some VCCIO combinations stress the I/O buffers' ESD structures. The JTAG chain (TCK/TMS/TDI/TDO) must include the 1 kΩ pull-up on TCK and 10 kΩ pull-up on TMS per IEEE 1149.1; missing pull-ups cause intermittent programming failures. When using the Quartus II 13.0 sp1 toolchain, always select the correct device variant (-3 vs -2 vs -1) before compilation — speed-grade mismatches produce silent timing failures that pass functional simulation but fail in hardware.
The 208-PQFP package has a 0.5 mm lead pitch; route signals on inner layers with 0.15 mm trace/space and use via-in-pad only on power/ground. For JTAG chain integrity, keep TCK trace under 100 mm total length and avoid parallel routing with high-speed clocks for at least 3× the trace spacing. If using the device's dual-port RAM at full 166.67 MHz, place EAB read/write address/clock traces on a dedicated inner layer with ground-plane shielding above and below.
Compliance Information
Compliance status not explicitly stated in the verified web data for this legacy Q-suffix part. The ACEX 1K family datasheet does not include explicit RoHS/REACH declarations. The Q suffix indicates military/aerospace qualification per Altera's part-numbering convention; AEC-Q100 is not applicable as ACEX 1K predates the automotive qualification standard's applicability to FPGAs.
