EP1M120F480C6 - Altera Mercury FPGA, 49K LE, 480-BGA | Intel FPGA
MPN: EP1M120F480C6 ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $145 | $145.00 |
| 10 | $132 | $1,320.00 |
| 100 | $118.5 | $11,850.00 |
| 250 | $109 | $27,250.00 |
| 500 | $99.5 | $49,750.00 |
EP1M120F480C6 Overview
An FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is a type of programmable logic device (PLD) that combines configurable logic blocks, programmable interconnect, and I/O cells on a single die. FPGAs sit within the broader semiconductor hierarchy of programmable logic -> logic IC -> integrated circuit. The Mercury family was specifically engineered for high-bandwidth serial I/O applications such as telecommunications backplanes, SONET/SDH framer/mapper/pointer-processor designs, and high-speed serial interconnect prototyping, where it competes against ASICs and ASSPs that would otherwise require a custom silicon design.
Key features of the EP1M120 include embedded transceiver blocks supporting any 8 channels at 1.25 Gbps or 10 additional channels at up to 1.0 Gbps, dedicated dual-port RAM, and high-speed clock networks. The architecture also includes phase-locked loops (PLLs) for clock synthesis, true LVDS support, and up to 303 user I/O pins distributed across multiple I/O banks. The Mercury family uses a 0.18 micron CMOS SRAM process with a 1.5V core, supporting both commercial and industrial operating ranges in different speed grades.
Typical applications of the Mercury family include high-speed serial I/O interfaces, SONET/SDH framers, telecom backplane transceivers, custom data-path accelerators, and prototyping glue logic for high-speed communication ASICs. The -6 speed grade is the most widely available option for both commercial and industrial temperature requirements.
When designing with the EP1M120F480C6, plan power sequencing carefully - the 1.5V core, PLL analog supplies, and I/O bank supplies all require specific ramp ordering. The Mercury device also requires configuration via an external EEPROM or JTAG, so budget a configuration device such as the EPC16 or EPC8 in your BOM.
This page synthesizes distributor availability, package-compatible drop-in variants, and Mercury-family design considerations not found in the standalone manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for EP1M120F480C6 — 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 EP1M120F480C6 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Family, Logic Elements, Operating Temperature, Speed Grade.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP1M120F15FC484
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$92 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1M120F484I6
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$95 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1M120B484I6
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$213.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1M120B484C6
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$55 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1M120F484C7
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$155 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1M120F480C6 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | Mercury PLD (FPGA) |
| Logic Elements | 49,152 (typical) |
| User I/O Count | 303 (max) |
| Package | 480-ball FineLine BGA |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +85C (commercial, C grade) |
| Speed Grade | -6 |
| Core Voltage | 1.5 V |
| Process Technology | 0.18 micron CMOS SRAM |
| Transceivers | 8 channels at 1.25 Gbps + 10 channels up to 1.0 Gbps |
| Configuration | SRAM-based, requires external configuration device |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (BGA) |
| Programmable Logic Type | Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) |
| Number of Gates | 120,000 (max, marketing nomenclature) |
EP1M120F480C6 480-ball fineline bga Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP1M120F480C6 (480-ball fineline bga 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 EP1M120F480C6.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP1M120F480C6 is suitable for 6 applications: SONET/SDH Framer/MAPPER/PPP Designs, High-Speed Telecom Backplane Transceivers, Custom Data-Path Accelerators, High-Speed Serial I/O Prototyping, Legacy Telecom Equipment Maintenance, FPGA-Based Custom PHY Implementation.
SONET/SDH Framer/MAPPER/PPP Designs
The Altera EP1M120F480C6 Mercury FPGA is purpose-built for SONET/SDH framer and pointer-processor designs because of its eight embedded 1.25 Gbps transceivers, which match the OC-48/STM-16 line rate exactly. With 49,152 logic elements and 303 user I/O pins, it provides ample resources for the framer state machine, overhead processing, and clock/data recovery logic. The -6 speed grade is sufficient for the OC-48/STM-16 forward-error-correction (FEC) and payload-mapping computations. Compared to a discrete serializer/deserializer ASIC, the Mercury integrates clock-data recovery, framer, and overhead insertion in a single reprogrammable device, accelerating telecom equipment development and field upgrades. Pair the FPGA with a TCXO-grade oscillator for the line-side reference clock.
Recommended
High-Speed Telecom Backplane Transceivers
The 8-channel 1.25 Gbps transceivers in the EP1M120F480C6 map directly to backplane serializer/deserializer (SerDes) channels in central-office and metro-network equipment. The Mercury die provides sufficient logic capacity (49,152 LEs) for per-channel PCS (Physical Coding Sublayer) logic, 8B/10B encoding, and link-state machines. The 480-ball FineLine BGA offers controlled-impedance signal integrity for gigabit signaling. Industrial-grade alternates (the EP1M120F484I6) extend the same architecture to -40C environments. The design replaces multiple discrete SerDes chips with a single programmable device, reducing BOM cost and providing firmware-based rate flexibility across multiple telecom standards.
Recommended
Custom Data-Path Accelerators
The EP1M120F480C6 Mercury FPGA is well suited to custom data-path acceleration in networking line cards where specialized packet processing or encryption offload is required. Its 49,152 logic elements enable wide (256-bit or wider) datapath pipelines running at 100+ MHz, while the embedded transceiver channels handle the I/O at line rate. Designers can implement custom CRC, encryption (AES), or compression engines that offload the host processor, integrating them with the backplane transceivers in a single BGA package. Compared to designing an ASIC, the FPGA offers first-silicon success and field reprogrammability, but it dissipates more power than a hard-wired ASIC. The 480-ball FineLine BGA footprint is compatible with standard telecom line-card mechanical layouts.
Recommended
High-Speed Serial I/O Prototyping
Engineers use the EP1M120F480C6 Mercury FPGA as a high-speed serial I/O prototyping platform because it integrates 18 channels of gigabit transceivers on a single die, eliminating the need for multiple evaluation boards. Designers can validate custom PHY layer designs, debug 8B/10B encoding schemes, and prototype backplane links before committing to an ASIC. The 1.5V core supply and 480-ball BGA package provide predictable thermal performance with standard heatsinking. Compared to fixed-function SerDes evaluation boards, the Mercury enables full custom PCS implementation alongside the transceiver channels, enabling end-to-end link-layer prototyping.
Recommended
Legacy Telecom Equipment Maintenance
Many SONET/SDH add-drop multiplexers (ADMs), digital cross-connects, and metro Ethernet platforms originally shipped in the early 2000s used the Altera Mercury FPGA family. The EP1M120F480C6 serves as a maintenance and refurbishment part for these legacy systems still in service today, especially in carrier networks with long equipment lifecycles (15-20 years). Independent distributors maintain traceable stock specifically for this long-tail support market. When sourcing, request lot-traceability documentation and consider conformal coating compatibility with the BGA package. Migration to a new FPGA family would require full board redesign, so legacy stock is the most cost-effective path for sustaining installed equipment.
Recommended
FPGA-Based Custom PHY Implementation
The EP1M120F480C6 is used by PHY developers to implement custom Physical Coding Sublayer (PCS) and Physical Medium Attachment (PMA) logic paired with its integrated transceivers. The 49,152 logic elements provide ample capacity for custom scrambling, line coding, and clock-domain crossing between the transceiver parallel interface and the user's data-path fabric. Designers can implement proprietary PHY variants for specialized backplanes (e.g., custom serializer/deserializer standards) without waiting for an ASIC. The -6 speed grade supports the high clock rates required for 64B/66B and 8B/10B processing in real time. The Mercury family remains the lowest-cost option for gigabit PHY prototyping because newer Intel FPGA families lack the same channel-count density at this price point.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP1M120F480C6 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP1M120F15FC484 | EP1M120F484I6 | EP1M120B484I6 | EP1M120B484C6 | EP1M120F484C7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera |
| Package | 480-ball FineLine BGA | 484-ball BGA - different footprint | 484-ball BGA - different footprint | 484-ball BGA - different footprint | 484-ball BGA - different footprint | 484-ball BGA - different footprint |
| Logic Elements | 49,152 | 49,152 (same die) | 49,152 (same die) | 49,152 (same die) | 49,152 (same die) | 49,152 (same die) |
| Transceivers | 8 ch @ 1.25 Gbps + 10 ch @ 1.0 Gbps | 8 ch @ 1.25 Gbps + 10 ch @ 1.0 Gbps | 8 ch @ 1.25 Gbps + 10 ch @ 1.0 Gbps | 8 ch @ 1.25 Gbps + 10 ch @ 1.0 Gbps | 8 ch @ 1.25 Gbps + 10 ch @ 1.0 Gbps | 8 ch @ 1.25 Gbps + 10 ch @ 1.0 Gbps (faster speed grade) |
| Temperature Grade | Commercial 0C to 85C | Commercial | Industrial -40C to +100C | Industrial -40C to +100C | Commercial 0C to 85C | Commercial 0C to 85C |
| Core Voltage | 1.5 V | 1.5 V | 1.5 V | 1.5 V | 1.5 V | 1.5 V |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete / EOL | Obsolete / EOL | Obsolete / EOL | Obsolete / EOL | Obsolete / EOL | Obsolete / EOL |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated 8-channel 1.25 Gbps transceiver array on a single die (vs EP1M120F484I6 (industrial-temp same die))
- Higher speed grade availability in the Mercury family (vs EP1M120F484C7 (faster -7 speed grade))
- Same silicon die as 480-BGA and 484-BGA Mercury variants (vs EP1M120B484I6 (different package, BGA ball count))
Design Notes
The EP1M120F480C6 requires multiple supply rails: 1.5V core, PLL analog supplies (typically 1.5V filtered), and per-bank I/O supplies (1.5V/1.8V/2.5V/3.3V depending on bank). Power sequencing must follow Altera's recommended order: I/O supplies ramp first, then core supply, then PLL analog. Estimate total power at ~3-5W for typical Mercury designs at full transceiver utilization; design the PCB with at least four power planes and a low-ESR bulk capacitor bank per rail.
Estimated: The FineLine BGA package has a thermal resistance of approximately 12 C/W (theta_JB) with proper thermal via array under the die. At 4W dissipation, junction temperature rises 48C above the package bottom. For continuous full-transceiver operation in commercial environments, ensure adequate airflow or attach a heatsink. Monitor junction temperature via the on-die Altera SenseTemp diode available on dedicated analog sense pins.
The 480-ball FineLine BGA requires a controlled-impedance PCB stack-up with microvia or via-in-pad technology for the breakout. Recommended stack-up: 8-12 layers with 50 ohm single-ended and 100 ohm differential impedances for the transceiver channels. Place the EPC16 configuration device within 2 inches of the FPGA configuration pins and route the DCLK chain with <1 inch length matching. Add a JTAG header (10-pin Altera standard) for programming and debug access.
Common pitfalls with the EP1M120F480C6: (a) Failure to connect all GND balls - BGA packages require all ground balls soldered for thermal and electrical integrity; (b) omitting the external configuration device leads to non-functional board on power-up; (c) signal-integrity issues on 1.25 Gbps channels require length-matched routing with controlled impedance, no sharp bends; (d) the Mercury family requires Altera Quartus II software - Quartus Prime supports the device but newer features are not available.
Transceiver channels at 1.25 Gbps require strict signal-integrity discipline: maintain 100 ohm differential impedance across the entire channel, avoid via stubs by using back-drilling on longer routes, and keep AC-coupling capacitors within 1 cm of the receiver pins. Use an Eye Diagram measurement at the receiver to validate margin; the Mercury transceiver typically achieves >40% eye opening with proper layout. Reference the Altera Mercury Hardware Design Guidelines for the recommended termination scheme.
Compliance Information
Compliance information was not available in the verified web data. The Mercury family was originally designed in the early 2000s before RoHS was mandatory; some variants may have been offered in RoHS-compliant variants later. Verify with the specific lot documentation when sourcing obsolete stock.
