EP20K100CB356C7 - APEX20K FPGA 100K Gates 252 I/O 356-BGA | Intel
MPN: EP20K100CB356C7 ⚠ Last Time Buy| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $95 | $95.00 |
| 10 | $89.5 | $895.00 |
| 100 | $82 | $8,200.00 |
| 500 | $76.5 | $38,250.00 |
| 1,000 | $71 | $71,000.00 |
EP20K100CB356C7 Overview
An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) is a semiconductor device built around an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs), programmable interconnects, and programmable I/O cells. FPGAs sit in the broader category of programmable logic devices (PLDs) within the integrated circuit (IC) taxonomy, and they are commonly used for digital signal processing, glue logic, prototyping ASICs, and embedded control. APEX20K devices specifically combine fine-grained LUT-based logic with coarse-grained embedded array blocks (EABs), giving designers a hybrid fabric for both arithmetic and memory-intensive tasks.
Key features of the EP20K100CB356C7 include 100K typical gates (53,248 maximum logic elements), 252 user I/O pins, embedded array blocks providing up to 53,248 RAM bits, MultiVolt I/O support for interfacing with 1.8V, 2.5V, 3.3V, and 5V systems, in-system programmability via the IEEE 1149.1 JTAG interface, and four phase-locked loops (PLLs) for clock management. The 356-ball LBGA package supports high pin-out density for memory and bus-rich designs.
The architecture relies on a 0.18 μm CMOS process with a 2.5V core supply. Logic elements interconnect via a hierarchical routing network, and embedded system blocks can be configured as RAM, ROM, or FIFO. This makes the EP20K100CB356C7 suitable for designs that mix control logic, datapath arithmetic, and moderate on-chip buffering without resorting to external memory.
Typical applications include telecom line cards, industrial automation controllers, networking equipment, ASIC prototyping, and high-speed instrumentation. The PLLs and MultiVolt I/O make it well suited to bridging between legacy 5V peripherals and modern 1.8V processors.
When designing with the EP20K100CB356C7, ensure JTAG chain integrity and proper PLL supply decoupling. The device is programmed using Altera Quartus II or MAX+PLUS II toolchains; firmware must configure all I/O standards and pin assignments before user logic operation.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not commonly consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for EP20K100CB356C7 — 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 EP20K100CB356C7 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Process Technology, Package, Speed Grade, Operating Temperature, Family.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP20K100CB356-1
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP20K100CB356C8
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$82 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K100BC356-1
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$92.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K100CF324C8ES
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$175 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K1000CF672C7
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$158 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K100CB356C7 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | Intel (formerly Altera) |
| Series | APEX20K |
| Typical Gates | 100,000 |
| Maximum Logic Elements | 53,248 |
| User I/O Pins | 252 |
| Package | 356-LBGA |
| Embedded Memory (Bits) | 53,248 |
| Number of PLLs | 4 |
| Core Voltage | 2.5 V |
| I/O Standards Supported | 1.8V, 2.5V, 3.3V, 5V (MultiVolt) |
| Programming Interface | IEEE 1149.1 JTAG |
| Process Technology | 0.18 μm CMOS |
| Operating Temperature | Commercial grade |
| Speed Grade | C7 |
EP20K100CB356C7 356-lbga Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP20K100CB356C7 (356-lbga 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 EP20K100CB356C7.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP20K100CB356C7 is suitable for 6 applications: Telecom Line Card Interface, ASIC Prototyping Platform, Industrial Automation Controller, Networking Switch / Router Control Plane, Test and Measurement Instrumentation, Legacy Embedded Computing Board.
Telecom Line Card Interface
The EP20K100CB356C7's 100K gates and 252 user I/Os make it well suited to telecom line card glue logic, where it bridges TDM/E1 framers, crosspoint switches, and backplane SERDES. Its MultiVolt I/O supports 5V legacy framer ICs alongside 3.3V/2.5V processors in the same design, eliminating level shifters. The 53,248 bits of embedded array block memory buffer small packets and lookup tables without external SRAM. Four PLLs derive multiple clock domains for framer, network processor, and backplane sections, while 356-LBGA routability supports the high pin-out typical of telecom backplane designs.
Recommended
ASIC Prototyping Platform
The EP20K100CB356C7 is widely used as an ASIC prototyping vehicle because its 53,248 logic elements can emulate millions of ASIC gates when mapped 3:1 to 4:1. Designers partition ASIC RTL across multiple APEX20K FPGAs using JTAG-chained configuration and pin-multiplexed I/O. The 356-LBGA package exposes enough pins to break out wide internal buses for multi-FPGA emulation boards. Quartus II synthesis flows let teams validate ASIC RTL weeks before tape-out, catching architectural bugs at near-ASIC speed using the C7 speed grade.
Recommended
Industrial Automation Controller
In factory-automation controllers the EP20K100CB356C7 provides deterministic logic for PLC scan engines, motion-control sequencers, and fieldbus protocol handling. Its 252 I/Os interface directly to 24V optically-isolated digital inputs and PWM motor driver outputs, while MultiVolt I/O simplifies mixed-voltage designs. Embedded array blocks store look-up tables for PID control loops and recipe data, reducing external memory accesses. The four PLLs generate synchronized PWM carriers for multi-axis drives, with the C7 speed grade comfortably meeting typical 50 µs scan times for 32-axis controllers.
Recommended
Networking Switch / Router Control Plane
The EP20K100CB356C7 is well matched to networking switch and router control-plane designs where it implements forwarding table management, queue scheduling, and management interface glue logic. With 53,248 logic elements the device handles IPv4/v6 lookup tables and ACL matching in parallel pipelines. The 356-LBGA footprint exposes sufficient pins for management Ethernet MACs, PHY interfaces, and switch fabric status buses. JTAG in-system programmability enables field firmware updates without board removal, an essential feature for deployed networking gear.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Instrumentation
Test equipment manufacturers use the EP20K100CB356C7 to implement stimulus generation, response capture, and timing sequencer logic in one device. The 100K gates accommodate deep sequencer ROM and DSP-style multiply-accumulate paths, while 53,248 bits of embedded memory buffer captured samples before DMA to host. MultiVolt I/O lets the FPGA directly drive 5V legacy measurement ADCs and 1.8V precision ADCs in the same instrument. Four PLLs synthesize precise sample clocks, and the 356-LBGA package provides enough I/O for parallel data acquisition across multiple channels.
Recommended
Legacy Embedded Computing Board
The EP20K100CB356C7 anchors legacy VME and CompactPCI embedded computing boards, providing local bus arbitration, DMA engine control, and interrupt steering for PowerPC or MIPS host processors. Its 252 I/Os are enough to drive 32-bit local buses plus expansion headers, and 53,248 bits of embedded memory accelerate scatter-gather descriptor processing. MultiVolt I/O directly interfaces 5V VMEbus backplane signaling without external transceivers. JTAG support allows board-level boundary-scan testing during production and field diagnostics, a strong requirement for aerospace and defense embedded systems.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP20K100CB356C7 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP20K100CB356-1 | EP20K100CB356C8 | EP20K100BC356-1 | EP20K100CF324C8ES | EP20K1000CF672C7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel |
| Package | 356-LBGA | 356-LBGA - same | 356-LBGA - same | 356-LBGA - same | 324-FBGA - different | 672-FBGA - different |
| Typical Gates | 100K | 100K | 100K | 100K | 100K | 1M (10x) |
| Speed Grade | C7 | -1 (slower) | C8 (faster) | -1 (slower) | C8 (faster) | C7 |
| Embedded Memory (bits) | 53,248 | 53,248 | 53,248 | 53,248 | 53,248 | 532,480 |
| PLLs | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Lifecycle Status | Last time buy | Last time buy | Last time buy | Last time buy | Last time buy | Last time buy |
| Architecture | APEX20K (LUT + EAB) | APEX20K | APEX20K | APEX20K | APEX20K | APEX20K |
Key Differentiators
- Highest speed grade in the 356-LBGA APEX20K 100K-gate family (vs EP20K100CB356-1)
- Best pin-count density in the 100K APEX20K family (vs EP20K100CF324C8ES)
- Industrial-proven APEX20K architecture with MultiVolt I/O (vs EP20K1000CF672C7)
Design Notes
The EP20K100CB356C7 is in last-time-buy lifecycle. Plan a Cyclone III/IV or Stratix migration path before committing new production volumes; new designs should target active parts. If the design must remain on APEX20K, freeze the Quartus II 13.0sp1 toolchain version and archive the bitstreams because Quartus Prime no longer supports APEX20K.
The 356-LBGA package requires careful PCB stack-up design with controlled-impedance traces and a solid ground/power plane directly under the BGA. Use microvia or via-in-pad technology to fan out the 1.0 mm pitch BGA balls; standard 0.2 mm via-pads will not fit between BGA pads. Decouple every VCCINT and VCCIO pin with 0.1 µF and 10 µF capacitors placed within 5 mm of the package.
Estimated: at 2.5V core, typical APEX20K 100K-gate designs draw 0.5-1.5A depending on utilization and clock rate. With four PLL analog supplies at 2.5V each drawing 50 mA, total worst-case current is approximately 2A from a low-noise LDO. The VCCIO banks can draw separately at 1.8V/2.5V/3.3V/5V; size each bank regulator to handle peak I/O toggle current of 50 mA per pin pair.
MultiVolt I/O banks must each be powered by a separate regulator if mixing 1.8V/3.3V/5V signaling on the same FPGA. Tie unused I/O pins to logic-high or logic-low through Quartus II pin settings rather than leaving them floating - floating I/Os can draw shoot-through current and inject noise into adjacent banks. Use series 33Ω damping resistors on clock nets longer than 50 mm.
Compliance Information
Compliance status not present in Verified Web Data. APEX20K devices were originally specified pre-RoHS-era; check legacy Altera/Intel PSG PCN documents for specific finish and lead-content information.
