EP20K100CF324C8 - APEX-20K FPGA 100K Gates 324-BGA | Intel
MPN: EP20K100CF324C8 ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $75 | $75.00 |
| 10 | $68.5 | $685.00 |
| 100 | $62 | $6,200.00 |
| 500 | $55.75 | $27,875.00 |
| 1,000 | $50 | $50,000.00 |
EP20K100CF324C8 Overview
What is a FPGA? A Field-Programmable Gate Array is a reconfigurable semiconductor device that contains an array of programmable logic blocks, interconnects, and I/O cells, all controlled by on-chip SRAM configuration memory. FPGAs sit in the programmable logic hierarchy between ASICs (custom-designed, high-NRE) and CPLDs (smaller, non-volatile), enabling rapid prototyping and mid-volume production without mask charges. The APEX-20K family introduced embedded memory blocks (ESBs) and a MultiCore architecture combining look-up tables, product-term logic, and dual-port RAM in a single fabric.
Key features of the EP20K100CF324C8 include 4,160 logic elements (LEs), 26 embedded system blocks (ESBs) totaling 53,248 RAM bits, support for LVCMOS, LVTTL, SSTL, and HSTL I/O standards, and in-system programmability via the IEEE 1149.1 JTAG interface. The 324-FBGA package provides a 1.0 mm ball pitch, balancing board density and manufacturability for mainstream designs. The device also supports Altera's Quartus II design software (legacy versions recommended for this older family), with bitstream configuration via serial or parallel modes.
Architecture-wise, the APEX-20K combines a Logic Array Block (LAB) fabric with embedded memory and PLLs, allowing designers to implement glue logic, state machines, FIFO buffers, and simple DSP functions in a single chip. The 100K-gate density targets applications like telecom interface cards, industrial control bridges, and protocol converters where ASIC NRE is unjustified but discrete logic is too bulky.
Typical applications include telecommunications line cards, industrial automation controllers, networking bridges, PCI interface glue logic, and legacy system upgrades that require drop-in replacement of older Altera APEX designs. The wide I/O count (246) supports many parallel bus interfaces simultaneously.
When designing with the EP20K100CF324C8, verify Quartus II legacy support before committing to the device, since this family predates modern Intel Quartus Prime releases. Plan for 1.8 V core supply decoupling and configure I/O banks to match the 3.3 V or 2.5 V logic levels of surrounding components.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-family alternatives, and practical legacy-design notes not found in the original manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for EP20K100CF324C8 — 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 EP20K100CF324C8 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, Speed Grade, Family, Process Technology, Series.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP20K100CF324C7
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$27.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K100CF324C7ES
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$52.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K100CF324C8 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | APEX-20K |
| Logic Elements | 4,160 |
| Typical Gates | 100,000 |
| Embedded RAM Bits | 53,248 |
| Embedded System Blocks (ESBs) | 26 |
| Maximum User I/O | 246 |
| Package | 324-FBGA (FineLine BGA) |
| Ball Pitch | 1.0 mm |
| Core Voltage | 1.8 V typical |
| Process Technology | 0.18 µm CMOS |
| Speed Grade | C8 (commercial, 8 ns) |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to +85°C (commercial) |
| Configuration Interface | JTAG (IEEE 1149.1), serial/parallel |
| I/O Standards | LVCMOS, LVTTL, SSTL, HSTL |
| Design Software | Quartus II (legacy) |
EP20K100CF324C8 324-fbga (fineline bga) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP20K100CF324C8 (324-fbga (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 EP20K100CF324C8.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP20K100CF324C8 is suitable for 6 applications: Telecommunications Line Card Interface, Industrial Automation Controller, Legacy Networking Bridge / Router Glue Logic, PCI / CPCI Interface Adapter, Video Processing Pre/Post-Processor, Medical Imaging Data Acquisition Front-End.
Telecommunications Line Card Interface
The EP20K100CF324C8's 4,160 logic elements and 246 user I/O pins make it well-suited for telecom line cards implementing TDM bus bridges, framer interfaces, and HDLC controllers. Its 53,248 bits of embedded RAM via 26 ESBs allow on-chip buffering of E1/T1 payload data without external SRAM. Designers can implement UTOPIA, POS-PHY, or serial telecom protocols at moderate line rates, with the 1.8 V core consuming less than 1 W typical power. The 324-FBGA package fits standard ATCA/AMC board assemblies.
Recommended
Industrial Automation Controller
In industrial PLC and motion-control applications, the EP20K100CF324C8 provides the logic density for servo-loop calculation, encoder interface logic, and fieldbus bridges (Profibus, DeviceNet, CANopen). Its 0°C to +85°C commercial temperature range suits factory-floor enclosures, while the 246 I/O pins handle multiple encoder inputs and parallel DAC interfaces. The embedded RAM blocks implement position-lookup tables and PID coefficient storage, eliminating external memory. JTAG-based in-system programming simplifies firmware updates on deployed controllers.
Recommended
Legacy Networking Bridge / Router Glue Logic
The EP20K100CF324C8 is widely deployed as glue logic in legacy routers, bridges, and ATM switches where it handles PCI bus arbitration, memory controller interfacing, and protocol encapsulation. The 53,248-bit embedded memory serves as packet-buffer head/tail pointers and routing-table caches, while the 4,160 LEs implement stateful packet inspection. Network equipment manufacturers chose this part for its low power, JTAG-based field upgrade capability, and proven long-term reliability in carrier-grade environments.
Recommended
PCI / CPCI Interface Adapter
The EP20K100CF324C8 integrates seamlessly as a PCI bus target/master interface controller, providing the 33 MHz PCI protocol state machine, configuration space registers, and bus arbiter glue logic. Its 246 user I/O pins handle the 32-bit multiplexed PCI address/data bus plus auxiliary peripheral interfaces. Embedded RAM blocks implement the 16 DWORD write FIFO and read prefetch buffer required by PCI burst transfers. This application is common in industrial PCs, medical imaging cards, and military CPCI backplanes.
Recommended
Video Processing Pre/Post-Processor
Broadcast video equipment historically used the EP20K100CF324C8 to implement format converters, genlocking circuits, and timing generators for SDI streams. The 53,248 bits of embedded RAM serve as line buffers for horizontal and vertical scaling, while the 4,160 logic elements handle sync insertion and color-space conversion matrices. The 246 I/O pins accept multiple parallel video buses plus audio embedding channels. While not suited for HD-SDI at full rate, it remains appropriate for SD-SDI and composite video processing.
Recommended
Medical Imaging Data Acquisition Front-End
Ultrasound and endoscopy systems used the EP20K100CF324C8 as a front-end data acquisition controller, digitizing analog sensor arrays and performing beamforming preprocessing. Its parallel I/O capability accepts 16-bit ADC data at 40 MSPS, while the embedded RAM implements delay-line buffers for phased-array beamforming. The JTAG interface allows field updates to imaging algorithms. Although newer medical devices have migrated to Cyclone or Stratix families, the EP20K100CF324C8 remains in certified legacy equipment due to FDA re-validation costs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP20K100CF324C8 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP20K100CF324C7 | EP20K100CF324C7ES | EP20K100CB356C8 | EP20K100BC356-1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) |
| Package | 324-FBGA | 324-FBGA - same | 324-FBGA - same | 356-BGA - different | 356-BGA - different |
| Logic Elements | 4,160 | 4,160 | 4,160 | 4,160 | 4,160 |
| Typical Gates | 100,000 | 100,000 | 100,000 | 100,000 | 100,000 |
| Embedded RAM Bits | 53,248 | 53,248 | 53,248 | 53,248 | 53,248 |
| Maximum User I/O | 246 | 246 | 246 | 246 | 246 |
| Speed Grade | C8 (commercial, 8 ns) | C7 (commercial, 7 ns) | C7 with extended screening | C8 (commercial, 8 ns) | -1 (industrial) |
| Core Voltage | 1.8 V | 1.8 V | 1.8 V | 1.8 V | 1.8 V |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND |
Key Differentiators
- Mid-range 100K-gate APEX-20K with 246 I/O (vs EP20K100CF324C7)
- 324-ball FineLine BGA footprint (vs EP20K100CB356C8)
- Extended temperature screening available (vs EP20K100CF324C7)
Design Notes
Estimated: At 1.8 V core with 4,160 LEs at typical 50% utilization and 100 MHz internal clock, core current is approximately 200 mA, dissipating 360 mW. Add 50 mA per VCCIO bank at full switching, totaling ~150 mW I/O. Place 0.1 µF X7R ceramic capacitors within 5 mm of every VCCINT and VCCIO pin, plus a 47 µF tantalum bulk capacitor at the regulator output. Power sequencing should ensure VCCINT ramps before VCCIO.
The 324-FBGA has 1.0 mm ball pitch requiring 4-layer or 6-layer PCB with microvia or laser-drilled via-in-pad for escape routing. Fanout should use dog-bone or via-in-pad patterns with 0.5 mm via diameter. Maintain 50 Ω controlled impedance on clock and high-speed I/O traces. Avoid routing signals beneath the BGA shadow area; place decoupling capacitors on the opposite PCB side or in the breakout region.
Do not assume modern Intel Quartus Prime supports the APEX-20K family - it does not. Use Quartus II version 13.0 or earlier. JTAG programmer must support 1.8 V VCCIO during configuration; older ByteBlasterMV cables may require a 74LS244 or similar buffer for 1.8 V tolerance. Verify all I/O bank voltage assignments before generating the programming file, since incorrect VCCIO can permanently damage the device.
Differential pairs (LVDS, though limited on APEX-20K) should be length-matched within 150 mil. SSTL Class II memories require external 25 Ω series termination resistors at the FPGA output. Place the JTAG chain in a daisy-chain configuration with TMS and TCK pulled up to VCCIO of the bank containing the JTAG pins via 10 kΩ resistors. Isolate analog/digital ground planes if mixing ADCs on the same board.
Compliance Information
Compliance data not explicitly listed in verified distributor sources. The APEX-20K family predates widespread RoHS transition; designers requiring RoHS compliance should request documentation from the distributor or select a RoHS-marked variant if available.
