EP20K100EQC208-1X - 100K APEX-20KE FPGA, 151 I/O | Intel
MPN: EP20K100EQC208-1X β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $285 | $285.00 |
| 10 | $252.5 | $2,525.00 |
| 100 | $215 | $21,500.00 |
| 500 | $178 | $89,000.00 |
| 1,000 | $152 | $152,000.00 |
EP20K100EQC208-1X Overview
A Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a semiconductor integrated circuit whose logic, interconnect, and I/O behavior are defined by user-supplied configuration data rather than at fabrication time. Within the broader programmable logic taxonomy, an FPGA sits below ASICs in NRE cost but above them in flexibility, and the APEX 20KE architecture specifically combines Look-Up Table (LUT)-based logic elements with embedded memory blocks called Embedded System Blocks (ESBs), enabling efficient implementation of datapath, state-machine, and small-memory functions in a single device.
Key features of the EP20K100EQC208-1X include 4,160 LEs arranged in MegaLAB structures, 26 ESBs totaling 53,248 bits of RAM (each ESB configurable as dual-port or single-port RAM, ROM, or CAM), four Phase-Locked Loops (PLLs) for clock multiplication and deskew, and MultiVolt I/O supporting 1.8V, 2.5V, 3.3V, and 5.0V interfaces without external level shifters. The device operates from a 1.8V core supply with separate VCCIO banks, supports in-system programmability via the IEEE 1149.1 JTAG boundary-scan interface, and integrates configuration circuitry compatible with passive-serial, passive-parallel, and Altera-specific configuration schemes including the EPC2 configuration PROM.
Typical applications include high-speed digital signal processing pipelines, telecommunications backplane glue logic, industrial control and instrumentation front-ends, and legacy PCI/ISA bridge designs. The 208-pin PQFP package offers inspectable gull-wing leads suited for prototyping, low-volume production, and through-hole-friendly rework workflows that newer BGA-only FPGAs cannot accommodate. Designers typically pair this part with Intel configuration PROMs (such as the EPC2 family) and Quartus II or MAX+PLUS II development environments for synthesis, place-and-route, and bitstream generation.
When designing with this device, ensure the PCB thermal budget accounts for up to 1.6W worst-case dissipation, provide a minimum of four PCB layers with a dedicated ground plane for signal integrity, and observe 5V-tolerant I/O bank power sequencing to avoid latch-up. Engineers evaluating new designs should weigh the APEX 20KE's mature tool flow against newer Cyclone or MAX families where pin compatibility does not exist.
This page synthesizes distributor stock, drop-in package alternatives, and practical design considerations not consolidated on any single manufacturer or distributor page, helping procurement and design engineers evaluate the EP20K100EQC208-1X as either a primary or replacement candidate.
Drop-in alternatives for EP20K100EQC208-1X β 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 EP20K100EQC208-1X (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Speed Grade, Typical Gates, Family, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP20K100EQC208-2X
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP20K100EQC208-1
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP20K100EQC208-3
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
Contact for price
View Datasheet βEP20K100CQ208C8
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$13.4 / Unit
View Datasheet βEP20K100CQ208C7
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$22.4 / Unit
View Datasheet βEP20K100EQC208-1X Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | APEX-20KE |
| Logic Elements | 4,160 |
| Typical Gate Count | 100,000 gates |
| Embedded Memory (bits) | 53,248 |
| Embedded System Blocks (ESBs) | 26 |
| Maximum User I/O | 151 |
| Package | 208-pin PQFP (EQC208) |
| Process Technology | 0.15 micrometer CMOS, all-layer copper |
| Propagation Delay | 1.6 ns |
| Speed Grade | -1 (standard) |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +85C |
| Core Supply Voltage | 1.8 V |
| MultiVolt I/O Support | 1.8V / 2.5V / 3.3V / 5.0V |
| PLLs | 4 |
| Configuration Interface | JTAG (IEEE 1149.1), passive serial/parallel |
| MSL Level | 3 (168 Hours) |
| RoHS Status | Lead-free (Pb-free), RoHS compliant |
EP20K100EQC208-1X 208-pin pqfp (eqc208) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP20K100EQC208-1X (208-pin pqfp (eqc208) 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 EP20K100EQC208-1X.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP20K100EQC208-1X is suitable for 6 applications: Telecommunications Backplane Glue Logic, Industrial Control and Instrumentation Front-End, Legacy PCI/ISA Bridge Designs, High-Speed Digital Signal Processing Pipeline, Prototype and Educational Development Platform, Automotive Test Equipment and Bench Instruments.
Telecommunications Backplane Glue Logic
The EP20K100EQC208-1X is well suited to telecom backplane glue logic where it bridges bus standards, performs protocol conversion, and aggregates low-speed control signals. With 4,160 logic elements and 151 user I/Os, it can simultaneously run multiple 8-bit bus interfaces, UART controllers, and I2C/SPI bridges without off-chip memory. The MultiVolt I/O banks (1.8V/2.5V/3.3V/5.0V) interface directly to legacy 5V telecom ASICs as well as modern 1.8V processors, eliminating external level shifters. Designers typically pair this FPGA with an EPC2 configuration PROM and Quartus II bitstream for fail-safe configuration at power-up. The 208-pin PQFP package exposes enough I/O for full 32-bit datapath bridging plus JTAG, clock, and housekeeping pins.
Recommended
Industrial Control and Instrumentation Front-End
In industrial control systems, the EP20K100EQC208-1X serves as a flexible I/O expander and signal-conditioning front-end, capturing encoder inputs, generating PWM outputs, and interfacing to analog front ends through its 5V-tolerant I/O banks. The 53,248 bits of embedded SRAM are sufficient for 1024-point FFT scratch buffers or FIFO line-scan data, eliminating external SRAM. Four PLLs synthesize multiple sampling clocks from a single crystal reference, simplifying board clock trees. The 0C to +85C commercial temperature range matches most factory-floor enclosure specs; for harsher environments the same silicon is available in industrial speed grades. Engineers implementing fieldbus or Profibus bridges particularly value the PQFP package for hand-rework during commissioning.
Recommended
Legacy PCI/ISA Bridge Designs
The EP20K100EQC208-1X is a drop-in core for legacy PCI and ISA bridge designs, particularly when modern Cyclone and MAX families are unavailable or unsuitable for through-hole rework. The 151 user I/Os comfortably accommodate a full 32-bit PCI target interface plus 16-bit ISA bus, eight chip selects, and interrupt/status signals. Embedded System Blocks provide bus-master FIFOs and scatter-gather descriptor RAM without external memory. The 1.6 ns internal propagation delay supports 33 MHz PCI timing closure with margin. Designers appreciate the 208-pin PQFP footprint for breadboarding and prototype bring-up, as it accommodates standard socket adapters. Quartus II provides pre-verified PCI MegaCore functions targeting this exact device for instant design reuse.
Recommended
High-Speed Digital Signal Processing Pipeline
The EP20K100EQC208-1X supports moderate-speed DSP pipelines where its 4,160 logic elements implement parallel multiply-accumulate (MAC) engines for FIR filters, FFT butterflies, and digital down-converters. The 53,248-bit embedded memory acts as distributed coefficient storage and data sample buffers, avoiding external SRAM latency. At internal toggle rates above 200 MHz, the part comfortably implements 16-bit signed multipliers at video-rate sample rates. Four PLLs provide the multi-phase clocking essential for time-interleaved ADC interfaces. The 1.8V core minimizes switching noise in mixed-signal PCB layouts, while separate VCCIO banks keep digital return currents isolated from sensitive analog power domains.
Recommended
Prototype and Educational Development Platform
The EP20K100EQC208-1X is widely adopted in university curricula and engineering training labs because its 208-pin PQFP package accepts standard socket adapters and supports hand-rework, allowing students to solder and desolder the part repeatedly. Quartus II student edition provides free design entry and synthesis, making the part an accessible teaching platform for HDL design, timing analysis, and on-chip debugging. With 151 user I/Os, the part interfaces to LEDs, switches, character LCDs, and parallel ADC/DAC breakout boards without multiplexing. The mature tool flow produces well-documented waveforms and signal-tap traces for pedagogy. Course labs frequently use this FPGA to demonstrate PLLs, ESB-based dual-port RAM, and JTAG boundary scan.
Recommended
Automotive Test Equipment and Bench Instruments
Although the EP20K100EQC208-1X is not AEC-Q100 qualified itself, the part is commonly found inside bench-top automotive diagnostic testers, engine analyzer rigs, and CAN/LIN bus analyzers used in service shops. Its 151 I/Os accommodate multiple isolated CAN interfaces, K-Line/LIN drivers, J1850 VPW/PWM, and ISO 9141 channels with custom protocol handling. The 53,248-bit embedded memory stores capture buffers and protocol trace history. Five-volt I/O tolerance simplifies direct connection to 12V automotive bus transceivers via resistor dividers. The PQFP-208 package survives repeated board swaps during service technician training. Quartus II supports custom signal-tap logic analyzer triggers for real-time bus debugging on the workbench.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP20K100EQC208-1X β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP20K100EQC208-2X | EP20K100EQC208-1 | EP20K100EQC208-3 | EP20K100CQ208C8 | EP20K100CQ208C7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 208-pin PQFP (EQC208) | 208-pin PQFP (EQC208) | 208-pin PQFP (EQC208) | 208-pin PQFP (EQC208) | 208-pin PQFP (EQC208) | 208-pin PQFP (EQC208) |
| Brand | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel |
| Family | APEX-20KE | APEX-20KE | APEX-20KE | APEX-20KE | APEX-20K | APEX-20K |
| Logic Elements | 4,160 | 4,160 | 4,160 | 4,160 | 4,160 | 4,160 |
| Speed Grade | -1X (standard, lead-free) | -2X (slower) | -1 (standard, SnPb) | -3 (slowest) | C8 | C7 |
| Embedded Memory | 53,248 bits | 53,248 bits | 53,248 bits | 53,248 bits | 53,248 bits | 53,248 bits |
| User I/Os | 151 | 151 | 151 | 151 | 151 | 151 |
| Lead Finish | Lead-free | Lead-free | SnPb | Lead-free | SnPb | SnPb |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
| Approximate 1 pc Price (USD) | $285 | $310 | $295 | $240 | $260 | $220 |
Key Differentiators
- Lead-free enhanced lead-frame industrial configuration (vs EP20K100EQC208-1)
- APEX-20KE process revision for higher performance (vs EP20K100CQ208C8)
- Standard speed grade -1 (balanced speed and cost) (vs EP20K100EQC208-3)
Design Notes
Use at least a 4-layer PCB with a continuous dedicated ground plane directly beneath the EP20K100EQC208-1X footprint. Route 5V-tolerant I/O bank signals on the top layer, core 1.8V VCC and VCCIO on adjacent inner planes, and high-speed clocks on a stripline layer referenced to ground. Place decoupling capacitors (0.1 microfarad ceramic plus 10 microfarad tantalum) within 5 mm of every VCC/VCCIO pin pair; a single bulk 47 microfarad capacitor near the package corner handles low-frequency transients. Keep all I/O trace lengths matched within 25 mils for source-synchronous interfaces to avoid timing skew.
Estimated: at full utilization with all 151 I/Os switching at 50 MHz into 30 pF loads, the EP20K100EQC208-1X dissipates approximately 1.6 W worst-case from a 1.8 V core supply. The 208-pin PQFP package has a typical theta_JA of 28 C/W in still air, resulting in a junction temperature rise of approximately 45 C above ambient. In an enclosed chassis with no airflow, design for at least 200 LFM forced cooling or apply a clip-on heatsink on the package top. Power-on sequence requires VCC (1.8V) to ramp before or simultaneously with VCCIO banks; reverse sequencing may trigger latch-up.
Do not configure I/O banks for 5V tolerance without first verifying VCCIO is set to 3.3V - mixing 5V inputs with 1.8V VCCIO causes permanent device damage. Do not omit the JTAG TCK pull-down resistor (10 kohm typical) - without it, configuration state becomes indeterminate at power-up. Do not rely on the default configuration bitstream to include JTAG USERCODE; explicit USERCODE assignment simplifies board identification during multi-FPGA JTAG chains. Finally, do not connect 5V signals to I/O pins in banks configured for 1.8V or 2.5V operation, even momentarily - the parasitic ESD diode will forward-conduct and damage the silicon.
Series-terminate clock outputs from the EP20K100EQC208-1X with 33 ohm resistors placed within 5 mm of the FPGA pin to dampen reflections on long traces. For MultiVolt I/O signaling between a 1.8V bank and a 3.3V peripheral, verify the 1.8V output's VIH (typically 1.0V) exceeds the 3.3V receiver's VIH (typically 2.0V) and add a TI SN74LVC8T245 level shifter if needed. The four on-chip PLLs are sensitive to reference-clock jitter; use a low-jitter crystal oscillator with jitter below 50 ps RMS for synchronous interfaces such as SDH/SONET or Gigabit Ethernet.
Compliance Information
Lead-free (Pb-free) enhanced lead-frame industrial configuration per Intel Altera PCN records. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - this part is not recommended for automotive safety applications. MSL 3 (168 hours) moisture sensitivity level per Tray packaging per distributor AIChipLink listing.
