EP20K100QI208-2 - APEX 20K FPGA, 208-PQFP, 159 I/O | Altera
MPN: EP20K100QI208-2 ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
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| 1 | $0 | $0.00 |
| 10 | $0 | $0.00 |
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| 1,000 | $0 | $0.00 |
EP20K100QI208-2 Overview
A field programmable gate array (FPGA) is a semiconductor device containing configurable logic blocks, programmable interconnects, and embedded memory that can be programmed after manufacturing to implement digital circuits. FPGAs fit in the hierarchy FPGA -> programmable logic device -> integrated circuit -> electronic component. They are widely used for protocol bridging, video processing, industrial control, and ASIC prototyping because they allow hardware logic to be changed without spinning a custom chip. The APEX-20K family was one of Altera's early multi-core PLD architectures, combining look-up-table logic with embedded memory elements to support both gate-array style logic and system-level integration.
Key features of the EP20K100QI208-2 include 4,160 logic elements, 53,248 total RAM bits, and 159 user I/O pins. The 208-pin BFQFP package has a square body, gull-wing terminals, and a 0.500 mm terminal pitch, which is well suited for surface-mount assembly on two-layer or multilayer PCBs. The component belongs to the APEX-20K programmable logic family and is functionally listed under embedded FPGAs. Its logic element and embedded-memory combination provides enough resources for medium-density logic designs, state machines, FIFO buffers, and parallel interface controllers.
From a technical standpoint, the APEX-20K architecture embeds memory and product-term capability into a programmable fabric, giving designers flexibility to implement both register-intensive and combinatorial functions. Because the device is SRAM-based, it must be configured at power-up from an external configuration device, a host processor, or JTAG. Typical revision suffixes such as N indicate lead-free assembly, while C and I usually indicate commercial and industrial temperature grades respectively. For the exact core supply voltage, timing numbers, and thermal resistance of this exact ordering code, the Altera APEX-20K datasheet must be consulted because legacy distributor listings differ by variant.
The EP20K100QI208-2 is applicable to telecommunications bridging, video/image capture interfaces, industrial machine control, test and measurement subsystems, and aerospace or ruggedized boards where multiple parallel buses need to be connected. Its 159 I/Os can interface to common memory devices, legacy ASICs, ADCs, DACs, and microprocessors with careful I/O standard planning. The 53,248 bits of embedded RAM are useful for small FIFOs, line buffers, and register files in these systems.
When designing with this device, remember that configuration data is volatile; hold the configuration pin low until all supply rails are stable and provide a reliable configuration clock or JTAG chain. For new product designs, a modern FPGA is usually a better choice. This page is useful for legacy maintenance, bill-of-materials replacement, and industrial-temperature APEX-20K applications. It aggregates distributor links, drop-in family variants, and practical design notes that are not all repeated on the component manufacturer's datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for EP20K100QI208-2 — 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 EP20K100QI208-2 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Speed Grade, Device Type, Logic Elements / Cells, Operating Temperature, Process Technology.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP20K100QI208-2N
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP20K100QC208-2
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$29.9 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K100QC208-2N
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP20K100QC208-1N
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$51 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K100QC208-3N
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
Contact for price
View Datasheet →EP20K100QC208-1
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$21.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K100QI208-2 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Series | APEX-20K |
| Product Type | Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) |
| Number of Logic Elements / Cells | 4160 |
| Total RAM Bits | 53248 |
| Number of User I/Os | 159 |
| Package / Case | 208-BFQFP |
| Number of Pins | 208 |
| Terminal Form | Gull wing |
| Terminal Pitch | 0.500 mm |
| Package Shape | Square |
| JESD-30 Code | S-PQFP-G208 |
| Moisture Sensitivity Level | 3 (168 hours) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Speed Grade | -2 |
| RoHS Status | unknown for non-N ordering code |
EP20K100QI208-2 square Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP20K100QI208-2 (square 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 EP20K100QI208-2.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP20K100QI208-2 is suitable for 6 applications: Telecom and Network Bridging, Video Capture and Image Processing, Industrial Machine Control, Aerospace and Defense Rugged Electronics, Test and Measurement Instrumentation, ASIC Prototyping and Legacy Logic Emulation.
Telecom and Network Bridging
The EP20K100QI208-2 is well suited to telecom and network bridging cards where multiple parallel buses, PHY devices, and backplane interfaces need to be connected without custom glue logic. Its 159 user I/Os are sufficient to interface legacy UTOPIA, POS-PHY, or generic 8/16-bit microprocessors, while the 53,248 RAM bits provide room for small FIFOs and packet-rate buffers. The 4,160 logic elements can implement address decoding, bus arbitration, and protocol conversion state machines. In a maintained telecom system, the industrial temperature option of the QI grade gives margin for outdoor cabinets and high-air-temperature environments. Because the device is an older SRAM FPGA, the BOM should include an external configuration source and decoupling for the I/O banks. The 208-pin PQFP package allows routing on standard multilayer telecom boards, and the 0.500 mm pitch is compatible with traditional surface-mount assembly.
Recommended
Video Capture and Image Processing
For video capture and image processing, the EP20K100QI208-2 can act as a timing generator, FIFO controller, or pixel-format converter between CMOS/CCD sensors and a DSP or host processor. The embedded 53,248 RAM bits can implement horizontal line buffers or small frame-store FIFOs, while the 4,160 logic elements are enough for simple color space conversion, 2D convolution kernels, and synchronization logic. Its 159 I/Os support parallel digital video buses at 8/16 bits plus control signals. The -2 speed grade in the QI device provides balanced performance for standard-definition and many VGA-class pipelines. Designers should remember that an SRAM FPGA must be configured by a controller or configuration device after power-up, so video products need a robust boot sequence. This device is especially valuable in legacy machine-vision systems being kept in service where the exact FPGA footprint and timing behavior are already characterized.
Recommended
Industrial Machine Control
The EP20K100QI208-2 fits industrial machine-control applications requiring programmable logic between sensors, encoders, motor drives, and a host PLC or microcontroller. Its industrial temperature grade is important for factory environments. The 159 I/O pins can interface with quadrature encoders, limit switches, and parallel I/O expanders, while the embedded RAM can store configuration tables or small status FIFOs. The 4,160 logic elements can implement PWM generators, position counters, interlock logic, and simple fieldbus interface controllers. A key benefit of the 208-pin PQFP package is that it can be soldered on standard FR4 boards without the expensive BGA inspection and X-ray requirements of larger ball-grid FPGAs. When designing for high-noise industrial environments, add series termination and robust decoupling on inputs that connect to long cable runs. Because this part is now obsolete, new industrial products should evaluate a modern FPGA; however, the EP20K100QI208-2 is still useful for machine retrofits and legacy control-board repairs.
Recommended
Aerospace and Defense Rugged Electronics
The EP20K100QI208-2 is often considered for aerospace and defense systems that maintain legacy line-replaceable units. The I-grade temperature rating offers more margin than C-grade parts in unpressurized avionics bays and ground-support equipment. Its 208-pin PQFP package is relatively easy to inspect for rework, an advantage in high-reliability assembly. The 159 user I/Os can connect to legacy military data buses, discretes, and parallel interfaces. With 4,160 logic elements and 53,248 RAM bits, it can implement protocol wrappers, bit synchronizers, and channel routing logic. Designers must use a qualified configuration memory and maintain strict power-up timing. Because the device is obsolete/end-of-life, aerospace programs may need lifetime-buy planning or an approved alternate from the same APEX-20K family. Always obtain the official datasheet and confirm the exact industrial temperature range before qualifying this part for flight or mission-critical applications.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Instrumentation
Bench instruments, data-acquisition systems, and automated test equipment often require flexible digital glue logic to connect ADCs, DACs, trigger circuits, and host processors. The EP20K100QI208-2 is a practical choice for legacy instrument service or mid-volume instruments where its 159 I/Os provide parallel connectivity without complex CPLD banks. The 53,248 RAM bits are useful for acquisition FIFOs and calibration coefficient tables, while the 4,160 logic elements can implement start/stop trigger logic, sample counters, and pattern generators. The -2 speed grade is usually adequate for 50-100 MHz class interfaces. Since instruments may ship worldwide and operate in varied environmental conditions, the industrial-temperature variant helps reduce field failures. When updating an existing instrument board, check configuration compatibility and pinout carefully; only same-family 208-pin APEX-20K variants are true drop-in replacements.
Recommended
ASIC Prototyping and Legacy Logic Emulation
The EP20K100QI208-2 can serve as an emulation or prototyping vehicle for small ASIC logic blocks, especially when a legacy ASIC needs to be ported to programmable logic while a replacement ASIC is qualified. Its 159 I/Os can map many parallel signals from a custom ASIC into configurable logic, and its 4,160 logic elements provide a useful amount of combinational and registered logic. The embedded RAM blocks allow simple memory models and FIFO queues to be emulated. Because FPGAs are reconfigurable, the same board can be used to test multiple design iterations in a lab. The QI industrial grade also allows the emulation fixture to be used inside thermal chambers for environmental validation. Keep in mind that the APEX-20K configuration bitstream is proprietary; use compatible Altera configuration tools and hardware. For future ASIC prototyping, evaluate current Intel or Xilinx FPGAs, but for maintaining existing fixtures, the EP20K100QI208-2 and its same-family variants remain a workable choice.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP20K100QI208-2 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP20K100QI208-2N | EP20K100QC208-2 | EP20K100QC208-1N | EP20K100QC208-3N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 208-BFQFP | 208-BFQFP | 208-BFQFP | 208-BFQFP | 208-BFQFP |
| Brand | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera |
| Device Family | APEX-20K | APEX-20K | APEX-20K | APEX-20K | APEX-20K |
| Speed Grade | -2 | -2 | -2 | -1 | -3 |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial (I) | Industrial (I) | Commercial (C) | Commercial (C) | Commercial (C) |
| Logic Elements | 4160 | 4160 | 4160 | 4160 | 4160 |
| RAM Bits | 53248 | 53248 | 53248 | 53248 | 53248 |
| User I/O | 159 | 159 | 159 | 159 | 159 |
| Lead-Free Finish | unknown (non-N code) | Yes (N suffix) | unknown (non-N code) | Yes (N suffix) | Yes (N suffix) |
| Pin-to-Pin Drop-In | Reference | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- Industrial temperature grade with -2 speed balance (vs EP20K100QC208-2)
- A lead-free industrial variant exists in the same family (vs EP20K100QC208-2N)
- Faster -1 speed grade is available for drop-in timing upgrades (vs EP20K100QC208-3N)
Design Notes
EP20K100QI208-2 is an SRAM-based APEX-20K FPGA and loses its configuration whenever power is removed. During board bring-up, hold the configuration pin low until all VCC and VCCIO rails are within range, then release it with a clean rising edge. The device must load configuration data from a companion Altera configuration device, an external host processor, or a JTAG chain. If configuration fails, I/O pins may float or drive unintended states, so add pull-up/pull-down resistors on mission-critical control outputs. Always confirm the configuration voltage and download cable compatibility with the legacy APEX-20K software version.
Place low-ESL decoupling capacitors near every VCC and VCCIO pin of the 208-pin BFQFP package. A typical starting point is one 0.1 uF ceramic capacitor per VCC pin plus several 10 uF bulk capacitors around the package perimeter. Because this device may toggle up to 159 I/Os, simultaneous switching noise can cause ground bounce if the decoupling loop is large. Keep the VCC and ground planes continuous, use multiple vias between plane and capacitor pads, and avoid routing high-speed traces directly under the package where possible. Thermal and power specifications for this exact ordering code should be taken from the official datasheet rather than assumed from family-level values.
The 208-pin PQFP package does not have a large exposed thermal pad, so heat is removed mainly through the lead frame and PCB copper. For industrial-temperature products, provide airflow or a small heatsink over the package if the device drives many I/O at high frequency. Model the thermal budget using the datasheet theta-JA value for the BFQFP package and keep the ambient temperature inside the component's industrial range. A solid ground plane under the FPGA improves heat spreading. For prolonged high-temperature operation, measure case temperature during validation and keep it below the maximum junction rating specified for the APEX-20K family.
EP20K100QI208-2 uses a 0.500 mm pitch gull-wing QFP footprint. Ensure the stencil apertures provide adequate solder volume for the outer leads while avoiding solder bridges between adjacent pins. Use the land pattern recommended by the APEX-20K package drawing. During reflow, MSL 3 devices require baking if they have been exposed to ambient humidity beyond the floor life. After assembly, inspect the QFP leads with AOI; solder fillets should be visible on the heel and toe of each lead. For JTAG programming, route the TCK, TMS, TDI, and TDO signals with series resistors close to the device to reduce ringing.
Compliance Information
No verified RoHS/REACH statement was present in the retrieved web data for EP20K100QI208-2. Altera parts with an N suffix are generally lead-free, but this specific non-N ordering code should be confirmed through the supplier certificate before RoHS compliance is assumed.
