EP20K1500CF33C7ES - APEX20K 1.5M Gates FPGA 1020-BGA | Intel
MPN: EP20K1500CF33C7ES ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $285 | $285.00 |
| 10 | $245 | $2,450.00 |
| 100 | $198 | $19,800.00 |
| 500 | $162 | $81,000.00 |
| 1,000 | $138 | $138,000.00 |
EP20K1500CF33C7ES Overview
An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) is a semiconductor integrated circuit whose logic function is defined by the user after manufacture, rather than at the fab. FPGAs sit hierarchically between ASICs (high NRE, fixed function) and CPLDs (lower density, fixed interconnect), and are commonly classified by LUT count, DSP block count, and on-chip memory. The APEX20K family from Intel/Altera is an early-generation SRAM-based LUT architecture that combines fine-grained logic with embedded memory blocks (ESBs), making it suitable for data-path, glue-logic, and DSP-style designs of its era.
Key features of the EP20K1500CF33C7ES include 51,840 logic elements/cells, embedded system blocks (ESBs) for on-chip RAM, up to 808 user I/O pins, in-system programmability via JTAG, and support for LVTTL, LVCMOS, PCI, and other I/O standards via Altera's Quartus II / MAX+PLUS II toolchain. The device also includes dedicated clock management circuits and a high-speed interconnect fabric (MultiTrack interconnect) for predictable timing closure across wide datapaths.
The EP20K1500CF33C7ES utilizes a 0.18 µm CMOS SRAM process with 4-input LUTs and a hierarchical routing architecture, achieving typical internal clock rates of 100-180 MHz depending on design complexity. The embedded system blocks (ESBs) provide true dual-port RAM with parity, supporting FIFO and register-file patterns. Multiple I/O banks allow mixed-voltage interfacing across 2.5V, 3.3V, and 5V-tolerant buses.
Typical applications include telecommunications infrastructure, industrial automation controllers, ASIC prototyping, high-speed datapath design, custom DSP engines, and legacy system upgrades where high gate count and abundant I/O are required. The 1020-BGA package supports high-density board layouts and is suited to multi-layer PCBs.
When designing with this device, ensure the Quartus II design tool version supports the APEX20K family and that the 1020-ball BGA layout is matched to compatible footprint/IP. Plan power sequencing for the 2.5V VCCINT and 3.3V VCCIO rails to avoid I/O bus contention during configuration.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes for the EP20K1500CF33C7ES not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for EP20K1500CF33C7ES — 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 EP20K1500CF33C7ES (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Series, Speed Grade, Operating Temperature, Family, Package / Case.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP20K1500CF33C7
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$205 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K1500CB652C7ES
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$198.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K1500CF33C7ES Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | APEX20K |
| Series | APEX 20K |
| Manufacturer | Intel (formerly Altera) |
| Logic Elements / Cells | 51840 |
| Number of I/O | 808 |
| Number of Gates | 1500000 |
| Voltage - Supply | 2.5V core, 3.3V I/O |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +85C (commercial) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Package / Case | 1020-BBGA, FCBGA (FineLine BGA) |
| Supplier Device Package | 1020-BGA |
| Programmable Type | In System Programmable (SRAM-based) |
| Configuration Method | SRAM / JTAG |
| I/O Standards | LVTTL, LVCMOS, PCI, GTL, SSTL |
EP20K1500CF33C7ES 1020-bga Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP20K1500CF33C7ES (1020-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 EP20K1500CF33C7ES.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP20K1500CF33C7ES is suitable for 6 applications: Telecommunications Infrastructure, ASIC Prototyping, High-Speed Datapath / DSP Engine, Industrial Automation Controllers, Custom Glue Logic & Bus Bridging, Legacy System Upgrade / End-of-Life Replacement.
Telecommunications Infrastructure
The EP20K1500CF33C7ES's 51,840 logic elements and 1.5M system gates, combined with 808 user I/Os, suit it to telecom line-card designs where multiple interface standards (LVTTL, LVCMOS, PCI) and abundant glue logic must coexist. Placed on the backplane interface card, it bridges bus conversions, packet inspection, and timing/clock distribution. Unlike smaller CPLDs, the high gate count absorbs datapath-wide state machines and protocol engines in a single device; the trade-off is high core power and a large 1020-BGA footprint requiring dense PCB routing. Designers should budget thermal headroom for sustained switching activity.
Recommended
ASIC Prototyping
The EP20K1500CF33C7ES is widely used as an ASIC prototype platform because its 1.5M system gates and abundant I/O (808 pins) can mimic complex ASICs while remaining reprogrammable. Engineers map RTL directly onto the FPGA fabric and verify functionality, timing, and I/O behavior before committing to silicon. The 1020-BGA package supports breakout boards for multi-FPGA partitioning of very large ASICs. The trade-off is internal clock rates around 100-180 MHz, well below ASIC speeds, but the iterative turnaround is far faster than an ASIC respin.
Recommended
High-Speed Datapath / DSP Engine
The APEX20K's embedded system blocks (ESBs) provide true dual-port RAM with parity, ideal for datapath register files, FIFOs, and DSP coefficient storage. The EP20K1500CF33C7ES implements pipelined multipliers, FIR filters, and FFT butterflies with the 51,840 logic elements handling control and arithmetic, while ESBs hold coefficients and delay lines. The 808 user I/Os sustain wide parallel datapaths (32-64 bit) without external muxing. The trade-off versus modern DSP-capable FPGAs (Stratix/Cyclone with hard DSP blocks) is that all DSP is fabric-implemented, limiting fmax.
Recommended
Industrial Automation Controllers
The EP20K1500CF33C7ES's high logic density and abundant I/O (808 pins) suit complex industrial controllers driving multiple servos, sensors, and fieldbuses. The 2.5V core / 3.3V I/O supplies interface directly to legacy 3.3V industrial buses (LVCMOS, PCI). The SRAM-based configuration allows field updates via JTAG, valuable for in-situ firmware revisions. The trade-off is the commercial 0C-85C temperature grade; for harsh industrial environments above 85C, a -1 speed grade or different package variant may be required. MultiTrack interconnect provides predictable timing for deterministic control loops.
Recommended
Custom Glue Logic & Bus Bridging
The EP20K1500CF33C7ES's 808 user I/Os and multi-standard I/O support (LVTTL, LVCMOS, PCI, GTL, SSTL) make it a powerful bus-bridging and glue-logic solution. Designers terminate and adapt multiple buses (PCI, VME, custom parallel) in a single chip, with the 51,840 logic elements absorbing state machines, FIFOs, and protocol converters. The 1020-BGA package supports high pin density on multi-layer backplanes. The trade-off is large board area and the obsolete lifecycle; new designs targeting the same use case should evaluate Cyclone IV E or similar modern Intel FPGAs.
Recommended
Legacy System Upgrade / End-of-Life Replacement
Many industrial, military, and aerospace systems designed in the early 2000s use APEX20K family FPGAs like the EP20K1500CF33C7ES. While obsolete, the part supports long-life field upgrades via JTAG reprogramming when channel stock is still available. Engineers should source the EP20K1500CF33C7ES from authorized distributors with warranty and traceability. The trade-off is rising price due to scarcity and the eventual need for board-level redesign with a current-generation FPGA. Use this part only for in-system firmware updates or low-volume repairs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP20K1500CF33C7ES — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP20K1500CF33C7 | EP20K1500CB652C7ES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Intel | Intel | Intel |
| Package | 1020-BGA (FineLine) | 1020-BGA (FineLine) - same | 652-BGA - different, NOT drop-in |
| Logic Elements | 51840 | 51840 | 51840 |
| System Gates | 1.5M | 1.5M | 1.5M |
| User I/O | 808 | 808 | 488 (fewer pins in 652-BGA) |
| Core Voltage | 2.5V | 2.5V | 2.5V |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- High-density APEX20K1500 with 808 user I/Os (vs EP20K1500CB652C7ES)
- Closest same-die drop-in within 1020-BGA (vs EP20K1500CF33C7)
Design Notes
The 1020-ball FineLine BGA package requires multi-layer PCB routing with microvia or via-in-pad technology for breakout. Use a controlled-impedance stackup for high-speed I/O and ensure the JTAG pins (TCK, TMS, TDI, TDO) are brought out to a header for in-system programming. Follow Intel's APEX20K BGA footprint reference for land pattern, mask, and paste layers.
Estimated: at 100 MHz internal toggle with typical APEX20K1500 utilization, expect core current draw in the 1.5-3 A range from the 2.5V VCCINT rail. Use a low-noise LDO (e.g. TPS7A4701 or equivalent) and place decoupling capacitors (10 uF bulk + 0.1 uF + 0.01 uF) within 5 mm of every supply pin. Power-sequence VCCINT before VCCIO to prevent I/O bus contention during SRAM configuration.
Because the EP20K1500CF33C7ES is SRAM-based, the configuration bitstream is lost at power-down. Add a configuration EPROM (e.g. EPC2 or compatible) on the board for automatic load, or use a microcontroller to drive JTAG at boot. Do not assume the device retains its design without persistent storage. Also verify Quartus II (not Quartus Prime) is used for compilation, as newer tools do not support APEX20K.
Compliance Information
Compliance data not present in verified web data. The APEX20K family predates widespread RoHS-REACH harmonization; older date codes may not be RoHS compliant. Confirm with distributor or Intel legacy documentation before assuming compliance for new designs.
