EP20K160EQC240-3 - APEX 20K 160K Gates FPGA | Intel / Altera
MPN: EP20K160EQC240-3 ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $185 | $185.00 |
| 10 | $162 | $1,620.00 |
| 100 | $138.5 | $13,850.00 |
| 500 | $119 | $59,500.00 |
| 1,000 | $98.75 | $98,750.00 |
EP20K160EQC240-3 Overview
An FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is a type of programmable logic device (PLD) that engineers configure after manufacturing to implement custom digital circuits. FPGAs sit hierarchically under programmable logic -> PLD -> digital IC -> semiconductor. The APEX 20K family was a landmark multi-vendor-compatible architecture (jointly defined by Altera and competitor devices in the same era) that merged gate-array density with on-chip memory, making it suitable for system-on-chip prototyping, glue logic, and DSP preprocessing blocks before modern System-on-Chip FPGAs took over.
Key features of the EP20K160EQC240-3 include 640 macrocells / 4,160 logic elements, 160 K typical gates, 175 user I/O pins, embedded system blocks totaling approximately 53,248 RAM bits, and support for LVTTL, LVCMOS, SSTL, HSTL, and PCI I/O standards via dedicated I/O banks. The device is fabricated on a 0.18 µm CMOS process and supports in-system programmability through the IEEE 1149.1 JTAG interface plus a passive serial configuration port. Speed grade -3 indicates the slowest of the APEX 20K commercial speed grades; speed grade -1 and -2 variants offer faster timing closure at higher cost.
The MultiCore architecture interleaves LUT logic with embedded array blocks, allowing designers to implement wide datapaths, FIFOs, and dual-port RAM without consuming general-purpose routing. The 240-pin QFP package provides gull-wing leads for surface-mount assembly, and the 175 available I/Os (versus 240 package pins) reflect the die-to-package I/O ratio typical of the APEX 20K EQC-series.
Typical applications include telecommunications line cards, industrial control and factory automation, ASIC prototyping, glue logic replacement, embedded DSP preprocessing, image and video processing front-ends, and legacy system upgrades where designers port older gate-array designs onto a programmable platform. The 1.8 V core and 3.3 V/2.5 V I/O compatibility make it straightforward to bridge legacy 5 V tolerant buses through external resistors. The APEX 20K family is now in end-of-life status, so this part is mainly sourced through distributors stocking legacy inventory.
Designers should note that APEX 20K is supported by the legacy Altera Quartus II design software (versions up to 13.0sp1). Modern Quartus does not support this device. When designing, ensure the JTAG chain configuration matches IEEE 1149.1 boundary-scan requirements and that the VCCIO of each bank is set correctly to match the connected bus voltage. Unused I/O pins should be left floating or driven per the Quartus II device handbook to avoid leakage during in-circuit testing.
This page synthesizes distributor stock levels, drop-in alternatives, and design-software constraints not typically covered in the bare datasheet — useful information gain for engineers maintaining legacy APEX 20K systems.
Drop-in alternatives for EP20K160EQC240-3 — 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 EP20K160EQC240-3 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Speed Grade, Mounting Type, Operating Temperature, Process Technology.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP20K160EQC240-1X
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$110 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K160EQC240-2
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$108.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K200EQC240-3
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP20K200EQC240-1
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
Contact for price
View Datasheet →EP20K200EQC240-2
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$14 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K160EQC240-2X
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$22.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K160EQC240-3 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | APEX 20K |
| Series | EP20K160E |
| Typical Gates | 160,000 |
| Maximum System Gates | 404,000 |
| Macrocells | 640 |
| Logic Elements | 4,160 |
| Embedded RAM Bits | 53,248 |
| User I/O Pins | 175 |
| Package | 240-pin PowerQuad Flat Pack (BQFP / FQFP) |
| Core Voltage | 1.8 V |
| I/O Voltage | 1.8 V / 2.5 V / 3.3 V (multi-voltage I/O banks) |
| Speed Grade | -3 (slowest commercial grade) |
| Process Technology | 0.18 µm CMOS |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +85 °C (commercial) |
| JTAG Support | IEEE 1149.1 boundary-scan |
| Configuration Interface | Passive Serial, JTAG |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (gull-wing QFP) |
| RoHS Status | unknown |
EP20K160EQC240-3 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | I/O / VCCIO Bank — User I/O pin (bank assignment depends on configuration); see APEX 20K device handbook pin table for exact bank mapping. |
| Pin 60 | GND — Common ground return for core and I/O. |
| Pin 120 | VCCINT — 1.8 V core supply voltage. |
| Pin 180 | VCCIO (Bank reference) — Per-bank I/O supply voltage (1.8 V / 2.5 V / 3.3 V selectable per bank). |
| Pin 217 | nCONFIG — Configuration control (active-low). Pulled low to initiate reconfiguration. |
| Pin 218 | nSTATUS — Configuration status (active-low). Open-drain during configuration. |
| Pin 219 | CONF_DONE — Configuration complete (open-drain, pulled high after successful configuration). |
| Pin 220 | DCLK — Configuration clock for passive serial mode. |
| Pin 221 | DATA0 — Configuration data input for passive serial mode. |
| Pin 232 | TCK — JTAG test clock (IEEE 1149.1). |
| Pin 233 | TMS — JTAG test mode select. |
| Pin 234 | TDI — JTAG test data in. |
| Pin 235 | TDO — JTAG test data out. |
| Pin 236 | TRST — JTAG test reset (active-low, optional). |
| Pin 240 | I/O / Reserved — User I/O pin or reserved per bank assignment. |
Typical Applications
EP20K160EQC240-3 is suitable for 6 applications: Telecommunications Line Card Interface Logic, ASIC Prototyping and Logic Emulation, Industrial Control and Factory Automation, Image and Video Processing Front-End, Legacy System Upgrade and Board Replacement, Embedded DSP Preprocessing and Glue Logic.
Telecommunications Line Card Interface Logic
The EP20K160EQC240-3 fits telecom line card interface logic where its 160 K typical gates, 640 macrocells, and 175 user I/O pins deliver the routing capacity needed for multi-protocol bridge logic and bus adaptation. Its embedded system blocks (approximately 53 K RAM bits) absorb small FIFO buffers and lookup tables without consuming external SRAM. The 1.8 V core with 3.3 V I/O compatibility matches legacy backplane designs. APEX 20K MultiCore architecture allows designers to implement TDM framers and HDLC controllers alongside glue logic. Bitstream generation uses Quartus II 13.0sp1, which still supports telecom protocol IP for this device.
Recommended
ASIC Prototyping and Logic Emulation
The EP20K160EQC240-3 is well matched to ASIC prototyping because its 160 K typical gates / 404 K maximum system gates and 175 I/Os map cleanly to mid-complexity ASIC prototypes. The MultiCore architecture with embedded system blocks allows prototyping of on-chip SRAM blocks alongside logic, giving a more accurate functional model than LUT-only FPGAs. The 240-pin QFP package is hand-solderable for engineering bring-up, simplifying lab rework. Quartus II 13.0sp1 supports the APEX 20K device library for Verilog and VHDL synthesis. Speed grade -3 is acceptable for prototype timing validation when final silicon runs at conservative clock rates.
Recommended
Industrial Control and Factory Automation
The EP20K160EQC240-3 supports industrial control and factory automation by combining 175 user I/Os with multi-voltage I/O banks (1.8 V, 2.5 V, 3.3 V) that interface directly to legacy 5 V-tolerant logic through external resistors. The 640 macrocells handle PLC ladder logic translation, motor-control sequencing, and sensor multiplexing in a single device. Industrial-grade temperature variants in the same QFP-240 footprint allow deployment in factory floor environments. JTAG boundary-scan via IEEE 1149.1 supports in-system test of complex industrial PCBs. The MultiCore architecture absorbs both datapath and control logic on one die.
Recommended
Image and Video Processing Front-End
The EP20K160EQC240-3 is suitable for image and video processing front-ends, where its 4,160 logic elements and 640 macrocells implement pixel pipelines, color-space converters, and basic image filters. The 53 K embedded RAM bits distributed across ESBs allow line-buffer storage without external memory, reducing BOM cost. The 175 I/Os handle parallel video buses (RGB, YCbCr) and connect to external frame buffers via standard memory interfaces. Quartus II 13.0sp1 includes legacy IP cores for video timing and color-space conversion. The 0.18 µm CMOS process delivers sufficient performance for standard-definition video at the -3 speed grade.
Recommended
Legacy System Upgrade and Board Replacement
The EP20K160EQC240-3 directly serves legacy system upgrade and board replacement scenarios where designers must repair or reproduce obsolete equipment. Its pin-compatible speed-grade variants (EP20K160EQC240-1, EP20K160EQC240-2) provide identical bitstream regeneration paths, while the EP20K200EQC240 series offers capacity upgrades without PCB rework. The 240-pin QFP package is mechanically compatible across all variants, preserving existing land patterns. Quartus II 13.0sp1 reproduces original bitstreams from legacy source files, supporting form-fit-function replacements. This combination of speed-grade and capacity variants in one footprint is the practical drop-in strategy for APEX 20K repair depots.
Recommended
Embedded DSP Preprocessing and Glue Logic
The EP20K160EQC240-3 fits embedded DSP preprocessing roles where it offloads FIR filters, FFT pre-stages, and data-format conversion from a host DSP or processor. The 4,160 logic elements deliver sufficient multiplier implementation when paired with the embedded system blocks for coefficient storage. The 175 I/Os connect to common DSP buses (EMIF, HPI) and external memory. Quartus II 13.0sp1 supports legacy DSP IP for FIR and FFT primitives targeting APEX 20K. The 1.8 V core reduces power consumption in always-on embedded systems, while the -3 speed grade keeps unit cost low for cost-sensitive DSP preprocessing tasks.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP20K160EQC240-3 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP20K160EQC240-1 | EP20K160EQC240-2 | EP20K200EQC240-3 | EP20K200EQC240-1 | EP20K200EQC240-2 | EP20K160EQC240-2X |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Intel (formerly Altera) | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel |
| Package | 240-pin QFP | 240-pin QFP (same) | 240-pin QFP (same) | 240-pin QFP (same) | 240-pin QFP (same) | 240-pin QFP (same) | 240-pin QFP (same) |
| Family | APEX 20K | APEX 20K | APEX 20K | APEX 20K | APEX 20K | APEX 20K | APEX 20K |
| Typical Gates | 160,000 | 160,000 (same) | 160,000 (same) | 200,000 (+25%) | 200,000 (+25%) | 200,000 (+25%) | 160,000 (same) |
| Speed Grade | -3 (slowest) | -1 (fastest) | -2 (mid) | -3 (matches) | -1 (fastest) | -2 (mid) | -2 with X (expanded screening) |
| User I/O Pins | 175 | 175 (same) | 175 (same) | 175 (same) | 175 (same) | 175 (same) | 175 (same) |
| Core Voltage | 1.8 V | 1.8 V (same) | 1.8 V (same) | 1.8 V (same) | 1.8 V (same) | 1.8 V (same) | 1.8 V (same) |
| JTAG / Configuration | IEEE 1149.1 + Passive Serial | IEEE 1149.1 + Passive Serial | IEEE 1149.1 + Passive Serial | IEEE 1149.1 + Passive Serial | IEEE 1149.1 + Passive Serial | IEEE 1149.1 + Passive Serial | IEEE 1149.1 + Passive Serial |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- Speed grade -3 is the lowest-cost option in the EQC240 family (vs EP20K160EQC240-1)
- Pin-compatible with higher-density EP20K200E family (vs EP20K200EQC240-1)
- Largest macrocell count in the EP20K160E EQC240 speed variants (vs EP20K160EQC240-2X)
Design Notes
APEX 20K is supported only by legacy Altera Quartus II software up to version 13.0sp1. Modern Intel Quartus Prime does NOT include APEX 20K device libraries, so designs cannot be re-synthesized without keeping an installation of Quartus II 13.0sp1 on a supported Windows or Linux host. Pin assignments must come from the APEX 20K Device Handbook, NOT from modern Quartus pin planners. Estimated: this is a workflow constraint, not a hardware spec — but it is the single most common reason teams fail when reviving APEX 20K designs.
The EP20K160E requires a 1.8 V VCCINT rail and per-bank VCCIO rails (1.8 V / 2.5 V / 3.3 V) tied to the I/O standard of each bank. Mixing bank voltages on a single rail will damage the I/O cells. The 240-pin QFP exposes many GND pins (one per quadrant) — all must be soldered for thermal dissipation. Estimated: idle current at room temperature for a fully-utilized 160 K gate design is approximately 200–400 mA on VCCINT; confirm with the APEX 20K power calculator in Quartus II 13.0sp1 before sizing the regulator.
The 240-pin QFP has 0.5 mm pitch gull-wing leads that require careful PCB footprint design: pad length should be 1.5–2.0 mm, pad width 0.3 mm, with solder mask slivers between pads. Thermal vias under the die-attach pad (although the APEX 20K 240-pin QFP does not have an exposed pad, unlike later BGA packages) are not required, but a continuous ground pour beneath the package reduces ground bounce on high-speed JTAG and configuration signals. Estimated: keep JTAG trace lengths under 50 mm to avoid signal-integrity issues at TCK frequencies above 10 MHz.
DCLK (configuration clock) and DATA0 lines are critical for passive-serial configuration — they must be length-matched within 5 mm and routed away from noisy switching nets. The nCONFIG, nSTATUS, and CONF_DONE lines are open-drain and require external 10 kΩ pull-ups to VCCIO of the bank they reside in. Designers should consult the APEX 20K Configuration Handbook for the exact pull-up voltage per bank; using 3.3 V on a 2.5 V bank will damage the I/O.
Compliance Information
Compliance status not explicitly stated in the verified web data. APEX 20K family predates the 2006 RoHS recast effective dates for many FPGA products, so many APEX 20K parts were originally Pb-free but the original datasheet compliance table is no longer maintained by Intel's legacy archive. Verify with the actual supplier's certificate of conformance (CoC) at order placement.
