EP20K200BC484-1X - APEX-20K 200K-Gate FPGA 382 I/O 484-BGA | Altera
MPN: EP20K200BC484-1X ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $142.5 | $142.50 |
| 10 | $128.25 | $1,282.50 |
| 100 | $99.75 | $9,975.00 |
| 250 | $86.4 | $21,600.00 |
| 500 | $75.1 | $37,550.00 |
EP20K200BC484-1X Overview
An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) is a class of programmable logic device (PLD) containing an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs) connected through a programmable interconnect matrix, allowing designers to implement arbitrary digital circuits after PCB fabrication. FPGAs sit hierarchically under programmable logic > programmable logic device (PLD) > semiconductor > integrated circuit, and the APEX-20K family in particular introduced embedded memory and on-chip RAM (ESBs, Embedded System Blocks) that blurred the line between traditional FPGA fabric and embedded SRAM. The BC484-1X speed grade denotes a fine-pitch BGA with the slowest commercial speed bin.
Key features of the EP20K200BC484-1X include 8320 logic elements (LEs), 106496 RAM bits organized in Embedded System Blocks (ESBs), 382 maximum user I/Os, multi-volt core and I/O operation, in-system programmability via the IEEE 1149.1 JTAG interface, and built-in support for ClockLock™ and ClockBoost™ PLL circuitry. The wide logic capacity and large memory footprint make it suitable for data-path heavy designs such as protocol bridges and telecom interfaces.
The APEX-20K architecture combines four-input look-up tables (LUTs) with ESBs that can be configured as RAM, ROM, or content-addressable memory (CAM). Its LUT-based fabric supports both arithmetic and registered logic, while the ESBs share routing with adjacent logic to provide a dense mix of computation and storage without leaving the chip. This architecture was widely adopted in telecom, networking, and high-speed DSP glue-logic designs in the early 2000s.
Typical applications for the EP20K200BC484-1X include telecommunications equipment (SONET/SDH framer and mapper glue logic), networking line cards (bridges, switches, and protocol converters), DSP co-processing and datapath acceleration, image and video processing front-ends, and test-and-measurement custom instrumentation. The 382 available user I/Os are particularly suited to wide parallel bus interfaces such as PCI, UTOPIA, and proprietary DSP coprocessor buses.
When designing with this part, engineers should consider that the EP20K200BC484-1X is a legacy product originally introduced by Altera (now Intel PSG/Agilex genealogy). New designs should target Cyclone, Arria, or Stratix equivalents, and existing boards should ensure JTAG chain and configuration PROM compatibility. Heat dissipation in the 484-BGA at full I/O toggle is non-trivial - a well-designed thermal copper pour is recommended.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives from the same APEX-20K family, and practical design notes not found in the original Altera datasheet - giving engineers a single verified reference for procurement and second-source decisions.
Drop-in alternatives for EP20K200BC484-1X — 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 EP20K200BC484-1X (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Speed Grade, Operating Temperature, Family, Series, Package.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP20K200BC484-2X
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$95 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K200BC484-3
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP20K200FC484-1X
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP20K200BC484-1XV
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP20K200EBC652-1X
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$142 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K200BC484-1X Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Family | APEX-20K |
| Series | EP20K200 |
| Logic Elements / Cells | 8320 |
| Total RAM Bits | 106496 |
| Number of I/O | 382 |
| Number of Logic Gates | 200000 |
| Package Type | 484-BBGA (Fine-pitch Ball Grid Array) |
| Package Suffix | BC484 |
| Speed Grade | -1 (slowest commercial grade) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Configuration Method | SRAM - external serial/parallel PROM |
| JTAG Support | IEEE 1149.1 boundary-scan |
| PLL | ClockLock / ClockBoost |
| Embedded Memory Blocks | Embedded System Blocks (ESBs) - RAM/ROM/CAM |
EP20K200BC484-1X bc484 Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP20K200BC484-1X (bc484 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 EP20K200BC484-1X.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP20K200BC484-1X is suitable for 6 applications: Telecommunications Line-Card Glue Logic, Networking Bridge and Switch Fabrics, DSP Co-Processor Datapath Acceleration, Image and Video Processing Front-End, Custom Test and Measurement Instrumentation, Industrial Control and Protocol Converter.
Telecommunications Line-Card Glue Logic
The EP20K200BC484-1X's 8320 logic elements, 106496 ESB-based RAM bits, and 382 user I/Os make it well-suited for telecom line-card glue logic, where SONET/SDH framer-mapper hand-off, UTOPIA bus interfaces, and protocol-conversion state machines are implemented. Its embedded dual-port RAM enables small FIFO buffers and lookup tables without external memory. The 484-BGA package exposes wide parallel buses for PHY interconnect. Place the device adjacent to the PHY with controlled-impedance traces, and confirm the configuration PROM (EPC) bitstream is revision-matched before board bring-up to avoid JTAG chain issues.
Recommended
Networking Bridge and Switch Fabrics
In managed Ethernet switches and protocol bridges, the EP20K200BC484-1X implements MAC-layer glue logic, VLAN tagging, and forwarding-table lookups. Its ESBs can be configured as CAM for address-table storage, eliminating external TCAM. The 382 I/O pins accept multi-port GMII/RGMII buses from PHYs. The SRAM configuration permits in-field firmware updates, while the JTAG chain supports boundary-scan on assembled boards. Engineers should provision 1.8V/2.5V I/O banks to match PHY logic levels and verify ClockLock PLL jitter for sub-100 ps timing budget.
Recommended
DSP Co-Processor Datapath Acceleration
The EP20K200BC484-1X serves as a programmable co-processor alongside a host DSP, offloading FIR filters, FFTs, and CRC engines. Its 8320 LUTs can implement multiplier-accumulators in distributed arithmetic, while the 106496-bit ESBs act as coefficient/data buffers. The 382 I/Os support parallel HPI or EMIF host interfaces. The -1X speed grade targets commercial timing budgets around 80 MHz; designers should pipeline aggressively. Heat dissipation from high toggle rates is mitigated by a thermal copper pour under the 484-BGA.
Recommended
Image and Video Processing Front-End
In video capture and pre-processing pipelines, the EP20K200BC484-1X handles pixel-level operations such as color-space conversion, de-interlacing, and scaling. Its wide 382-I/O footprint accepts parallel ITU-R BT.656 or Camera Link inputs, and ESBs serve as line buffers. The LUT-based fabric allows real-time reconfiguration for varying pixel rates. The 484-BGA package supports the high pin density required by 24/30/36-bit parallel video buses. Engineers should carefully control impedance on the parallel video bus and place decoupling within 100 mil of each BGA quadrant.
Recommended
Custom Test and Measurement Instrumentation
The EP20K200BC484-1X is used in PXI and VXI modular instruments where custom pattern generation, custom timing engines, and parallel protocol decode must be implemented on demand. Its 382 I/Os drive or sample parallel DUT buses, while ESBs store test vectors and signature-analysis logs. The JTAG-supported in-system programming lets labs swap firmware without hardware rework. The 484-BGA package suits high-channel-count cards where front-panel connector pitch matches the FPGA's I/O geometry. Designers should isolate analog sections with a ground moat around the FPGA.
Recommended
Industrial Control and Protocol Converter
The EP20K200BC484-1X bridges legacy industrial buses (Profibus, DeviceNet, RS-485 multi-drop) to modern Ethernet or serial protocols. Its ESBs serve as message buffers, while LUTs implement CRC, framing, and PLC logic. The 382 I/Os allow multi-drop serial transceivers to be connected without external glue logic. The commercial temperature range (0C to +85C) fits most factory-floor enclosures. Designers should add transient suppression on industrial I/O and use the ClockLock PLL to drive isolated RS-485 PHYs with low jitter.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP20K200BC484-1X — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP20K200BC484-2X | EP20K200BC484-3 | EP20K200FC484-1X | EP20K200BC484-1XV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera |
| Package | 484-BBGA (BC484) | 484-BBGA (BC484) - same | 484-BBGA (BC484) - same | 484-BBGA (FC484) - pitch variant | 484-BBGA (BC484) - same |
| Logic Elements | 8320 LEs | 8320 LEs | 8320 LEs | 8320 LEs | 8320 LEs |
| System Gates | 200000 | 200000 | 200000 | 200000 | 200000 |
| Embedded RAM | 106496 bits | 106496 bits | 106496 bits | 106496 bits | 106496 bits |
| Maximum User I/O | 382 | 382 | 382 | 382 | 382 |
| Speed Grade | -1X (slowest commercial) | -2X (faster) | -3 (fastest) | -1X (same) | -1X (same) |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- Largest single-die APEX-20K in the 200K-gate class with 484-BGA (vs EP20K200BC356-1)
- Slowest speed grade offers the lowest cost within EP20K200 family (vs EP20K200BC484-3)
- First Altera APEX family with embedded system blocks (ESBs) (vs Altera FLEX 10K family)
Design Notes
The 484-BGA package requires via-in-pad or dog-bone fan-out routing. Use 0.5 mm pitch BGAs with microvia stack-ups (e.g., 4-layer 1+2+1) to maintain signal integrity on parallel buses. Place decoupling capacitors (0.1 uF and 0.01 uF) within 100 mil of each BGA power quadrant to suppress VCCIO/VCCINT switching noise.
The SRAM-based APEX-20K loses configuration on power-down. An external Altera EPC-series configuration PROM (EPC2, EPC16, EPC8) is mandatory. Verify that the PROM device ID matches the Quartus II-generated bitstream - mismatched PROMs cause JTAG configuration failures and silent brick-out at first power-up.
Estimated: at 80 MHz toggle on 200 I/O pins with 20 pF load, dynamic power is approximately 200-300 mW. With theta_JA around 12 C/W for a 484-BGA on 1 sq-in copper pour, junction-to-ambient rise is well under 5C. However, at 100% utilization across all pins, thermal relief via internal power planes is recommended.
The 382 user I/Os of the EP20K200BC484-1X span multiple I/O banks. Each bank has a single VCCIO supply; mixing SSTL, LVTTL, and PCI I/O standards within a bank is not allowed. Designate bank voltages (3.3V/2.5V/1.8V) in the Quartus pin-planner before layout to avoid bank-voltage conflicts.
Compliance Information
The original Altera APEX-20K family shipped before RoHS Phase 2 enforcement; the -1XV suffix variants may be lead-free. RoHS/REACH lead-free status is not confirmed in available data. AEC-Q100 is not applicable for FPGAs targeting commercial telecom/networking. Confirm via lot-specific manufacturer certificate.
