EP20K300EQC240-2 - 300K Gate APEX-20KE FPGA, 240-PQFP | Altera
MPN: EP20K300EQC240-2 ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $145 | $145.00 |
| 10 | $130 | $1,300.00 |
| 100 | $115 | $11,500.00 |
| 500 | $99.5 | $49,750.00 |
| 1,000 | $89 | $89,000.00 |
EP20K300EQC240-2 Overview
An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) is a type of programmable logic device (PLD) that combines the high integration of an ASIC with the design flexibility of in-system reprogrammability. Within the broader semiconductor taxonomy, FPGAs sit between fixed-function Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) and software-programmable microcontrollers. The APEX-20KE family specifically targets System-on-a-Programmable-Chip (SOPC) integration, combining logic, embedded memory, and high-speed I/O on a single MultiCore™ architecture die.
Key features of the EP20K300EQC240-2 include 147,456 bits of embedded RAM, 152 maximum user I/Os, and support for high-speed LVDS, PCI, and other I/O standards through programmable I/O buffers. The -2 speed grade positions this part between the -1 (slower) and -3 (faster) variants, offering a balanced speed-versus-cost tradeoff for volume production designs that do not need the highest-grade timing margin.
Architecturally, the APEX-20KE family integrates embedded system blocks (ESBs) for efficient memory and arithmetic functions alongside Look-Up Table (LUT) based logic elements. This MultiCore™ architecture enables designers to map wide datapaths, FIFO buffers, and DSP-like functions directly into silicon, reducing external component count compared to older PLD families.
Typical applications include telecommunications line cards, industrial control and factory automation backplanes, PCI bridge logic, video processing front-ends, and legacy data-acquisition systems. The 240-PQFP footprint is suitable for prototype builds and low-to-medium volume production where fine-pitch BGAs are not required.
Designers should pay close attention to I/O banking and supply rail grouping — APEX-20KE devices require multiple VCCINT and VCCIO rails that must be decoupled close to the package. Quartus II design software (legacy versions 5.0–9.1) supports this device family for synthesis, place-and-route, and bitstream generation.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in APEX-20KE alternatives, parametric comparisons, and practical design notes not found on the manufacturer datasheet, helping sourcing engineers and FPGA designers evaluate the EP20K300EQC240-2 against modern and legacy alternatives.
Drop-in alternatives for EP20K300EQC240-2 — 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 EP20K300EQC240-2 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Family, Series, Operating Temperature, Package, Package / Case.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP20K300EQC240-1
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP20K300EQC240-3
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$87.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K300EQC240-2X
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$140 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K300EQC240-2N
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP20K200EQC240-2
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$14 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K400EQC240-2
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP20K300EQC240-2 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | APEX-20KE® |
| Series | APEX 20K |
| System Gates | 300,000 |
| Logic Elements / Cells | 11,520 |
| Embedded Memory (bits) | 147,456 |
| Maximum User I/Os | 152 |
| Internal Frequency (max) | 160 MHz |
| Propagation Delay | 1.68 ns |
| Process Technology | 0.22 µm CMOS |
| Core Supply Voltage | 1.8 V |
| Speed Grade | -2 |
| Package / Case | 240-BFQFP (PQFP, 32x32 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (Gull-Wing) |
| Logic Family | CMOS |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to 85 °C (Commercial) |
| I/O Standards | LVTTL, LVCMOS, PCI, LVDS (programmable) |
| Architecture | MultiCore™ with embedded system blocks (ESBs) |
| Programming Tool | Quartus II (legacy versions) |
EP20K300EQC240-2 240-bfqfp (pqfp, 32x32 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP20K300EQC240-2 (240-bfqfp (pqfp, 32x32 mm) 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 EP20K300EQC240-2.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP20K300EQC240-2 is suitable for 6 applications: Telecommunications Line Card Interface Logic, Industrial Control and Factory Automation Backplanes, Legacy PCI Bus Bridge and Adapter Logic, Video Processing and Image Pre-Processing Front-Ends, Data Acquisition and Test & Measurement Instrumentation, Aerospace and Defense Legacy Avionics Retrofit.
Telecommunications Line Card Interface Logic
The EP20K300EQC240-2 is well-suited for legacy telecom line-card designs that require medium-density glue logic, TDM bus multiplexing, and ATM/Ethernet MAC interfacing at rates up to 155 Mbps. Its 300K-gate capacity is sufficient to absorb HDLC controllers, UTOPIA-2 interfaces, and time-slot crossbar switching that previously required multiple CPLDs. The 240-PQFP package is large enough to expose 152 user I/Os, enabling direct connection to 16-bit SRAM/SDRAM and parallel datapath buses without external transceivers. Designers can map Soft-IP cores (e.g., UART, SPI, I2C, 8b/10b encoder) into the LUT fabric alongside state-machine logic, replacing what previously required two or three discrete PLDs. Source: Altera APEX-20KE datasheet and application note AN-164.
Recommended
Industrial Control and Factory Automation Backplanes
In industrial PLC and DCS backplane designs, the EP20K300EQC240-2 can host custom protocol bridges (PROFIBUS, Modbus, EtherCAT slave), encoder counters, and PWM generators. The 147 Kbit of embedded RAM (implemented as embedded system blocks / ESBs) is sufficient to buffer FIFO data between backplane domains and the host CPU. Its commercial 0–85 °C temperature range is acceptable for cabinet-enclosed equipment, and the PQFP package allows hand-reworkable prototypes on FR-4 PCBs. Designers targeting harsh industrial environments should select the industrial-temperature -2N or -2X variant from the same family instead. The MultiCore™ architecture allows safe partitioning of safety-relevant logic from non-safety logic, simplifying IEC 61508 SIL-2 implementations.
Recommended
Legacy PCI Bus Bridge and Adapter Logic
The EP20K300EQC240-2 can implement a full 32-bit/33 MHz PCI target or master bridge entirely in programmable logic, replacing the discontinued discrete PCI controller ASICs that were common in late-1990s designs. Its 300K-gate capacity is sufficient for the PCI core plus DMA engine, scatter-gather descriptor logic, and interrupt controller on a single device. The 152 user I/Os allow direct connection to a 32-bit PCI bus (47 signals), local SRAM (24+ signals), and host interrupt routing, with headroom for JTAG and configuration pins. Designers must use Quartus II 9.1 or earlier and reference Altera's PCI Compiler MegaWizard to generate the IP core. This is the most common legacy use case for this part in industrial, medical, and military retrofit projects.
Recommended
Video Processing and Image Pre-Processing Front-Ends
For legacy video capture cards and broadcast equipment, the EP20K300EQC240-2 can implement video input decoders, ITU-R BT.656 formatters, deinterlacers, and on-screen display (OSD) overlay engines. The 11,520 logic elements provide enough capacity for medium-resolution (up to 1024x768) pixel pipelines with simple 2D FIR filtering. The 147 Kbit of embedded RAM can be configured as line buffers and lookup tables for color-space conversion. The 240-PQFP package exposes enough I/O to interface directly with Philips SAA7111 / SAA7121 video decoder/encoder companion ICs. This is a typical design pattern from the early-2000s broadcast equipment market that still requires maintenance and replacement-parts support today.
Recommended
Data Acquisition and Test & Measurement Instrumentation
The EP20K300EQC240-2 is well-suited for medium-channel-count data acquisition front-ends where it can host custom trigger logic, time-stamping, and pre-trigger capture buffers. Its 300K-gate capacity allows designers to integrate multiple independent acquisition channels with their own state machines on a single device, replacing what previously required discrete TTL glue logic. The 147 Kbit of embedded RAM can buffer 8K samples per channel in 16-bit precision, sufficient for transient capture. Its LVDS-capable I/O supports direct interfacing with high-speed ADCs (e.g., 14-bit / 100 MSPS) without external transceivers. The 240-PQFP package is suitable for prototype builds and low-volume T&M equipment that still ships in production today.
Recommended
Aerospace and Defense Legacy Avionics Retrofit
The EP20K300EQC240-2 is found in older military and avionics platforms (radar signal conditioning, navigation display controllers, MIL-STD-1553 bridge logic) where long-term sustainment requires continued sourcing of the original Altera part. Its deterministic LUT-based architecture offers predictable timing margins for safety-critical subsystems. The PQFP package is preferred over BGAs in retrofit programs because it allows hand-reworkable assembly on legacy FR-4 PCBs that may not meet modern BGA soldering requirements. Defense programs typically procure this part through Rochester Electronics, which holds factory-traceable inventory and AS6081 anti-counterfeit certification. Lifecycle extension programs are the primary use case for new purchases of this part in 2026.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP20K300EQC240-2 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP20K300EQC240-1 | EP20K300EQC240-3 | EP20K300EQC240-2X | EP20K200EQC240-2 | EP20K400EQC240-2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 240-PQFP (BFQFP), 32x32 mm | 240-PQFP (BFQFP) - same | 240-PQFP (BFQFP) - same | 240-PQFP (BFQFP) - same | 240-PQFP (BFQFP) - same | 240-PQFP (BFQFP) - same |
| Brand | Altera (now Intel) | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera |
| Family | APEX-20KE | APEX-20KE | APEX-20KE | APEX-20KE | APEX-20KE | APEX-20KE |
| Speed Grade | -2 | -1 (slower) | -3 (faster) | -2 (same) | -2 (same) | -2 (same) |
| System Gates | 300,000 | 300,000 (same) | 300,000 (same) | 300,000 (same) | 200,000 (-33%) | 400,000 (+33%) |
| Logic Elements | 11,520 | 11,520 (same) | 11,520 (same) | 11,520 (same) | ~8,320 (-28%) | ~16,640 (+44%) |
| Embedded RAM | 147,456 bits | 147,456 bits (same) | 147,456 bits (same) | 147,456 bits (same) | 106,496 bits | 212,992 bits |
| Maximum User I/Os | 152 | 152 (same) | 152 (same) | 152 (same) | 152 (same) | 152 (same) |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to 85 °C (Commercial) | 0 °C to 85 °C | 0 °C to 85 °C | Extended / Pb-free | 0 °C to 85 °C | 0 °C to 85 °C |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete / Limited stock | Obsolete | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- Pin-compatible drop-in across all APEX-20KE 240-PQFP capacity points (vs EP20K200EQC240-2 and EP20K400EQC240-2)
- Same 240-PQFP footprint as -1 and -3 speed grades for timing-only upgrades (vs EP20K300EQC240-1 and EP20K300EQC240-3)
- Mid-tier speed grade (-2) balances cost and timing margin (vs EP20K300EQC240-3)
Design Notes
The APEX-20KE family requires multiple separate supply rails: VCCINT (1.8 V core), VCCIO (per bank, 1.8/2.5/3.3 V configurable), VCC_PLL (analog PLL supply, requires RC filtering), and VREF pins for voltage-referenced I/O standards. Each rail must have a bulk 100 µF tantalum or polymer capacitor near the package plus 0.1 µF ceramic decoupling at every supply pin pair. According to the Altera APEX-20KE datasheet, inrush current during configuration can spike to several amps, so the regulator must be sized accordingly with adequate headroom.
Estimated: At 100% toggle rate and 50% utilization across all 11,520 logic elements at 160 MHz on a 0.22 µm CMOS process, total core power dissipation may exceed 1.5 W. The 240-PQFP package has a relatively high θJA (~30 °C/W) in still air, so junction temperature rise above ambient could reach 45 °C, leaving only ~40 °C of headroom to the 85 °C commercial limit. For designs running at higher ambient temperatures, forced-air cooling or the industrial-temperature -2N variant is required. Always measure thermal performance with a thermocouple on the package top in the final chassis.
The 240-PQFP package uses 0.5 mm pin pitch gull-wing leads that require careful PCB layout: each pad should have a length of at least 1.5 mm for reliable solder fillet formation, and trace exits must use dog-bone fanouts to inner power planes. Use a 4-layer stack-up with continuous ground plane directly under the device for return-path integrity, and place all decoupling capacitors on the opposite side directly below their respective supply pins. Avoid running high-speed signals (>50 MHz) under the device footprint to prevent crosstalk into the package cavity.
Three common pitfalls when designing with the EP20K300EQC240-2: (1) Using Quartus II 10.0 or newer — these versions do NOT support the APEX-20KE family and will refuse to compile. Pin Quartus II 9.1 SP2 or earlier. (2) Forgetting that configuration pins (nCONFIG, nSTATUS, CONF_DONE) require external pull-up resistors to VCCIO if not driven by an external host — leaving them floating causes configuration failure. (3) Treating the -1/-2/-3 speed-grade parts as identical for timing — the -1 grade is ~10-15% slower, and designs that close timing on -2 may fail on -1.
Differential pair signals (LVDS, LVPECL) must be routed with 100 Ω differential impedance and matched lengths within 100 mils to meet APEX-20KE timing budgets. Clock inputs (CLK0–CLK3) should be routed with controlled 50 Ω impedance and isolated from switching signals by a ground guard trace. JTAG chain signals (TMS, TCK, TDO, TDI) should be pulled up to VCCIO at the device end to prevent spurious configuration entry during power-up. Source: Altera AN-224 'APEX-20KE High-Speed Board Layout Guidelines'.
Compliance Information
Compliance status was not present in the verified web data; RoHS / lead-free finish must be confirmed from the specific distributor lot (look for the -X or -N suffix on the part number). Part is not automotive-qualified.
