EP20K400CF672C7GA - APEX-20KC FPGA 400K Gates 672-BGA | Intel
MPN: EP20K400CF672C7GA ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $145 | $145.00 |
| 10 | $132.5 | $1,325.00 |
| 100 | $118.75 | $11,875.00 |
| 250 | $105 | $26,250.00 |
| 500 | $92.5 | $46,250.00 |
EP20K400CF672C7GA Overview
An FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is a reconfigurable semiconductor device whose logic fabric, block RAM, and I/O can be programmed after PCB assembly, enabling rapid prototyping and late-stage design changes. Within the broader taxonomy, FPGAs sit above CPLDs in density and complexity, below structured ASICs in NRE cost, and are typically classified as programmable logic devices (PLDs) or, more broadly, semiconductor ICs. The APEX 20KC family was specifically engineered for high-performance system-on-a-chip designs requiring DSP, communications, and bus-interface functions.
Key features of the EP20K400CF672C7GA include 400,000 typical gates, a 2.5V core supply (VCCINT), multi-standard I/O supporting LVTTL, LVCMOS, PCI, and GTL+ signaling, dedicated phase-locked loops (PLLs) for clock management, and JTAG-based IEEE 1149.1 boundary-scan test. The 672-pin FineLine BGA package offers high-density board mounting with controlled-impedance routing for high-speed signals.
The APEX-20KC architecture pairs 4-input LUTs with ESB (Embedded System Block) memory and a MultiCore interconnect, giving designers simultaneous access to register-rich datapaths and distributed memory. With 488 logic array blocks (LABs) and 16,640 RAM bits, the device efficiently implements bus interfaces, FIFO queues, and DSP pipelines.
Typical applications include telecommunications line cards, high-speed data acquisition systems, network switches, digital signal processing engines, and ASIC prototyping platforms. The C7 speed grade (7 ns pin-to-pin logic) targets commercial-temperature designs requiring deterministic timing closure.
Designers should plan for 2.5V core and 3.3V I/O supply decoupling within 1 cm of the device, maintain controlled-impedance traces on all high-speed I/O, and follow Altera's APEX 20K fan-out and JTAG-chain guidelines. The 672-BGA footprint requires multilayer PCB stack-up with microvia technology for escape routing.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet. Verify all timing parameters against the latest APEX-20KC handbook before committing to production.
Drop-in alternatives for EP20K400CF672C7GA — 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 EP20K400CF672C7GA (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, Process Technology, Speed Grade, Package, Family.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP20K400CF672C7
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$195 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K400CF672C-7
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$171 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K400CF672C-8
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$95 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K400CF672C-7ES
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$132 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K400CF672C7ES
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$152 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K400CF672C7GA Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Series | APEX-20KC |
| Logic Elements | 212992 |
| Number of LABs/CLBs | 488 |
| Total RAM Bits | 16640 |
| Number of Gates | 400000 |
| Voltage - Supply | 2.5 V core |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Package / Case | 672-BBGA (FineLine BGA) |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +85C |
| Speed Grade | C7 (7 ns pin-to-pin) |
| Process Technology | 0.18 um CMOS |
| Programming Method | In-System Programmable (ISP) via JTAG |
EP20K400CF672C7GA 672-bbga (fineline bga) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP20K400CF672C7GA (672-bbga (fineline 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 EP20K400CF672C7GA.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP20K400CF672C7GA is suitable for 6 applications: Telecommunications Line Cards, High-Speed Data Acquisition Systems, Network Switches and Routers, Digital Signal Processing Engines, ASIC Prototyping Platforms, Industrial Control and Automation.
Telecommunications Line Cards
The EP20K400CF672C7GA's 212,992 logic elements and 488 LABs deliver the register-rich datapaths needed for telecommunications line cards. The APEX-20KC MultiCore interconnect efficiently maps bus interfaces such as UTOPIA, POS-PHY, and TDM framers, while the device's 488 LABs handle protocol processing and packet classification. The 7 ns C7 speed grade meets deterministic timing for STS-1/STM-1 line rates at 155 Mbps, and the 672-BGA footprint supports the high I/O count required for multi-port line interfaces. Designers typically pair it with external PHY devices for serializer/deserializer functions.
Recommended
High-Speed Data Acquisition Systems
For high-speed data acquisition, the EP20K400CF672C7GA provides 16,640 RAM bits of distributed memory for sample buffering and 400K gates for parallel DSP pipelines. Its 2.5V core and multi-standard I/O support direct interface to LVTTL and LVCMOS ADCs running at 100+ MSPS. The MultiCore architecture lets designers instantiate multiple FIR filters, FFT engines, or correlators in parallel, with deterministic latency enabled by the device's PLL-based clock management. The 672-BGA footprint also supports the high pin count required for parallel ADC data buses and trigger/clock distribution.
Recommended
Network Switches and Routers
The EP20K400CF672C7GA integrates well in network switch and router designs that require deep FIFO buffers and wide datapath processing. Its ESB (Embedded System Block) memory supports dual-port RAM configurations ideal for packet buffering, while the 488 LABs implement CAM lookup engines and QoS classifiers. Multi-standard I/O support for GTL+ and LVTTL enables direct interface to PHY/MAC devices, and the JTAG-based ISP simplifies in-field firmware updates across deployed switch fabrics. The 672-BGA package accommodates the high I/O count typical of multi-port gigabit switch designs.
Recommended
Digital Signal Processing Engines
APEX-20KC's MultiCore architecture maps DSP functions such as FIR filters, FFT butterflies, and adaptive equalizers efficiently across its 488 LABs. The EP20K400CF672C7GA's 16,640 RAM bits serve as coefficient storage and pipeline registers, while its 2.5V core and high-performance logic deliver the throughput needed for multi-channel DSP. Designers can instantiate parallel DSP pipelines for software-defined radio, video processing, or audio codec acceleration, with deterministic timing enforced by the C7 speed grade and on-chip PLLs.
Recommended
ASIC Prototyping Platforms
With up to 400K gates and 672 user I/O in a single package, the EP20K400CF672C7GA serves as a high-density ASIC prototyping vehicle. Engineers map RTL designs into APEX-20KC's LUT-based logic and ESB memory to validate functionality before committing to mask production. The device's JTAG-based ISP accelerates design iteration, and its MultiCore interconnect preserves timing closure across large designs. The 672-BGA package also matches the I/O count and signal density typical of mid-complexity ASICs, easing the prototype-to-production transition.
Recommended
Industrial Control and Automation
For industrial control systems, the EP20K400CF672C7GA provides the logic density and I/O flexibility to integrate motor control, sensor fusion, and communication interfaces in a single device. Its multi-standard I/O (LVTTL, LVCMOS, PCI, GTL+) supports direct interface to industrial sensors and actuators, while the on-chip PLLs enable precise timing for PWM generation and quadrature decoding. The C7 speed grade and industrial-compatible I/O standards make it suitable for factory automation, robotic controllers, and process control platforms requiring deterministic real-time response.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP20K400CF672C7GA — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP20K400CF672C7 | EP20K400CF672C-7 | EP20K400CF672C-8 | EP20K400CF672C-7ES | EP20K400CF672C7ES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 672-BBGA | 672-BBGA - same | 672-BBGA - same | 672-BBGA - same | 672-BBGA - same | 672-BBGA - same |
| Brand | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) - same | Intel (Altera) - same | Intel (Altera) - same | Intel (Altera) - same | Intel (Altera) - same |
| Series | APEX-20KC | APEX-20KC | APEX-20KC | APEX-20KC | APEX-20KC | APEX-20KC |
| Logic Elements | 212992 | 212992 | 212992 | 212992 | 212992 | 212992 |
| Total Gates | 400000 | 400000 | 400000 | 400000 | 400000 | 400000 |
| Number of LABs | 488 | 488 | 488 | 488 | 488 | 488 |
| RAM Bits | 16640 | 16640 | 16640 | 16640 | 16640 | 16640 |
| Speed Grade | C7 (7 ns) | C7 (7 ns) | C-7 (7 ns) | C-8 (8 ns, slower) | C-7 (engineering sample) | C7 (engineering sample) |
| Core Voltage | 2.5 V | 2.5 V | 2.5 V | 2.5 V | 2.5 V | 2.5 V |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- 400K gate density in single 672-BGA package (vs EP20K300EFC672-2)
- C7 fastest speed grade in APEX-20KC family (vs EP20K400CF672C-8)
- Identical pinout across all 672-BGA speed grades (vs EP20K400CB652I7)
Design Notes
The 672-BGA FineLine package requires multilayer PCB stack-up with microvia technology for signal escape. According to Intel layout guidelines, allocate at least 4 routing layers with continuous GND planes beneath the device. Use 0.5 mm pitch BGA fanout with dog-bone or via-in-pad patterns depending on PCB fabricator capability. Maintain 50 ohm controlled impedance on all high-speed I/O traces and 100 ohm differential for LVDS pairs where supported.
Decouple the 2.5V VCCINT and 3.3V VCCIO rails within 1 cm of the device using bulk and high-frequency ceramic capacitors. APEX-20KC power estimation: estimated dynamic current is approximately 1 mA per MHz per 1000 logic elements; at full 212992-element utilization, decouple with at least 100 uF bulk and 0.1 uF + 0.01 uF ceramics per VCC/VCCIO pin group. Use Intel's PowerPlay early estimator for accurate pre-layout power analysis.
Route all global clock networks through dedicated PLL outputs and use IBIS models for signal-integrity simulation on high-speed I/O. Place JTAG TDI/TDO/TMS/TCK pins with short traces and series-damping resistors if signals exceed 50 MHz. Reference the APEX-20KC handbook for I/O bank grouping rules - VCCIO must be common across each bank for compatibility with chosen I/O standard.
Common pitfalls include: omitting the JTAG chain initialization pull-up resistors on TCK and TMS (causes programming failure); mixing I/O standards within a single bank without common VCCIO (causes ESD damage); exceeding the maximum I/O toggle rate of 250 MHz on LVTTL outputs; failing to configure nCONFIG and nSTATUS pull-ups (prevents configuration); and ignoring configuration mode pin settings (selects between AS, AP, PS, JTAG modes).
Compliance Information
RoHS, REACH, lead-free, and halogen-free status not provided in the verified web data for EP20K400CF672C7GA. APEX-20KC family pre-dates strict RoHS documentation in Intel's product database; check individual datasheet for specific compliance markings. AEC-Q100 not applicable - this is a commercial-grade FPGA.
