EP20K400CF672I9 - APEX 20KC FPGA, 400K Gates, 672-BGA | Intel
MPN: EP20K400CF672I9 ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $185 | $185.00 |
| 10 | $165 | $1,650.00 |
| 100 | $145 | $14,500.00 |
| 250 | $132 | $33,000.00 |
| 500 | $120 | $60,000.00 |
EP20K400CF672I9 Overview
What is a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)? An FPGA is a type of programmable logic device that allows designers to configure digital logic blocks and interconnects after manufacture. FPGAs sit in the hierarchy of programmable logic devices (PLDs) -> complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs) -> FPGAs -> SoC FPGAs -> semiconductor ICs. The APEX 20KC family specifically combines Look-Up Table (LUT)-based logic with embedded content-addressable memory (CAM) and dual-port RAM, bridging the gap between traditional FPGAs and ASICs.
Key features of the EP20K400CF672I9 include 212,992 bits of embedded RAM, support for multiple I/O standards including LVTTL, LVCMOS, PCI, and LVDS, and an industrial-grade operating temperature range. The device supports 1.8 V core operation with selectable 1.8 V or 3.3 V I/O voltages, enabling flexible interfacing with surrounding digital logic. Its MultiVolt I/O architecture eliminates the need for external level shifters when bridging 1.8 V and 3.3 V domains.
The APEX 20KC architecture combines logic elements (LEs) with embedded system blocks (ESBs), where each ESB can be configured as dual-port RAM, single-port RAM, ROM, or CAM. This embedded memory bandwidth is critical for high-speed packet processing, FIFOs, and digital signal processing (DSP) pipelines. With 16,640 logic cells and a 250 MHz core clock, the EP20K400CF672I9 provides enough headroom for designs that previously required multiple lower-density FPGAs.
Typical applications include high-speed telecommunications switching, network routers and line cards, DSP co-processing, industrial automation controllers, and high-throughput data acquisition systems. The 672-BGA package and 250 MHz performance make it suitable for backbone equipment where I/O count and signal integrity matter. The I9 speed grade indicates an industrial operating range of -40°C to +85°C.
When designing with this device, ensure proper power decoupling with bulk and high-frequency capacitors on each VCC and VCCIO rail, and follow Altera's PCB layout guidelines for fine-pitch BGA packages. Signal integrity on high-speed LVDS pairs requires impedance-controlled routing. The device is now in the legacy/obsolete lifecycle as APEX 20KC has been superseded by newer Cyclone and Stratix families.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternative part numbers, and practical design considerations not found in the original manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for EP20K400CF672I9 — 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 EP20K400CF672I9 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, Process Technology, RoHS Status, Speed Grade, Series.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP20K400CF672I8N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$195 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K400CF672I8
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Contact for price
View Datasheet →EP20K400CF672C9
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$390.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K400CF672C9ES
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$168 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K400CF672C9N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$175 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K400CF672I9 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | APEX 20KC |
| Logic Elements | 16,640 cells |
| System Gates | 400,000 |
| Maximum Operating Frequency | 250 MHz |
| Embedded RAM | 212,992 bits |
| Embedded System Blocks (ESBs) | 104 |
| Process Technology | 0.15 µm CMOS |
| Core Voltage | 1.8 V |
| I/O Voltage | 1.8 V / 3.3 V (MultiVolt) |
| Package | 672-ball FC-FBGA (FineLine BGA) |
| Package Pitch | 1.0 mm |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to +85°C (Industrial) |
| Speed Grade | I9 (Industrial) |
| Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL) | 3 |
| Terminal Finish | e0 (Tin-Lead, per JESD-609) |
| RoHS Status | Non-compliant (e0 terminal finish indicates SnPb) |
EP20K400CF672I9 1.0 mm Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP20K400CF672I9 (1.0 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 EP20K400CF672I9.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP20K400CF672I9 is suitable for 6 applications: Telecommunications Line Card Processing, Industrial Automation Controllers, High-Throughput Data Acquisition Systems, DSP Co-Processing and Acceleration, Legacy Network Router and Switch Backplanes, Medical Imaging Pre-Processing Pipelines.
Telecommunications Line Card Processing
The EP20K400CF672I9's 16,640 logic elements and 212,992 bits of embedded RAM make it well suited for telecom line cards that require parallel data-path processing, packet buffering, and protocol termination. With a 250 MHz core clock and 488 user I/O pins in the 672-FBGA package, the device can handle multiple STM-1/OC-3 channels or Gigabit Ethernet MAC aggregation. The dual-port RAM ESBs enable FIFO structures for inter-stage data hand-off without external memory, and the industrial temperature rating supports outdoor cabinet deployment.
Recommended
Industrial Automation Controllers
The industrial operating temperature range of -40C to +85C and high logic density make the EP20K400CF672I9 appropriate for industrial motion-control and PLC backplane designs. The device's embedded CAM resources support real-time register tables for fast I/O scan updates, while the LUT-based logic elements implement custom motion-control algorithms and servo loop closures. The 1.8 V core with 1.8 V/3.3 V MultiVolt I/O simplifies interface to legacy 3.3 V sensors and actuators without external level translation.
Recommended
High-Throughput Data Acquisition Systems
With 488 user I/O and 250 MHz performance, the EP20K400CF672I9 is ideal for multi-channel data acquisition front-ends where parallel ADC samples must be buffered, timestamped, and pre-processed before forwarding to a host processor. The embedded system blocks (ESBs) provide dual-port RAM for sample buffering, while the LUT fabric implements digital down-conversion, filtering, and triggering logic. The 672-FBGA package supports controlled-impedance routing for LVDS data capture from high-speed ADCs.
Recommended
DSP Co-Processing and Acceleration
The 250 MHz maximum operating frequency and abundant embedded memory make the EP20K400CF672I9 a useful DSP co-processor for fixed-point filter chains, FFT engines, and custom modem functions. The architecture's LUT-based multipliers allow efficient implementation of distributed arithmetic FIR filters, while the dual-port RAM ESBs implement shift-register delay lines and twiddle-factor tables. The device pairs naturally with a host DSP or microprocessor via the PCI-compliant I/O banks for high-bandwidth data exchange.
Recommended
Legacy Network Router and Switch Backplanes
The EP20K400CF672I9 was widely deployed in mid-2000s enterprise routers and switches as the forwarding-engine or queuing manager, where its 488 I/O supported wide fabric interfaces and packet-classification tables. Replacement designs for aging equipment benefit from its exact pin-compatible drop-in upgrades (I8, I9 speed grades). The SRAM-based configuration allows in-system firmware updates during network maintenance windows, a feature still valued in operational telecom environments.
Recommended
Medical Imaging Pre-Processing Pipelines
Although not medical-grade certified, the EP20K400CF672I9's high logic density and embedded dual-port RAM have been used in research-grade medical imaging equipment for image acquisition pipelines and real-time pre-processing. The device buffers raw sensor data, applies pixel corrections, and reformats frames before handing them to a host workstation. The 1.8 V core minimizes power dissipation, important for enclosed imaging carts where thermal management is constrained.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP20K400CF672I9 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP20K400CF672I8N | EP20K400CF672I8 | EP20K400CF672C9 | EP20K400CF672C9ES | EP20K400CF672C9N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel |
| Package | 672-FBGA (FC-FBGA, 1.0 mm pitch) | 672-FBGA - same | 672-FBGA - same | 672-FBGA - same | 672-FBGA - same | 672-FBGA - same |
| Logic Elements | 16,640 | 16,640 | 16,640 | 16,640 | 16,640 | 16,640 |
| System Gates | 400,000 | 400,000 | 400,000 | 400,000 | 400,000 | 400,000 |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | 0C to +85C (Commercial) | 0C to +85C (Commercial) | 0C to +85C (Commercial) |
| Speed Grade | I9 | I8N (slower) | I8 (slower) | C9 | C9ES (engineering sample) | C9N |
| RoHS Status | Non-compliant (e0 SnPb) | Compliant (lead-free) | Non-compliant | Non-compliant | Non-compliant | Compliant (lead-free) |
| Process Technology | 0.15 µm CMOS | 0.15 µm CMOS | 0.15 µm CMOS | 0.15 µm CMOS | 0.15 µm CMOS | 0.15 µm CMOS |
| Core Voltage | 1.8 V | 1.8 V | 1.8 V | 1.8 V | 1.8 V | 1.8 V |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- Industrial-temperature speed grade I9 (vs EP20K400CF672C9)
- Legacy/obsolete lifecycle transparency (vs Newer Cyclone IV FPGA (EP4CE40F29C6N))
- Maximum user I/O density in 672-FBGA package (vs EP20K400CB652I9 (652-BGA))
Design Notes
The 672-ball FC-FBGA package with 1.0 mm pitch requires high-density PCB technology: minimum 4-layer stack-up with 0.5 oz copper, laser-drilled microvias, and ENIG or immersion tin surface finish. Route signals on inner layers with 50 ohm controlled impedance for LVDS pairs, and use ground pour stitching vias every 200 mil around the BGA field. Follow Altera AN75 (High-Speed Board Layout Guidelines) for via-in-pad and dog-bone fanout patterns.
The 1.8 V core and 1.8/3.3 V I/O rails require separate decoupling: bulk 47 µF tantalum or polymer caps at each rail entry, plus 0.1 µF and 1 nF ceramics within 100 mil of each VCC/VCCIO ball. The MultiVolt I/O architecture allows mixed-voltage signals on the same die without external level shifters, but unused I/O banks must still have their VCCIO pins powered to a valid voltage (do not leave floating).
Common pitfalls with APEX 20KC designs include: (1) confusing MSL 3 handling requirements - the device must be baked before reflow if exposed >168 hours, (2) forgetting the external configuration device (EPC16/EPC64) since SRAM FPGAs lose their bitstream at every power cycle, and (3) using non-volatile JTAG tools - the APEX 20KC requires legacy Quartus II 9.0sp2 programmer support, which is not included in modern Quartus Prime.
Estimated: at typical utilization (~70% LEs, 50% ESBs at 200 MHz), the 0.15 µm process dissipates approximately 1.5-2 W. The 672-FBGA package has a theta_JA of ~10 C/W with sufficient thermal vias, so junction temperature rise is ~15-20 C above ambient. Active cooling is generally not required, but ensure a continuous ground plane directly under the BGA for heat spreading.
Compliance Information
JESD-609 e0 terminal finish indicates tin-lead (SnPb) ball composition - non-RoHS. For RoHS-compliant versions, choose EP20K400CF672I8N or EP20K400CF672C9N variants. Not AEC-Q100 qualified. Industrial temperature grade only, not automotive-grade certified.
