EP20K400EBC652-1 - APEX-20KE FPGA, 400K Gates, 488 I/O, 652-BGA | Altera
MPN: EP20K400EBC652-1 ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $156.5417 | $156.54 |
| 10 | $145 | $1,450.00 |
| 50 | $132 | $6,600.00 |
| 100 | $122 | $12,200.00 |
| 500 | $110 | $55,000.00 |
EP20K400EBC652-1 Overview
An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) is a type of integrated circuit whose internal logic blocks, routing, and I/O cells are user-defined after manufacture, enabling designers to implement custom digital logic, glue logic, bus bridges, DSP datapaths, and even full soft-processor systems. FPGAs sit at the top of the programmable-logic hierarchy (FPGA > CPLD > PLD > programmable logic) and are used whenever time-to-market, field reconfigurability, or per-unit logic density cannot be served by a fixed ASIC. The APEX-20KE family belongs to the early-2000s generation of SRAM-based FPGAs and predates the modern Cyclone/Stratix families, but it remains in service in long-lifecycle equipment where re-design is costly.
Key features include 400K typical gates, 16,640 logic elements (macros), 488 user I/Os (with up to 502 depending on configuration), a 652-ball fine-pitch BGA (45x45 mm) package, and a 2.5V I/O supply with 1.71V to 1.89V core supply range. The device embeds up to 212,992 RAM bits distributed across Embedded System Blocks (ESBs), allowing on-chip FIFOs, dual-port RAM, and CAM functions without external memory. Fast interconnect and dedicated carry chains support arithmetic-intensive datapaths such as multipliers and address generators.
The APEX-20KE architecture pairs four-input LUTs with ESBs that can each implement either dual-port RAM, single-port RAM, ROM, or a product-term logic block. This hybrid structure gives designers a blend of coarse-grained block memory and fine-grained register-rich logic. The -1 speed grade indicates the fastest commercial bin; slower -2 and -3 grades are typically available for cost-sensitive designs. Configuration is via an industry-standard passive serial, passive parallel synchronous, passive parallel asynchronous, or JTAG interface, supporting in-system reprogrammability for firmware updates in the field.
Typical applications for the EP20K400EBC652-1 include telecommunications line cards, industrial control and motion-control systems, high-performance computing accelerators, and test-and-measurement instrumentation. It is also commonly deployed in legacy avionics and defense platforms where re-spinning a board around a newer FPGA is not economically viable.
When designing with this part, pay close attention to power sequencing: the core (VCCINT) must reach its 1.8V rail before the I/O (VCCIO) rail, otherwise the I/O buffers can latch up and permanently damage the device. Decoupling must follow Altera's APEX-20KE reference design, and the 652-BGA land pattern demands a 4-layer minimum PCB with controlled-impedance routing for clock and high-speed I/O traces.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, same-package alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, giving engineers a one-stop reference for sourcing and applying the EP20K400EBC652-1.
Drop-in alternatives for EP20K400EBC652-1 — 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 EP20K400EBC652-1 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, Package, Speed Grade, Family, Series.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP20K400EBC652-1X
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$92 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K400EBC652-1V
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP20K400BC652-1
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$108 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K400BC652-1X
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$140 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K400BC652-1V
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$47.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K400BC652-1XV
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$115 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K400BC652-1XVQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$152 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K400BC652-2V
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$260 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K400EBC652-1 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Series | APEX-20KE |
| Family | APEX-20KE Field Programmable Gate Array |
| Logic Elements / Cells | 16,640 |
| Number of Macros | 1664 |
| Total RAM Bits | 212,992 |
| Number of I/O | 488 |
| User I/Os (max, depending on configuration) | 502 |
| Number of Gates (typical) | 400,000 |
| Core Supply Voltage (VCCINT) | 1.71 V to 1.89 V (nominal 1.8 V) |
| I/O Supply Voltage (VCCIO) | 2.5 V |
| Logic Family | CMOS |
| Propagation Delay | 2.5 ns |
| Operating Temperature | 0 C to 85 C (commercial) |
| Speed Grade | -1 (fastest commercial) |
| Package / Case | 652-BGA (45x45 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
EP20K400EBC652-1 652-bga (45x45 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP20K400EBC652-1 (652-bga (45x45 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 EP20K400EBC652-1.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP20K400EBC652-1 is suitable for 6 applications: Telecommunications Line Card Interface, Industrial Motion Control and PLC Backplane, Test and Measurement Instrumentation, Legacy Avionics and Defense Backplanes, High-Performance Computing Accelerator Card, Legacy Networking Switch and Router Fabric.
Telecommunications Line Card Interface
The EP20K400EBC652-1 is well matched to legacy telecom line-card designs where its 488 user I/Os map directly onto T1/E1 framers, UTOPIA / POS-PHY interfaces, and parallel bus bridges. The 16,640 logic elements give enough capacity for HDLC controllers, ATM cell reassembly, and per-channel statistics counters in a single device, while the 212,992 bits of embedded RAM absorb jitter buffers and lookup tables. The 652-BGA package supports the dense I/O count without forcing multi-FPGA partitioning, and the 1.8V core / 2.5V I/O rail set co-exists with classic 2.5V PHY interfaces. Designers should use the APEX-20KE PLL for clock-cleaning from the line-card backplane.
Recommended
Industrial Motion Control and PLC Backplane
In industrial motion controllers, the EP20K400EBC652-1 drives multi-axis servo loops, encoder interfaces, and fieldbus bridges (Profibus, CANopen, EtherCAT MAC) with deterministic logic. Its 16,640 logic elements support PID state machines, trajectory planners, and PWM generators in parallel; the 488 I/Os accommodate incremental encoder inputs (A/B/Index), Hall sensors, and parallel-bus HMI panels without external muxing. The commercial 0C to 85C range covers most factory-floor enclosures, and the embedded system blocks (ESBs) deliver dual-port RAM for inter-axis data sharing. The 652-BGA's 45x45 mm footprint fits a typical 4-layer PLC backplane while keeping critical traces short.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Instrumentation
Test instruments such as logic analyzers, protocol exercisers, and ATE pin-electronics boards historically relied on the EP20K400EBC652-1 for pattern generation and timing-edge synthesis. The 488 user I/Os map onto 32-bit data buses plus mask and strobe channels, and the ESB memory implements deep capture buffers and look-up-table-based waveform synthesis. The 2.5 ns propagation delay gives comfortable timing margin for 100 MHz pattern rates, while the 1.8V core / 2.5V I/O combination pairs naturally with ECL/TTL level translators. The 652-BGA package is suitable for high-density ATE loadboards with controlled-impedance routing.
Recommended
Legacy Avionics and Defense Backplanes
Long-lifecycle avionics and defense systems continue to specify the EP20K400EBC652-1 because re-spinning a DO-254 / MIL-STD-810 qualified board around a newer FPGA is prohibitively expensive. The 488 I/Os in the 652-BGA package support ARINC 429, MIL-STD-1553, and discrete avionics buses with single-chip integration. Altera's SOPC architecture enables soft-core processors (Nios) for built-in-test routines, while the ESB memory stores mission-critical configuration parameters. Rochester Electronics sustains the part under the Altera-legacy program, supporting multi-decade defense procurement cycles.
Recommended
High-Performance Computing Accelerator Card
Compute accelerator cards in HPC clusters historically used APEX-20KE devices as co-processors for FFT pipelines, encryption offload, and lossless data compression. The 16,640 logic elements sustain 32-bit datapaths at 100 MHz, while 212,992 bits of embedded RAM implement pipeline buffers and coefficient ROMs. The 652-BGA package supports a PCI-X or custom-proprietary host interface alongside multiple high-speed serial or parallel expansion ports. The device is programmed via JTAG in production, supporting field-updatable firmware for evolving HPC workloads.
Recommended
Legacy Networking Switch and Router Fabric
Enterprise-class switching and routing platforms deployed in the early 2000s leveraged the EP20K400EBC652-1 to build multi-gigabit Ethernet MACs, CAM-based L2/L3 lookup engines, and fabric serializers. The 488 I/Os absorb parallel GMII / XAUI side interfaces plus management bus and LED drivers, and the ESB blocks implement ternary CAM and FIFO queues without external memory. The 1.8V core and 2.5V I/O rails align with classic PHY interfaces of that era. For field-replacement units, the 652-BGA footprint preserves board compatibility across hardware revisions.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP20K400EBC652-1 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP20K400EBC652-1X | EP20K400EBC652-1V | EP20K400BC652-1 | EP20K400BC652-1X | EP20K400BC652-1V | EP20K400BC652-1XV | EP20K400BC652-1XVQ | EP20K400BC652-2V |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 652-BGA (45x45 mm) | 652-BGA (45x45 mm) - same | 652-BGA (45x45 mm) - same | 652-BGA (45x45 mm) - same | 652-BGA (45x45 mm) - same | 652-BGA (45x45 mm) - same | 652-BGA (45x45 mm) - same | 652-BGA (45x45 mm) - same | 652-BGA (45x45 mm) - same |
| Brand | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) |
| Series / Family | APEX-20KE | APEX-20KE | APEX-20KE | APEX-20K (pre-E) | APEX-20K (pre-E) | APEX-20K (pre-E) | APEX-20K (pre-E) | APEX-20K (pre-E) | APEX-20K (pre-E) |
| Logic Elements | 16,640 | 16,640 | 16,640 | 16,640 | 16,640 | 16,640 | 16,640 | 16,640 | 16,640 |
| Number of User I/Os | 488 | 488 | 488 | 488 | 488 | 488 | 488 | 488 | 488 |
| Speed Grade | -1 | -1X | -1V | -1 | -1X | -1V | -1XV | -1XVQ | -2V (slower) |
| Core Voltage (VCCINT) | 1.71V-1.89V (1.8V typ) | 1.71V-1.89V | 1.71V-1.89V | 1.71V-1.89V | 1.71V-1.89V | 1.71V-1.89V | 1.71V-1.89V | 1.71V-1.89V | 1.71V-1.89V |
| Bitstream / Tool Compatibility | APEX-20KE (Quartus II) | APEX-20KE (same) | APEX-20KE (same) | APEX-20K (re-compile required) | APEX-20K (re-compile required) | APEX-20K (re-compile required) | APEX-20K (re-compile required) | APEX-20K (re-compile required) | APEX-20K (re-compile required) |
Key Differentiators
- Highest speed grade available in the APEX-20KE 400K family (vs EP20K400EBC652-2)
- Enhanced APEX-20KE architecture (E-suffix) (vs EP20K400BC652-1)
- 488 user I/Os in a single 652-BGA package (vs EP20K400EFC672-2X)
Design Notes
Estimated: At VCCINT = 1.8 V and typical utilization of 60% (10,000 LE at ~50 MHz toggle rate, plus 488 I/O switching), the APEX-20KE core draws roughly 1.5 to 2.5 A. Add the I/O supply at 2.5 V with 488 outputs toggling at 25 MHz into 30 pF loads, and the VCCIO current rises another 0.5 to 1.0 A. The 652-BGA's thermal resistance is approximately 0.4 C/W with adequate PCB copper, giving a 30C to 40C junction rise above ambient. Design the power-supply decoupling per Altera's APEX-20KE reference: 0.1 uF X7R at every VCCINT/VCCIO ball pair, plus bulk 47 to 100 uF tantalum or polymer caps at each rail.
The 652-BGA with 1.27 mm pitch demands a 4-layer minimum PCB with microvia technology on the BGA fan-out. Route all high-speed clocks (CLK, PLL outputs) on the top layer with controlled 50 ohm impedance and length-matching within +/- 50 mil across banks. Use continuous ground planes on layers 2 and 4, and stitch the BGA via field with a ground via fence every 2 mm. The 652-ball land pattern is documented in the Altera APEX-20KE Package Mechanical Drawing; verify the BGA ball size against your PCB house's laser-drilled via stack-up before fab-out.
Common pitfalls with the EP20K400EBC652-1: (1) Power sequencing - VCCINT must reach 1.8V before VCCIO reaches 2.5V; reverse sequencing can latch up and permanently damage the device. (2) Configuration mode - MSEL[2:0] pins must be tied to the correct logic level for the desired configuration scheme (passive serial / parallel / JTAG); a floating MSEL prevents the device from entering user mode. (3) Bitstream mismatch - substituting an APEX-20KE silicon with the original APEX-20K (e.g. EP20K400BC652-1) without re-compiling in Quartus II produces a non-functional device, even though the footprint and ballout match. Always re-validate timing closure after a silicon swap.
Compliance Information
RoHS, REACH, lead-free, and halogen-free status for the EP20K400EBC652-1 were not present in the verified web data; mark as [DATA_NEEDED] in specs and 'unknown' in compliance_info. The device is a mature Altera/Intel FPGA and is sustained only for legacy programs by Rochester Electronics.