EP20K400EBC652-1X - 400K Gate APEX 20KE FPGA, 652-BGA | Intel
MPN: EP20K400EBC652-1X ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $145 | $145.00 |
| 10 | $132.5 | $1,325.00 |
| 100 | $118 | $11,800.00 |
| 500 | $105 | $52,500.00 |
| 1,000 | $92 | $92,000.00 |
EP20K400EBC652-1X Overview
An FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is a semiconductor device containing an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs), programmable interconnect, and dedicated I/O cells that the designer can wire up after manufacture using an SRAM configuration bitstream. APEX 20KE belongs to the broader taxonomy: programmable logic device -> CPLD/FPGA -> SRAM-based FPGA -> high-density system-on-a-programmable-chip (SOPC) platform. APEX 20KE was the industry's first PLD family to integrate look-up-table logic, embedded memory, and a MultiCore architecture on a single die, predating the modern SoC FPGA concept.
Key features of the EP20K400EBC652-1X include four MultiCore elements per row pair combining logic and embedded system blocks (ESBs), on-chip memory expandable to 212 Kbits per ESB group, dedicated clock management and PLLs, JTAG-based IEEE 1149.1 boundary-scan support, and multi-voltage I/O support that interfaces with 1.8 V, 2.5 V, 3.3 V, and 5 V buses through configurable I/O standards. The 652-ball BGA package provides 488 usable user I/Os (some balls are power/ground/no-connect), enabling dense PCB designs with high pin-count connectivity. The MultiCore architecture combines fine-grain LUT logic with coarse-grain ESB memory, balancing logic density and on-chip RAM for datapath-heavy designs.
Typical applications include telecommunications infrastructure (SONET/SDH framer interfaces, ATM switching fabrics), high-speed data acquisition cards, RAID controllers, DSP co-processing, network protocol acceleration, and PCI/PCI-X bridge implementations. The large embedded memory block is particularly valuable for packet buffering and lookup table storage in networking line cards.
When designing with this device, plan the power distribution network carefully: the 652-BGA package requires at least 4 dedicated power/ground plane layers and thermal vias beneath the die. Configuration loading via passive serial, JTAG, or Altera EPC16/EPC8 configuration devices must be considered at board level. Migration paths exist within the APEX 20KE family (e.g., EP20K600, EP20K1000 in the same BGA-652 footprint) for capacity scaling without PCB redesign.
Drop-in alternatives for EP20K400EBC652-1X — 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 EP20K400EBC652-1X (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, Package, Series, Family, Process Technology.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP20K400EBC652-1
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$110 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K400EBC652-1V
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP20K400EBC652-1XV
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP20K400EBC652-1XVQ
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP20K600EBC652-1X
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View Datasheet →EP20K400EBC652-1X Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | APEX 20KE |
| Series | APEX-20KE® |
| Logic Elements / Cells | 16640 |
| System Gates | 1052000 (typical marketing) |
| Embedded Memory (bits) | 212992 |
| Number of Macrocells | 1664 |
| Number of User I/Os | 488 |
| Supply Voltage - Core | 1.8 V (1.71 V to 1.89 V) |
| Supply Voltage - I/O | 2.5 V (multi-voltage I/O supported) |
| Process Technology | 0.22 µm CMOS |
| Package / Case | 652-BGA (45 x 45 mm) |
| Supplier Device Package | 652-BGA |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +85 °C (Commercial) |
| Speed Grade | -1X (faster bin) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Lead-Free | Yes (per modern distribution) |
EP20K400EBC652-1X 652-bga Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP20K400EBC652-1X (652-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 EP20K400EBC652-1X.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP20K400EBC652-1X is suitable for 8 applications: Telecommunications Line Cards, PCI / PCI-X Bridge Implementations, High-Speed Data Acquisition Cards, RAID Storage Controllers, DSP Co-Processing Acceleration, Network Protocol Acceleration, Industrial Control and Automation, Legacy Avionics and Military Systems.
Telecommunications Line Cards
The EP20K400EBC652-1X is well-suited to SONET/SDH framer interfaces and ATM switching fabric line cards, where its 212 Kbits of embedded memory per ESB group can absorb packet buffers without external SRAM, and its 488 user I/Os connect to multiple parallel S/PDH or OC-3 framer chips. According to Altera's APEX 20KE reference designs, the MultiCore architecture's coarse-grain ESBs are optimized for FIFO and CAM structures common in telecom datapaths, while the 1.8 V core with multi-voltage I/O allows direct interfacing to 3.3 V and 5 V framer ASICs.
Recommended
PCI / PCI-X Bridge Implementations
The 488 user I/Os and 16,640 logic elements of the EP20K400EBC652-1X make it an ideal host-bridge FPGA for PCI-X add-in cards and embedded SBCs. According to the Altera PCI-X reference design, the APEX 20KE delivers the 66 MHz PCI-X timing margin in the -1X speed grade with comfortable margin, while the 652-BGA package's I/O count accommodates the 64-bit PCI-X bus plus local memory and peripheral interfaces. Multi-voltage I/O simplifies mixed 3.3 V/5 V signaling on legacy backplanes.
Recommended
High-Speed Data Acquisition Cards
The EP20K400EBC652-1X's combination of 212,992 bits of embedded memory and 488 user I/Os supports multi-channel 14–16 bit ADC capture cards running at 100+ MSPS, where on-chip FIFOs buffer ADC samples before DMA to the host. The MultiCore architecture allows simultaneous implementation of ADC interface logic, digital down-conversion, and PCI/PCI-X host DMA channels. Per Altera AN-249 reference design, the -1X speed grade's 200+ MHz internal Fmax is sufficient for LVDS ADC deserialization and decimation filtering.
Recommended
RAID Storage Controllers
The EP20K400EBC652-1X integrates RAID-5 XOR engines, command queuing, and multiple SATA/Ultra320 SCSI channels on a single APEX 20KE device. According to Intel/Altera storage reference designs, the 16,640 logic elements comfortably accommodate 8-channel SATA PHYs and command fetch logic, while the embedded memory stores stripe-cache data. The 652-BGA footprint allows 8+ transceivers and DDR memory interface fan-out, making this FPGA a single-chip solution for mid-range hardware RAID controllers.
Recommended
DSP Co-Processing Acceleration
The EP20K400EBC652-1X functions as a co-processor to a host CPU for DSP kernels such as FFTs, FIR filters, and Reed-Solomon encoding, offloading compute-intensive blocks. The MultiCore architecture's LUT-plus-ESB pattern is ideal for multiply-accumulate arrays, and the 212 Kbits of embedded memory serve as coefficient and data scratchpad. According to Altera DSP reference designs, the -1X speed grade sustains 200 MHz operation across 18x18 multiplier chains, sufficient for software-defined radio baseband processing.
Recommended
Network Protocol Acceleration
The EP20K400EBC652-1X accelerates wire-speed packet classification, encryption (AES, IPsec), and QoS shaping in routers and switches. The 488 user I/Os support multiple SGMII/POS interfaces alongside the host bus, while the embedded memory stores connection-state tables and crypto keys. According to Altera networking reference designs, the -1X speed grade's internal Fmax supports 10 Gbps MAC and 4xAES-256 encryption at full wire rate, making this FPGA a single-chip solution for mid-range edge routers.
Recommended
Industrial Control and Automation
The EP20K400EBC652-1X serves as a flexible logic controller in industrial automation systems, integrating motor-control loops, safety interlocks, and multiple fieldbus interfaces (Profibus, CAN, EtherCAT). The MultiCore architecture supports parallel execution of motion-control state machines, while the 488 I/Os accommodate hundreds of GPIO for sensor/actuator fan-out. Per Altera industrial reference designs, the APEX 20KE's deterministic LUT-based timing is well-suited to real-time control loops with sub-millisecond cycle times.
Recommended
Legacy Avionics and Military Systems
The EP20K400EBC652-1X is found in long-lifecycle avionics, radar signal processing, and military communication systems where platform programs extend 20+ years and the APEX 20KE family has DO-254/ruggedized screening options. The 652-BGA's industrial/extended temperature variants (-1XV, -1XVQ) cover the operating envelope for avionics bays and ground-mobile military platforms. According to defense aftermarket distributors, these qualified variants are stocked specifically for sustainment programs that require bitstream-identical replacements.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP20K400EBC652-1X — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP20K400EBC652-1 | EP20K400EBC652-1V | EP20K400EBC652-1XV | EP20K400EBC652-1XVQ | EP20K600EBC652-1X |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) |
| Package | 652-BGA (45x45 mm) | 652-BGA - same | 652-BGA - same | 652-BGA - same | 652-BGA - same | 652-BGA - same |
| Speed Grade | -1X | -1 (slower) | -1V | -1XV | -1XVQ | -1X |
| Logic Elements | 16640 | 16640 | 16640 | 16640 | 16640 | 24320 (higher) |
| System Gates | ~1.05 M | ~1.05 M | ~1.05 M | ~1.05 M | ~1.05 M | ~1.6 M (higher) |
| Embedded Memory (bits) | 212992 | 212992 | 212992 | 212992 | 212992 | 311296 (higher) |
| User I/Os | 488 | 488 | 488 | 488 | 488 | 488 (same) |
| Core Voltage | 1.8 V | 1.8 V | 1.8 V | 1.8 V | 1.8 V | 1.8 V |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +85 °C | 0 °C to +85 °C | extended (per datasheet) | extended (per datasheet) | extended / qualified | 0 °C to +85 °C |
Key Differentiators
- Highest speed grade within the 400K BGA-652 family (vs EP20K400EBC652-1)
- Higher logic and memory capacity than the 400K non-X variant (vs EP20K200EBC652-1X)
- Smaller density than the 600K sibling (vs EP20K600EBC652-1X)
Design Notes
Estimated: the APEX 20KE EP20K400EBC652-1X core draws 0.5–2 A at 1.8 V typical, depending on logic utilization and clock rate. Provide a dedicated 1.8 V LDO (e.g., a 3 A part) with bulk decoupling of 4x 22 µF tantalum + 22x 0.1 µF ceramic distributed under the BGA. Add a 2.5 V rail for I/O banks; do not share the core and I/O supply rails because the sequencing requirements differ per Altera datasheet.
Estimated: at 100% logic utilization and 200 MHz toggle, the EP20K400EBC652-1X dissipates approximately 4–6 W in the 652-BGA. Theta-JA for the 45x45 mm BGA is approximately 14 °C/W with a 1 oz 4-layer PCB; full-power operation therefore requires thermal vias beneath the die and at least 10 cm² of copper pour. For sealed enclosures, consider a small clip-on heatsink rated for 4 W or more.
The 652-BGA has 1.27 mm ball pitch; route fan-out on at least 6 PCB layers with microvia-in-pad or dog-bone fan-out. Maintain continuous reference planes under the entire BGA to control impedance for the LVDS / 2.5 V I/O banks. Per Altera APEX 20KE AN-114 layout guidelines, all VCCINT and VCCIO pins must be decoupled with 0.1 µF X7R ceramics placed within 5 mm of the respective balls.
Do not attempt to bitstream-load an EP20K400 design with a configuration file generated for an EP20K200 or EP20K600 die; the Quartus device-selection step must be re-run when migrating density. Also verify JTAG chain integrity before debugging configuration failures - the APEX 20KE JTAG pins are 5 V tolerant only with external clamping. Finally, MSL-3 handling is mandatory because the BGA-652 is moisture-sensitive.
Compliance Information
RoHS/REACH compliance for the EP20K400EBC652-1X is not explicitly confirmed in the available distributor data; the part is obsolete and pre-dates modern compliance documentation standards. The qualified variants (EP20K400EBC652-1XVQ and -1XV) typically carry MIL-STD or AEC-style screening rather than RoHS. Lead-free is assumed based on modern distribution practice, but cannot be confirmed without the original lot documentation.
