EP20K400GC655-2N - APEX 20KC FPGA 400K Gates | Intel/Altera
MPN: EP20K400GC655-2N ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $180 | $180.00 |
| 10 | $165 | $1,650.00 |
| 100 | $148 | $14,800.00 |
| 500 | $135 | $67,500.00 |
| 1,000 | $127.5 | $127,500.00 |
EP20K400GC655-2N Overview
An FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is a semiconductor integrated circuit containing an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs), embedded memory, I/O elements, and routing resources that the user programs after manufacture. FPGAs occupy a specific tier in the programmable logic hierarchy: they sit between fixed-function ASICs (high NRE, high volume) and CPLDs (smaller, simpler, non-volatile), offering the best balance of high logic density, parallel processing, hardware reconfigurability, and low-to-medium NRE cost for prototyping and low-volume production.
Key specifications include 212,992 bits of total on-chip RAM, 16,640 logic elements, support for MultiCore architecture combining LUT logic with product-term logic and embedded memory, and a maximum operating frequency of 200 MHz. The device supports LVDS I/O and is built on a 0.22 µm CMOS process with 2.5V I/O tolerance. The 655-pin CPGA package provides high pin density for high-performance designs and is rated for industrial temperature ranges.
The APEX 20KC architecture integrates lookup-table (LUT) logic for register-intensive functions with product-term logic for wide combinational paths, all interconnected through a MultiCore interconnect fabric. This hybrid architecture allows efficient implementation of datapath, control, and memory functions in a single device. The PLD is supported by Altera/Intel Quartus design tools and can be configured via JTAG or passive serial configuration schemes.
Typical applications include telecom line cards, high-speed data acquisition, industrial control and instrumentation, military/aerospace signal processing, and ASIC prototyping. The 655-pin CPGA and 200 MHz performance make it well suited for backplane interfaces, bus controllers, and custom coprocessor designs where high logic density and ample I/O count are required.
When designing with the EP20K400GC655-2N, ensure the 1.8V core supply is decoupled with bulk and high-frequency ceramic capacitors placed close to the VCCINT pins. JTAG chain integrity and proper configuration mode selection are critical for first-time bring-up; use the Altera ByteBlaster or compatible USB-Blaster programmer for in-system programming.
This page synthesizes authorized distributor pricing, same-package drop-in alternatives from the APEX 20K/20KE family, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone, helping engineers evaluating legacy Altera silicon make informed lifecycle and substitution decisions.
Drop-in alternatives for EP20K400GC655-2N — 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 EP20K400GC655-2N (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Family, Mounting Type, Series, Package, Package Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP20K400GC655-1N
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP20K400GC655-1
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$135 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K400GC655-1V
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$555 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K400GC655-1X
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$193.04 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K400GC655-2
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$80 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K400GC655-2N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | APEX 20KC |
| Number of Logic Elements | 16640 |
| Number of Logic Cells | 16640 |
| Total System Gates | 400000 |
| Total RAM Bits | 212992 |
| Core Voltage (VCCINT) | 1.71 V to 1.89 V |
| I/O Voltage (VCCIO) | 2.5 V (LVDS-capable) |
| Process Technology | 0.22 µm CMOS |
| Maximum Operating Frequency | 200 MHz |
| Propagation Delay (Tpd) | 3.1 ns |
| Package / Case | 655-BCPGA (Ceramic Pin Grid Array) |
| Supplier Device Package | 655-CPGA, 62.48 x 62.48 mm |
| Operating Temperature | Industrial (per Altera part-number -N suffix) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole (CPGA, socket-compatible) |
| LVDS Support | Yes |
| Architecture | MultiCore (LUT + product-term + embedded memory) |
| Configuration Method | JTAG / Passive Serial |
EP20K400GC655-2N Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank varies; see APEX 20K datasheet pin table for exact bank and signal) |
| Pin 2 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 3 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 4 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 5 | VCCINT — Core supply (1.8 V nominal) |
| Pin 6 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 7 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 8 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 9 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 10 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 11 | VCCIO — I/O supply (2.5 V nominal) |
| Pin 12 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 13 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 14 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 15 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 16 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 17 | TCK — JTAG test clock input |
| Pin 18 | TMS — JTAG test mode select input |
| Pin 19 | TDI — JTAG test data input |
| Pin 20 | TDO — JTAG test data output |
Typical Applications
EP20K400GC655-2N is suitable for 6 applications: Telecom Line Card Interface Logic, ASIC Prototyping and Emulation, High-Speed Data Acquisition, Industrial Motion Control, Military/Aerospace Signal Processing, Legacy Telecom Backplane Bridge.
Telecom Line Card Interface Logic
The EP20K400GC655-2N fits telecom line-card applications because it integrates 16,640 logic elements and 212,992 bits of embedded RAM into a single device, replacing multiple discrete CPLDs and glue logic. With 200 MHz fMAX on the -2 speed grade, the part easily handles TDM bus framing, HDLC controllers, and ATM cell-processing datapaths. Designers typically instantiate LVDS receivers to connect to backplane SERDES framer chips. The 655-pin CPGA exposes enough user I/O for parallel bus widths up to 32 bits plus extensive control signaling, eliminating the need for external bus drivers.
Recommended
ASIC Prototyping and Emulation
The 400K system-gate capacity and MultiCore architecture make the EP20K400GC655-2N a workhorse for ASIC prototyping and logic emulation in design verification flows. The 16,640 logic elements with embedded memory blocks allow faithful mapping of large register-transfer-level (RTL) designs without partition headaches. Quartus design software supports incremental compilation, which speeds iterative regression cycles during ASIC sign-off. The 655-pin CPGA exposes enough package I/O to map multi-bus ASIC pinouts, including 64-bit datapaths and parallel control interfaces common in networking ASICs.
Recommended
High-Speed Data Acquisition
The EP20K400GC655-2N's 212,992 embedded memory bits and 200 MHz logic frequency suit it to high-speed data-acquisition front-ends, where the FPGA performs real-time filtering, FFT pre-processing, and channel multiplexing. Designers pair it with 14- to 16-bit ADCs on the 2.5 V LVDS-capable I/O banks and use the embedded RAM as line buffers and FIR tap delay lines. The MultiCore architecture integrates LUT logic with product-term blocks, accelerating both arithmetic-heavy DSP paths and wide combinational decoding common in test instrumentation.
Recommended
Industrial Motion Control
In industrial motion control and CNC machinery, the EP20K400GC655-2N implements multi-axis servo loops, encoder quadrature decoding, and PWM generation with deterministic latency. The 200 MHz logic frequency supports high-resolution encoder interfaces (up to 50 MHz line frequency with x4 decimation) and simultaneous PID control loops for up to 8 axes. The 655-pin CPGA's high pin count provides ample GPIO for limit-switch inputs, opto-isolated enable signals, and stepper/driver outputs. The industrial temperature grade (N suffix) and ceramic package withstand factory-floor thermal and vibration stress.
Recommended
Military/Aerospace Signal Processing
The ceramic CPGA package and extended temperature variants in the APEX 20K family make the EP20K400GC655-2N a candidate for legacy military and aerospace signal-processing applications where solder-joint reliability under thermal cycling is critical. The device's 16,640 logic elements support radar timing, beam-steering state machines, and pre-DSP correlation pipelines. 200 MHz fMAX accommodates intermediate-frequency (IF) sampling and matched-filter implementations. Designers should pair it with radiation-tolerant SRAM and follow Altera's derating guidelines for high-altitude operation.
Recommended
Legacy Telecom Backplane Bridge
Bridging between legacy telecom backplanes (H.110 CT Bus, MVIP, SCbus) and newer TDM-over-Ethernet or PCIe fabrics is a classic use case for the EP20K400GC655-2N. The FPGA performs clock-domain crossing, frame-format conversion, and timeslot grooming across multiple E1/T1 streams with deterministic latency. The 212,992-bit embedded RAM acts as elastic buffers for clock-rate adaptation. With LVDS-capable 2.5 V I/O banks, the part connects directly to legacy framers without external glue logic, while its 655-pin CPGA exposes enough I/O for 8+ E1/T1 links plus management interfaces.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP20K400GC655-2N — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP20K400GC655-1N | EP20K400GC655-2 | EP20K400GC655-1 | EP20K400GC655-1V | EP20K400GC655-1X |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) |
| Package | 655-CPGA (62.48x62.48 mm) | 655-CPGA (62.48x62.48 mm) | 655-CPGA (62.48x62.48 mm) | 655-CPGA (62.48x62.48 mm) | 655-CPGA (62.48x62.48 mm) | 655-CPGA (62.48x62.48 mm) |
| Speed Grade | -2 (200 MHz fMAX) | -1 (slower) | -2 (200 MHz fMAX) | -1 (slower) | -1 (slower) | -1 (slower) |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial (N suffix) | Industrial (N suffix) | Commercial | Commercial | Extended (V suffix) | Military/Extended (X suffix) |
| Total System Gates | 400000 | 400000 | 400000 | 400000 | 400000 | 400000 |
| Logic Elements | 16640 | 16640 | 16640 | 16640 | 16640 | 16640 |
| Total RAM Bits | 212992 | 212992 | 212992 | 212992 | 212992 | 212992 |
| Core Voltage | 1.71 V to 1.89 V (1.8 V) | 1.71 V to 1.89 V | 1.71 V to 1.89 V | 1.71 V to 1.89 V | 1.71 V to 1.89 V | 1.71 V to 1.89 V |
| Process Technology | 0.22 µm | 0.22 µm | 0.22 µm | 0.22 µm | 0.22 µm | 0.22 µm |
Key Differentiators
- True drop-in silicon compatibility within same-package APEX 20K family (vs EP20K400GC655-1N)
- Industrial temperature grade on the same CPGA package (vs EP20K400GC655-2 (commercial))
- Highest 200 MHz fMAX in the APEX 20K CPGA family (vs EP20K400GC655-1V (-1 speed grade, extended temp))
Design Notes
The 1.8 V core supply must be decoupled with a 100 µF bulk tantalum plus 0.1 µF and 0.01 µF ceramic capacitors placed within 5 mm of each VCCINT pin group; the 2.5 V VCCIO rail requires its own decoupling network sized for the expected I/O toggle rate. APEX 20KC core current scales with logic utilization and clock frequency - at 100% utilization and 200 MHz, expect 800 mA to 1.2 A on VCCINT. Sequence VCCINT before VCCIO during power-up to avoid I/O latchup.
The 655-pin CPGA's ceramic body conducts heat well, but in a socketed configuration there is no direct PCB thermal path. For full 200 MHz operation with high toggle rates, evaluate junction temperature via the device's thermal resistance specification; pair the device with a heatsink-attached socket or thermal pad if junction temperature approaches the industrial limit. Forced airflow is recommended in enclosed chassis.
The 655-pin CPGA requires a PGA socket (e.g., AMP/Tyco 655-pin PGA socket) mounted on a board with 1.27 mm or 2.54 mm grid plated-through holes. Maintain a continuous ground plane under the device and route high-speed signals on inner layers with controlled impedance. JTAG chain integrity requires buffered TCK near the device; keep TMS/TDI pull-ups within 10 mm of the package pins per IEEE 1149.1 boundary-scan practice.
Do not confuse the APEX 20K (2.5 V core) with the APEX 20KC (1.8 V core) - they are NOT voltage-compatible despite sharing the same package family. When migrating from APEX 20K to APEX 20KC, verify the core supply and re-run static timing analysis at the lower VCCINT. Also confirm the configuration mode (Passive Serial vs JTAG) and the ByteBlaster/USB-Blaster programmer compatibility before swapping devices on existing boards.
Compliance Information
RoHS/REACH status not explicitly stated in the provided verified web data for this obsolete Altera part; CPGA ceramic packages historically contain lead-bearing solder columns. AEC-Q100 not applicable (FPGA is not an automotive-qualified part category for this series).
