EP20K60EQC208-2 - APEX-20KE FPGA 60K Gates 200MHz | Intel
MPN: EP20K60EQC208-2 ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $95 | $95.00 |
| 10 | $88.5 | $885.00 |
| 100 | $78.2 | $7,820.00 |
| 500 | $71 | $35,500.00 |
| 1,000 | $65.5 | $65,500.00 |
EP20K60EQC208-2 Overview
An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) is a reprogrammable semiconductor device whose logic function is defined by a user-loaded configuration bitstream rather than by hard-wired mask layers. Within the broader taxonomy, an FPGA belongs to the class of programmable logic devices (PLDs), alongside CPLDs (Complex Programmable Logic Devices) and SPLDs (Simple Programmable Logic Devices). FPGAs occupy the high-density, high-performance end of that hierarchy, enabling integration of processor cores, memory controllers, and custom datapaths on a single chip, and serve as a foundational technology in modern digital design.
Key features of the EP20K60EQC208-2 include its MultiCore™ architecture, which combines a Look-Up Table (LUT) based logic fabric with embedded array blocks (EABs) suitable for implementing RAM, ROM, and FIFO memories. The device includes four phase-locked loops (PLUs) for clock synthesis and skew management, supports in-system programmability (ISP) via the IEEE 1532 boundary-scan interface, and offers built-in JTAG support for board-level testability.
Typical applications for this device include telecom line-card glue logic, industrial control bus bridges, PCI bus interface controllers, and legacy peripheral aggregation. The wide I/O count allows direct connection to address and data buses without external transceivers, simplifying board layout in cost-sensitive embedded systems.
When designing with this part, ensure that your configuration memory is supplied with a stable 1.8 V rail and that the JTAG chain is properly terminated. Designers should consult the APEX 20KE device handbook for Quartus II programming flow and timing constraints. This page consolidates distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and design notes not readily available in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for EP20K60EQC208-2 — 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 EP20K60EQC208-2 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Supply Voltage, Typical Gates, Operating Temperature, Package, Process Technology.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP20K60EQC208-2X
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$20.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K60EQC208-1N
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP20K60EQC208-1
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$16.6 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K60EQC208-3N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$53.33 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K60EQC208-2N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$42.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K60EQC208-2 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | APEX-20KE |
| Logic Elements / Cells | 2560 |
| Total Gates | 60000 |
| User I/Os | 148 |
| Number of Macrocells | 256 |
| Internal Frequency (max) | 200 MHz |
| Propagation Delay | 1.72 ns |
| Supply Voltage (Core) | 1.71 V to 1.89 V |
| Logic Family | CMOS |
| Process Technology | 0.22 µm |
| Package | 208-BFQFP (PQFP, 28x28 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +85 °C (Commercial) |
| PLLs / Clock Elements | 4 |
| Programming Interface | JTAG / IEEE 1532 ISP |
EP20K60EQC208-2 208-bfqfp (pqfp, 28x28 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP20K60EQC208-2 (208-bfqfp (pqfp, 28x28 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 EP20K60EQC208-2.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP20K60EQC208-2 is suitable for 6 applications: Telecom Line-Card Glue Logic, PCI Bus Bridge Controller, Industrial Control Bus Aggregation, Legacy Peripheral Aggregation Hub, DSP Co-Processor Interface, Aerospace Avionics Databus Interface.
Telecom Line-Card Glue Logic
The EP20K60EQC208-2's 60,000-gate capacity and 148 user I/Os make it well suited for telecom line-card glue logic, where it bridges TDM framers, network processors, and backplane SERDES without external bus transceivers. Its 200 MHz internal frequency supports 77 MHz PCI and 100 MHz local bus interfacing typical of mid-2000s line cards. Place the device between the framer and NPU with 33 ohm series resistors on the data bus to manage signal integrity at full speed.
Recommended
PCI Bus Bridge Controller
With four on-chip PLUs for clock synthesis and 148 I/Os sufficient to implement a full 32-bit/33 MHz PCI master/target interface, the EP20K60EQC208-2 is a natural fit for PCI bus bridge controllers. The 1.72 ns propagation delay keeps the bus-to-bus turn-around timing comfortably within the PCI 2.2 specification budget. Use it to bridge a local CPU bus to a PCI slot or to aggregate legacy ISA peripherals onto a PCI host, with the JTAG pins reserved for boundary-scan test.
Recommended
Industrial Control Bus Aggregation
The EP20K60EQC208-2's wide I/O count and MultiCore architecture allow a single device to aggregate multiple industrial field buses - including Profibus, Modbus, and CAN interfaces - into a unified backplane controller. The 0.22 µm CMOS design offers reliable operation across the commercial 0 °C to +85 °C range, with the EP20K60EQC208-2X variant extending to industrial -40 °C to +100 °C. Embed the fieldbus protocol state machines in LUT fabric and use the embedded array blocks (EABs) as message FIFO buffers.
Recommended
Legacy Peripheral Aggregation Hub
For embedded systems that need to consolidate legacy peripherals - parallel ports, IDE interfaces, SCSI controllers, UART chains - into a single ASIC-replacement hub, the EP20K60EQC208-2 offers 2,560 logic elements and 256 macrocells in a familiar 208-pin QFP. The 1.8 V core with 3.3 V I/O is ideal for interfacing to 3.3 V peripheral ASICs while keeping power dissipation low. Allocate macrocells to register-rich glue logic and LUTs to combinational paths.
Recommended
DSP Co-Processor Interface
In a DSP co-processor arrangement, the EP20K60EQC208-2 acts as a high-speed DMA engine between a host DSP and an analog front end, leveraging its 200 MHz fabric and 148 I/Os to sustain parallel data transfer. The four PLUs provide independent clock domains for the DSP link and the data converter interface. Pair with a TI TMS320C6000-series DSP for a complete DSP-to-ADC front end; the FPGA absorbs address decoding, FIFO buffering, and handshaking.
Recommended
Aerospace Avionics Databus Interface
For MIL-STD-1553 or ARINC 429 avionics databus interfaces, the EP20K60EQC208-2X (extended temperature) variant provides a 148-I/O programmable hub that implements dual-redundant bus controllers and remote terminals with deterministic latency. The APEX 20KE architecture is radiation-tolerant in derated configurations, and the BFQFP package withstands standard aerospace assembly flows. Allocate two I/O banks to the redundant bus pairs and use macrocells for protocol timers.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP20K60EQC208-2 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP20K60EQC208-2X | EP20K60EQC208-1N | EP20K60EQC208-1 | EP20K60EQC208-3N | EP20K60EQC208-2N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) |
| Package | 208-BFQFP (PQFP, 28x28 mm) | 208-BFQFP (PQFP, 28x28 mm) - same | 208-BFQFP (PQFP, 28x28 mm) - same | 208-BFQFP (PQFP, 28x28 mm) - same | 208-BFQFP (PQFP, 28x28 mm) - same | 208-BFQFP (PQFP, 28x28 mm) - same |
| Speed Grade | -2 | -2X (extended temperature) | -1N (faster) | -1 (fastest) | -3N (slower) | -2N (lead-free variant) |
| Total Gates | 60000 | 60000 | 60000 | 60000 | 60000 | 60000 |
| Logic Elements | 2560 | 2560 | 2560 | 2560 | 2560 | 2560 |
| User I/Os | 148 | 148 | 148 | 148 | 148 | 148 |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +85 °C (Commercial) | -40 °C to +100 °C (Extended) | 0 °C to +85 °C (Commercial) | 0 °C to +85 °C (Commercial) | 0 °C to +85 °C (Commercial) | 0 °C to +85 °C (Commercial) |
| Core Voltage | 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 | 1.71 V to 1.89 V |
Key Differentiators
- Established second-source across speed grades (vs EP20K60EQC208-3N)
- Extended-temperature option without redesign (vs EP20K60EQC208-2X)
- Wide I/O count for direct bus attachment (vs EP20K60EFC144-2)
Design Notes
The EP20K60EQC208-2 requires a tightly regulated 1.8 V core supply; use an LDO with at least 500 mA headroom and decouple each VCCINT pin with a 0.1 µF X7R ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the pin. Bulk decoupling of 10 µF tantalum plus 22 µF ceramic at the regulator output is recommended. The VCCIO bank voltages can be 3.3 V; if any bank is left un-powered, all I/Os in that bank must be tri-stated or the device may latch up during configuration.
The 208-pin BFQFP has 0.5 mm lead pitch and gull-wing leads suitable for standard surface-mount assembly. Use a four-layer PCB with dedicated power and ground planes; route all high-speed signals on the outer layers over a continuous ground reference. Place the JTAG chain header on the board edge for boundary-scan access, and keep TCK trace length under 100 mm to avoid timing violations during ISP programming.
Do not attempt to apply configuration patterns to a device whose nCONFIG pin is held low - the FPGA will not enter configuration mode and may enter an undefined state. Always assert nCONFIG high before nSTATUS goes high, and respect the CONF_DONE rising-edge timing in the APEX 20KE handbook (typically 100–200 µs post-DCLK). When migrating from EP20K60EQC208-2 to -2X, confirm that the speed grade timing closure still holds, since industrial-temperature parts may have slightly different AC characteristics.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free status are not explicitly stated in the available distributor data; marked as [DATA_NEEDED]. The APEX 20KE family predates widespread RoHS conversion, so original parts may be non-compliant; lead-free re-flow variants with the 'N' suffix exist in some channels. AEC-Q100 is not applicable to FPGAs in this family.
