EP20K60EQC240-2 - APEX-20KE FPGA, 151 I/O | Altera
MPN: EP20K60EQC240-2 ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $66.02 | $66.02 |
| 10 | $66.02 | $660.20 |
| 100 | $66.02 | $6,602.00 |
| 500 | $66.02 | $33,010.00 |
| 1,000 | $66.02 | $66,020.00 |
EP20K60EQC240-2 Overview
An FPGA is a semiconductor device containing programmable logic blocks and interconnect that can be configured to implement arbitrary digital circuits after manufacturing. In Altera’s product hierarchy, the EP20K60EQC240-2 is specifically an APEX-20KE FPGA, which falls under the broader categories of field-programmable gate array, programmable logic device, integrated circuit, and semiconductor. Understanding this hierarchy helps engineers evaluate replacement options, legacy system risks, and configuration-memory requirements when reusing this 2000s-era device in existing boards.
Key features visible in distributor listings include 151 user I/Os in a 240-BQFP/PQFP shape, 1.71 V to 1.89 V core operation, a 0 °C to +85 °C commercial temperature range, CMOS logic family, and an APEX-20KE family designation. Mouser additionally mentions 256 macrocells in the APEX 20K family listing. The package is a 32 mm x 32 mm PQFP with gull-wing leads, which is suitable for conventional surface-mount assembly but requires a dedicated 240-pin footprint.
From an architecture standpoint, the APEX-20KE family was marketed as one of the industry’s first programmable-logic families to integrate system-on-a-programmable-chip capabilities, using a MultiCore architecture that combines LUT-based logic, product-term macrocells, and embedded system blocks. The -2 suffix indicates the speed-grade ordering option, while related -1X and -2X variants share the same 240-pin PQFP package in the same family. Because this is an older family, exact usable gate count, RAM bits, and timing values should be obtained from the complete Altera APEX 20K family datasheet rather than inferred from ordering-code fragments.
Typical applications for this part include telecom line cards, industrial control I/O boards, medical imaging preprocessing systems, video acquisition interfaces, and automatic test equipment where moderate logic density and parallel I/O are needed. The 151 user I/Os allow designers to connect a CPU bus, external SRAM, status LEDs, and multiple serial interfaces without adding excessive CPLD glue. However, because the device is obsolete, all new designs should include a lifecycle risk assessment.
A key design consideration is supply decoupling and configuration memory. The core 1.8 V rail must be within the listed 1.71 V–1.89 V window and decoupled according to the full APEX 20K datasheet recommendations. For board bring-up, remember that an FPGA requires a configuration bitstream from an EPC-series or JTAG source; do not assume the device is self-configuring at power-up.
This page synthesizes distributor availability and pricing as of 2026-09-08, same-package drop-in variants, parametric comparison information, and practical legacy-system design notes that are not all present in a single datasheet snippet.
Drop-in alternatives for EP20K60EQC240-2 — 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 EP20K60EQC240-2 (same form factor and footprint).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP20K60EQC240-2X
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP20K60EQC240-1X
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$58 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP20K60EQC240-2 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Series | APEX-20KE |
| Programmable Logic Type | FPGA |
| Package / Case | 240-BQFP |
| Supplier Device Package | 240-PQFP (32x32) |
| Number of User I/Os | 151 |
| Supply Voltage - Core | 1.71 V to 1.89 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | 0°C to +85°C |
| Logic Family | CMOS |
| Number of Macrocells (ESB) | 256 |
| Number of Pins | 240 |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Terminal Form | Gull Wing |
| RoHS Status | unknown |
| Lifecycle Status | obsolete (serviced by Rochester Electronics) |
EP20K60EQC240-2 240-pqfp (32x32) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP20K60EQC240-2 (240-pqfp (32x32) 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 EP20K60EQC240-2.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP20K60EQC240-2 is suitable for 6 applications: Telecom Line Card Glue Logic, Industrial PLC and Motion Control Boards, Video and Image Acquisition Interfaces, Medical Imaging Preprocessing Systems, Automatic Test Equipment Pattern Control, Legacy Aerospace and Defense Module Refresh.
Telecom Line Card Glue Logic
The EP20K60EQC240-2 can serve as a central FPGA for telecom line cards, PC add-in boards, and access equipment that need moderate logic density plus parallel bus interfaces. Its 151 user I/Os in a 240-pin PQFP allow a typical card to connect a host CPU bus, external SRAM, status signals, and multiple serial channels without requiring an extra CPLD. The core rail can be supplied from a 1.8 V DC-DC converter while the I/O banks are matched to the surrounding 3.3 V or 2.5 V logic. Because this APEX-20KE device is obsolete, production should use a configuration EPROM such as EPC2 or EPC4 and a known-good verified bitstream. New telecom designs may instead consider a modern FPGA for lower power and longer availability.
Recommended
Industrial PLC and Motion Control Boards
Industrial control boards often need parallel I/O expansion, timer/counter logic, and communication protocol glue. The EP20K60EQC240-2 provides 151 user I/O pins and a 32x32 mm 240-pin PQFP that can interface with backplane connectors, optocoupler inputs, relay drivers, and a host microcontroller. Its 0 °C to +85 °C commercial temperature range is suitable for indoor cabinet installation where ambient temperature remains controlled. Designers should treat this as an EOL part and stock sufficient units for the product lifetime. The core supply tolerance of 1.71 V to 1.89 V requires a stable 1.8 V rail, and each I/O bank should have the correct VCCIO voltage according to the APEX 20K pin table.
Recommended
Video and Image Acquisition Interfaces
In frame grabbers and video acquisition cards, the EP20K60EQC240-2 can buffer parallel image data, generate timing pulses, and forward pixels to a DSP or host bus. The 151 user I/Os are enough for a 32-bit or 64-bit data path with control signals and memory addressing. The APEX-20KE family combines look-up-table logic, product-term macrocells, and embedded system blocks, which can help integrate small FIFO or state-machine functions. The 240-pin PQFP's exposed but limited thermal capability is acceptable for moderate video clock rates, but exact timing closure should be checked using the full APEX 20K datasheet. For new video products, a current FPGA is recommended because this part is obsolete and configuration support has moved to newer Intel/Altera families.
Recommended
Medical Imaging Preprocessing Systems
Medical imaging front-ends that do not require the latest FPGA transceivers can use the EP20K60EQC240-2 for sensor timing, data multiplexing, and preprocessing. The commercial temperature range and parallel I/O capability allow connection to CMOS image sensors, high-speed ADCs, and a digital signal processor. However, medical equipment has a long service life, so the obsolete APEX-20KE family must be managed with an end-of-life plan, including last-time-buy inventory or a pin-compatible same-package variant such as EP20K60EQC240-1X. The core voltage should be cleanly generated from a low-noise 1.8 V LDO or DC-DC converter, and all configuration memory should be programmed with checksum validation before installation.
Recommended
Automatic Test Equipment Pattern Control
Automatic test equipment often needs a moderate FPGA to generate digital patterns, decode measurement triggers, and interface with analog instrumentation. The EP20K60EQC240-2 can act as the digital core because it provides 151 user I/Os in a through-hole-compatible BQFP footprint, allowing routing to edge connectors and instrumentation buses. Its 1.8 V core and 0 °C to +85 °C rating fit benchtop ATE environments with forced-air cooling. For legacy ATE maintenance, keeping a verified configuration file and a known-good programming cable is critical. The base -2 variant is useful when timing margins are already characterized; changing to the -2X cross-reference variant should be validated in the same system before broad deployment.
Recommended
Legacy Aerospace and Defense Module Refresh
Long-lived aerospace and defense programs may require refreshing obsolete FPGA modules while maintaining the existing PCB pinout. The EP20K60EQC240-2 is a candidate when the legacy design is already qualified with the APEX-20KE 240-pin package, because the same-family -1X and -2X variants can be used for continued supply. The 151-I/O count supports MIL-STD-1553 bus controllers, discrete I/O, and processor glue logic, although no radiation-hardening or extended-temperature rating is claimed in the distributor data. Because these modules have high reliability expectations, an FPGA migration to a current Intel/Altera or other vendor device should be planned in parallel; however, the drop-in same-package Altera variants offer the lowest immediate board-change risk.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP20K60EQC240-2 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP20K60EQC240-2X | EP20K60EQC240-1X |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Altera | Altera | Altera |
| Package | 240-BQFP / 240-PQFP (32x32) | 240-BQFP / 240-PQFP (same) | 240-BQFP / 240-PQFP (same) |
| Package Shape | PQFP/BQFP square | FQFP/PQFP square | PQFP square |
| Number of Pins | 240 | 240 | 240 |
| Core Supply Voltage | 1.71 V to 1.89 V | 1.71 V to 1.89 V (APEX-20KE family) | 1.71 V to 1.89 V (APEX-20KE family) |
| Speed Grade | -2 | -2X | -1X |
Key Differentiators
- Widely listed commercial -2 speed grade with 151 I/O in a 240-pin PQFP; base part is accepted by Rochester, DigiKey, and Mouser. (vs EP20K60EQC240-2X)
- Drop-in same-package speed upgrade path is available for legacy timing fixes. (vs EP20K60EQC240-1X)
- Higher I/O count than smaller 208-pin APEX-20KE QFP variants. (vs EP20K60EQC208-2)
Design Notes
Estimated: the 240-pin PQFP/BQFP is a gull-wing surface-mount package with a 32x32 mm body. Place decoupling capacitors physically close to each supply pin group; a practical starting point is 0.1 uF ceramic per pin pair plus a 10 uF bulk capacitor near the 1.8 V core input. The exact capacitor count and layout rules are not available in the indexed snippets, so follow the Altera APEX 20K datasheet layout and power supply recommendations when available.
Estimated: with a core supply of 1.71 V to 1.89 V, use a nominal 1.8 V power rail and keep ripple below the FPGA's recommended maximum. Because no quiescent current or maximum steady-state current figure appears in the indexed web data, do not select a DC-DC converter without first estimating IO/configuration current from the full APEX 20K family datasheet. A 3 A-rated low-noise regulator or DC-DC module provides conservative margin for small APEX-20KE designs and also powers the configuration EPROM if needed.
The EP20K60EQC240-2 is obsolete, and configuration support is dependent on Altera Quartus versions old enough to recognize APEX-20KE devices. Do not assume a modern FPGA toolchain can synthesize this part without a legacy license/install. Confirm the required configuration device, JTAG chain, and pin assignments from the full datasheet before building a board. Because this pinout is not reproduced from the indexed snippets, verify all 240 pin connections against the official APEX 20K pin table.
The listing shows a commercial temperature range of 0 °C to +85 °C, but no thermal resistance data is provided in the snippets. Estimated: a 32x32 mm PQFP can dissipate roughly 1.5 W to 2.5 W with moderate airflow, but the exact limit depends on copper area, ambient temperature, and I/O loading. For legacy systems that already run this FPGA, monitor case temperature during qualification; for new layouts, provide a thermal relief pad and airflow path under the package.
Compliance Information
No explicit RoHS/REACH/lead-free statement was available in the indexed supplier snippets. This is an older Altera APEX-20KE FPGA serviced by Rochester Electronics; verify compliance documentation against the specific date code and distributor before use.
