EP2C15AF256I8N - Cyclone II FPGA 14448 LE 152 I/O | Altera
MPN: EP2C15AF256I8N ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $24.35 | $24.35 |
| 10 | $22.87 | $228.70 |
| 100 | $20.54 | $2,054.00 |
| 500 | $18.98 | $9,490.00 |
| 1,000 | $17.26 | $17,260.00 |
EP2C15AF256I8N Overview
An FPGA is a semiconductor device containing reconfigurable logic blocks, embedded memory, and programmable routing that can implement arbitrary digital circuits after manufacturing. FPGAs sit in the programmable logic hierarchy: FPGA - programmable logic device (PLD) - integrated circuit - semiconductor. Unlike fixed-function ASICs, the EP2C15AF256I8N can be reprogrammed in-system through JTAG or configuration flash, making it useful for designs that require hardware flexibility and field upgrades.
Key features of the EP2C15AF256I8N include 14,448 logic elements (LEs), 239,616 bits of embedded RAM, and 152 user I/O pins. The AF256 ordering segment indicates the 256-ball FineLine BGA package family, while the I8 notation denotes industrial temperature grade and speed grade. The trailing N suffix indicates a lead-free, RoHS-compliant package option.
The Cyclone II architecture organizes LEs into logic array blocks, with embedded memory blocks and multiplier resources for DSP and control logic. The 1.2 V core minimizes power, and the IO banks support common voltage levels including 3.3 V and 1.5 V, allowing direct connection to legacy parallel buses and mixed-voltage systems. As an older mainstream FPGA family, it has a mature software toolchain and broad ecosystem support.
Typical applications include industrial automation, video and image processing, communications bridging, motor control, and test instrumentation. The 152 user I/O pins can interface to ADCs, DACs, SRAM, and parallel data buses. Its moderate logic density makes it suitable for glue logic, soft-core processors, and protocol conversion without the cost of a larger FPGA.
Designers should verify the exact BGA ball map and I/O bank rules from the Cyclone II Device Handbook before layout. A separate Intel/Altera configuration device such as EPCS4 is commonly used for non-volatile configuration; the FPGA can also be configured through JTAG for prototyping.
This page synthesizes verified distributor listings, same-family drop-in alternatives, parametric cross-reference data, and board design guidance—information often scattered between distributor pages and datasheets.
Drop-in alternatives for EP2C15AF256I8N — 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 EP2C15AF256I8N (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Speed Grade, Operating Temperature, Total RAM Bits, Process Technology.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP2C15AF256C8N
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$8.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C15AF256C7N
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP2C15AF256C6N
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP2C15AF256I8NES
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP2C15AF256C6NES
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP2C15AF256I8N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Device Type | FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) |
| Series / Family | Cyclone II (EP2C15) |
| Number of Logic Elements / Cells | 14448 |
| Total RAM Bits | 239616 |
| Number of User I/O | 152 |
| Package / Case | FBGA-256 / 256-LBGA |
| Package Code | LBGA |
| Package Shape | Square |
| Terminal Form | Ball |
| Number of Pins / Terminals | 256 |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Core Supply Voltage | 1.2 V |
| I/O Supply Voltage / Power Supplies | 1.2 V core; 1.5 V/3.3 V and 3.3 V I/O support per Vyrian listing |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40°C to +100°C (industrial I8 grade; chipdig listing of 0°C to 85°C conflicts and is noted in validation) |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial (I) |
| Speed Grade | 8 (I8 ordering code) |
| Product Category | FPGA - Field Programmable Gate Array |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (N suffix, lead-free) |
EP2C15AF256I8N square Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP2C15AF256I8N (square 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 EP2C15AF256I8N.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP2C15AF256I8N is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Automation and PLC, Video and Image Processing, Communications and Protocol Bridging, Motor Control and Power Conversion, Test and Measurement Instrumentation, Soft-Core Processor and Embedded Systems.
Industrial Automation and PLC
The EP2C15AF256I8N fits industrial automation because its 14,448 logic elements can implement motor-control state machines, fieldbus bridging, and soft-core processor logic while the 152 user I/O connect directly to optocouplers, encoders, and parallel industrial buses. Its industrial I8 temperature grade allows operation in non-climate-controlled cabinets where ambient temperature may drop below 0°C. Use the on-chip RAM for FIFO buffering between sensors and control processors. In a typical PLC I/O module, the FPGA is placed between a host CPU and isolated input/output channels; it performs filtering, latching, and protocol timing. Because Cyclone II has mature Quartus II software support, legacy industrial designs can be maintained with the same toolchain.
Recommended
Video and Image Processing
EP2C15AF256I8N is well suited to video and image processing when moderate logic density and embedded memory are needed. The 239,616 RAM bits can hold multiple line buffers for real-time filtering, while 152 user I/O connect to digital video decoders, ADCs, or display controllers. In a capture system, the FPGA receives parallel pixel data, performs color-space conversion or edge detection, and outputs processed data to a display or encoder. The 1.2 V core helps limit power in dense video pipelines. For resolutions such as VGA or lower-cost machine vision, the LE count is sufficient for small soft processors, timing generators, and pixel-processing logic. Designers should pay attention to I/O bank voltage to match the video interface standard.
Recommended
Communications and Protocol Bridging
EP2C15AF256I8N can be used as a protocol bridge between parallel buses, UARTs, SPI, I2C, or legacy custom interfaces. Its 152 user I/O allow multiple independent byte-wide interfaces without external muxing, and the embedded RAM supports packet FIFOs. In a typical communications card, the FPGA receives data from an Ethernet PHY or serial transceiver, applies protocol translation, and forwards it to a host processor. Industrial temperature support makes it appropriate for networking equipment in outdoor cabinets. Designers should use small FIFOs to decouple clock domains and add decoupling caps on all 1.2 V core rails. The device is not intended for multi-gigabit SerDes applications; use Cyclone IV GX or Arria families for high-speed serial links.
Recommended
Motor Control and Power Conversion
EP2C15AF256I8N is useful in motor-control applications where fast PWM generation, encoder feedback, and fault detection must be implemented in hardware. The FPGA's 14,448 logic elements can encode multiple PWM channels, dead-time generators, and quadrature decoder logic while maintaining deterministic timing. The 152 I/O pins can interface directly to gate-driver ICs and current-sense ADCs when voltage levels are matched. In a variable-frequency drive, the FPGA acts as the real-time engine, releasing the host MCU from time-critical PWM duties. The industrial temperature grade supports drives installed in enclosures that may experience wide temperature swings. Place the FPGA near the gate-driver interface and protect sensitive I/O with series resistors if long PCB traces are needed.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Instrumentation
EP2C15AF256I8N fits test and measurement equipment such as data acquisition front ends, logic analyzers, function generators, and protocol analyzers. The 152 user I/O can capture parallel ADC data or generate digital waveforms, while the 239,616 RAM bits provide acquisition buffers and pattern storage. Because the FPGA is reprogrammable, the same PCB can support different measurement modes by loading different configuration images. The 1.2 V core supply should be regulated with low-noise LDOs or DC-DC converters that keep output ripple away from sensitive analog sections. For high accuracy, isolate the FPGA digital supply from the analog supply domain. This FPGA is also suitable for benchtop instruments that require USB/GPIO bridging and custom trigger logic.
Recommended
Soft-Core Processor and Embedded Systems
EP2C15AF256I8N can host a soft-core processor such as Altera Nios II, making it an embedded-system platform capable of running control code alongside custom hardware accelerators. The 14,448 LEs are sufficient for a small 32-bit processor with memory-mapped peripherals, UART, SPI, and timer modules, while the 239,616 RAM bits provide program and data memory for moderate firmware. This enables a single FPGA to handle both software and hardware tasks, reducing BOM cost. In embedded deployment, use an external EPCS configuration device to store the processor program and FPGA configuration. The industrial temperature grade supports rugged embedded products in transportation, medical, and factory settings. Use Quartus II to generate and debug the Nios II system.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP2C15AF256I8N — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP2C15AF256C8N | EP2C15AF256C7N | EP2C15AF256C6N | EP2C15AF256I8NES | EP2C15AF256C6NES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | FBGA-256 / 256-LBGA | FBGA-256 / 256-LBGA | FBGA-256 / 256-LBGA | FBGA-256 / 256-LBGA | FBGA-256 / 256-LBGA | FBGA-256 / 256-LBGA |
| Brand | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera |
| Logic Elements | 14448 | 14448 | 14448 | 14448 | 14448 | 14448 |
| Total RAM Bits | 239616 | 239616 | 239616 | 239616 | 239616 | 239616 |
| User I/O Count | 152 | 152 | 152 | 152 | 152 | 152 |
| Core Supply Voltage | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial (-40°C to +100°C approx.) | Commercial (0°C to +85°C) | Commercial (0°C to +85°C) | Commercial (0°C to +85°C) | Industrial (engineering sample) | Commercial (engineering sample) |
| Speed Grade / Ordering Suffix | I8 | C8 | C7 | C6 | I8 ES | C6 ES |
| RoHS / Lead-Free | Yes (N suffix) | Yes (N suffix) | Yes (N suffix) | Yes (N suffix) | Yes (N suffix) | Yes (N suffix) |
Key Differentiators
- Industrial-temperature FBGA-256 Cyclone II with 14,448 LEs (vs EP2C15AF256C8N)
- Established Cyclone II ecosystem and Quartus II support (vs Newer Intel/Altera families such as Cyclone IV/V/10)
- RoHS-compliant lead-free N-suffix availability (vs Older non-N lead-bearing Cyclone II variants)
Design Notes
The EP2C15AF256I8N is a 256-ball FineLine BGA with 1.2 V core power and 3.3/1.5 V I/O support. Use a four-layer or higher PCB with dedicated power and ground planes. Place a 0.1 uF ceramic capacitor near each VCC ball and one 10 uF bulk capacitor per power-supply rail. Route I/O signals on the outer layers with controlled impedance when using high-speed interfaces. Refer to the Cyclone II Device Handbook board-design guidelines before finalizing the BGA escape routing.
Estimated: the actual core current of EP2C15AF256I8N depends on logic utilization and clock frequency. A 14,448-LE design running near 100 MHz can consume roughly 200-600 mA from the 1.2 V rail depending on toggling activity and resource usage. Use the Quartus Power Analyzer after place-and-route for a project-specific estimate. The core supply should maintain 1.2 V within the Cyclone II specified tolerance, with low ripple. Verify whether the final rail budget is compatible with your LDO or buck converter before production.
Do not assume a commercial-temperature C-suffix part can replace this industrial I8N part in an outdoor or cold-cabinet design. Always verify the temperature grade required by your end application. Since this FPGA requires external configuration, use an EPCS serial configuration device or JTAG programming; leaving the device unconfigured at power-up will not execute your logic. Confirm the JTAG and configuration pins are correctly pulled up or down per the Cyclone II handbook to avoid accidental programming failures.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance and lead-free N-suffix confirmed by Xecor and Vyrian product listings. REACH, halogen-free, and conflict-mineral status were not provided in the verified data. AEC-Q100 is not applicable to this non-automotive-grade FPGA.
