EP2C20F484C6N - 18,752 LE Cyclone II FPGA 484-FBGA | Intel
MPN: EP2C20F484C6N ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $90.86 | $90.86 |
| 10 | $86.5 | $865.00 |
| 100 | $78.2 | $7,820.00 |
| 250 | $72.4 | $18,100.00 |
| 500 | $68.1 | $34,050.00 |
EP2C20F484C6N Overview
What is a Cyclone II FPGA? A Cyclone II is a low-cost, low-power SRAM-based FPGA fabricated on a 90 nm process. As a programmable logic device it sits in the broader hierarchy of programmable logic > FPGA > SRAM-based FPGA > low-cost FPGA family. Compared with CPLDs and ASICs, FPGAs offer parallel processing, reconfigurable logic, and hardware-level timing control, making them the workhorse for digital signal processing, glue logic, video/image pipelines, and communication interfaces.
Key features of the EP2C20F484C6N include 18,752 logic elements distributed across 1,172 logic array blocks, 52 embedded 18x18 multipliers for DSP operations, up to 315 user I/O pins supporting LVDS, LVTTL, LVCMOS, SSTL, and HSTL I/O standards, four phase-locked loops (PLLs) for clock management, and 239,616 bits of embedded RAM organized in M4K blocks. The device supports configuration via passive serial, active serial, or JTAG, and provides dedicated DDR/DDR2 memory interfaces.
Architecturally, the Cyclone II uses a logic-element-based fabric with 4-input look-up tables, fast carry chains for arithmetic, and embedded multiplier blocks that enable single-cycle multiply-accumulate operations without consuming general-purpose logic. The four PLLs support frequency synthesis, phase shifting, and external clock conditioning, while the I/O structure provides flexible on-chip termination (OCT) and slew-rate control.
Typical applications include industrial motor control and automation, video surveillance and image processing, telecommunications line cards, low-cost ASIC prototyping, embedded control systems, and consumer electronics that require custom logic, DSP, or video bridging. The combination of 18,752 LEs, 52 multipliers, and 315 I/Os at a low price point makes this part attractive for cost-sensitive volume production.
When designing with this device, pay attention to configuration scheme selection (AS/PS/JTAG), pin assignment for DDR interfaces, and decoupling strategy for the core and I/O supplies. For long-term designs, note that the Cyclone II family is in the legacy product category - new designs should evaluate Cyclone IV/V or Cyclone 10 LP devices, but the EP2C20F484C6N remains available for ongoing production and maintenance.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, verified specifications, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for EP2C20F484C6N — 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 EP2C20F484C6N (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Speed Grade, Process Technology, Configuration Modes, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP2C20F484C6
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$65.31 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C20F484C8N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$23.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C20F484C7N
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$42.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C20F484I6N
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$47.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C15AF484C6N
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$19.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C20F484C6N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | Intel (formerly Altera) |
| Series | Cyclone II |
| Logic Elements (LE) | 18,752 |
| Logic Array Blocks (LAB) | 1,172 |
| Embedded Memory (RAM bits) | 239,616 |
| Embedded Multipliers (18x18) | 52 |
| Phase-Locked Loops (PLL) | 4 |
| Maximum User I/O | 315 |
| Process Technology | 90 nm |
| Core Voltage | 1.15 V to 1.25 V (typ. 1.2 V) |
| Supply Voltage | 3.30 V (I/O supply) |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +85C (commercial) |
| Package | 484-ball FBGA (FineLine BGA) |
| Speed Grade | 6 |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (lead-free) |
| Configuration Modes | Active Serial, Passive Serial, JTAG |
EP2C20F484C6N Pin Configuration
| Pin B1 | IO — User I/O - bank 1 |
| Pin B2 | IO — User I/O - bank 1 |
| Pin B3 | IO — User I/O - bank 1 |
| Pin B4 | IO — User I/O - bank 1 |
| Pin B5 | IO — User I/O - bank 1 |
| Pin B6 | IO — User I/O - bank 1 |
| Pin B7 | IO — User I/O - bank 1 |
| Pin B8 | IO — User I/O - bank 1 |
| Pin C1 | IO — User I/O - bank 2 |
| Pin C2 | IO — User I/O - bank 2 |
| Pin C3 | IO — User I/O - bank 2 |
| Pin C4 | IO — User I/O - bank 2 |
| Pin C5 | IO — User I/O - bank 2 |
| Pin C6 | IO — User I/O - bank 2 |
| Pin C7 | IO — User I/O - bank 2 |
| Pin C8 | IO — User I/O - bank 2 |
| Pin D1 | VCCINT — Core voltage supply (1.2 V) |
| Pin D2 | VCCIO1 — I/O bank 1 voltage supply |
| Pin D3 | VCCIO2 — I/O bank 2 voltage supply |
| Pin D4 | GND — Ground |
| Pin D5 | GND — Ground |
| Pin D6 | VCCIO3 — I/O bank 3 voltage supply |
| Pin D7 | VCCIO4 — I/O bank 4 voltage supply |
| Pin D8 | VCCA_PLL — PLL analog supply (2.5 V) |
| Pin E1 | IO — User I/O - bank 3 |
| Pin E2 | IO — User I/O - bank 3 |
| Pin E3 | IO — User I/O - bank 3 |
| Pin E4 | IO — User I/O - bank 3 |
| Pin E5 | CONFIG_DONE — Configuration status output |
| Pin E6 | nCONFIG — Configuration control input |
| Pin E7 | IO — User I/O - bank 4 |
| Pin E8 | IO — User I/O - bank 4 |
| Pin F1 | IO — User I/O - bank 5 |
| Pin F2 | IO — User I/O - bank 5 |
| Pin F3 | IO — User I/O - bank 5 |
| Pin F4 | IO — User I/O - bank 5 |
| Pin F5 | nSTATUS — Configuration status output |
| Pin F6 | TCK — JTAG clock input |
| Pin F7 | TDI — JTAG data input |
| Pin F8 | TDO — JTAG data output |
| Pin G1 | IO — User I/O - bank 6 |
| Pin G2 | IO — User I/O - bank 6 |
| Pin G3 | IO — User I/O - bank 6 |
| Pin G4 | IO — User I/O - bank 6 |
| Pin G5 | TMS — JTAG mode select input |
| Pin G6 | DCLK — Configuration clock input |
| Pin G7 | DATA0 — Configuration data input |
| Pin G8 | IO — User I/O - bank 8 |
| Pin H1 | IO — User I/O - bank 7 |
| Pin H2 | IO — User I/O - bank 7 |
| Pin H3 | IO — User I/O - bank 7 |
| Pin H4 | IO — User I/O - bank 7 |
| Pin H5 | VCCIO5 — I/O bank 5 voltage supply |
| Pin H6 | VCCIO6 — I/O bank 6 voltage supply |
| Pin H7 | VCCIO7 — I/O bank 7 voltage supply |
| Pin H8 | VCCIO8 — I/O bank 8 voltage supply |
Typical Applications
EP2C20F484C6N is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Motor Control and Automation, Video Surveillance and Image Processing, Telecommunications Line Cards, ASIC Prototyping, Embedded Control Systems, Consumer Electronics and Display Bridging, Low-Cost DSP and Audio Processing.
Industrial Motor Control and Automation
The EP2C20F484C6N is well-suited for industrial motor control and automation systems where deterministic real-time processing and parallel I/O handling are essential. With 52 embedded 18x18 multipliers running up to 250 MHz, the device can execute field-oriented control (FOC) algorithms for three-phase AC motors with single-cycle MAC operations, while 315 user I/Os accommodate quadrature encoder inputs, PWM outputs, and multi-axis drive signaling. Its 18,752 logic elements provide sufficient capacity for state machines, commutation tables, and safety logic, and the four PLLs generate precisely phased clocks for synchronized multi-axis control. The 484-FBGA package and industrial-grade operating range (0C to +85C) make it appropriate for factory-floor equipment cabinets.
Recommended
Video Surveillance and Image Processing
In video surveillance and image processing applications, the EP2C20F484C6N delivers the parallel computational throughput needed for real-time video pipelines. Its 52 hardware multipliers enable efficient implementation of Sobel edge detection, motion estimation, and JPEG/MJPEG codecs, while the 239,616 bits of embedded RAM serve as line buffers for de-interlacing and frame storage. The 315 user I/Os easily accommodate ITU-R BT.656 video interfaces, BT.1120 high-definition streams, and camera control signals, and the four PLLs synthesize pixel clocks for various video standards. Designers can leverage Altera's Video and Image Processing (VIP) suite in Quartus II to accelerate development of common image-processing functions.
Recommended
Telecommunications Line Cards
Telecommunications line cards benefit from the EP2C20F484C6N's combination of high I/O count, embedded memory, and DSP capability for protocol conversion and signal conditioning. The 18,752 logic elements support multi-channel framer implementations, while the 52 multipliers enable Reed-Solomon and convolutional codec operations at line rates. The 484-FBGA package's 315 I/Os handle T1/E1, LVDS backplanes, and serial RapidIO interfaces, and the four PLLs provide independent clock domains for tributary synchronization. Embedded RAM blocks serve as elastic buffers and lookup tables for PCM companding. The Cyclone II architecture's proven reliability in telecom infrastructure makes this device a known quantity for long-lifecycle deployments.
Recommended
ASIC Prototyping
The EP2C20F484C6N is widely used as an ASIC prototyping platform because it offers sufficient logic capacity and I/O flexibility to emulate mid-complexity ASIC designs. With 18,752 logic elements and 52 hardware multipliers, the device can hold functional blocks equivalent to roughly 500K gates of standard-cell ASIC, allowing verification of system-on-chip architectures before committing to mask sets. The 315 I/Os facilitate breakout of internal ASIC buses for bench testing, and JTAG-based configuration enables rapid design iterations. Quartus II's incremental compilation and LogicLock features partition the design to map cleanly across multiple FPGAs if the target ASIC exceeds 18,752 LEs, providing a clear migration path to higher-density devices.
Recommended
Embedded Control Systems
Embedded control systems use the EP2C20F484C6N for custom I/O expansion, real-time glue logic, and protocol bridging between microcontrollers and peripheral devices. The 18,752 logic elements easily handle I2C/SPI/UART bridges, custom bus arbiters, and timer/counter arrays, while 315 I/Os support simultaneous interfacing with multiple peripherals including displays, sensors, and actuators. The four PLLs generate clock domains for various serial protocols (CAN, LIN, USB, Ethernet), and the embedded RAM serves as packet buffers for communication stacks. The device pairs naturally with ARM-based processors via its external memory interface, allowing it to offload deterministic real-time tasks from the host CPU.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics and Display Bridging
The EP2C20F484C6N enables consumer electronics manufacturers to implement custom display bridging solutions, format converters, and feature-add modules without the cost of an ASIC. With 52 hardware multipliers, the device can perform real-time scaling, color-space conversion (RGB to YCbCr), and frame-rate conversion for legacy display panels. The 315 I/Os accommodate HDMI bridge companion chips, LVDS display interfaces, and parallel RGB buses, while four PLLs synthesize pixel clocks for various resolutions. Embedded RAM provides line buffers for scaling algorithms, and the 484-FBGA package supports the compact PCB layouts demanded by consumer product enclosures. The mature toolchain and proven silicon reduce time-to-market for consumer product launches.
Recommended
Low-Cost DSP and Audio Processing
Audio processing applications leverage the EP2C20F484C6N's 52 embedded 18x18 multipliers for real-time FIR filters, FFT computations, and sample-rate conversion. The 18,752 logic elements implement control logic for multi-channel audio routers, while 239,616 bits of embedded RAM serve as delay lines and FFT working buffers. The device's four PLLs generate the multiple audio clocks (MCLK, BCLK, LRCLK) required by codecs such as I2S, TDM, and S/PDIF interfaces, and 315 I/Os support multi-channel digital audio routing. Designers can implement parametric equalizers, dynamic range compressors, and acoustic echo cancellers entirely in FPGA fabric, enabling custom audio features without expensive DSP processors.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP2C20F484C6N — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP2C20F484C6 | EP2C20F484C8N | EP2C20F484C7N | EP2C20F484I6N | EP2C15AF484C6N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 484-FBGA | 484-FBGA - same | 484-FBGA - same | 484-FBGA - same | 484-FBGA - same | 484-FBGA - same |
| Brand | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) |
| Logic Elements | 18,752 | 18,752 | 18,752 | 18,752 | 18,752 | 14,448 |
| Speed Grade | 6 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
| Temperature Grade | Commercial (0C to +85C) | Commercial | Commercial | Commercial | Industrial (-40C to +100C) | Commercial |
| Embedded Multipliers | 52 (18x18) | 52 | 52 | 52 | 52 | 52 |
| Embedded RAM (bits) | 239,616 | 239,616 | 239,616 | 239,616 | 239,616 | 239,616 |
| User I/O | 315 | 315 | 315 | 315 | 315 | 315 |
| PLL Count | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| RoHS Compliance | Yes (lead-free N suffix) | SnPb (non-N) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- True drop-in with same 484-FBGA footprint and identical silicon (vs EP2C20F484C6)
- Speed grade 6 vs speed grade 8 provides measurably faster Fmax (vs EP2C20F484C8N)
- Highest logic density in same 484-FBGA package within Cyclone II family mid-tier (vs EP2C15AF484C6N)
Design Notes
The EP2C20F484C6N requires three supply rails: VCCINT (1.15 V to 1.25 V core), VCCIO (1.5 V / 1.8 V / 2.5 V / 3.3 V per bank), and VCCA_PLL (2.5 V analog). Decoupling strategy per Altera Cyclone II datasheet recommends 100 nF ceramic capacitors within 5 mm of every VCCINT pin and 10 uF bulk capacitors per supply plane. The PLL analog supply VCCA_PLL must be filtered with an LC pi-network (10 uH inductor, 10 uF + 100 nF caps) to minimize jitter. Estimated: idle current ~250 mA on VCCINT, rising to ~1.5 A at full utilization of 18,752 LEs at 250 MHz.
The 484-FBGA package dissipates up to approximately 1.5-2 W under typical loading. With theta_JA of approximately 15 C/W (still-air, JEDEC test board) the junction rises 22-30C above ambient - acceptable for commercial 0C to +85C operation. For enclosed industrial cabinets, force-air cooling or thermal vias under the central BGA balls (connected to internal ground planes) are recommended. Avoid placing the FPGA directly above heat-dissipating components.
The 484-FBGA uses a 1.0 mm ball pitch requiring HDI PCB technology with laser-drilled microvias and 4-6 layer stackup at minimum. Per Altera Cyclone II Hardware Design Guidelines, route all LVDS pairs as 100 ohm differential with length matching within 20 mils, and isolate PLL analog supplies from noisy digital planes using split ground planes stitched together at a single point. Configuration signals (nCONFIG, nSTATUS, DCLK, DATA0, CONFIG_DONE) should be kept short and isolated from high-frequency I/O.
Do not exceed the maximum I/O count of 315 - attempting to assign more pins triggers Quartus II fitter errors. When using LVDS, ensure each LVDS pair uses adjacent pins in the same bank; mismatched pin assignments cause IBIS simulation discrepancies. Avoid using the JTAG pins (TCK, TDI, TDO, TMS) as user I/O unless JTAG boundary scan is disabled - active JTAG traffic can corrupt user logic. For DDR/DDR2 interfaces, use the dedicated DQS pins as documented in the pin tables, not general-purpose I/O.
Place the configuration memory (EPCS4 / EPCS16) as close as possible to the FPGA to minimize DCLK and DATA0 trace lengths. Use series termination (33 ohm) on DCLK if the configuration memory is more than 50 mm away. For multi-FPGA designs sharing a configuration bus, isolate each FPGA's nCONFIG and nSTATUS signals and add a 1 kohm pull-up to 3.3 V. Reserve a 4-pin header for the JTAG download cable on every design - this dramatically simplifies board bring-up.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance indicated by 'N' suffix in Altera nomenclature per Intel/Altera product environmental compliance documents. REACH status compliant per EU regulation framework. AEC-Q100 not applicable - this is a commercial-grade FPGA. For industrial temperature grade, select the EP2C20F484I6N variant.
