EP2C50U484C7 - Cyclone II FPGA, 50K LE, 484-FBGA | Intel
MPN: EP2C50U484C7 ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $260.94 | $260.94 |
| 10 | $235 | $2,350.00 |
| 100 | $210 | $21,000.00 |
| 500 | $190 | $95,000.00 |
| 1,000 | $175 | $175,000.00 |
EP2C50U484C7 Overview
A Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a semiconductor integrated circuit whose logic function is defined after manufacturing by the end user. Within the broader taxonomy of digital semiconductors, an FPGA sits alongside ASICs, microcontrollers, and CPLDs; the Cyclone II family specifically targets low-power, high-volume logic integration rather than maximum performance, distinguishing it from the high-end Stratix families. The Cyclone II architecture combines 4-input look-up tables (4-LUTs), embedded memory blocks (M4K), embedded 18x18 multipliers, and a flexible I/O ring supporting LVDS, PCI, and various single-ended standards.
Key features of the EP2C50U484C7 include 50,528 logic elements (approximately equivalent to ~50K ASIC gates), 4,488 Kbits (594,432 bits) of embedded RAM in M4K blocks, 172 dedicated 18x18 hardware multipliers for DSP operations, four phase-locked loops (PLLs) for clock synthesis, and 294 user I/O pins distributed across eight I/O banks. The device supports configuration via JTAG, Active Serial, Passive Serial, and Fast Passive Parallel modes, and includes built-in CRC and scrambling for configuration bitstream protection.
The Cyclone II architecture was engineered to balance logic density, DSP throughput, and static power. Embedded multipliers eliminate the need for soft DSP cores in many applications, while the PLL-based clock tree supports low-skew distribution across all eight I/O banks. Compared with the earlier Cyclone I family, Cyclone II roughly doubled logic capacity and added true hardware multipliers.
Typical applications for the EP2C50U484C7 include industrial motor control, video processing pipelines, telecommunications interface cards, and embedded display controllers. The 50K logic element density is well matched to designs that would otherwise require a small ASIC or a CPLD-plus-microcontroller combination.
When designing with this device, ensure your Quartus II (or Intel Quartus Prime) tool flow supports the Cyclone II device family and that the 484-FBGA PCB footprint matches Intel's package guidelines for BGA escape routing and decoupling.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-family alternatives, and practical design considerations for engineers who already have EP2C50U484C7 in their BOM and need a concise, decision-ready reference.
Drop-in alternatives for EP2C50U484C7 — 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 EP2C50U484C7 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Speed Grade, Operating Temperature, Process Technology, Family.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP2C50U484C6N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$198.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C50U484C6
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$115.42 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C50F484C8N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$68.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C50F484C8
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$55.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C50F484C7
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$165 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C50F484C7N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$155 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C50U484C7 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | Cyclone II |
| Logic Elements | 50,528 |
| Embedded Memory Bits | 594,432 bits (4,488 Kbits) |
| Embedded Memory Blocks | M4K blocks |
| Embedded 18x18 Multipliers | 172 |
| User I/O Count | 294 |
| Number of I/O Banks | 8 |
| Phase-Locked Loops (PLLs) | 4 |
| Core Voltage | 1.2 V |
| Process Technology | 90 nm |
| Package | 484-ball FineLine BGA (U484 / 484-FBGA) |
| Speed Grade | 7 |
| Operating Temperature | Commercial (0C to +85C) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Configuration Modes | JTAG, Active Serial, Passive Serial, Fast Passive Parallel |
EP2C50U484C7 Pin Configuration
| Pin A1 | I/O — User I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin A2 | I/O — User I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin A3 | VCCIO1 — I/O bank 1 supply voltage |
| Pin A4 | I/O — User I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin A5 | GND — Ground |
| Pin A6 | I/O — User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin A7 | VCCINT — Core 1.2 V supply |
| Pin A8 | I/O — User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin A9 | GND — Ground |
| Pin A10 | I/O — User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin A11 | VCCIO3 — I/O bank 3 supply voltage |
| Pin A12 | I/O — User I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin B1 | I/O — User I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin B2 | GND — Ground |
| Pin B3 | I/O — User I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin B4 | I/O — User I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin B5 | VCCIO1 — I/O bank 1 supply voltage |
| Pin B6 | I/O — User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin B7 | GND — Ground |
| Pin B8 | VCCIO2 — I/O bank 2 supply voltage |
| Pin B9 | I/O — User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin B10 | I/O — User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin B11 | GND — Ground |
| Pin B12 | I/O — User I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin C1 | TCK — JTAG test clock |
| Pin C2 | I/O — User I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin C3 | TDO — JTAG test data out |
| Pin C4 | TMS — JTAG test mode select |
| Pin C5 | I/O — User I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin C6 | GND — Ground |
| Pin C7 | I/O — User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin C8 | I/O — User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin C9 | VCCIO3 — I/O bank 3 supply voltage |
| Pin C10 | I/O — User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin C11 | I/O — User I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin C12 | TDI — JTAG test data in |
Typical Applications
EP2C50U484C7 is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Motor Control, Video Processing Pipeline, Telecommunications Interface Card, Embedded Display Controller, Test & Measurement Instrumentation, Soft-Core Processor / SoC Integration.
Industrial Motor Control
The EP2C50U484C7 fits industrial motor control because its 172 embedded 18x18 multipliers and 594 Kbits of M4K RAM provide the throughput needed to compute field-oriented control (FOC) algorithms in real time while leaving 294 user I/O free for encoder, resolver, and gate-driver interfacing. The four PLLs synthesize the PWM-aligned clocks required for three-phase inverter timing from a single crystal, and the 1.2 V core keeps dissipation low enough for sealed IP65 enclosures. Industrial designers value the device for its deterministic logic, deterministic latency on dedicated multipliers, and proven long-term availability in 90 nm Cyclone II silicon across multi-year product lifecycles.
Recommended
Video Processing Pipeline
For video-format conversion, de-interlacing, and overlay composition, the EP2C50U484C7's 50,528 logic elements and M4K memory provide enough line buffers to handle SD and entry-level HD video streams in real time. The eight I/O banks accept LVDS pairs from camera sensors or HDMI receivers and translate them into parallel internal buses for pipeline processing. Its 172 hardware multipliers accelerate 2D filter kernels and chroma resampling, while the 484-FBGA package routes high-fanout video data paths cleanly. Designers typically pair it with external SDRAM for frame buffering and a serializer for HDMI output, using its multipliers to keep the pipeline running at the pixel clock rate.
Recommended
Telecommunications Interface Card
The EP2C50U484C7's 294 user I/O across eight banks and its support for LVDS make it well matched to telecom line-card designs that aggregate multiple low-speed serial links (E1/T1, I2S, SPI peripherals) into a higher-speed uplink. Its 594 Kbits of embedded RAM absorb packet buffering between PHY and the host processor, and the four PLLs derive the bit-rate clocks for each tributary interface independently. Cyclone II logic is widely deployed in legacy telecom infrastructure because of its deterministic timing closure and proven FIT rate in continuously-powered carrier environments. The 484-FBGA package handles the board escape density required by multi-port front panels without forcing layer-count escalation.
Recommended
Embedded Display Controller
The EP2C50U484C7 serves well as an embedded display controller for HMI panels, industrial HMIs, and automotive-cluster prototypes because its 50K logic elements can implement TFT timing generators, color-space converters, and graphics accelerators in a single device. The 484-FBGA package brings enough I/O for 24-bit RGB plus SPI/I2C touch-sensor interfaces, while the 172 multipliers handle bilinear image scaling and alpha blending in hardware. Designers use the embedded M4K RAM as scan-line buffers so that no external SDRAM is required for small QVGA/WVGA panels. The 90 nm Cyclone II silicon has been deployed in display modules for over a decade, giving OEMs a mature, fully-characterized timing path.
Recommended
Test & Measurement Instrumentation
In bench-top test and measurement instruments, the EP2C50U484C7 acts as the timing, trigger, and DSP aggregation engine between ADCs/DACs and the host processor. Its four PLLs synthesize multiple synchronized sample clocks from a low-frequency reference, while 172 hardware multipliers implement FIR filters, FFTs, and modulation/demodulation kernels in hardware. The 594 Kbits of M4K RAM provides data-windowing buffers for statistical measurements, and 294 user I/O can fan out to dozens of front-panel switches and indicators without external bus expanders. The 484-FBGA package supports the controlled-impedance multi-GHz traces typically required for ADC clock distribution.
Recommended
Soft-Core Processor / SoC Integration
Embedded designers frequently pair the EP2C50U484C7 with the Altera Nios II soft-core processor to implement custom SoCs in a single chip, taking advantage of the 50K logic elements for peripheral integration (UART, SPI, I2C, Ethernet MAC, custom accelerators) and the 594 Kbits of RAM for cache and DMA buffers. The 294 user I/O can host dozens of off-chip peripherals without bus multiplexing, and the four PLLs synthesize the CPU and peripheral clocks independently. The 484-FBGA package is large enough to escape the wide internal buses that connect Nios II peripherals to the CPU, while remaining tractable on a 6-8 layer PCB. This application remains one of the most popular Cyclone II use cases in industrial and medical embedded products.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP2C50U484C7 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP2C50U484C6N | EP2C50U484C6 | EP2C50F484C8N | EP2C50F484C8 | EP2C50F484C7 | EP2C50F484C7N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 484-FBGA (U484) | 484-FBGA (U484) - same | 484-FBGA (U484) - same | 484-FBGA (F484) - same ballout | 484-FBGA (F484) - same ballout | 484-FBGA (F484) - same ballout | 484-FBGA (F484) - same ballout |
| Brand | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) |
| Family | Cyclone II | Cyclone II | Cyclone II | Cyclone II | Cyclone II | Cyclone II | Cyclone II |
| Logic Elements | 50,528 | 50,528 | 50,528 | 50,528 | 50,528 | 50,528 | 50,528 |
| Speed Grade | 7 | 6 (slower than 7) | 6 (slower than 7) | 8 (faster than 7) | 8 (faster than 7) | 7 (same as 7) | 7 (same as 7) |
| User I/O | 294 | 294 | 294 | 294 | 294 | 294 | 294 |
| Embedded RAM (bits) | 594,432 | 594,432 | 594,432 | 594,432 | 594,432 | 594,432 | 594,432 |
| 18x18 Multipliers | 172 | 172 | 172 | 172 | 172 | 172 | 172 |
| Core Voltage | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V |
| RoHS / Pb-free | Yes (U-prefix) | Yes | Yes | Yes (N suffix) | No (F-prefix, non-N) | No (F-prefix, non-N) | Yes (N suffix) |
Key Differentiators
- Same silicon, slower speed bin (vs EP2C50U484C6 / EP2C50U484C6N)
- RoHS-compliant package code (vs EP2C50F484C7 (F-prefix, non-N))
- Faster bin alternative available (vs EP2C50F484C8 / EP2C50F484C8N)
- Same-ballout Cyclone II alternatives for procurement flexibility (vs EP2C50F484C7N)
Design Notes
The 484-FBGA package requires a BGA escape pattern on at least 6 PCB layers with 0.8 mm pitch. Route the inner rows with micro-vias on staggered or dog-bone fan-out and use the full breakout footprint recommended in the Cyclone II Device Handbook. Place decoupling capacitors on the BGA-side layer within 100 mils of their associated VCCINT/VCCIO balls; one 0.1 uF plus one 10 uF per rail is the minimum recommended decoupling for each supply. Maintain a continuous ground plane under the package to keep return paths short for the high-frequency JTAG and configuration clocks.
Estimated: at maximum junction temperature 125°C and commercial ambient 70°C, the EP2C50U484C7 dissipates up to approximately 2 W in worst-case utilization. With the 484-FBGA theta_JA of approximately 12°C/W (still air, JEDEC test board), the junction-to-ambient temperature rise is about 24°C, leaving roughly 55°C of margin. For designs that fully load the 172 multipliers, add a thermal copper pad under the BGA and consider 200 LFM of airflow to keep the device in its commercial window. Industrial applications targeting 85°C ambient must derate logic utilization to keep the junction below 100°C.
Three pitfalls recur on Cyclone II designs: (1) selecting the wrong configuration mode pin strapping (MSEL[3:0] must match the chosen AS/PS/JTAG/FPP mode at power-up - leaving them floating is invalid); (2) forgetting that the Cyclone II configuration bitstream is 90 nm-specific and incompatible with newer Quartus versions if the project was last saved in Quartus II 13.0 or earlier; (3) attempting to use Cyclone III/IV .pof files with Cyclone II hardware - the configuration ROM image is family-specific. Cross-check MSEL, nCONFIG, and nSTATUS in the schematic before first power-up, and verify the .sof/.pof output family matches the silicon.
LVDS and clock inputs on the EP2C50U484C7 require 100-ohm differential impedance on the PCB and matched trace lengths within 20 mils to preserve duty cycle. The eight I/O banks support independent VCCIO rails, so each bank can interface to 1.5V, 1.8V, 2.5V, 3.3V LVTTL/LVCMOS, PCI, or LVDS - but mixing 3.3V PCI and LVDS on the same bank is not allowed. Use IBIS models from Intel to simulate simultaneous switching noise (SSN) when more than 16 outputs in a bank toggle in the same clock cycle.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance inferred from the U-prefix package code and the Altera / Intel Pb-free marking on the Cyclone II family. AEC-Q100 is not applicable because the device is in the commercial temperature grade; the equivalent Cyclone II industrial-grade part would carry the I-suffix speed code.
