EP2C50U484I8N - 50K LE Cyclone II FPGA, 484-FBGA | Altera (Intel)
MPN: EP2C50U484I8N ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $247.13 | $247.13 |
| 10 | $235.2 | $2,352.00 |
| 100 | $218.75 | $21,875.00 |
| 250 | $198.4 | $49,600.00 |
| 500 | $182.6 | $91,300.00 |
EP2C50U484I8N Overview
An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) is a semiconductor device whose logic architecture, interconnect, and I/O behavior can be redefined after manufacture by loading a user bitstream into on-chip SRAM configuration memory. Within the broader taxonomy, the EP2C50 belongs to the low-cost, high-volume programmable logic class - sitting below high-performance Stratix devices and above fixed-function ASICs in the cost/flexibility trade-off. Cyclone II specifically targets cost-sensitive, high-volume applications where designers need hundreds of thousands of system gates, embedded multipliers, and external memory interfaces without the premium of transceivers or high-speed SERDES.
Key features include 4 PLLs for clock management, support for external memory interfaces including DDR, DDR2, and QDRII SRAM, 16 global clock networks, and a configuration scheme supporting passive serial, active serial, and JTAG programming. The 484-FBGA package provides a compact 19 mm x 19 mm footprint with 1.0 mm ball pitch, suitable for cost-constrained multilayer PCBs in volume production.
The Cyclone II architecture combines adaptive logic modules (ALMs) with a predictable routing fabric, allowing Quartus II synthesis to deliver consistent timing closure. Embedded M4K RAM blocks support single- and dual-port operation up to 250 MHz, while the 18x18 multipliers enable DSP pipelines such as FFTs, FIR filters, and video processing without external DSP chips.
Typical applications span industrial motor control, video surveillance, automotive infotainment pre-processing, low-cost software-defined radio front-ends, and educational/prototyping platforms where large logic capacity and abundant multipliers are needed at minimal unit cost.
When designing with this device, carefully review the I/O bank supply rules in the Cyclone II handbook - mixing 1.5 V, 1.8 V, 2.5 V, and 3.3 V interfaces requires proper VREF and bank voltage planning, and the 484-FBGA land pattern demands PCB fabrication with microvia or via-in-pad capability for reliable assembly.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in package alternatives, and practical design considerations not found in the standalone manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for EP2C50U484I8N — 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 EP2C50U484I8N (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Operating Temperature, Speed Grade, Logic Elements, Total RAM Bits.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP2C50U484I8
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$184.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C50F484I8N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$148.9 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C50F484I8
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$180.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C35U484I8N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$88.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C35F484I8N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$56.01 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C50U484I8N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | Cyclone II |
| Logic Elements (LE) | 50,528 |
| Embedded Memory | 594,432 bits |
| User I/Os | 294 |
| Embedded 18x18 Multipliers | 86 |
| PLLs | 4 |
| Global Clock Networks | 16 |
| Process Technology | 90 nm CMOS |
| Core Voltage (VCCINT) | 1.15 V to 1.25 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Speed Grade | 8 |
| Package | 484-FBGA (UBGA-484), 19x19 mm, 1.0 mm pitch |
| Configuration Methods | Passive Serial, Active Serial, JTAG |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (BGA) |
| Lead-Free / RoHS | Yes (lead-free, RoHS compliant) |
EP2C50U484I8N 484-fbga (ubga-484), 19x19 mm, 1.0 mm pitch Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP2C50U484I8N (484-fbga (ubga-484), 19x19 mm, 1.0 mm pitch 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 EP2C50U484I8N.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP2C50U484I8N is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Motor Control and Drive, Video Surveillance and Image Processing, Automotive Infotainment Pre-Processing, Low-Cost Software-Defined Radio Front-End, Educational FPGA Prototyping Platforms, Test and Measurement Instrumentation.
Industrial Motor Control and Drive
The EP2C50U484I8N fits industrial motor control with 86 embedded 18x18 multipliers that handle field-oriented control (FOC) math - Park/Clarke transforms and SVPWM modulation - without external DSP chips. Its 50,528 logic elements absorb the entire state machine, encoder interface, and protection logic on-chip, while 594 Kbits of embedded RAM buffer ADC samples and reference waveforms. Industrial designers benefit from the -40C to +85C industrial temperature range and 1.15-1.25 V core supply typical of factory-floor motor drives. The 294 user I/Os accept quadrature encoder inputs, PWM outputs to gate drivers, and CAN/RS-485 comms links. Compared to a microcontroller-plus-DSP dual-chip solution, the Cyclone II consolidates control, comms, and safety monitoring into a single device with deterministic latency.
Recommended
Video Surveillance and Image Processing
The EP2C50U484I8N handles multi-channel video processing at surveillance system prices through its 86 hardware multipliers that accelerate 2D convolution, edge detection, and motion estimation. The 594 Kbits of M4K embedded RAM store line buffers for real-time image filtering at CIF/D1 resolutions, while 50K logic elements implement pipelined SDRAM controllers for frame buffering to external DDR memory. The 294 user I/Os accept parallel video input from decoders and drive multiple video output channels, including LCD panels and analog encoders. Designers value the Cyclone II's predictable timing closure in Quartus II for video pipelines where each clock cycle of latency matters. Power consumption stays manageable at typical video clock rates of 27-108 MHz with the 90 nm core.
Recommended
Automotive Infotainment Pre-Processing
The EP2C50U484I8N supports automotive infotainment pre-processing with its abundant 18x18 multipliers that handle audio decoding (MP3, AAC), graphics composition, and CAN bus message parsing at low cost. The 50,528 logic elements absorb HMI state machines, touch-screen controllers, and rear-view camera overlay logic, while 594 Kbits of embedded RAM cache decoded audio frames and display lists. The 484-FBGA package fits within the compact PCB area behind automotive head units, and the -40C to +85C industrial temperature range handles cabin and trunk-mounted environments. Designers pair the Cyclone II with external DDR memory controllers and PHY for display buffer storage. Compared to ASSPs, the FPGA offers design flexibility for differentiating infotainment features across vehicle trim levels without respinning silicon.
Recommended
Low-Cost Software-Defined Radio Front-End
The EP2C50U484I8N enables entry-level software-defined radio (SDR) designs by providing 86 hardware multipliers that execute digital down-conversion, FIR filtering, and FFT butterfly operations directly on IF samples. The 50K logic elements implement USB/Ethernet MAC interfaces, packet builders, and control planes, while 594 Kbits of embedded RAM stage FFT windows and channelizer taps. The 294 user I/Os accept parallel ADC samples from IF digitizers and connect to host processors over high-speed parallel or serial links. Ham radio and educational SDR platforms particularly value the Cyclone II's combination of large multiplier count and affordable unit cost. Designers can synthesize complete DDC chains at sample rates up to 100 MSPS in this device.
Recommended
Educational FPGA Prototyping Platforms
The EP2C50U484I8N powers university and training-lab FPGA development boards at price points accessible to students. The 50,528 logic elements accommodate complete RISC-V soft cores, custom peripherals, and lab projects ranging from UART controllers to VGA drivers, while 86 embedded multipliers let students experiment with hardware-accelerated DSP without external chips. The 484-FBGA package is mounted on developer boards with abundant I/O headers for breadboard prototyping, and Quartus II Web Edition (free) supports the Cyclone II family for student downloads. The industrial temperature range lets the same boards operate in classroom and lab environments without special cooling. Instructors value the predictable timing and rich IP library for teaching digital design, computer architecture, and HDL coursework.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Instrumentation
The EP2C50U484I8N suits bench-top test and measurement instruments through its combination of 86 hardware multipliers for DSP-based measurement algorithms and 594 Kbits of embedded RAM for sample buffering. The 50K logic elements implement stimulus generation, response capture, and USB/LAN interface controllers, while 4 PLLs generate the precise clock trees required for ADC/DAC synchronization. The 294 user I/Os connect to high-speed ADCs, DACs, and front-panel displays commonly found in oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and protocol analyzers. Designers benefit from the Cyclone II's deterministic timing for measurement accuracy, and the -40C to +85C temperature range supports portable instruments used in field service. Compared to DSP-plus-microcontroller architectures, the integrated FPGA reduces BOM cost and PCB area in mid-range instruments.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP2C50U484I8N — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP2C50U484I8 | EP2C50F484I8N | EP2C50F484I8 | EP2C35U484I8N | EP2C35F484I8N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 484-FBGA (UBGA-484), 19x19 mm, 1.0 mm pitch | 484-FBGA (UBGA-484) - same | 484-FBGA (UBGA-484) - same | 484-FBGA (UBGA-484) - same | 484-FBGA (UBGA-484) - same | 484-FBGA (UBGA-484) - same |
| Brand | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) - same | Altera (Intel) - same | Altera (Intel) - same | Altera (Intel) - same | Altera (Intel) - same |
| Family | Cyclone II | Cyclone II | Cyclone II | Cyclone II | Cyclone II | Cyclone II |
| Logic Elements | 50,528 LE | 50,528 LE | 50,528 LE | 50,528 LE | 33,216 LE (-34%) | 33,216 LE (-34%) |
| Embedded Memory | 594,432 bits | 594,432 bits | 594,432 bits | 594,432 bits | 483,840 bits (-19%) | 483,840 bits (-19%) |
| Embedded Multipliers (18x18) | 86 | 86 | 86 | 86 | 35 (-59%) | 35 (-59%) |
| User I/Os | 294 | 294 | 294 | 294 | 322 (+10%) | 322 (+10%) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Core Voltage | 1.15 V to 1.25 V | 1.15 V to 1.25 V | 1.15 V to 1.25 V | 1.15 V to 1.25 V | 1.15 V to 1.25 V | 1.15 V to 1.25 V |
Key Differentiators
- Highest logic capacity in the Cyclone II family at 484-FBGA footprint (vs EP2C35U484I8N)
- Industrial temperature grade with full JTAG and AS configuration support (vs EP2C50F484I8N)
- Lower unit cost than larger Cyclone III/IV families while retaining 50K LE class (vs Cyclone IV E EP4CE50F484)
- Drop-in compatibility with EP2C50F484I8N in same 484-FBGA footprint (vs EP2C50F484I8N)
Design Notes
The 484-FBGA package uses 1.0 mm ball pitch, which requires PCB fabrication with microvia technology (laser-drilled or stacked vias) for reliable assembly. Standard 0.4 mm via-in-pad designs with 0.2 mm capture pads work well. Plan for a 4-6 layer stackup with dedicated ground and power planes adjacent to the BGA break-out region, and use dog-bone fanout or via-in-pad depending on your assembly house's capability. Impedance-controlled traces for DDR/DDR2 interfaces should be length-matched within 50 mils to maintain signal integrity at 200 MHz.
Cyclone II devices require multiple supply rails: VCCINT (1.15-1.25 V core), VCCIO (per-bank, 1.5/1.8/2.5/3.3 V), VCCA_PLL (2.5 V for PLLs), and VCCD_PLL (1.2 V for PLL digital). Use a low-dropout regulator with at least 1 A capability for VCCINT to handle inrush current during configuration. Decoupling must include 0.1 uF and 0.01 uF capacitors placed within 100 mils of every supply pin, plus bulk 47-100 uF tantalum or polymer capacitors near the device. Sequence VCCINT before VCCIO during power-up to avoid latch-up.
Each Cyclone II I/O bank has independent VCCIO and VREF supplies - group pins by interface standard in the pin planner to minimize bank count and simplify power routing. Place differential pairs (LVDS) on adjacent pins within the same bank for matched routing. Global clock inputs should connect to CLK[0..15] pins and be routed with controlled impedance on the top layer directly under the BGA. Avoid routing signals across the PLL power supply islands to prevent coupling into the analog PLL circuits.
Do not assume EP2C50U484I8N and EP2C50F484I8N are 100% identical at the PCB level - the 'U' vs 'F' prefix designates a different package height/spacer, which can affect stackup with heatsinks or shielded enclosures. Always verify the mechanical drawing against your 3D model. Also note that the JTAG chain and configuration pins (nCONFIG, nSTATUS, CONF_DONE, MSEL[0..3]) must be pulled correctly per the configuration scheme (AS/PS/JTAG) selected via MSEL strapping.
Compliance Information
RoHS-compliant lead-free package per 'N' suffix in MPN. Industrial temperature grade only (no automotive AEC-Q100 variant exists in the Cyclone II family).
