EP2C5AT144A7N - Cyclone II FPGA 4.6K LEs 89 I/O 144-LQFP | Intel
MPN: EP2C5AT144A7N β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $24.43 | $24.43 |
| 10 | $22.95 | $229.50 |
| 100 | $19.1 | $1,910.00 |
| 500 | $17.2 | $8,600.00 |
| 1,000 | $15.28 | $15,280.00 |
EP2C5AT144A7N Overview
An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) is a reprogrammable semiconductor device that lets designers implement custom digital logic, memory, and DSP functions after PCB fabrication. FPGAs sit in the programmable-logic hierarchy between rigid ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) and software-driven microcontrollers: ASICs offer the highest density and efficiency but cannot be modified post-tapeout, while microcontrollers execute code from a fixed core. FPGAs therefore fill the gap for prototyping, low-volume production, and designs requiring parallel hardware acceleration.
Key features include 4,608 logic elements arranged in a fine-grained architecture, 119,808 bits of embedded RAM (M4K blocks), up to 13 embedded multipliers (18x18), and 2 PLLs for clock management. The Cyclone II device family supports common I/O standards including LVDS, LVTTL, LVCMOS, PCI, and SSTL, and provides flexible configuration via JTAG, passive serial, or Altera enhanced configuration devices. 89 user I/Os accommodate a wide range of peripheral and bus interfaces without external transceivers.
The EP2C5A variant is qualified to the AEC-Q100 automotive standard and operates across the -40C to +125C automotive temperature range, distinguishing it from the EP2C5 commercial-temperature parts. The 90 nm CMOS process with 1.2 V core delivers a favorable performance-per-watt ratio, and the 144-LQFP package enables low-cost PCB assembly on conventional SMT lines. Internal signal integrity is preserved through a dedicated clock network and structured routing architecture.
Typical applications include automotive infotainment systems, body electronics, industrial control and monitoring, low-cost video processing, consumer device display controllers, and digital signal processing front-ends. Developers pair the Cyclone II with tools like the Altera/Intel Quartus II design suite for synthesis, place-and-route, and timing closure.
When designing with this device, reserve at least 4 configuration pins, ensure the JTAG chain is properly terminated, and follow Altera's recommended decoupling scheme (typically one 0.1 uF and one 10 uF cap per power rail). Automotive deployments should consult the AN 539 application note for EMI/EMC mitigation in AEC-Q100 environments.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, AEC-Q100 automotive-grade details, drop-in alternative FPGAs, and practical design guidance not consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for EP2C5AT144A7N β 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 EP2C5AT144A7N (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Process Technology, RoHS Status, Operating Temperature, Speed Grade.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP2C5CT144C7N
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP2C5F256C8N
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$11.84 / Unit
View Datasheet βEP2C5AF256A7N
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$9.75 / Unit
View Datasheet βEP2C5AF256I8N
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$16.1 / Unit
View Datasheet βEP2C8AT144A7N
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP2C5AT144A7N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | Cyclone II |
| Series | Cyclone II |
| Logic Elements | 4,608 |
| Total RAM Bits | 119,808 |
| Embedded Multipliers (18x18) | 13 |
| PLLs | 2 |
| User I/O Count | 89 |
| Package | 144-LQFP (T144) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Core Voltage | 1.2 V |
| Process Technology | 90 nm CMOS |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (Automotive) |
| Automotive Grade | AEC-Q100 |
| MSL Level | 3 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead Free | Yes |
EP2C5AT144A7N Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 2 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 3 | VCCIO1 β I/O bank 1 supply |
| Pin 4 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 5 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 6 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 7 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 8 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 9 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 10 | VCCINT β Core voltage (1.2 V) |
| Pin 11 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 12 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 13 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 14 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 15 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 16 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 17 | VCCIO2 β I/O bank 2 supply |
| Pin 18 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 19 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 20 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 21 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 22 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 23 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 24 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 25 | VCCIO3 β I/O bank 3 supply |
| Pin 26 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 27 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 28 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 29 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 30 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 31 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 32 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 33 | VCCINT β Core voltage (1.2 V) |
| Pin 34 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 35 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 36 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 37 | MSEL0 β Configuration mode select 0 |
| Pin 38 | MSEL1 β Configuration mode select 1 |
| Pin 39 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 40 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 41 | nCE β Chip enable (active low) |
| Pin 42 | nCONFIG β Configuration control (active low) |
| Pin 43 | nSTATUS β Configuration status (active low) |
| Pin 44 | CONF_DONE β Configuration done (open-drain) |
| Pin 45 | TCK β JTAG clock |
| Pin 46 | TMS β JTAG mode select |
| Pin 47 | TDI β JTAG data in |
| Pin 48 | TDO β JTAG data out |
| Pin 49 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 50 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 51 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 52 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 53 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 54 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 55 | VCCIO4 β I/O bank 4 supply |
| Pin 56 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 57 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 58 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 59 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 60 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 61 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 62 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 63 | VCCINT β Core voltage (1.2 V) |
| Pin 64 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 65 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 66 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 67 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 68 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 69 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 70 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 71 | VCCIO5 β I/O bank 5 supply |
| Pin 72 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 73 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 74 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 75 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 76 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 77 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 78 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 79 | VCCIO6 β I/O bank 6 supply |
| Pin 80 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 81 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 82 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 83 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 84 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 85 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 86 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 87 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 88 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 89 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 90 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 91 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 92 | VCCINT β Core voltage (1.2 V) |
| Pin 93 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 94 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 95 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 96 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 97 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 98 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 99 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 100 | VCCIO7 β I/O bank 7 supply |
| Pin 101 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 102 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 103 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 104 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 105 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 106 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 107 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 108 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 109 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 110 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 111 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 112 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 113 | VCCINT β Core voltage (1.2 V) |
| Pin 114 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 115 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 116 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 117 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 118 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 119 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 120 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 121 | VCCIO8 β I/O bank 8 supply |
| Pin 122 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 123 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 124 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 125 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 126 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 127 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 128 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 129 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 130 | VCCINT β Core voltage (1.2 V) |
| Pin 131 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 132 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 133 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 134 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 135 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 136 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 137 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 138 | VCCIO1 β I/O bank 1 supply |
| Pin 139 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 140 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 141 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 142 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 143 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 144 | I/O β User I/O pin |
Typical Applications
EP2C5AT144A7N is suitable for 6 applications: Automotive Infotainment Controller, Industrial Motor Control and PLC, Low-Cost Video Processing and Scaling, Consumer Electronics Display Controller, Telecom Line Card Glue Logic, Test and Measurement Front-End.
Automotive Infotainment Controller
The EP2C5AT144A7N's AEC-Q100 automotive qualification and 4,608 LEs make it suitable for entry-level automotive infotainment controllers handling CAN bus bridging, audio mixing, and display backlight logic. Its 89 I/Os in the 144-LQFP allow direct connection to LCD panels, I2S audio codecs, and keypads without external bus switches. The 1.2 V core and 90 nm process keep quiescent power low enough for always-on body electronics, while 2 PLLs handle audio and video clock synthesis in parallel. Pair with the NXP TJA1050 CAN transceiver and a TI PCM5101A audio DAC for a typical infotainment subsystem.
Recommended
Industrial Motor Control and PLC
The Cyclone II EP2C5A's 4,608 LEs and 13 embedded 18x18 multipliers handle 3-phase PWM generation and sensor-feedback decoding for industrial motor controllers. The 144-LQFP package supports 89 I/Os, sufficient for multi-axis stepper or BLDC control with encoder feedback and HMI interfacing via SPI/UART. The -40C to +125C automotive grade translates well to harsh factory environments with elevated ambient temperatures. Pair with the TI DRV8301 motor predriver and a Micron MT25Q flash for parameter storage.
Recommended
Low-Cost Video Processing and Scaling
The EP2C5AT144A7N supports video scaling and color-space conversion for low-cost display controllers, with 4,608 LEs sufficient for 480p/576p to 720p upscaling algorithms. Its LVDS-capable I/Os enable driving LCD panels directly, while embedded M4K RAM blocks hold scan-line buffers without external SRAM. The 13 embedded multipliers accelerate FIR filters used in deinterlacing pipelines. Pair with a TI DS90C385 LVDS transmitter and a Macronix MX25L flash for configuration storage.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics Display Controller
The Cyclone II EP2C5A is widely deployed in low-cost consumer display controllers for printers, scanners, and digital photo frames. Its 119,808 bits of embedded RAM buffer image data without external memory, and 89 I/Os interface directly to TFT panels, keypads, and USB controllers. The 144-LQFP package's 0.5 mm pitch supports low-cost FR-4 PCB assembly with conventional SMT lines, and the 90 nm process keeps BOM cost competitive in high-volume consumer products.
Recommended
Telecom Line Card Glue Logic
Telecom equipment designers use the EP2C5AT144A7N as glue logic between network processors, framers, and PHYs, leveraging its 89 I/Os for SPI, I2C, UART, and parallel LVCMOS bus aggregation. The Cyclone II's PLLs provide low-jitter clock synthesis for E1/T1 line interfaces, while embedded RAM stores timing buffers and lookup tables. The device's -40C to +125C operating range meets NEBS-compliant telecom environmental requirements. Pair with an Intel IXP network processor and a MaxLinear MxL86251 PHY.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Front-End
The EP2C5AT144A7N is used as a programmable front-end in bench instruments, performing pattern generation, signal conditioning, and timing control for production testers. Its 13 embedded multipliers enable real-time DSP for signal averaging and threshold detection, while 89 I/Os drive multiple DUT channels in parallel. Automotive-grade qualification ensures reliable operation in environmental chamber testing from -40C to +125C. Pair with an Analog Devices AD9220 ADC and a TI DAC8564 for a typical ATE signal path.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP2C5AT144A7N β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP2C5CT144C7N | EP2C5F256C8N | EP2C5AF256A7N | EP2C5AF256I8N | EP2C8AT144A7N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 144-LQFP (T144) | 144-LQFP (T144) - same | 256-FBGA - different | 256-FBGA - different | 256-FBGA - different | 144-LQFP (T144) - same |
| Brand | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) |
| Logic Elements | 4,608 | 4,608 | 4,608 | 4,608 | 4,608 | 8,256 |
| Total RAM Bits | 119,808 | 119,808 | 119,808 | 119,808 | 119,808 | 165,888 |
| User I/O Count | 89 | 89 | 158 | 158 | 158 | 89 |
| Temperature Grade | AEC-Q100 Automotive (-40C to +125C) | Commercial (0C to +85C) | Commercial (0C to +85C) | AEC-Q100 Automotive | Industrial (-40C to +100C) | AEC-Q100 Automotive |
| Embedded Multipliers (18x18) | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 18 |
| PLLs | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Core Voltage | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V |
Key Differentiators
- AEC-Q100 automotive temperature grade in 144-LQFP (vs EP2C5CT144C7N)
- Lowest-cost Cyclone II die with full automotive qualification (vs EP2C8AT144A7N)
- 144-LQFP enables low-cost PCB assembly vs BGA (vs EP2C5F256C8N)
- Established long-term supply for legacy designs (vs Newer Cyclone IV/V FPGAs)
Design Notes
Estimated: At maximum toggling of all 89 I/Os at 100 MHz with 4 mA drive into 50 pF loads, EP2C5AT144A7N core current approaches 200 mA at 1.2 V (~240 mW). Add 100-200 mA for I/O VCCIO banks and quiescent. Per Altera's PDN design guide, place one 0.1 uF ceramic bypass cap per VCCIO pin group (within 5 mm) and at least four 10 uF bulk caps on VCCINT. Power sequencing: VCCINT must ramp before or simultaneously with VCCIO; never exceed 1.32 V on VCCINT.
The 144-LQFP package has 0.5 mm lead pitch requiring 0.2 mm trace/space routing with microvia or HDI PCB technology. Use a 4-layer stackup with dedicated GND plane adjacent to the FPGA for return path control. Per Cyclone II Hardware Design Guidelines, isolate each VCCIO bank with its own ferrite bead if mixing voltages (e.g., 1.8 V, 2.5 V, 3.3 V). Keep JTAG chain length under 6 inches for reliable programming.
Do not confuse MSEL pin settings between Active Serial (AS) and Passive Serial (PS) configuration modes - incorrect MSEL causes configuration failure. When using EPCS configuration devices, ensure DCLK has proper termination to avoid double-clocking. JTAG chain: TMS and TDI need 10k pull-ups to VCCIO if not driven during configuration. Do not exceed 1.32 V on VCCINT or VCCIO during hot-plug events - add clamping diodes per AN 539.
Estimated: The 144-LQFP package has theta_JA of approximately 30 C/W (still-air). At 500 mW total dissipation, junction rises 15C above ambient. For AEC-Q100 automotive designs in sealed enclosures with 85C ambient, ensure dissipation stays below 1.3 W to keep Tj below 125C. Add thermal vias under the exposed pad footprint pattern if migrating to a thermally enhanced package variant.
Compliance Information
AEC-Q100 qualified for automotive applications. RoHS/REACH compliant per Intel/Altera material declarations. Cyclone II is a legacy product line maintained by Intel's Programmable Solutions Group.
