EP2C5Q208C8N - Cyclone II FPGA 4,608 LEs 208-PQFP | Intel
MPN: EP2C5Q208C8N ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $16.76 | $16.76 |
| 10 | $15.09 | $150.90 |
| 100 | $13.41 | $1,341.00 |
| 500 | $11.95 | $5,975.00 |
| 1,000 | $10.5 | $10,500.00 |
EP2C5Q208C8N Overview
An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) is a reprogrammable semiconductor device containing an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs), programmable routing, and embedded memory and DSP resources. FPGAs sit at the top of the digital logic hierarchy alongside ASICs and microcontrollers, but unlike ASICs they can be reconfigured in-circuit to implement arbitrary digital functions, glue logic, state machines, signal processing pipelines, and full soft-processor systems. The Cyclone II family targets low-cost, high-volume applications and uses a 90 nm process with a 1.2 V core.
Key features of the EP2C5Q208C8N include 4,608 logic elements, 119,808 RAM bits distributed across M4K blocks (typical block size 4,608 bits), up to 142 user I/O pins, and embedded multipliers (typically 13 per device) for low-cost DSP. The Q208 package (208-pin PQFP) gives ample I/O for parallel buses, memory interfaces, and standard digital peripherals, and supports multiple I/O standards including LVTTL, LVCMOS, PCI, SSTL, and LVDS. Configuration is supported through active serial (AS), passive serial (PS), JTAG, and Fast Passive Parallel (FPP) modes.
Architecturally, Cyclone II devices use a logic-element array based on 4-input look-up tables (LUTs) with associated carry and register chains, fed by a multi-level routing fabric. Embedded M4K RAM blocks can be configured as true dual-port, simple dual-port, or single-port memory and support FIFO and shift-register modes. The PLL-based clock management provides up to four phase-locked loops for frequency synthesis and clock-domain alignment. The device operates from a single 1.2 V core supply with separate VCCIO banks for I/O standard flexibility.
Typical applications include digital signal processing front-ends, industrial control and factory automation, video processing and display controllers, communication protocol bridging (UART/SPI/I2C to Ethernet or USB), motor control, and educational / hobbyist development platforms. The combination of low unit cost, JTAG-based development, and a free Quartus II design toolchain has made this family a workhorse for low-to-mid density programmable logic.
When designing with the EP2C5Q208C8N, allocate adequate decoupling (0.1 uF and 10 uF) near each supply pin, follow Altera/Intel PCB layout guidelines for PQFP packages, and verify the I/O bank VCCIO voltages against your peripheral logic levels. Note that this part is no longer recommended for new designs (NRND) - users should plan migration paths to Cyclone IV or Cyclone 10 LP families.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in Cyclone II alternatives, application notes, and practical design considerations not found in the standalone manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for EP2C5Q208C8N — 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 EP2C5Q208C8N (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Total RAM Bits, Operating Temperature, Speed Grade, PLLs.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP2C5Q208C8
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$26.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C5Q208C7N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$16.9 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C5Q208C7
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$15.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C5Q208C8N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Series | Cyclone II |
| Manufacturer | Intel (formerly Altera) |
| Logic Elements (LE) | 4,608 |
| Embedded Memory (RAM bits) | 119,808 |
| User I/O Count | 142 |
| Package | 208-BFQFP / PQFP-208 |
| Pin Count | 208 |
| Speed Grade | 8 |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +85C (Commercial) |
| Core Voltage | 1.2 V |
| Process Technology | 90 nm |
| Embedded Multipliers (18x18) | 13 |
| PLLs | 2 |
| Configuration Modes | AS, PS, JTAG, FPP |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
EP2C5Q208C8N 208-bfqfp / pqfp-208 Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP2C5Q208C8N (208-bfqfp / pqfp-208 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 EP2C5Q208C8N.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP2C5Q208C8N is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Motor Control, Video Processing and Display Controllers, Communication Protocol Bridging, Digital Signal Processing Front-End, Education and Development Platforms, Test and Measurement Instrumentation.
Industrial Motor Control
The EP2C5Q208C8N drives BLDC, stepper, and AC servo motor control loops with FOC (field-oriented control) math executed in real time. Its 13 embedded 18x18 multipliers accelerate Clarke/Park transforms and PI controller arithmetic, while 142 user I/O pins handle multi-axis PWM generation, QEP encoder inputs, Hall sensor feedback, and CAN/RS-485 communication. The 119,808 RAM bits buffer current and velocity sample streams, and 4,608 LEs implement the state machine and protection logic. The PQFP-208 package supports hand-solderable rework for prototyping and field-serviceable industrial equipment. Designers typically pair it with gate drivers (e.g., IRS2003) and op-amp current shunts to build a complete 3-phase inverter control board.
Recommended
Video Processing and Display Controllers
The EP2C5Q208C8N functions as a video format converter, scaler, or overlay engine for industrial displays, digital signage, and surveillance DVRs. The M4K RAM blocks buffer multiple scan-line frames, the 142 I/O accommodate parallel RGB/TTL video buses plus HDMI/DVI bridge chips, and the multipliers handle 2D filtering and color-space conversion (YUV to RGB). Its 4,608 LEs are sufficient for line-doubling, chroma-key compositing, and OSD (on-screen display) rendering at standard-definition rates. Designers use the FPGA between an image sensor or HDMI receiver and a TFT panel, with SDRAM for frame buffering. Quartus II reference designs and Altera VIP suites accelerate development.
Recommended
Communication Protocol Bridging
The EP2C5Q208C8N bridges between UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, Ethernet, USB, and proprietary fieldbus protocols in industrial gateways and IoT edge nodes. With 4,608 LEs it can implement multiple soft MAC/PHY cores simultaneously, packet buffers in M4K RAM, and protocol state machines in parallel. The 142 I/O accommodate multiple serial ports, and embedded multipliers accelerate CRC and encryption primitives. Typical use cases include Modbus-TCP to Modbus-RTU converters, EtherCAT slave controllers, and CAN-to-Ethernet bridges. The Cyclone II is well-documented for these roles, with reference designs from Altera/Intel and the OpenCores community.
Recommended
Digital Signal Processing Front-End
The EP2C5Q208C8N serves as a low-cost DSP front-end for software-defined radio, audio processing, instrumentation, and sensor signal conditioning. Its 13 embedded 18x18 multipliers implement FIR filters, FFT butterflies, and Goertzel algorithms directly in hardware, achieving throughput far exceeding microcontroller DSP. The 119,808 RAM bits accommodate coefficient storage and circular sample buffers. At 142 I/O, the FPGA can interface with multi-channel ADC/DAC pairs (e.g., AD7606, AD9764) at tens of MSPS. Designs typically pair the FPGA with a precision ADC for data acquisition and a host processor for control.
Recommended
Education and Development Platforms
The EP2C5Q208C8N appears in university courses, maker boards, and FPGA training kits because of its low unit cost, accessible PQFP-208 package, and free Quartus II Web Edition toolchain. Students learn HDL design (Verilog/VHDL), state-machine implementation, and embedded soft-core processors (Nios II) using this device. The PQFP package supports breadboard-friendly breakout boards and through-hole soldering, lowering the barrier to entry compared to BGA-only FPGAs. Reference designs, lab manuals, and OpenCores IP cores are abundant. Typical labs cover UART design, I2C master/slave, PWM generation, VGA controllers, and basic CPU implementation.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Instrumentation
The EP2C5Q208C8N forms the digital core of custom test equipment: logic analyzers, protocol exercisers, pattern generators, and arbitrary waveform generators. The 4,608 LEs implement pattern sequencers and timing generators, while 119,808 RAM bits store pre-computed stimulus waveforms. The 142 I/O accommodate multi-channel digital I/O banks, trigger logic, and front-panel interface connections. The device's deterministic timing (no operating-system jitter) makes it ideal for precise timing-critical applications. Typical designs pair the FPGA with high-speed ADCs, comparators, and a USB/Ethernet host interface for remote control.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP2C5Q208C8N — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP2C5Q208C8 | EP2C5Q208C7N | EP2C5Q208C7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | PQFP-208 (208-BFQFP) | PQFP-208 (208-BFQFP) - same | PQFP-208 (208-BFQFP) - same | PQFP-208 (208-BFQFP) - same |
| Brand | Intel (formerly Altera) | Intel (formerly Altera) - same | Intel (formerly Altera) - same | Intel (formerly Altera) - same |
| Logic Elements | 4,608 | 4,608 | 4,608 | 4,608 |
| Embedded RAM (bits) | 119,808 | 119,808 | 119,808 | 119,808 |
| User I/O | 142 | 142 | 142 | 142 |
| Speed Grade | 8 (fastest -8 grade) | 8 | 7 (-10% Fmax vs -8) | 7 (-10% Fmax vs -8) |
| Lead-Free / RoHS | Yes (N suffix) | No (lead-bearing) | Yes (N suffix) | No (lead-bearing) |
| Embedded 18x18 Multipliers | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
| Core Voltage | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND |
Key Differentiators
- Only Cyclone II variant with -8 (fastest) speed grade in 208-PQFP with lead-free packaging (vs EP2C5Q208C7N)
- RoHS lead-free compliance for modern manufacturing requirements (vs EP2C5Q208C8)
- Largest PQFP-208 Cyclone II with 142 I/O and 13 multipliers at lowest LE count (vs EP2C8Q208C8N (next step up))
Design Notes
The EP2C5Q208C8N requires three supply rails: VCCINT (1.2 V core), VCCIO (1.5/1.8/2.5/3.0/3.3 V per bank), and VCCA_PLL (2.5 V analog PLL supply). Estimated: at 100% toggle rate on 142 I/O driving 8 mA each, core current draws ~250 mA and I/O bank current ~1.1 A per bank. Place 0.1 uF decoupling capacitors within 5 mm of every VCCINT pin and 10 uF bulk capacitors on each supply rail. The VCCA_PLL pin must be filtered with a ferrite bead and decoupled with 0.1 uF + 10 uF to prevent PLL jitter.
The PQFP-208 package has 0.5 mm lead pitch on a 28 mm x 28 mm body. Recommended footprint pad dimensions are 0.30 mm wide x 1.50 mm long with solder mask defined (SMD) pads for better solder joint reliability. Use 4-layer PCB with continuous ground plane beneath the device for thermal dissipation and signal integrity. Route all clock signals on the inner layers with controlled impedance (50 ohm single-ended) and keep JTAG traces short (<50 mm) to avoid programming failures.
Critical configuration pitfall: MSEL pins must be strapped correctly to select configuration mode (AS, PS, JTAG, FPP). Incorrect MSEL values prevent the device from configuring. Additionally, the nCONFIG pin must be held high during configuration and the CONF_DONE pin must transition high within the datasheet-specified timeout, otherwise the device enters an error state requiring power cycling. Always include a pull-up on nCONFIG and a pull-down on JTAG TCK to prevent spurious configuration attempts.
Differential I/O pairs (LVDS) must be routed with 100 ohm differential impedance and length-matched to within 20 ps to meet Cyclone II LVDS specifications per the device handbook. Single-ended I/O should be routed with 50 ohm impedance and kept short (<50 mm) when possible. Use ground via stitching every 25 mm along the FPGA perimeter to maintain a low-impedance return path for high-speed signals.
Compliance Information
Lead-free per 'N' suffix in MPN. RoHS compliance inferred from manufacturer datasheet packaging information; not explicitly stated in provided data - marked [DATA_NEEDED] in specs. AEC-Q100 not applicable (FPGA logic device). Halogen-free status not provided - set to 'unknown'.
