EP2C5T144C6 - Cyclone II FPGA, 4,608 LE, 144-TQFP | Intel
MPN: EP2C5T144C6 β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $28.5 | $28.50 |
| 10 | $25.2 | $252.00 |
| 100 | $21.8 | $2,180.00 |
| 500 | $18.5 | $9,250.00 |
| 1,000 | $15.9 | $15,900.00 |
EP2C5T144C6 Overview
A Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a semiconductor integrated circuit that can be electrically reconfigured after manufacture to implement arbitrary digital logic. In the system hierarchy FPGAs sit alongside ASICs, microcontrollers, and DSPs as reprogrammable compute fabric, but are distinguished by their parallel architecture, deterministic timing, and ability to host custom high-speed serial, memory, or processor cores. The Cyclone II family was Intel/Altera's second-generation low-cost FPGA line, succeeded by Cyclone III, Cyclone IV, and Cyclone V (now with embedded ARM cores). It remains widely deployed in long-lifecycle industrial, industrial-automation, and educational designs, and is frequently the lowest-cost way to obtain a genuine FPGA from authorized channels.
Key features of the EP2C5T144C6 include 4,608 LEs, two on-chip PLL blocks for clock synthesis, 13 dedicated 18x18 hardware multipliers (capable of approximately 50-150 MHz DSP throughput depending on routing), 119,808 bits of embedded M4K memory, support for LVDS, LVTTL, LVCMOS, PCI, SSTL-2/H, and other I/O standards, and configuration via JTAG or Active Serial (AS) modes. The device requires 1.2 V core and 3.3 V I/O supply rails.
Typical applications include industrial motor control, video processing front-ends, software-defined radio (SDR) baseband, educational FPGA development boards (DE1/DE2), low-volume ASIC prototyping, and consumer-electronics glue logic. The 144-TQFP package is a low-cost plastic surface-mount package compatible with hand-soldering and low-cost PCB assembly lines.
When designing with the EP2C5T144C6, ensure the Quartus II design software (13.0sp1 or earlier; Quartus Prime does not support Cyclone II) is used for synthesis, place-and-route, and timing closure. Designers should observe banked I/O supply constraints, use proper decoupling (100 nF per supply pin plus bulk capacitors), and respect the 1.2 V core-rail tolerance of +/-5%.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives (EP2C5T144C7, EP2C5T144C8, EP2C5T144I6, plus 144-pin-compatible family members), and practical design notes not always obvious from the Cyclone II Device Handbook alone.
Drop-in alternatives for EP2C5T144C6 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 EP2C5T144C6 (same form factor and footprint) β differing in RoHS Status, Package, Speed Grade, Process Technology, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP2C5T144C7
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$8.4 / Unit
View Datasheet βEP2C5T144C8
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$24.1 / Unit
View Datasheet βEP2C5T144C8N
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$19.8 / Unit
View Datasheet βEP2C5T144I6
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP2C5T144I7
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP2C8T144C6
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$22.62 / Unit
View Datasheet βEP2C5T144C6 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | Cyclone II |
| Logic Elements (LEs) | 4,608 |
| Logic Array Blocks (LABs) | 312 |
| Total RAM Bits | 119,808 |
| Embedded Multipliers (18x18) | 13 |
| PLLs | 2 |
| Maximum User I/O | 89 |
| Process Technology | 90 nm CMOS |
| Core Supply Voltage | 1.2 V |
| I/O Supply Voltage | 3.3 V (with banked 1.5/1.8/2.5 V support) |
| Package | 144-pin LQFP / TQFP (Plastic, Gull-Wing) |
| Speed Grade | C6 (commercial) |
| Operating Temperature | 0 C to +85 C (commercial) |
| Configuration Modes | JTAG, Active Serial (AS), Passive Serial (PS) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (lead-free) |
EP2C5T144C6 144-pin lqfp / tqfp (plastic, gull-wing) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP2C5T144C6 (144-pin lqfp / tqfp (plastic, gull-wing) 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 EP2C5T144C6.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP2C5T144C6 is suitable for 6 applications: Educational FPGA Development Boards, Industrial Motor Control and PLCs, Video Processing Front-Ends, Software-Defined Radio (SDR) Baseband, ASIC Prototyping and Emulation, Consumer Electronics Glue Logic.
Educational FPGA Development Boards
The EP2C5T144C6 is the original FPGA on the Terasic DE1 board and many similar university lab boards. With 4,608 logic elements, 89 user I/O, and 13 hardware multipliers, it is large enough to teach Verilog/VHDL, finite-state machines, CPU soft-cores (NIOS II, RISC-V), and introductory DSP at the lowest cost. The 144-LQFP package is hand-solderable for student rework, and Quartus II 13.0sp1 with a free license supports the device. Compared to modern Cyclone V boards, the EP2C5T144C6 trade-off is 90 nm leakage versus 28 nm but the cost per board is roughly 60% lower for the same I/O count.
Recommended
Industrial Motor Control and PLCs
The 144-LQFP EP2C5T144C6 is well-suited to low-axis industrial motor control and PLC co-processors. Its two PLLs generate the precise PWM carrier frequencies needed for FOC and trapezoidal commutation, while 13 hardware 18x18 multipliers accelerate Park/Clarke transforms and PID loops. LVDS I/O support allows direct connection to high-resolution encoders, and the 1.2 V core draws typically under 0.5 W at full toggle, enabling fanless DIN-rail enclosures. The commercial 0-85 C temperature range covers most factory-floor environments; choose EP2C5T144I6 for outdoor or cabinet-edge applications.
Recommended
Video Processing Front-Ends
The EP2C5T144C6 supports ITU-R BT.656 and parallel RGB/YUV video input via its LVCMOS/LVTTL I/O. Its M4K memory blocks (total 119,808 bits) are sufficient to line-buffer one or two SD-resolution video streams, while the embedded 18x18 multipliers handle real-time scaling and chroma conversion. At 144-LQFP, the device exposes enough I/O for a 24-bit RGB interface plus I2C configuration sideband. For HD streams, designers typically step up to EP2C20 or EP2C35; the EP2C5 is the sweet spot for SD-format security-camera processing, machine-vision pre-filters, and entry-level signage.
Recommended
Software-Defined Radio (SDR) Baseband
In low-cost SDR receivers the EP2C5T144C6 implements the baseband processing chain - digital down-conversion, FIR filtering, and demodulation - between an external ADC and a host MCU. The 13 hardware 18x18 multipliers can run polyphase FIR filters at tens of MHz, while the two PLLs derive the ADC sampling clock from a single reference. The device's 89 user I/O are sufficient to interface an LVDS ADC plus USB/USB-Blaster, leaving room for a status LED and user buttons. For full-bandwidth HF or VHF SDR, designers typically need the larger EP2C35 family; the EP2C5 is a popular entry point for narrowband ISM-band receivers below 50 MHz.
Recommended
ASIC Prototyping and Emulation
For low-volume ASIC prototypes and architectural emulators the EP2C5T144C6 delivers ASIC-class deterministic timing on a hand-solderable LQFP. Engineers often use one or two EP2C5 devices in parallel to validate glue-logic, custom instruction sets, and bus-protocol state machines before tape-out. Compared to a 65 nm ASIC mask set costing tens of thousands of dollars, an EP2C5T144C6 board at under USD 30 per device enables fast design iterations. Quartus II 13.0sp1 supports ASIC-equivalent synthesis flows including SDC timing constraints and post-layout back-annotation.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics Glue Logic
In consumer products where a microcontroller alone is not flexible enough, the EP2C5T144C6 acts as glue logic between image sensors, displays, audio codecs, and USB/Ethernet PHYs. Its 89 user I/O accommodate multiple parallel buses simultaneously, and its on-chip PLLs generate the pixel-clock, audio-clock, and CPU-clock from one crystal. Typical designs include portable photo frames, mid-range smart-home hubs, and educational toys. The 1.2 V core plus 3.3 V I/O simplify integration with common CMOS companion chips, and the 144-LQFP package is suitable for four-layer FR4 PCBs without exotic stack-up.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP2C5T144C6 β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP2C5T144C7 | EP2C5T144C8 | EP2C5T144C8N | EP2C5T144I6 | EP2C5T144I7 | EP2C8T144C6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) |
| Package | 144-LQFP | 144-LQFP - same | 144-LQFP - same | 144-LQFP - same | 144-LQFP - same | 144-LQFP - same | 144-LQFP - same |
| Family | Cyclone II | Cyclone II | Cyclone II | Cyclone II | Cyclone II | Cyclone II | Cyclone II |
| Speed Grade | C6 | C7 (faster) | C8 (fastest) | C8 lead-free | I6 (industrial) | I7 (industrial + faster) | C6 (same) |
| Temperature Grade | Commercial (0C to +85C) | Commercial | Commercial | Commercial | Industrial (-40C to +100C) | Industrial | Commercial |
| Logic Elements | 4,608 | 4,608 | 4,608 | 4,608 | 4,608 | 4,608 | 8,256 (+79%) |
| Embedded Multipliers (18x18) | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 18 (+38%) |
| Total RAM Bits | 119,808 | 119,808 | 119,808 | 119,808 | 119,808 | 119,808 | 165,888 (+38%) |
Key Differentiators
- Original Cyclone II lowest-density variant in 144-LQFP (vs EP2C8T144C6)
- Speed grade options without PCB change (vs EP2C5T144C8)
- Commercial vs industrial temperature in same footprint (vs EP2C5T144I6)
Design Notes
Estimated: at typical 25% toggle rate with all 89 I/O active, EP2C5T144C6 core current is approximately 100-300 mA from the 1.2 V VCCINT rail (0.12-0.36 W). I/O current depends on edge rate and loading but typically adds 0.2-0.5 W from 3.3 V VCCIO. Decoupling per the Cyclone II Device Handbook: 100 nF X7R ceramic within 0.25 inch of every VCCINT and VCCIO pin, plus 10 uF bulk per supply rail. Power sequencing is recommended but not strictly required: VCCINT must reach 1.0 V before VCCIO exceeds 3.0 V to avoid partial-stress latch-up.
Estimated: at maximum power (full toggle, all I/O driving 8 mA loads) the 144-LQFP package dissipates approximately 1 W and operates at junction temperatures around 35-45 C above ambient on a four-layer PCB. The plastic LQFP package has theta_JA around 30-35 C/W without thermal pad, so a small copper pour (minimum 1 square inch) under the package is recommended for industrial-temperature operation. For outdoor applications, select the industrial -40 C to +100 C variant EP2C5T144I6 instead.
Route all four JTAG signals (TCK, TMS, TDI, TDO) plus nCONFIG, nSTATUS, and CONFIG_DONE as short traces; place the JTAG header at the PCB edge. Separate analog and digital ground planes if mixing LVDS inputs with the ADC. Differential pairs for LVDS I/O must be length-matched within 50 mil and have 100 ohm differential impedance; consult the Cyclone II Handbook chapter 'High-Speed Differential I/O Interfaces' for trace-spacing rules. Pull-up resistors (10 kohm) on nCONFIG and MSEL pins are mandatory.
Three common pitfalls: (1) Forgetting the 1.2 V core supply - connecting only 3.3 V will cause permanent damage; check power-up sequence with an oscilloscope the first time the board is powered. (2) Using Quartus Prime instead of Quartus II 13.0sp1 - Cyclone II is NOT supported by Quartus Prime, and synthesis appears to 'work' but will silently drop many LE/multiplier primitives. (3) Selecting the wrong pinout file: 'EP2C5' not 'EP2C8' or 'EP2C20' - the pinout files are device-specific even though the package is identical.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per distributor listings. Not AEC-Q100 qualified (automotive grade unavailable for Cyclone II). Lead-free N-suffix variants available in the same family.
