EP2C5T144C7 - Cyclone II FPGA, 4,608 LEs, 144-LQFP | Intel
MPN: EP2C5T144C7 ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $12.04 | $12.04 |
| 10 | $11.45 | $114.50 |
| 100 | $10.2 | $1,020.00 |
| 500 | $9.1 | $4,550.00 |
| 1,000 | $8.4 | $8,400.00 |
EP2C5T144C7 Overview
A field-programmable gate array (FPGA) is a semiconductor IC containing an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs), programmable interconnect, and dedicated hard IP such as block RAM and multipliers, all controllable by an SRAM-based configuration bitstream. FPGAs sit in the broader taxonomy of programmable logic devices (PLD), above simple CPLDs and below ASICs in cost-per-volume but well above microcontrollers in raw parallel throughput. Cyclone II specifically targets the low-power, low-cost end of the FPGA market introduced in 2004 to displace ASICs in volume consumer and industrial designs.
Key features include 13 embedded 18x18 multipliers suitable for DSP workloads, four phase-locked loops (PLLs) for clock management, support for external memory interfaces including DDR/DDR2 SDRAM and QDRII SRAM, and a 1.2 V core with multi-voltage I/O banks. Configuration is loaded from serial or parallel flash, JTAG, or Altera/Intel Quartus II software. The part is non-volatile in the sense that the configuration must be reloaded after each power-up since the SRAM cells are volatile.
The Cyclone II architecture uses four-input look-up tables (LUTs) per logic element, embedded M4K RAM blocks (each 4 Kbit plus parity), and a hierarchical routing fabric. The 90 nm process gives a balance of leakage and performance suitable for fanless industrial enclosures; maximum internal clock frequency for this speed grade is in the hundreds of MHz for typical paths, and design tools report fMAX figures in the device handbook rather than on a single datasheet page.
Typical applications include industrial control and human-machine interface panels, video processing front-ends, low-cost motor control, glue logic bridging microcontrollers to parallel peripherals, and education kits where Quartus II support and a free Web Edition toolchain lower the entry barrier. The 144-pin TQFP footprint is also breadboard-friendly, which makes the part popular in university digital-design labs and prototype boards.
When designing with this device, plan the power budget around the 1.2 V core current (which scales with logic utilization and toggle rate) and the 3.3 V I/O current, and place decoupling capacitors within 5 mm of each supply pin per the Cyclone II Handbook pin connection guidelines. Use Quartus II 13.0sp1 or 13.1 (the last release supporting Cyclone II) for synthesis; later Quartus versions have dropped Cyclone II device support.
This page synthesizes distributor stock, drop-in same-family Cyclone II alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone, giving engineers a single reference for the EP2C5T144C7 in current designs.
Drop-in alternatives for EP2C5T144C7 — 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 EP2C5T144C7 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Speed Grade, RoHS Status, Package, Process Technology, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP2C5T144C6
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$15.9 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C5T144C6N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C5T144C8N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$19.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C5T144C7 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | Cyclone II |
| Logic Elements (LE) | 4,608 |
| RAM Bits | 119,808 |
| User I/O Pins | 89 |
| Embedded 18x18 Multipliers | 13 |
| PLLs | 4 |
| Process Technology | 90 nm CMOS |
| Core Voltage | 1.2 V |
| I/O Voltage | 3.3 V (LVCMOS/LVTTL supported) |
| Package | 144-pin TQFP (T144) |
| Speed Grade | C7 (commercial) |
| Operating Temperature | 0 C to +85 C (commercial) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Non-compliant (per GlobalSpec datasheet directory listing) |
| Configuration Method | Serial/parallel flash, JTAG, or Quartus II |
EP2C5T144C7 144-pin tqfp (t144) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP2C5T144C7 (144-pin tqfp (t144) 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 EP2C5T144C7.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP2C5T144C7 is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control and HMI Panels, Video Processing Front-End, Brushless DC Motor Control, Glue Logic Bridge for Microcontrollers, Digital Design Education and Prototyping, Legacy Industrial Communication Bridges.
Industrial Control and HMI Panels
The EP2C5T144C7 fits industrial control and human-machine interface (HMI) panels because its 4,608 logic elements and 89 user I/O pins handle the parallel glue logic between a microcontroller and a TFT LCD, keypad matrix, and motor-driver PWM channels. The four on-chip PLLs generate the pixel clock, motor control timer, and CPU clock from a single crystal, eliminating external oscillator trees, and the 13 18x18 multipliers accelerate digital filtering for sensor inputs. With Quartus II support and a 3.3 V LVCMOS I/O bank, the part can interface directly to industrial peripherals without level shifters, while the 144-pin TQFP package remains hand-solderable for prototype builds.
Recommended
Video Processing Front-End
The EP2C5T144C7 works well as a video processing front-end for low-cost camera and display pipelines because its 13 18x18 multipliers and 119,808 bits of M4K RAM implement real-time colour-space conversion, scaling, and de-interlacing at common broadcast rates. The embedded RAM acts as a 3-line video buffer, while the 4,608 LEs accommodate the state machine plus a small RISC soft-core for command parsing. Designers typically pair the FPGA with an external DDR SDRAM for frame buffering and use the four PLLs to derive the video clock from a single 27 MHz crystal, replacing what would otherwise be a discrete ASSP.
Recommended
Brushless DC Motor Control
The EP2C5T144C7 is a strong fit for brushless DC (BLDC) and stepper motor control because the 13 hardware multipliers and four PLLs implement field-oriented control (FOC) loops with current-sense ADC sampling at sub-microsecond intervals. Its 89 user I/O pins connect to three-phase gate drivers, quadrature encoders, Hall sensors, and a CAN or RS-485 bus, while the 1.2 V core and 90 nm process keep quiescent power low enough for fanless industrial cabinets. The 144-pin TQFP package also suits high-vibration environments where leaded parts survive better than BGAs, and the design is supported by Altera/Intel motor-control reference designs.
Recommended
Glue Logic Bridge for Microcontrollers
The EP2C5T144C7 excels as glue logic bridging microcontrollers to parallel peripherals, replacing dozens of 74-series TTL chips with a single programmable device. With 89 I/O pins and 4,608 LEs, the FPGA can host a custom peripheral bus, parallel SRAM controller, LCD interface, and a soft UART or I2C core simultaneously, while the 1.2 V core keeps the standby current low enough for battery-backed systems. Designers benefit from a 144-pin TQFP footprint that is breadboard- and hand-solderable, and the part can be reconfigured in-circuit to support multiple product variants from a single board design, reducing SKU complexity.
Recommended
Digital Design Education and Prototyping
The EP2C5T144C7 is widely used in university digital-design courses and hobbyist prototyping because the 144-pin TQFP package is breadboard- and hand-solderable while Quartus II Web Edition (free) supports the entire Cyclone II family. The 4,608 LEs are large enough to host a Nios II soft-core plus student projects such as UART controllers, VGA drivers, and audio processors, while 119,808 bits of block RAM fit reasonable data buffers. The four PLLs let students experiment with clock-domain crossing, and the part's 1.2 V core with 3.3 V I/O simplifies lab power supply design - making it a workhorse for teaching FPGAs at low cost.
Recommended
Legacy Industrial Communication Bridges
The EP2C5T144C7 serves as a legacy industrial communication bridge for protocols such as RS-485, CAN, Modbus, Profibus, and parallel HMI links because its 89 I/O pins and 4,608 LEs can host multiple soft protocol stacks in parallel. The four PLLs provide independent baud-rate clocks for each port, while the 13 multipliers accelerate CRC and checksum computation. Industrial users value the TQFP-144 package for its tolerance of conformal coating and hand rework, and the 1.2 V core with 3.3 V I/O aligns with the 3.3 V logic commonly used in 24 V industrial backplanes. Migration to Cyclone IV/V is straightforward at the Quartus level for new designs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP2C5T144C7 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP2C5T144C6 | EP2C5T144C6N | EP2C5T144C8N |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) |
| Package | 144-pin TQFP (T144) | 144-pin TQFP (T144) - same | 144-pin TQFP (T144) - same | 144-pin TQFP (T144) - same |
| Family | Cyclone II | Cyclone II | Cyclone II | Cyclone II |
| Logic Elements | 4,608 | 4,608 | 4,608 | 4,608 |
| Speed Grade | C7 | C6 (slower) | C6 (slower) | C8 (faster) |
| RAM Bits | 119,808 | 119,808 | 119,808 | 119,808 |
| User I/O Pins | 89 | 89 | 89 | 89 |
| RoHS Status | Non-compliant (per GlobalSpec listing) | Non-compliant | RoHS-compliant | RoHS-compliant |
| Embedded Multipliers (18x18) | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
Key Differentiators
- Speed grade 7 is the most commonly-stocked EP2C5 variant (vs EP2C5T144C6)
- RoHS compliance and lead-free terminal finish (vs EP2C5T144C6N)
- Hand-solderable 0.5 mm TQFP package (vs EP2C5F256C7N)
Design Notes
The EP2C5T144C7 requires a clean 1.2 V core supply (VCCINT) and independent 3.3 V VCCIO bank supplies. Per the Cyclone II Handbook pin-connection guidelines, place at least one 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of every VCCINT pin, plus a 33 uF or 47 uF bulk capacitor at the regulator output. Each VCCIO bank should have its own 0.1 uF + 10 uF decoupling pair if it is powering a different voltage rail. Core current scales with logic utilization and toggle rate - budget 0.5-1.0 A on VCCINT for a heavily-utilized design and verify with the Quartus II PowerPlay early-estimate tool before final layout.
The 144-pin TQFP package has 0.5 mm pitch leads and benefits from a 4-layer PCB with a dedicated ground plane. Per the Cyclone II Handbook, route configuration signals (TCK, TMS, TDI, TDO, nCONFIG, nSTATUS, CONF_DONE, DCLK) away from switching I/O traces and add 4.7 kohm pull-ups on nCONFIG, MSEL[3:0], and CONF_DONE to the appropriate logic rail. Use USB-Blaster or MasterBlaster cables for JTAG programming, and add a header footprint even if the production unit does not need JTAG to ease board bring-up.
The EP2C5T144C7 configuration is volatile - the SRAM cells lose their bitstream at every power-down, so an external serial or parallel configuration flash is mandatory for stand-alone operation. The last Quartus II version with full Cyclone II support is 13.0sp1 / 13.1; Quartus Prime 15.0 and later have dropped the device. Verify all MSEL[3:0] strap resistors match the configuration mode (AS, AP, PS, JTAG-only) per the handbook or the FPGA will not enumerate. Do not apply 3.3 V to MSEL pins without the proper level-shifting if the JTAG header is at 2.5 V.
Compliance Information
RoHS non-compliant per GlobalSpec datasheet directory listing for the TQFP-144 lead-based variant; the C6N and C8N speed grades are RoHS-compliant. AEC-Q100 not applicable to FPGAs in commercial speed grade. REACH, halogen-free, and conflict-mineral status not stated in the provided web data.
