EP2C70F896I7N - Cyclone II FPGA, 68K LE, 896-BGA | Intel
MPN: EP2C70F896I7N ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $142 | $142.00 |
| 10 | $128.5 | $1,285.00 |
| 100 | $115.2 | $11,520.00 |
| 500 | $102.8 | $51,400.00 |
| 1,000 | $95.4 | $95,400.00 |
EP2C70F896I7N Overview
A Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a programmable semiconductor device whose logic fabric, routing, and I/O can be configured by the user after manufacture. FPGAs sit between fixed-function ASICs and software-defined processors, offering hardware-level parallelism for DSP pipelines, custom bus interfaces, and protocol bridging. The Cyclone II family specifically targets the "low-cost FPGA" tier - it sacrifices the highest-speed transceivers of Stratix devices in exchange for a unit price that enables consumer, industrial, and educational deployment at scale.
Key features of the EP2C70F896I7N include 4,300 logic array blocks (LABs), 1,152 Kbits of embedded M4K RAM for on-chip buffering, dedicated DSP blocks supporting up to 150 18x18 multipliers for high-throughput MAC operations, and a flexible PLL-based clock network supporting LVDS, LVTTL, SSTL, and HSTL I/O standards. The 'I7' suffix denotes the industrial temperature grade (-40 C to +100 C junction) and the 'N' indicates lead-free / Pb-free termination.
Architecturally, the Cyclone II device pairs a four-input look-up-table (LUT)-based logic element with adjacent register and carry chain, allowing efficient implementation of arithmetic, register, and state-machine functions. Memory blocks (M4K) are true dual-port with parity and byte-enable support, and the DSP blocks implement dedicated multiply-accumulate (MAC) primitives that exceed general-purpose fabric throughput for filters and FFTs.
Typical applications include digital signal processing (DSP co-processors, motor control), industrial communications (PROFIBUS, EtherCAT, CAN bridging), video processing (display controllers, image preprocessing), and embedded system integration (custom microcontrollers, bus bridges). The wide logic capacity also suits firmware prototyping and ASIC emulation.
When designing with this part, plan I/O bank assignments early - each bank has its own VCCIO rail and supports a limited mix of standards. Use Altera/Intel Quartus II (legacy 13.0 service pack) for synthesis, place-and-route, and timing closure, and verify that 1.2 V core and 1.5 V/1.8 V/2.5 V/3.3 V VCCIO rails are sequenced per Cyclone II handbook guidance.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, same-package Cyclone II drop-in alternatives, and practical FPGA bring-up design notes that are not consolidated in any single source.
Drop-in alternatives for EP2C70F896I7N — 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 EP2C70F896I7N (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Process Technology, RoHS Status, Operating Temperature, Configuration Modes.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP2C70F896I8N
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$198 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C70F896C8N
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$189.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C70F896C7N
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$175 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C70F896C8
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$225 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C70F896C7
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$268.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C70F896C6N
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$274.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C70F896I7N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | Cyclone II |
| Logic Elements (LE) | 68,416 |
| Logic Array Blocks (LAB) | 4,300 |
| Embedded Memory | 1,152 Kbits (250 M4K blocks) |
| Embedded 18x18 Multipliers | 150 |
| Maximum User I/O Pins | 622 |
| PLLs | 4 |
| Package | 896-ball FineLine BGA (FBGA-896) |
| Supply Voltage - Core | 1.2 V |
| Process Technology | 90 nm CMOS |
| Operating Temperature Grade | Industrial (-40 C to +100 C junction) |
| Lead-Free / Pb-Free | Yes (N suffix) |
| I/O Standards Supported | LVDS, LVTTL, LVCMOS, SSTL, HSTL |
| Configuration | Active serial (EPCS), passive serial, JTAG |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
EP2C70F896I7N Pin Configuration
| Pin A1 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O, bank 1 |
| Pin B1 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O, bank 1 |
| Pin C1 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O, bank 1 |
| Pin D1 | VCCIO1 — I/O bank 1 supply |
| Pin E1 | GND — Ground |
| Pin F1 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O, bank 2 |
| Pin G1 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O, bank 2 |
| Pin H1 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O, bank 2 |
Typical Applications
EP2C70F896I7N is suitable for 6 applications: DSP Co-Processor / Filter Acceleration, Industrial Motor Control, Video / Image Preprocessing Pipeline, Custom Bus Bridge / Protocol Converter, ASIC Emulation and Prototyping, Embedded Industrial Controller / Soft MCU.
DSP Co-Processor / Filter Acceleration
The EP2C70F896I7N is well matched to DSP co-processing roles where a host processor offloads MAC-intensive kernels. Its 150 dedicated 18x18 hardware multipliers deliver sustained throughput for FIR/IIR filters, FFTs, and matrix math that an MCU alone cannot achieve, while the 250 M4K RAM blocks (1,152 Kbits) hold coefficient tables and overlap windows without external buffering. In a typical pipeline, the host writes samples to a mailbox buffer, the FPGA computes the kernel block-by-block, and DMA returns results. Compared with a DSP-only MCU, the FPGA achieves roughly 5-10x higher sample rates on 256-tap FIRs at the same clock. Quartus II's DSP Builder integration lets designers drop in Simulink blocks that synthesize directly into the Cyclone II DSP blocks.
Recommended
Industrial Motor Control
The EP2C70F896I7N's industrial temperature grade (-40 C to +100 C junction), combined with 622 user I/O pins for parallel feedback sampling, suits three-phase motor drive control loops. The 150 18x18 multipliers execute Park/Clarke transforms and PI controllers at switching frequencies above 50 kHz, while the 4 PLLs generate precisely phased PWM carriers per inverter leg. Hardware encoder counters can be implemented in soft IP to decode quadrature signals at sub-microsecond latency. The 896-ball FBGA supports the high I/O count required for multi-axis drives (typically 24-36 PWMs plus 6-12 feedback channels). When paired with gate drivers and isolated current shunts, the FPGA replaces a DSP + microcontroller pair at lower BOM cost.
Recommended
Video / Image Preprocessing Pipeline
Video preprocessing benefits from the EP2C70F896I7N's parallel logic and on-chip memory. The 250 M4K blocks (1,152 Kbits) implement line buffers for 720p/1080p pipelined video without external SRAM, and the 150 hardware multipliers accelerate convolution kernels for edge detection, color space conversion, and noise reduction. LVDS-capable pins pair directly with CMOS image sensors and DSI/CSI receivers. In a typical camera module, the FPGA bridges between sensor, image signal processor, and host MCU, offloading pixel-rate tasks the MCU would starve on. Quartus II's VIP suite provides standard blocks (Sobel, median, gamma correction) that map efficiently to Cyclone II DSP blocks.
Recommended
Custom Bus Bridge / Protocol Converter
When system architects need to bridge legacy or proprietary buses (PROFIBUS, EtherCAT, CAN, I2C, SPI, parallel ADC/DAC) to a host CPU, the EP2C70F896I7N provides the logic and I/O flexibility to implement custom soft peripherals. With 622 user I/Os, the device can attach to wide parallel buses and multiple serial channels concurrently, while the 4 PLLs generate precise clock domains for each bus. Industrial users frequently implement PROFIBUS-DP slaves or EtherCAT slave controllers entirely in the FPGA, eliminating the need for a dedicated ASIC. The 1.2 V core and adjustable VCCIO per bank allow mixed-voltage interfacing (3.3 V logic on one bank, 1.8 V on another).
Recommended
ASIC Emulation and Prototyping
Engineers use the EP2C70F896I7N as an ASIC prototyping platform because the 68,416 logic elements provide enough capacity to map mid-complexity ASIC RTL before committing to silicon. The 150 multipliers and 1,152 Kbits of RAM allow pre-silicon validation of DSP-heavy or memory-heavy designs at near-ASIC clock rates. Quartus II's incremental compilation lets teams partition large designs by function block, shortening iteration cycles. The industrial temperature grade also supports in-vehicle prototyping where lab-temperature parts would not be representative. Multiple EP2C70 boards can be paralleled with high-speed LVDS links for very large emulation targets.
Recommended
Embedded Industrial Controller / Soft MCU
A Cyclone II EP2C70F896I7N can implement one or more soft microcontrollers (Nios II/e or Nios II/f) along with custom peripherals, replacing a discrete MCU in space-constrained or functionally-rich designs. The 68,416 LE accommodate a Nios II/f core plus Ethernet MAC, UART, SPI, and PWM peripherals with substantial logic headroom. This approach lets designers add or remove peripherals per board variant by changing the FPGA bitstream alone. The 4 PLLs generate the CPU clock plus peripheral clocks from a single crystal. Industrial users value the deterministic Nios II timing, which is easier to certify than software-only solutions for safety-critical systems.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP2C70F896I7N — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP2C70F896I8N | EP2C70F896C8N | EP2C70F896C7N | EP2C70F896C8 | EP2C70F896C7 | EP2C70F896C6N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 896-ball FBGA | 896-ball FBGA - same | 896-ball FBGA - same | 896-ball FBGA - same | 896-ball FBGA - same | 896-ball FBGA - same | 896-ball FBGA - same |
| Brand | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) |
| Logic Elements | 68,416 | 68,416 (same die) | 68,416 (same die) | 68,416 (same die) | 68,416 (same die) | 68,416 (same die) | 68,416 (same die) |
| Embedded Memory | 1,152 Kbits (250 M4K) | 1,152 Kbits (same) | 1,152 Kbits (same) | 1,152 Kbits (same) | 1,152 Kbits (same) | 1,152 Kbits (same) | 1,152 Kbits (same) |
| 18x18 Multipliers | 150 | 150 (same) | 150 (same) | 150 (same) | 150 (same) | 150 (same) | 150 (same) |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial (-40 C to +100 C) | Industrial (-40 C to +100 C) | Commercial (0 C to +85 C) | Commercial (0 C to +85 C) | Commercial (0 C to +85 C) | Commercial (0 C to +85 C) | Commercial (0 C to +85 C) |
| Speed Bin | I7 (fastest industrial) | I8 (faster industrial) | C8 (fastest commercial) | C7 (commercial) | C8 (fastest commercial) | C7 (commercial) | C6 (slowest commercial) |
| Lead-Free / RoHS | Yes (Pb-free, RoHS) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No (Pb) | No (Pb) | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- Largest Cyclone II member with 68,416 LE (vs EP2C50F896I7N)
- Industrial temperature grade in NRND status (vs EP2C70F896C8N)
- Same-die drop-in flexibility across speed and temperature bins (vs EP2C70F896I8N)
Design Notes
The EP2C70F896I7N requires four power rails: VCCINT (1.2 V core), VCCIO per I/O bank (1.5/1.8/2.5/3.3 V), VCC_PLL (1.2 V analog PLL supply), and VCCA (2.5 V). Estimated quiescent current at full logic utilization is approximately 1.5 A on VCCINT (1.8 W) plus bank-dependent I/O current. Decouple each rail with 0.1 uF X7R capacitors within 5 mm of each supply pin, plus a 10 uF bulk capacitor per rail at the regulator output. Power-rail sequencing per the Cyclone II handbook is mandatory - VCCIO must not precede VCCINT by more than 200 ms to avoid latch-up.
The 896-ball FBGA uses a 1.0 mm ball pitch and demands a 4-layer PCB minimum with controlled-impedance routing for LVDS pairs. Estimated: 6 mil trace / 6 mil space rules are required to escape the inner balls. Use via-in-pad or microvia-on-pad for the inner-row balls to keep the breakout manageable. A continuous ground plane beneath the device is mandatory for signal return paths and thermal dissipation (theta_JB is approximately 16 C/W). Match LVDS pair lengths to within 150 mil for signals above 500 Mbps.
Configure the EP2C70F896I7N with a serial configuration flash (EPCS16 for bitstreams up to ~16 Mbit, EPCS64 for larger). Use the Altera/Intel Quartus II 13.0sp1 programmer to convert SOF to .jic or .pof format. JTAG mode (10-pin header per IEEE 1149.1) supports both programming and runtime debug with SignalTap II logic analyzer. Active serial mode requires the MSEL[2:0] pins be pulled to specific logic levels per the Cyclone II handbook; incorrect strapping prevents configuration.
Common bring-up issues include: (1) leaving unused I/O banks powered down while driving signals into them - always tie VCCIO of used banks to the I/O supply voltage; (2) forgetting the CRC error pin pull-up during AS configuration - the FPGA will not flag configuration failures reliably without it; (3) ignoring I/O bank I/O standards mixing rules - each bank supports only one VCCIO voltage; (4) placing too many LVDS pairs on one bank and running out of PLL clock output pairs - plan PLL allocation early. Estimated: typical design cycles take 3-5 iterations to achieve timing closure at industrial temperatures.
Compliance Information
Pb-free (N suffix) per Altera Cyclone II handbook. Industrial temperature grade supports automotive under-hood and outdoor deployments, but is not AEC-Q100 qualified. Halogen-free status not confirmed in datasheet. Conflict-minerals compliance per Altera/Intel CMRT filings.
