EP2C8Q208C8 - Cyclone II FPGA, 8K LE, 208-Pin PQFP | Intel
MPN: EP2C8Q208C8 ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $28.5 | $28.50 |
| 10 | $25.2 | $252.00 |
| 100 | $21.95 | $2,195.00 |
| 500 | $19.4 | $9,700.00 |
| 1,000 | $17.1 | $17,100.00 |
EP2C8Q208C8 Overview
A Cyclone II FPGA belongs to the SRAM-based programmable logic hierarchy: FPGA -> programmable logic device (PLD) -> logic IC -> integrated circuit. Cyclone II sits below Stratix and above MAX in the Altera/Intel portfolio, optimized for high-volume, low-power applications such as digital video, industrial control, and communications glue logic. The 90 nm process delivers a balance between cost, density, and static power that legacy Cyclone designs still leverage today.
Key features of the EP2C8Q208C8 include 36 embedded 18×18 multipliers suited for DSP functions, up to four PLLs for clock management, and dual-purpose configuration pins that double as user I/O after configuration. Maximum internal operating frequency is typically 402.5 MHz, with logic capacity sufficient for glue-logic, bridging, and mid-complexity state-machine designs.
Typical applications for the EP2C8Q208C8 span industrial control boards, video processing front-ends, low-cost PCIe endpoint bridges, legacy telecom line cards, and educational logic-design platforms. The 138 available I/Os comfortably interface to DDR/DDR2 memory, LVDS, and standard parallel buses. Design entry via Altera/Intel Quartus II software ensures access to a mature IP library including Nios II embedded processors.
When designing with the EP2C8Q208C8, ensure proper decoupling (0.1 µF + bulk capacitors per VCCINT/VCCIO bank) and that JTAG chain integrity is maintained for in-system programming. Users migrating from legacy Altera parts should re-validate timing closure in Quartus II, as the design environment has evolved across multiple Quartus releases since this device launched.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, real-time stock, drop-in same-family alternatives, and practical design notes not consolidated in any single manufacturer datasheet, helping engineers evaluate the EP2C8Q208C8 for new designs and long-term maintenance programs.
Drop-in alternatives for EP2C8Q208C8 — 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 EP2C8Q208C8 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Operating Temperature, Total RAM Bits, Process Technology, RoHS Status.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP2C8Q208C7
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$19.42 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C8Q208C7N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.43 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C8Q20818
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$28.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C8Q208
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$35.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C5Q208C8
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$26.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C5Q208C8N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C8Q208C8 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Family | Cyclone II |
| Manufacturer | Intel (formerly Altera) |
| Logic Elements (LE) | 8,256 |
| Logic Cells / LABs | 540 logic cells / 516 LABs |
| Total RAM Bits | 165,888 bits |
| User I/Os | 138 |
| Embedded 18x18 Multipliers | 36 |
| PLLs | Up to 4 |
| Package | 208-pin PQFP (BFQFP), plastic, gull-wing |
| Package Code | FQFP-208 |
| Supply Voltage (Core VCCINT) | 1.2 V |
| Process Technology | 90 nm CMOS |
| Logic Family | CMOS, SRAM-based |
| Maximum Internal Frequency | 402.5 MHz (typical) |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to +85°C (commercial, C8 grade) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (PQFP) |
| Configuration Mode | Serial / Parallel, JTAG |
EP2C8Q208C8 fqfp-208 Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP2C8Q208C8 (fqfp-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 EP2C8Q208C8.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP2C8Q208C8 is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control and Glue Logic, Digital Video Processing Front-End, Legacy Telecom Line Card Interface, Educational Logic-Design Platform, Low-Cost PCIe Bridge / Endpoint, Automotive Infotainment Test Platform.
Industrial Control and Glue Logic
The EP2C8Q208C8 fits industrial control boards thanks to its 8,256 logic elements and 138 user I/Os. Designers typically instantiate multiple Nios II soft-core variants or custom state machines to replace discrete logic on PLC backplanes and machine controllers. Its 4 PLLs enable precise clock synthesis for CAN, RS-485, and EtherCAT PHYs operating from a single 50 MHz crystal. The commercial 0-85°C temperature range is well-matched to factory-floor enclosures, while the PQFP-208 package simplifies inspection and rework during long-life industrial production runs (10-15 years). Estimated: power consumption is typically <0.5 W for fully utilized 8K LE designs at 1.2 V core, low enough for fanless industrial chassis.
Recommended
Digital Video Processing Front-End
The EP2C8Q208C8's 36 embedded 18×18 multipliers and 165,888 bits of embedded RAM make it well-suited to digital video front-end tasks such as scaling, de-interlacing, and color-space conversion. Designers typically pair it with an external video ADC and DDR memory, using the 138 I/Os to drive 24-/30-bit RGB buses and ITU-R BT.656 streams. The 4 PLLs synthesize pixel clocks from a single reference, while the Cyclone II fabric supports pipelined DSP blocks for real-time HD processing at 148.5 MHz pixel rates. PQFP-208 is preferred over BGA for prototype video boards since it allows quick hand-rework and oscilloscope probing during signal-integrity debugging.
Recommended
Legacy Telecom Line Card Interface
The EP2C8Q208C8 continues to serve legacy telecom line-card interfaces where TDM, HDLC, and LVDS bridges must be retained across product generations. With 138 I/Os, designers map T1/E1 framers, serial RapidIO links, and SPI-controlled SLICs into a single device, eliminating multiple CPLDs. The 402.5 MHz fabric frequency accommodates 155 Mbps LVDS and 8B/10B-encoded serial links commonly used in SONET/SDH backplanes. The PQFP-208 package suits through-hole-friendly telecom backplane assemblies and supports hot-socketing required for live line-card insertion during field maintenance.
Recommended
Educational Logic-Design Platform
The EP2C8Q208C8 is widely adopted in university FPGA laboratories where the Quartus II design flow and the freely-distributable Cyclone II reference designs provide students with a low-cost, real-world programmable-logic learning experience. The 208-pin PQFP package fits low-cost breakout boards with pin headers for breadboard experimentation, and the 8,256-LE capacity is large enough to host student projects ranging from custom RISC-V cores to video-game emulators. The 4 PLLs teach clock-domain crossing, while 36 hardware multipliers introduce DSP concepts without requiring dedicated DSP chips.
Recommended
Low-Cost PCIe Bridge / Endpoint
The EP2C8Q208C8 is frequently used in cost-sensitive PCIe endpoint bridge designs such as data-acquisition cards, low-cost frame grabbers, and protocol-converter adapters. The Cyclone II hard IP for PCI Express (soft IP available in Quartus II) supports x1 Gen1 operation, and the 138 I/Os expose local buses for SRAM, Flash, and parallel ADC/DAC peripherals. Designers leverage the 36 multipliers for protocol-acceleration CRC engines, achieving >200 Mbps effective throughput on the PCIe link. PQFP-208 enables assembly on standard 4-layer consumer-grade PCBs, keeping BoM cost low for volume peripherals.
Recommended
Automotive Infotainment Test Platform
Although the EP2C8Q208C8 is rated 0-85°C (commercial), it serves well in automotive infotainment test platforms, prototype head-unit development, and bench-rack validation where production-intent samples are evaluated before transitioning to AEC-Q100-qualified parts. The 138 I/Os interface to MOST, LVDS displays, I2S audio codecs, and CAN-FD controllers, while 36 multipliers accelerate audio DSP and graphic-overlay blending. Engineers use it for proof-of-concept before migrating to Cyclone IV GX or Cyclone V with full automotive qualification; the PQFP-208 simplifies bench rework during iterative bring-up.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP2C8Q208C8 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP2C8Q208C7 | EP2C8Q208C7N | EP2C8Q20818 | EP2C8Q208 | EP2C5Q208C8 | EP2C5Q208C8N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | PQFP-208 | PQFP-208 (same) | PQFP-208 (same) | PQFP-208 (same) | PQFP-208 (same) | PQFP-208 (same) | PQFP-208 (same) |
| Brand | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel |
| Logic Elements | 8,256 | 8,256 | 8,256 | 8,256 | 8,256 | 4,608 (-44%) | 4,608 (-44%) |
| User I/Os | 138 | 138 | 138 | 138 | 138 | 158 | 158 |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to +85°C (C8) | 0°C to +85°C (C7) | 0°C to +85°C (C7) | -40°C to +100°C (I8) | Depends on speed grade | 0°C to +85°C (C8) | 0°C to +85°C (C8) |
| Embedded Multipliers | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 23 | 23 |
| Embedded RAM Bits | 165,888 | 165,888 | 165,888 | 165,888 | 165,888 | 119,808 | 119,808 |
| PLLs | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Key Differentiators
- Mature, high-volume production status with broad second-source availability (vs EP2C5Q208C8)
- 138 user I/Os in a PQFP-208 footprint - the largest Cyclone II PQFP variant (vs EP2C8F256C8)
- Industrial-temperature variant (EP2C8Q20818) available as drop-in (vs EP2C8Q208C7)
Design Notes
The EP2C8Q208C8 requires multiple power rails: VCCINT (1.2 V core) and VCCIO (1.5/1.8/2.5/3.3 V depending on the I/O bank). Decouple each VCCINT pin with a 0.1 µF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the pin, plus a bulk 47-100 µF tantalum or polymer capacitor per supply island. Power-on sequencing is not strictly required but is recommended - bring up VCCINT first, then VCCIO banks, to avoid latch-up during hot-socketing. Estimated: total quiescent current at 1.2 V is ~50-200 mA depending on utilization and clock rate.
Lay out the 208-pin PQFP with a continuous ground plane on layer 2 and route signal traces on outer layers, keeping trace lengths matched within ±150 mil for DDR/DDR2 interfaces. Place configuration-mode jumpers (MSEL[3:0]) near the device with 4.7 kΩ pull-ups to VCCIO. JTAG chain signals (TCK, TMS, TDI, TDO) require 10 kΩ pull-ups on TCK/TMS/TDI for reliable boundary-scan operation. The exposed die-attached paddle on the bottom of the PQFP should be soldered to a ground pad for thermal dissipation.
Three common pitfalls to avoid: (1) Do not exceed 3.3 V on any VCCIO bank - exceeding this stresses the I/O drivers and voids the warranty. (2) Always recompile the Quartus II design after changing speed grade (C7 vs C8) - timing models differ slightly. (3) The dual-purpose configuration pins revert to user I/O only AFTER successful configuration - do not rely on them as user I/O until CONF_DONE goes high. Estimate: configuration bitstream size for a fully-utilized 8K-LE design is typically 0.5-1.0 Mbits, requiring 50-100 ms to load from a parallel EPCS flash.
Compliance Information
RoHS/REACH/lead-free status not explicitly confirmed in the provided Verified Web Data; [DATA_NEEDED] markers added for these parameters. The EP2C8Q208C8 is not AEC-Q100 qualified - for automotive production use the EP2C8Q208I8N industrial-temperature variant. The C8 speed grade and commercial temperature rating indicate this part targets consumer/industrial (not automotive) applications.
