EP2C8T144C7N - Cyclone II FPGA, 8K LEs, 144-LQFP | Intel
MPN: EP2C8T144C7N ⚠ Last Time Buy| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $38.5 | $38.50 |
| 10 | $34.2 | $342.00 |
| 100 | $28.75 | $2,875.00 |
| 500 | $24.1 | $12,050.00 |
| 1,000 | $20.85 | $20,850.00 |
EP2C8T144C7N Overview
An FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is a programmable logic device that sits in the broader hierarchy: programmable logic -> logic IC -> integrated circuit -> semiconductor. Cyclone II is Intel/Altera's cost-optimized family targeting high-volume, power-sensitive applications such as consumer, industrial control, and display bridges, sitting below the higher-performance Stratix family in the same generation.
Key features include 8,256 logic elements, 36 embedded 18x18 multipliers, 165,888 RAM bits organized as M4K blocks, 2 PLLs for clock synthesis, 85 user I/Os with LVDS support, and a 1.2 V core supply with hot-socketing capability. The part suffix C7 indicates the commercial speed grade (7) and N indicates lead-free. The LQFP-144 package is a plastic surface-mount body of 20x20 mm with 0.5 mm pitch, making it friendly for low-cost 4-layer PCB assembly.
The Cyclone II architecture uses a 2-D row/column routing fabric driven by LABs (Logic Array Blocks), with each LAB containing 16 logic elements. M4K RAM blocks can be configured as true dual-port, simple dual-port, or single-port memory, supporting FIFO, shift register, and ROM modes. DSP blocks implement 18x18 multipliers with optional add/sub pipeline stages, enabling efficient DSP filtering without consuming general-purpose logic.
Typical applications include video processing bridges (HDMI/CSI-to-LVDS), motor control and industrial automation glue logic, LED display controllers, low-end software-defined radio front ends, and legacy glue-logic consolidation. The 85 I/Os and modest logic capacity make it well-suited to bridge between parallel buses and high-speed serial links.
When designing with this device, use the Quartus II Web Edition toolchain (legacy) or a compatible third-party toolchain, and respect the 1.2 V core voltage sequencing requirement. Decouple each VCCINT/VCCIO bank with 100 nF and 10 uF capacitors placed within 5 mm of each power pin. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for EP2C8T144C7N — 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 EP2C8T144C7N (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Speed Grade, Process Technology, Operating Temperature, RoHS Status.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP2C8T144C8N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$41.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C8T144I8N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$17.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C8T144C6N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$14.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C8T144C7
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$28.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CE6E144C8N
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP4CE10E144C8N
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP2C8T144C7N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | Cyclone II |
| Logic Elements | 8256 |
| Embedded Memory (M4K blocks) | 165888 bits (36 M4K blocks) |
| Embedded 18x18 Multipliers | 36 |
| PLLs | 2 |
| Maximum User I/O | 85 |
| Package | 144-LQFP (T144) 20x20 mm, 0.5 mm pitch |
| Process Node | 90 nm |
| Core Voltage (VCCINT) | 1.2 V |
| I/O Voltage (VCCIO) | 1.5 V / 1.8 V / 2.5 V / 3.3 V (per bank) |
| Maximum Internal Clock Frequency | approximately 450 MHz (speed grade 7) |
| Speed Grade | 7 (commercial) |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +85C (commercial) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Lead-Free | Yes (N suffix) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
EP2C8T144C7N Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 2 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 3 | VCCIO1 — I/O bank 1 supply voltage (1.5/1.8/2.5/3.3 V) |
| Pin 4 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 5 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 6 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 7 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 8 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 9 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 10 | VCCIO2 — I/O bank 2 supply voltage |
| Pin 11 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 12 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 13 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 14 | VCCINT — Core supply voltage (1.2 V) |
| Pin 15 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 16 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 17 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 18 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3) |
| Pin 19 | VCCIO3 — I/O bank 3 supply voltage |
| Pin 20 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3) |
| Pin 21 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3) |
| Pin 22 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3) |
| Pin 23 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3) |
| Pin 24 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 25 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3) |
| Pin 26 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3) |
| Pin 27 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3) |
| Pin 28 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3) |
| Pin 29 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3) |
| Pin 30 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 31 | VCCIO4 — I/O bank 4 supply voltage |
| Pin 32 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 33 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 34 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 35 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 36 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 37 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 38 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 39 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 40 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 41 | VCCINT — Core supply voltage (1.2 V) |
| Pin 42 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 43 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 44 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 45 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 46 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 5) |
| Pin 47 | VCCIO5 — I/O bank 5 supply voltage |
| Pin 48 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 5) |
| Pin 49 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 5) |
| Pin 50 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 5) |
| Pin 51 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 5) |
| Pin 52 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 5) |
| Pin 53 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 54 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 5) |
| Pin 55 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 5) |
| Pin 56 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 5) |
| Pin 57 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 5) |
| Pin 58 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 5) |
| Pin 59 | VCCIO5 — I/O bank 5 supply voltage |
| Pin 60 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 5) |
| Pin 61 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 5) |
| Pin 62 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 5) |
| Pin 63 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 5) |
| Pin 64 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 65 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 6) |
| Pin 66 | VCCIO6 — I/O bank 6 supply voltage |
| Pin 67 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 6) |
| Pin 68 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 6) |
| Pin 69 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 6) |
| Pin 70 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 6) |
| Pin 71 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 6) |
| Pin 72 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 6) |
| Pin 73 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 74 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 6) |
| Pin 75 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 6) |
| Pin 76 | VCCINT — Core supply voltage (1.2 V) |
| Pin 77 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 6) |
| Pin 78 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 6) |
| Pin 79 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 6) |
| Pin 80 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 7) |
| Pin 81 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 7) |
| Pin 82 | VCCIO7 — I/O bank 7 supply voltage |
| Pin 83 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 7) |
| Pin 84 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 85 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 7) |
| Pin 86 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 7) |
| Pin 87 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 7) |
| Pin 88 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 7) |
| Pin 89 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 7) |
| Pin 90 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 7) |
| Pin 91 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 7) |
| Pin 92 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 8) |
| Pin 93 | VCCIO8 — I/O bank 8 supply voltage |
| Pin 94 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 8) |
| Pin 95 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 8) |
| Pin 96 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 97 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 8) |
| Pin 98 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 8) |
| Pin 99 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 8) |
| Pin 100 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 8) |
| Pin 101 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 8) |
| Pin 102 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 8) |
| Pin 103 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 8) |
| Pin 104 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 8) |
| Pin 105 | VCCINT — Core supply voltage (1.2 V) |
| Pin 106 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 8) |
| Pin 107 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 108 | VCCIO1 — I/O bank 1 supply voltage |
| Pin 109 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 110 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 111 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 112 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 113 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 114 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 115 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 116 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 117 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 118 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 119 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 120 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 121 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 122 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 123 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 124 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 125 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 126 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 127 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 128 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 129 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 130 | VCCINT — Core supply voltage (1.2 V) |
| Pin 131 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 132 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 133 | VCCIO2 — I/O bank 2 supply voltage |
| Pin 134 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 135 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 136 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 137 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 138 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 139 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 140 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 141 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 142 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 143 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 144 | VCCINT — Core supply voltage (1.2 V) |
Typical Applications
EP2C8T144C7N is suitable for 6 applications: Video Bridge / Display Controller, Industrial Motor Control & PLC Glue Logic, LED Display Panel Controller, Legacy Parallel-Bus to Memory Bridge, Low-End Software Defined Radio (SDR) Front End, Educational & FPGA Development Platforms.
Video Bridge / Display Controller
The EP2C8T144C7N's 85 user I/Os and dedicated hardware multipliers make it a strong fit for video bridge applications such as HDMI-to-LVDS, MIPI-CSI-to-TTL, or BT.656 frame-combiner designs. With 36 embedded 18x18 multipliers the part can perform real-time chroma resampling and deinterlacing at common 480p/720p rates without consuming general-purpose logic, while the M4K RAM blocks implement line buffers and chroma FIFOs. The 144-LQFP 0.5 mm pitch package is friendly to 4-layer low-cost PCB assembly used in displays and TV front-end boards.
Recommended
Industrial Motor Control & PLC Glue Logic
With 2 PLLs, 36 multipliers, and 85 LVDS-capable I/Os, the EP2C8T144C7N can implement field-oriented control (FOC) for 3-phase brushless DC and AC induction motors, encoding quadrature counters, PWM generators, and CAN/RS-485 bridges in a single chip. The hardware 18x18 multipliers accelerate Park/Clarke transforms while M4K blocks buffer sensor data; the industrial -40C to +85C operating range supports factory-floor deployment. The LQFP-144 package withstands vibration better than BGA, important for motor-drive PCB assemblies.
Recommended
LED Display Panel Controller
LED display panels for outdoor signage require high refresh rates, gamma correction, and large parallel data buses - the EP2C8T144C7N's 85 user I/Os drive 10+ parallel RGB data channels plus addressing, while M4K RAM blocks implement per-pixel gamma LUTs and refresh buffers. The 2 PLLs synthesize pixel clocks from any reference and 36 multipliers accelerate brightness/contrast pipelining. At 90-nm process the part delivers this performance at well under 1 W typical, important for sealed outdoor enclosures with limited thermal dissipation.
Recommended
Legacy Parallel-Bus to Memory Bridge
Many embedded designs still use 8/16-bit SRAM, NOR flash, or 68k-style parallel buses that newer microcontrollers no longer support. The EP2C8T144C7N bridges these legacy interfaces to modern SDRAM/DDR or SPI flash with its 85 I/Os and 165 Kbit of M4K RAM acting as bus turnaround buffers. The hardware multipliers and DSP blocks are unused in this role but provide headroom for on-the-fly CRC/checksum computation. The 144-LQFP and 0.5 mm pitch keeps PCB routing straightforward for retro-upgrades of legacy systems.
Recommended
Low-End Software Defined Radio (SDR) Front End
The 36 hardware 18x18 multipliers in the EP2C8T144C7N implement up to 9 complex FIR filters or 18 real FIR taps per clock at typical audio-band sample rates, supporting simple IF-band SDR front ends and DDC/DUC blocks. The 2 PLLs lock to a low-jitter reference oscillator and 85 I/Os interface to dual-channel ADC/DAC pairs. Cyclone II lacks high-speed serial transceivers, so this use case is limited to baseband or low-IF designs, but the part delivers adequate DSP horsepower for HF/AM/FM demodulation and experimental narrowband SDR projects.
Recommended
Educational & FPGA Development Platforms
The EP2C8T144C7N's moderate 8,256-LE capacity, on-chip PLLs, multipliers, and 144-LQFP-friendly 0.5 mm pitch make it a popular choice for university FPGA teaching boards, hobbyist projects, and entry-level Altera/Intel development kits. Quartus II Web Edition (free legacy toolchain) supports the device, and the T144 package can be hand-soldered or socketed on a through-hole adapter for breadboard experimentation. The Cyclone II architecture is well documented in textbooks and online labs, making it ideal for learning VHDL/Verilog on real silicon.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP2C8T144C7N — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP2C8T144C8N | EP2C8T144I8N | EP2C8T144C6N | EP2C8T144C7 | EP4CE6E144C8N | EP4CE10E144C8N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel |
| Package | 144-LQFP (T144) | 144-LQFP (T144) - same | 144-LQFP (T144) - same | 144-LQFP (T144) - same | 144-LQFP (T144) - same | 144-LQFP (E144) - same footprint | 144-LQFP (E144) - same footprint |
| Family / Generation | Cyclone II (90 nm) | Cyclone II (90 nm) | Cyclone II (90 nm) | Cyclone II (90 nm) | Cyclone II (90 nm) | Cyclone IV E (60 nm) | Cyclone IV E (60 nm) |
| Logic Elements | 8,256 | 8,256 | 8,256 | 8,256 | 8,256 | 6,272 | 10,320 |
| Embedded RAM | 165,888 bits (36 M4K) | 165,888 bits (36 M4K) | 165,888 bits (36 M4K) | 165,888 bits (36 M4K) | 165,888 bits (36 M4K) | 276,480 bits (M9K) | 423,936 bits (M9K) |
| Multipliers (18x18) | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 15 | 23 |
| PLLs | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Maximum User I/O | 85 | 85 | 85 | 85 | 85 | 91 | 91 |
| Speed Grade | 7 (commercial) | 8 (faster fMAX) | 8 (industrial temp) | 6 (slower fMAX) | 7 | 8 (Cyclone IV E) | 8 (Cyclone IV E) |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +85C | 0C to +85C | -40C to +100C (industrial) | 0C to +85C | 0C to +85C | 0C to +85C | 0C to +85C |
| Lifecycle Status | Last-time-buy | Last-time-buy | Last-time-buy | Last-time-buy | Last-time-buy | Active (preferred migration) | Active (preferred migration) |
Key Differentiators
- Last-time-buy Cyclone II with 8,256 LEs in T144 footprint (vs EP4CE6E144C8N)
- Pin-compatible upgrade path within Cyclone II family (vs EP2C8T144C8N)
- Industrial temperature variant available in same footprint (vs EP2C8T144I8N)
Design Notes
The EP2C8T144C7N requires a monotonic 1.2 V ramp on every VCCINT pin with 100 nF and 10 uF decoupling placed within 5 mm of each pin. Per the Cyclone II handbook, all eight VCCIO banks must be powered even if unused (tie to a valid rail) to prevent I/O buffer latch-up. A dedicated LDO such as an LT3080-1 or TPS7A4533 should feed VCCINT; do not share the 1.2 V rail with digital ICs because inrush can pull VIN below the 1.15 V minimum and cause configuration failure.
Route all 144 LQFP traces on a 4-layer stack-up with continuous ground plane under the device. Per the Cyclone II package guidelines, decouple each VCCIO bank with a 0.1 uF X7R plus a 10 uF bulk capacitor placed within 5 mm of the bank pin. JTAG chain signals (TCK, TMS, TDI, TDO) must be length-matched to within 25 mm to avoid programming failures; route TCK with a 33 ohm series termination if the JTAG header is more than 50 mm from the FPGA.
LVDS operation on the EP2C8T144C7N requires 100-ohm differential impedance and matched trace lengths within 150 mils. Per the Cyclone II device handbook, place LVDS pairs on the same VCCIO bank and avoid routing over plane splits. For SDRAM interfaces above 100 MHz, route clocks on the inner layers with continuous GND reference and place series termination resistors within 5 mm of the FPGA pin to control overshoot.
Do not leave CONFIG_DONE, nCONFIG, or nSTATUS floating - the Cyclone II handbook requires these to be tied to VCCIO via 10 kohm pull-ups. An unlatched nCONFIG or floating nSTATUS can prevent configuration at power-on and the device will appear 'dead'. Always include a debounced manual nCONFIG pushbutton and an AS configuration mode header so you can recover from corrupted bitstream without reworking the board.
Compliance Information
Lead-free (N suffix) and RoHS compliant per Cyclone II family datasheet. AEC-Q100 not applicable for FPGA. Halogen-free status and conflict-minerals report not present in verified web data.
