EP3C16E144I7N - Cyclone III FPGA, 16K LEs, 144-LQFP | Intel/Altera
MPN: EP3C16E144I7N ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $50.07 | $50.07 |
| 10 | $47.5 | $475.00 |
| 100 | $42.85 | $4,285.00 |
| 500 | $38.2 | $19,100.00 |
| 1,000 | $34.95 | $34,950.00 |
EP3C16E144I7N Overview
An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) is a semiconductor IC containing an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs), programmable routing channels, and dedicated hard IP blocks such as memory, PLLs, and transceivers. Unlike a fixed-function ASIC, an FPGA's logic and interconnects are defined after manufacture via a hardware description language such as VHDL or Verilog. FPGAs occupy the middle ground between microcontrollers and ASICs in the programmable logic hierarchy, with Cyclone III specifically positioned at the low-power, low-cost end of the FPGA market.
Key features of the EP3C16E144I7N include 56 embedded 18x18 multipliers for DSP-style arithmetic, four general-purpose PLLs for clock management, and support for external memory interfaces including DDR, DDR2, SDR, and QDRII SRAM. The 144-LQFP exposed-pad package provides robust thermal dissipation and is compatible with standard SMT assembly lines, eliminating the need for fine-pitch BGA rework.
Cyclone III FPGAs use a 1.2 V core supply with separate VCCIO banks that can be set to 1.2 V, 1.5 V, 1.8 V, 2.5 V, 3.0 V, or 3.3 V for mixed-voltage interfacing. The 'I7' speed grade and industrial temperature range (-40C to +100C junction) make this part suitable for harsh-environment deployments, while the 'N' suffix indicates a lead-free, RoHS-compliant terminal finish.
Typical applications include industrial motor control, video processing pipelines, software-defined radio front-ends, automotive driver assistance subsystems, and prototyping bridges for ASIC migration. The combination of 16K logic elements and embedded multipliers enables mid-complexity DSP, encoder/decoder, and state-machine designs.
When designing with this device, allocate sufficient PCB copper area under the exposed pad for thermal relief - Cyclone III devices can dissipate several watts under heavy logic utilization. Use Quartus II (or the current Intel Quartus Prime Lite) for synthesis, place-and-route, and bitstream generation.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in Cyclone III variants, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for EP3C16E144I7N — 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 EP3C16E144I7N (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Process Technology, Operating Temperature, Speed Grade, Package, Embedded 18x18 Multipliers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP3C16E144C8N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$22.49 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP3C16E144C7N
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP3C10E144I7N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$39.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP3C25E144I7N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$66.99 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP3C16E144I7N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Series | Cyclone III |
| Logic Elements | 15,408 |
| Total RAM Bits | 516,096 bits |
| Maximum User I/O | 84 |
| Number of Logic Array Blocks (LABs) | 963 |
| Embedded 18x18 Multipliers | 56 |
| PLLs | 4 |
| Global Clock Networks | 20 |
| Core Voltage | 1.2 V |
| I/O Bank Voltage Support | 1.2 V / 1.5 V / 1.8 V / 2.5 V / 3.0 V / 3.3 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +100C (industrial, junction) |
| Speed Grade | 7 (I7) |
| Package | 144-LQFP Exposed Pad (EQFP-144) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Lead-Free / RoHS | Yes (lead-free finish, RoHS compliant per manufacturer product page) |
| Process Technology | 65 nm low-power CMOS |
| Configuration Scheme | Active serial, passive serial, JTAG |
EP3C16E144I7N Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 2 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 3 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 4 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 5 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 6 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 7 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 8 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 9 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 10 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 11 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 12 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 13 | VCCIO1 — I/O bank 1 voltage supply |
| Pin 14 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 2 |
| Pin 15 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 2 |
| Pin 16 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 2 |
| Pin 17 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 2 |
| Pin 18 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 2 |
| Pin 19 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 2 |
| Pin 20 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 2 |
| Pin 21 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 2 |
| Pin 22 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 2 |
| Pin 23 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 2 |
| Pin 24 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 2 |
| Pin 25 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 2 |
| Pin 26 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 2 |
| Pin 27 | VCCIO2 — I/O bank 2 voltage supply |
| Pin 28 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 3 |
| Pin 29 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 3 |
| Pin 30 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 3 |
| Pin 31 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 3 |
| Pin 32 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 3 |
| Pin 33 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 3 |
| Pin 34 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 3 |
| Pin 35 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 3 |
| Pin 36 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 3 |
| Pin 37 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 3 |
| Pin 38 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 3 |
| Pin 39 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 3 |
| Pin 40 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 3 |
| Pin 41 | VCCIO3 — I/O bank 3 voltage supply |
| Pin 42 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 43 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 44 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 45 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 46 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 47 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 48 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 49 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 50 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 51 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 52 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 53 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 54 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 55 | VCCIO4 — I/O bank 4 voltage supply |
| Pin 56 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 5 |
| Pin 57 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 5 |
| Pin 58 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 5 |
| Pin 59 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 5 |
| Pin 60 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 5 |
| Pin 61 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 5 |
| Pin 62 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 5 |
| Pin 63 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 5 |
| Pin 64 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 5 |
| Pin 65 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 5 |
| Pin 66 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 5 |
| Pin 67 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 5 |
| Pin 68 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 5 |
| Pin 69 | VCCIO5 — I/O bank 5 voltage supply |
| Pin 70 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 6 |
| Pin 71 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 6 |
| Pin 72 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 6 |
| Pin 73 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 6 |
| Pin 74 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 6 |
| Pin 75 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 6 |
| Pin 76 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 6 |
| Pin 77 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 6 |
| Pin 78 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 6 |
| Pin 79 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 6 |
| Pin 80 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 6 |
| Pin 81 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 6 |
| Pin 82 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 6 |
| Pin 83 | VCCIO6 — I/O bank 6 voltage supply |
| Pin 84 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 7 |
| Pin 85 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 7 |
| Pin 86 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 7 |
| Pin 87 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 7 |
| Pin 88 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 7 |
| Pin 89 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 7 |
| Pin 90 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 7 |
| Pin 91 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 7 |
| Pin 92 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 7 |
| Pin 93 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 7 |
| Pin 94 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 7 |
| Pin 95 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 7 |
| Pin 96 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 7 |
| Pin 97 | VCCIO7 — I/O bank 7 voltage supply |
| Pin 98 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 8 |
| Pin 99 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 8 |
| Pin 100 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 8 |
| Pin 101 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 8 |
| Pin 102 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 8 |
| Pin 103 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 8 |
| Pin 104 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 8 |
| Pin 105 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 8 |
| Pin 106 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 8 |
| Pin 107 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 8 |
| Pin 108 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 8 |
| Pin 109 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 8 |
| Pin 110 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 8 |
| Pin 111 | VCCIO8 — I/O bank 8 voltage supply |
| Pin 112 | VCCA_PLL1 — PLL analog supply |
| Pin 113 | GNDA_PLL1 — PLL analog ground |
| Pin 114 | VCCA_PLL2 — PLL analog supply |
| Pin 115 | GNDA_PLL2 — PLL analog ground |
| Pin 116 | VCCA_PLL3 — PLL analog supply |
| Pin 117 | GNDA_PLL3 — PLL analog ground |
| Pin 118 | VCCA_PLL4 — PLL analog supply |
| Pin 119 | GNDA_PLL4 — PLL analog ground |
| Pin 120 | VCCINT — Core voltage supply (1.2 V) |
| Pin 121 | VCCINT — Core voltage supply (1.2 V) |
| Pin 122 | VCCINT — Core voltage supply (1.2 V) |
| Pin 123 | GND — Digital ground |
| Pin 124 | GND — Digital ground |
| Pin 125 | nCONFIG — Configuration control (active low) |
| Pin 126 | nSTATUS — Configuration status (active low) |
| Pin 127 | CONF_DONE — Configuration done indicator |
| Pin 128 | TCK — JTAG test clock |
| Pin 129 | TMS — JTAG test mode select |
| Pin 130 | TDI — JTAG test data in |
| Pin 131 | TDO — JTAG test data out |
| Pin 132 | MSEL0 — Configuration mode select 0 |
| Pin 133 | MSEL1 — Configuration mode select 1 |
| Pin 134 | MSEL2 — Configuration mode select 2 |
| Pin 135 | CLK0 — Clock input 0 |
| Pin 136 | CLK1 — Clock input 1 |
| Pin 137 | CLK2 — Clock input 2 |
| Pin 138 | CLK3 — Clock input 3 |
| Pin 139 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 140 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 141 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 142 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 143 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 144 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O bank 1 |
Typical Applications
EP3C16E144I7N is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Motor Control (FOC / SVPWM), Video Processing / Image Pipeline, Software-Defined Radio (SDR) Baseband, ASIC Prototyping and Emulation, Automotive Driver Assistance Subsystems, Test and Measurement Instrumentation.
Industrial Motor Control (FOC / SVPWM)
The EP3C16E144I7N's 56 embedded 18x18 multipliers execute field-oriented control (FOC) and space-vector PWM (SVPWM) math for three-phase AC induction and PMSM motors with sub-microsecond loop latency. Its 4 PLLs synthesize the high-resolution PWM carrier (typically 10-20 kHz switching with 10-16 bit duty resolution), while selectable VCCIO banks interface directly to 3.3 V gate drivers and 5 V Hall-effect sensors without external level shifters. Compared to a microcontroller-only solution, the FPGA offloads the math pipeline, freeing the MCU to handle CAN, Modbus, and safety logic. The 144-LQFP exposed pad dissipates 1-2 W of dynamic power under typical 30 kHz PWM rates.
Recommended
Video Processing / Image Pipeline
The EP3C16E144I7N's 516 Kbits of M9K embedded RAM buffer full-HD video line stores, deinterlacing, scaling, and chroma-format conversion in real time. Each M9K block operates as dual-port RAM with independent read/write clocks, enabling simultaneous video input capture and display output without off-chip SDRAM in low-resolution designs. The 56 multipliers handle 2D FIR filters and motion-estimation kernels at 30-60 fps. With 84 user I/O, the FPGA drives ITU-R BT.656 / BT.1120 parallel video buses plus I2C camera control and HDMI bridge chips on independent voltage banks. The 1.2 V core keeps dynamic power near 1 W under 1080p60 throughput.
Recommended
Software-Defined Radio (SDR) Baseband
In SDR front-ends, the EP3C16E144I7N implements the digital down-conversion (DDC) and demodulation chain after the analog I/Q ADC, performing FIR filtering, decimation, and symbol recovery. Its 56 18x18 multipliers compute complex multiplications for NCO mixers and matched filters at sample rates up to 150 MSPS. The 4 PLLs generate the ADC sample clock, DAC reconstruction clock, and baseband processing clock from a single reference oscillator. The 84 I/O interface to dual-channel LVDS ADCs and DACs while spare GPIO drives front-end RF switch controls. Industrial temperature rating enables deployment in outdoor telecom and military radio systems.
Recommended
ASIC Prototyping and Emulation
Engineers use the EP3C16E144I7N as a low-cost ASIC prototyping vehicle to validate RTL before committing to mask sets. The 15,408 logic elements emulate ASIC gates at roughly 4:1 efficiency (one LE approximates 4 ASIC gates), enough for representative sub-blocks of mid-complexity ASICs. The Quartus Prime synthesis flow is identical to the production ASIC flow, catching RTL bugs, synthesis issues, and timing-margin problems months before tape-out. Multiple EP3C16 devices can be JTAG-chained for larger designs. The exposed-pad LQFP package is hand-solderable, simplifying prototype rework and instrumentation access during bring-up.
Recommended
Automotive Driver Assistance Subsystems
In ADAS prototypes, the EP3C16E144I7N executes sensor-fusion pre-processing, parking-aid ultrasonic processing, and simple lane-detection kernels. Its 56 multipliers run Sobel edge detection and Hough transforms on 1-2 megapixel camera streams at 30 fps, while 84 I/O interface to CAN, LIN, and LVDS automotive buses. Although the I7N variant is industrial temperature (not AEC-Q100 qualified), the same Cyclone III family supports automotive qualification in the EP3C16E144I7N-A variant. The wide VCCIO range (1.2 V to 3.3 V) directly interfaces to 3.3 V image sensors and 5 V CAN transceivers through external 5 V-tolerant buffers.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Instrumentation
The EP3C16E144I7N powers bench instruments such as protocol analyzers, logic-state machines, and arbitrary waveform generators. Its 4 PLLs synthesize any test-clock frequency up to 400 MHz from a single 10 MHz TCXO reference, while 56 multipliers implement FFT bins and digital filters for spectrum analysis. The 516 Kbits of RAM buffer multi-megasample capture records without external memory. Multi-voltage VCCIO banks connect to 1.8 V, 2.5 V, and 3.3 V logic families without level shifters. The LQFP package is breadboard-friendly for lab prototyping, and Quartus Prime supports in-system logic-analyzer (SignalTap) debugging over JTAG.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP3C16E144I7N — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP3C16E144C8N | EP3C16E144C7N | EP3C10E144I7N | EP3C25E144I7N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) |
| Package | 144-LQFP Exposed Pad | 144-LQFP Exposed Pad - same | 144-LQFP Exposed Pad - same | 144-LQFP Exposed Pad - same | 144-LQFP Exposed Pad - same |
| Logic Elements | 15,408 | 15,408 - same | 15,408 - same | 10,320 (-33%) | 24,624 (+60%) |
| Total RAM Bits | 516,096 | 516,096 - same | 516,096 - same | 423,936 (-18%) | 594,432 (+15%) |
| Embedded 18x18 Multipliers | 56 | 56 - same | 56 - same | 46 (-18%) | 66 (+18%) |
| Maximum User I/O | 84 | 84 - same | 84 - same | 91 (+8%) | 82 (-2%) |
| Speed Grade | 7 (I7, industrial) | 8 (C8, commercial) | 7 (C7, commercial) | 7 (I7, industrial) | 7 (I7, industrial) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +100C (industrial) | 0C to +85C (commercial) | 0C to +85C (commercial) | -40C to +100C (industrial) | -40C to +100C (industrial) |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest-cost Cyclone III variant with industrial temperature rating (vs EP3C25E144I7N)
- Identical pinout to the C8N commercial variant (vs EP3C16E144C8N)
- Higher logic density than the EP3C10 family with the same package (vs EP3C10E144I7N)
Design Notes
The EP3C16E144I7N's exposed thermal pad on the underside of the 144-LQFP package is the primary heat-dissipation path. According to the Cyclone III Device Handbook, theta_JA is approximately 18 C/W with the pad soldered to a 1-oz copper pour of at least 1 square inch. Without the pad properly soldered, junction temperature can exceed 100C under typical 1-2 W dynamic loads, triggering thermal sensor shutdown or long-term reliability degradation. Always include thermal vias in the pad's PCB land pattern.
Cyclone III FPGAs require multiple supply rails: VCCINT (1.2 V core), VCCIO per bank (1.2 V to 3.3 V), and VCCA_PLL (1.2 V analog for PLL blocks). Each rail must be decoupled with at least one 0.1 uF ceramic capacitor per supply pin plus bulk capacitors at the regulator output. Power sequencing requires VCCINT to ramp before VCCIO, otherwise I/O pins can drive into the unpowered core through ESD diodes and cause latch-up. Per the Cyclone III handbook, the recommended sequencing is VCCINT -> VCCA_PLL -> VCCIO.
Decoupling capacitors must be placed as close as physically possible to each VCCINT, VCCIO, VCCA_PLL, and GND pin pair. Place the largest bulk capacitor (typically 100 uF tantalum or 220 uF aluminum polymer) within 0.5 inch of the device. Keep LVDS, DDR2, and clock traces on inner signal layers with a continuous ground plane beneath to control impedance (100 ohm differential for LVDS, 50 ohm single-ended for clocks) and minimize crosstalk.
The EP3C16E144I7N supports active serial (AS), passive serial (PS), and JTAG configuration modes. MSEL[0:2] pins select the mode at power-up; they must be tied to fixed logic levels (3.3 V or GND through 1 kohm resistors). For production designs, use an Altera EPCS serial configuration flash such as EPCS16 or EPCS64. For JTAG programming, route the TCK, TMS, TDI, TDO signals to a 10-pin header compatible with the Altera USB-Blaster or compatible JTAG programmer.
Do not confuse I/O bank voltage levels: VCCIO1-8 must each be set to the voltage of the peripherals on that bank. Mixing 3.3 V and 1.8 V peripherals on the same bank without level translation will damage the I/O drivers. Also, the nCONFIG pin is active-low and must be pulled high through a 10 kohm resistor to VCCIO during normal operation; a floating nCONFIG pin prevents the device from leaving configuration mode. Lastly, verify that the configuration file (.sof or .pof) matches the target device ID before programming.
Compliance Information
Lead-free RoHS-compliant terminal plating per manufacturer product page (suffix 'N' indicates lead-free finish). Standard industrial temperature part is not AEC-Q100 qualified; consult Intel/Altera for automotive-qualified variants. Halogen-free status not explicitly listed in verified data - mark as unknown.
