EP3C5M164C8N - Cyclone III FPGA, 5136 LEs, 164-MBGA | Altera
MPN: EP3C5M164C8N β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $21.06 | $21.06 |
| 10 | $19.85 | $198.50 |
| 100 | $17.95 | $1,795.00 |
| 500 | $16.2 | $8,100.00 |
| 1,000 | $14.5 | $14,500.00 |
EP3C5M164C8N Overview
A Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a type of programmable logic device that combines programmable logic fabric (lookup tables, flip-flops, routing, and embedded memory blocks) into a single semiconductor IC. FPGAs sit within the broader hierarchy of programmable logic devices -> logic ICs -> integrated circuits -> semiconductors, and are used when design requirements include parallelism, real-time signal processing, or post-manufacture reconfigurability. Cyclone III is positioned as a low-cost, low-power family in Altera's (now Intel) FPGA portfolio, optimized for high-volume cost-sensitive applications.
Key features include 5,136 vertically arranged Logic Elements, 423,936 bits of total embedded memory organized into M9K blocks, 23 18x18 hardware multipliers, two PLLs per device for clock management, and support for common I/O standards such as LVDS, LVCMOS, SSTL, and PCI. The device is available in commercial (C8, -40C to +85C) and industrial (I7/I8, -40C to +100C) temperature grades.
The Cyclone III architecture integrates logic, DSP blocks, and memory in a tile-based fabric. The 65 nm process enables low static and dynamic power, while the 18x18 multipliers support efficient DSP operations such as FIR filters and FFTs. The PLLs provide frequency synthesis, phase shifting, and clock deskewing for high-speed designs.
Typical applications include industrial control and motor drive, consumer video processing, automotive infotainment, software-defined radio front-ends, low-cost prototyping, and embedded DSP systems. The 164-MBGA package supports a compact PCB footprint while providing 106 user I/O pins for moderate-density designs.
When designing with this device, ensure the 1.2 V core supply is properly decoupled with low-ESR ceramic capacitors placed close to the power pins, and follow Altera's Cyclone III Hardware Reference Manual for configuration pin connections (MSEL[3:0], nCONFIG, nSTATUS, CONF_DONE) to select the appropriate configuration mode.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in package alternatives within the Cyclone III family, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for EP3C5M164C8N β 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 EP3C5M164C8N (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Process Technology, Total Memory Bits, PLLs, Configuration Mode.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP3C5M164C7N
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$17.2 / Unit
View Datasheet βEP3C5M164I7N
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$21.4 / Unit
View Datasheet βEP3C5M164C6N
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP3C5M164A7N
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP3C5M164C8N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | Cyclone III |
| Logic Elements (LE) | 5,136 |
| Total Memory Bits | 423,936 |
| Embedded Memory | 414 kbit (M9K blocks) |
| Embedded Multipliers (18x18) | 23 |
| PLLs | 2 |
| Maximum User I/O | 106 |
| Maximum Operating Frequency | 402 MHz |
| Core Voltage | 1.15 V to 1.25 V (nominal 1.2 V) |
| Process Technology | 65 nm |
| Package | 164-MBGA (Micro FineLine BGA) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +85C (commercial C8 grade) |
| Configuration Mode | AS, AP, PS, FPP (selectable via MSEL pins) |
EP3C5M164C8N 164-mbga (micro fineline bga) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP3C5M164C8N (164-mbga (micro fineline bga) 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 EP3C5M164C8N.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP3C5M164C8N is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control and Motor Drive, Consumer Video Processing, Automotive Infotainment, Software-Defined Radio (SDR) Front-End, Low-Cost FPGA Prototyping, Embedded DSP Systems.
Industrial Control and Motor Drive
The EP3C5M164C8N is well suited for industrial control and motor drive applications because its 5,136 Logic Elements, 23 18x18 multipliers, and 2 PLLs provide sufficient fabric for encoder decoding, PID loop computation, and PWM generation. The 106 user I/Os allow direct connection to multiple position sensors, Hall-effect inputs, and gate driver signals. The 65 nm low-power process keeps dynamic dissipation manageable in enclosed motor control cabinets. Typical designs use the hardware multipliers for field-oriented control (FOC) math, while the M9K memory blocks buffer ADC samples and reference tables. Compared with a microcontroller-only solution, the EP3C5M164C8N handles multiple control loops in parallel without CPU bottlenecks.
Recommended
Consumer Video Processing
For consumer video applications, the EP3C5M164C8N provides the right balance of logic, multiplier count, and I/O. The 23 18x18 multipliers accelerate deinterlacing, scaling, and color-space conversion pipelines at typical 480p/576p consumer resolutions. The 106 user I/Os interface to BT.656/HDMI receivers and memory controllers, while the 423,936 bits of embedded memory buffer line-rate video. The 164-MBGA package supports compact PCB designs required by set-top box form factors. The C8 commercial speed grade is sufficient for real-time video at standard-definition rates, and the 1.2 V core keeps power dissipation in the 0.5-1 W range under typical loads.
Recommended
Automotive Infotainment
The EP3C5M164C8N (C8 commercial grade) is used in non-safety automotive infotainment applications such as rear-seat entertainment, head-unit graphics, and instrument cluster display drivers. Its 5,136 LEs can implement LVDS display serialization, touch controller glue logic, and audio mixing. The 164-MBGA package supports the small PCB areas typical of dashboard-mounted modules. Designers targeting AEC-Q100 qualified environments should instead choose the EP3C5M164A7N automotive variant, which shares the same footprint and die. The Cyclone III family's low static power reduces quiescent drain when the infotainment system is in standby.
Recommended
Software-Defined Radio (SDR) Front-End
The EP3C5M164C8N fits low-cost SDR front-end designs up to about 70 MHz bandwidth. Its 23 18x18 multipliers implement FFT butterfly operations efficiently, and the M9K memory blocks store FFT window coefficients and sample buffers. The two PLLs generate the multiple clock domains required by ADC interfaces and digital down-conversion chains. The 106 user I/Os interface to ADCs, DACs, and host processors. For higher bandwidth SDR (200 MHz+), a Cyclone III device with more multipliers (e.g., EP3C25/EP3C40) is recommended. The 164-MBGA package is a popular choice for SDR development boards due to its hand-reworkability.
Recommended
Low-Cost FPGA Prototyping
The EP3C5M164C8N is widely used in FPGA prototyping and education kits because of its low unit cost and 164-MBGA package that balances I/O count against board complexity. The 5,136 LEs provide enough headroom for processor cores (NIOS II), custom peripherals, and verification bridges. The C8 commercial grade supports typical lab environments (0C to +85C). Quartus II Web Edition provides free development toolchain support. Compared with larger Cyclone III devices, the EP3C5 keeps total BOM cost low while still exposing the full Cyclone III architecture (M9K blocks, multipliers, PLLs) for educational purposes.
Recommended
Embedded DSP Systems
For embedded DSP tasks such as audio effects processing, sensor fusion, and vibration analysis, the EP3C5M164C8N delivers 23 dedicated 18x18 multipliers running at up to 402 MHz. This provides roughly 9 GMACs of multiply-accumulate throughput - enough for 256-tap FIR filters, FFT bins up to 1,024 points, and multi-channel audio mixing at 48 kHz. The 414 kbit of embedded memory serves as coefficient and sample storage, while the two PLLs generate audio and sensor sampling clocks from a single reference. The 164-MBGA footprint supports fan-in-chip PCB modules, allowing the FPGA to be embedded alongside the host MCU.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP3C5M164C8N β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP3C5M164C7N | EP3C5M164I7N | EP3C5M164C6N | EP3C5M164A7N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) |
| Package | 164-MBGA | 164-MBGA - same | 164-MBGA - same | 164-MBGA - same | 164-MBGA - same |
| Logic Elements | 5,136 | 5,136 (identical die) | 5,136 (identical die) | 5,136 (identical die) | 5,136 (identical die) |
| Embedded Memory (bits) | 423,936 | 423,936 (identical die) | 423,936 (identical die) | 423,936 (identical die) | 423,936 (identical die) |
| Multipliers (18x18) | 23 | 23 (identical die) | 23 (identical die) | 23 (identical die) | 23 (identical die) |
| PLLs | 2 | 2 (identical die) | 2 (identical die) | 2 (identical die) | 2 (identical die) |
| Speed Grade | 8 (commercial, ~402 MHz) | 7 (commercial, ~360 MHz) | 7 (industrial, ~360 MHz) | 6 (commercial, ~340 MHz) | 7 (automotive, ~360 MHz) |
| Temperature Grade | Commercial (0C to +85C) | Commercial (0C to +85C) | Industrial (-40C to +100C) | Commercial (0C to +85C) | Automotive (AEC-Q100) |
| Max User I/O | 106 | 106 (identical package) | 106 (identical package) | 106 (identical package) | 106 (identical package) |
Key Differentiators
- Highest commercial speed grade in 164-MBGA package for the EP3C5 density tier (vs EP3C5M164C7N)
- Only EP3C5 164-MBGA variant suitable for lab-temperature commercial designs (vs EP3C5M164I7N)
- Maximum-density I/O in the smallest Cyclone III 164-ball package (vs EP3C5E144C8N)
Design Notes
Estimated: at typical utilization (60% LEs, 50% multipliers toggling), the 1.2 V core draws approximately 200-300 mA. Place 10 uF bulk and 0.1 uF decoupling capacitors within 5 mm of each VCCINT pin pair. The VCCA (PLL analog supply) must be quiet - filter it through a ferrite bead from the same 1.2 V rail. Each VCCIO bank is independently powered and must match the I/O standard voltage of the devices it connects to (e.g., 2.5 V for LVCMOS25, 3.0 V for LVCMOS30).
The 164-MBGA package has 0.5 mm pitch with via-in-pad recommended. Use laser-drilled micro-vias on the BGA breakouts and route signals on inner layers to escape the dense ball array. Provide a continuous ground plane on the layer directly beneath the BGA and stitch the perimeter with a ground via fence every 2 mm. The exposed pads (if present) must be soldered to a thermal pad connected to ground for heat spreading.
Do not leave unused I/O pins floating - configure them as outputs driving ground (or as inputs with weak pull-up) in the Quartus II pin assignment file. Floating I/Os can cause excessive current draw and may oscillate, injecting noise into adjacent logic. Also ensure the MSEL[3:0] pins are tied to the correct logic levels via 10 kohm pull-ups or pull-downs for your chosen configuration mode (e.g., MSEL=0000 for AS standard, MSEL=0010 for AP).
Group clock inputs on dedicated clock input pins (CLK[0..n]) for best skew performance. Place the 50 ohm clock source termination as close as possible to the FPGA clock pin. For DDR/DDR2 external memory interfaces, follow the length-matching rules in the Cyclone III External Memory Interface Handbook - typically within +/- 50 ps for clocks and +/- 25 ps for data/ strobe.
Compliance Information
RoHS/REACH status not confirmed in the Verified Web Data - marked unknown. EP3C5M164C8N itself is commercial grade and not AEC-Q100 qualified; the EP3C5M164A7N variant provides automotive qualification if required.
