EP3CLS70U484C8 - 70K LE Cyclone III LS FPGA, 484-FBGA | Intel
MPN: EP3CLS70U484C8 ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $379.28 | $379.28 |
| 10 | $355.1 | $3,551.00 |
| 100 | $312.45 | $31,245.00 |
| 500 | $278.3 | $139,150.00 |
| 1,000 | $245.9 | $245,900.00 |
EP3CLS70U484C8 Overview
A Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a semiconductor integrated circuit built around an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs), programmable interconnect, and dedicated hard-IP blocks (memory, multipliers, PLLs, transceivers) that the designer can re-program at the board level to implement arbitrary digital logic, glue functions, or complete system-on-chip prototypes. FPGAs sit hierarchically under programmable logic devices (PLDs) and above fixed-function ASICs in the digital IC taxonomy, and are widely used to accelerate parallel DSP, custom bus interfaces, and low-volume ASIC replacements. The Cyclone III LS family in particular targets low-static-power applications that also require hardened security.
Key features of the EP3CLS70U484C8 include 70,208 logic elements (4-input LUTs), 612 Kbits of embedded RAM (M9K blocks), 244 embedded 18 x 18 multipliers, four general-purpose PLLs, and 278 maximum user I/Os. The core operates from a 1.2 V supply with PLL/IO helper rails per the Intel Cyclone III LS datasheet. Hot-socketing and I/O standards up to LVDS are supported, with each IO bank independently configurable for voltage and standard.
The device is built on a 65 nm TSMC low-power CMOS process and uses a configuration architecture based on SRAM cells that load bitstreams from external flash, JTAG, or Altera-enhanced configuration devices. Hard IP includes PLLs, M9K RAM blocks, and 18-bit multipliers - typical of the Cyclone III generation. The Cyclone III LS additions (security and anti-tamper) are implemented in dedicated logic outside the user array and do not consume user-side LE/M9K resources.
Typical applications include industrial motor control and encoder interfaces, low-power portable medical instruments, secure communication gateways, video surveillance with on-chip pre-processing, automotive driver-assist prototyping, and avionics/industrial display controllers. The combination of high logic density, embedded multipliers, and security features makes this part well suited to designs that previously required a separate secure co-processor.
When designing with the EP3CLS70U484C8, pay close attention to bank voltage grouping and decoupling - Intel recommends a minimum of one 0.1 uF plus one 10 uF per power rail pair. For security, always enable AES encryption on production bitstreams and configure the JTAG tamper-detection feature. Use the Altera / Intel Quartus II (or Quartus Prime Lite) toolchain to fit, place-and-route, and generate programming files.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design notes beyond the manufacturer datasheet, providing engineers with a single-page decision reference.
Drop-in alternatives for EP3CLS70U484C8 — 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 EP3CLS70U484C8 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Process Technology, Speed Grade, Operating Temperature, Configuration Modes.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP3CLS70U484C7N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$128.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP3CLS100U484C8
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$395 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP3C80U484C8
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$66.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP3CLS150F484C8
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$119 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP3CLS70U484C8 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | Cyclone III LS |
| Logic Elements (LE) | 70,208 |
| Total Memory Bits | 3,068,928 bits |
| Embedded Memory | 612 Kbits (M9K blocks) |
| Embedded 18x18 Multipliers | 244 |
| Maximum User I/Os | 278 |
| General-Purpose PLLs | 4 |
| Core Supply Voltage | 1.2 V |
| Process Technology | 65 nm CMOS |
| Package | 484-ball UFBGA (U484), 19 x 19 mm |
| Speed Grade | C8 (commercial, 8 ns) |
| Temperature Grade | Commercial (0C to +85C) based on 'C' suffix |
| Configuration Method | SRAM, JTAG, Altera enhanced configuration device |
| Security Features | AES-128/256 bitstream encryption, JTAG tamper detection, CRC |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (BGA) |
| Recommended Toolchain | Altera Quartus II / Intel Quartus Prime Lite |
EP3CLS70U484C8 484-ball ufbga (u484), 19 x 19 mm Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP3CLS70U484C8 (484-ball ufbga (u484), 19 x 19 mm 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 EP3CLS70U484C8.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP3CLS70U484C8 is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Motor Control, Secure Communication Gateway, Video Surveillance with On-Chip Pre-Processing, Portable Medical Instruments, Avionics Display Controller, Industrial Protocol Bridge, Automotive Driver-Assist Prototyping.
Industrial Motor Control
The EP3CLS70U484C8 fits industrial motor control by combining 244 embedded 18 x 18 multipliers (sufficient for field-oriented control loops on three-phase motors) with 278 user I/Os that connect to multiple encoder, resolver, and gate-driver interfaces in parallel. Its 70,208 logic elements absorb the state-machine and PWM generation logic that previously required a separate microcontroller plus DSP. The 65 nm low-power process keeps static dissipation low enough for sealed cabinet operation, and the Cyclone III LS security features protect proprietary motor-control IP from bitstream cloning. Designers typically instantiate four PLL instances to derive PWM-edge-aligned clocks at 50 kHz to 200 kHz while preserving a high-speed counter clock on the same die.
Recommended
Secure Communication Gateway
With AES-128/256 bitstream encryption, JTAG tamper detection, and CRC configuration checking baked in, the EP3CLS70U484C8 is a strong fit for secure communication gateway designs that handle encrypted traffic termination, IPsec acceleration, or hardware root-of-trust functions. The 3 Mbits of embedded M9K memory serve as scratch RAM for cipher engines, while 278 I/Os enable multiple Ethernet MAC interfaces, crypto coprocessor buses, and management ports on a single chip. Compared with a discrete secure co-processor + FPGA split, the LS architecture reduces BOM cost and eliminates a chip-to-chip SPI/I2C attack surface.
Recommended
Video Surveillance with On-Chip Pre-Processing
The 70,208 LEs and 244 multipliers let the EP3CLS70U484C8 implement one or two channels of 1080p60 video pre-processing (noise reduction, motion detection, overlay) without an external DSP. M9K blocks double as line buffers and motion-vector memory. The 278 I/Os accept parallel BT.656/BT.1120 video buses plus MIPI-to-FPGA bridges, while the LS security features protect the video analytics IP in deployed cameras. Typical designs stream processed frames over gigabit Ethernet or USB 3.0 while retaining an HD-SDI monitor output - all from a single BGA.
Recommended
Portable Medical Instruments
The Cyclone III LS family's low static power - a direct benefit of the 65 nm LP process tuning used in the EP3CLS70U484C8 - extends battery runtime in portable medical instruments such as handheld ultrasound carts, patient monitors, and point-of-care diagnostics. The 244 hardware multipliers accelerate FFT and FIR filtering on physiological signals, while 612 Kbits of embedded RAM hold sample buffers and reference waveforms. The 1.2 V core plus configurable VCCIO rails let the same device interface directly to low-voltage analog front ends and 3.3 V display drivers, simplifying the bill of materials.
Recommended
Avionics Display Controller
With 278 user I/Os and four on-chip PLLs, the EP3CLS70U484C8 can drive multiple LVDS display buses simultaneously (cockpit primary flight displays plus multi-function displays) while running ARINC 429 and MIL-STD-1553 bus interfaces in soft logic. The AES-encrypted bitstream protects flight-critical IP, and the 65 nm LP process delivers predictable thermal behavior at altitude. Designers use M9K blocks as frame buffers and the multipliers for graphics scaling - replacing a discrete graphics controller plus companion FPGA in older avionics architectures.
Recommended
Industrial Protocol Bridge
The EP3CLS70U484C8 excels as an industrial protocol bridge, simultaneously implementing Modbus TCP, PROFINET, EtherCAT, and legacy RS-485/Profibus interfaces in soft logic without external protocol ASICs. Its 70,208 LEs absorb the protocol state machines and message parsing for four to six ports concurrently, and the 278 I/Os accept SPI, UART, and parallel bus connections to multiple microcontroller slaves. M9K blocks serve as mailbox RAM for store-and-forward messaging, while the security features protect configuration from unauthorized field reprogramming in deployed automation cells.
Recommended
Automotive Driver-Assist Prototyping
While not AEC-Q100 qualified, the EP3CLS70U484C8 is widely used in pre-production automotive driver-assist prototyping where designers need to iterate on sensor-fusion algorithms, camera-pipeline IP, and CAN-FD/LIN bridging logic before committing to a qualified ASIC. The 70,208 LEs and 244 multipliers accelerate feature-extraction and tracking algorithms, while the 3 Mbits of embedded RAM buffer LiDAR and radar frames. The LS sub-family's security is a useful hedge for IP protection during supplier hand-off. Production designs typically migrate to AEC-Q100-qualified Cyclone IV or Cyclone V devices after validation.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP3CLS70U484C8 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP3CLS70U484C7N | EP3CLS100U484C8 | EP3C80U484C8 | EP3CLS150F484C8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) |
| Package | 484-ball UFBGA (U484), 19 x 19 mm | 484-ball UFBGA (U484) - same | 484-ball UFBGA (U484) - same | 484-ball UFBGA (U484) - same | 484-ball FBGA (F484) - similar but verify pitch |
| Logic Elements | 70,208 | 70,208 | 100,000 (~+43%) | 81,264 (~+16%) | 150,848 (~+115%) |
| Embedded Memory (bits) | 3,068,928 | 3,068,928 | 4,488,192 | 2,810,880 | 6,635,520 |
| Embedded 18x18 Multipliers | 244 | 244 | 264 | 244 | 344 |
| Maximum User I/Os | 278 | 278 | 278 | 289 | 346 |
| Sub-Family | Cyclone III LS (low-power, secure) | Cyclone III LS | Cyclone III LS | Cyclone III (standard, no LS security) | Cyclone III LS |
| Speed Grade | C8 (8 ns) | C7 (slower) | C8 | C8 | C8 |
| Core Voltage | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V |
| Security Features | AES-128/256, JTAG tamper detect, CRC | AES-128/256, JTAG tamper detect, CRC | AES-128/256, JTAG tamper detect, CRC | None (standard Cyclone III) | AES-128/256, JTAG tamper detect, CRC |
Key Differentiators
- Embedded AES-256 bitstream encryption plus JTAG tamper detection (vs EP3C80U484C8)
- 70K LE density with security features at lower cost than EP3C120 LS variants (vs EP3CLS150F484C8)
- Same U484 footprint as the next-step-up EP3CLS100U484C8 (vs EP3CLS100U484C8)
Design Notes
The EP3CLS70U484C8 requires careful decoupling per the Cyclone III LS datasheet: at minimum, one 0.1 uF MLCC plus one 10 uF bulk capacitor per power rail pair (VCCINT, VCCIO banks, VCCAUX, VCCPD). Place decoupling capacitors on the top side of the PCB directly under the package balls whenever routing allows. Use a star-ground topology from a low-impedance power plane to avoid ground bounce, and verify with Quartus Prime PowerPlay that the design fits within the LS sub-family's low-static-power budget.
The 484-ball UFBGA package has 1.0 mm ball pitch - route the top PCB layers with 4 mil traces and use microvia-in-pad if your fabricator supports it. Assign each I/O bank to a single VCCIO voltage whenever possible (1.2 V, 1.5 V, 1.8 V, 2.5 V, or 3.3 V) to simplify power planning. For multi-bank designs, isolate VCCIO power planes by bank and stitch the periphery with 0402 decoupling. Confirm BGA ball-out against Intel's Cyclone III LS pin tables before committing to layout.
Common pitfalls when designing with the EP3CLS70U484C8 include: (1) forgetting to enable AES encryption on production bitstreams - leaving JTAG open allows anyone to read the configuration; (2) configuring VCCIO to an unsupported voltage for the chosen I/O standard - check the datasheet's VCCIO/I/O-standard matrix; (3) exceeding 4 mA of DC current per I/O pin which damages the output driver; (4) using C8 (commercial) parts in industrial temperature designs - move to an I-grade speed grade for -40C to +100C operation.
Estimated thermal performance: at typical Cyclone III LS utilization (60% LE, 50% M9K, 30% multipliers) and 1.2 V core, the EP3CLS70U484C8 dissipates roughly 1.5 to 2.5 W of static plus dynamic power. With the U484 package thermal resistance theta_JA of approximately 15 C/W (still-air, JEDEC 4-layer test board), junction temperature rise over a 70C ambient reaches roughly 23 to 38 C above ambient. Source: input values are Intel Cyclone III LS datasheet estimates. Derate for high-density designs or sealed enclosures.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free confirmed per Intel Cyclone III LS product page. AEC-Q100 not qualified - this is a commercial-grade part (C speed grade). For automotive AEC-Q100 designs, migrate to a qualified Cyclone IV or Cyclone V device. REACH compliance follows EU SVHC candidate list; no specific Intel statement retrieved.
