EP3SE260H780I4N - Stratix III E FPGA, 255K LE, 780-FCBGA | Intel
MPN: EP3SE260H780I4N ⚠ Last Time Buy| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2950 | $2,950.00 |
| 10 | $2750 | $27,500.00 |
| 25 | $2580 | $64,500.00 |
| 100 | $2350 | $235,000.00 |
| 250 | $2150 | $537,500.00 |
EP3SE260H780I4N Overview
An FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is a reconfigurable semiconductor device consisting of an array of programmable logic blocks, embedded memory blocks, DSP blocks, and high-speed transceiver slices, all interconnected by a programmable routing fabric. FPGAs occupy the top of the programmable logic hierarchy (FPGA -> programmable logic -> ASIC-class integration -> semiconductor), bridging the gap between fixed-function ASICs and software-driven processors. The Stratix III family was Intel/Altera's mid-2000s high-performance node, with the Enhanced ('E') sub-family adding more transceivers and DSP bandwidth versus the standard Stratix III.
Key features include 488 user I/O pins, 16,672,768 embedded memory bits, 10,200 LABs (Logic Array Blocks), embedded DSP blocks, and support for high-speed external memory interfaces including DDR3, DDR2, QDRII+, and RLDRAM II. The device supports the JTAG IEEE Std. 1149.1 boundary-scan specification, allowing pin-level interconnect testing without physical probes, and supports in-system programming via the Active Serial (AS), Passive Serial (PS), JTAG, and Fast Passive Parallel (FPP) configuration modes.
Typical applications include high-speed digital signal processing, software-defined radio (SDR), video broadcast infrastructure, ASIC prototyping, high-end test and measurement, and military/aerospace signal processing. The combination of high logic density, abundant embedded multipliers, and 488 GPIO pins makes it well suited for parallel multi-channel processing where DSP throughput per dollar per watt is the primary constraint.
When designing with the EP3SE260H780I4N, plan for a multi-rail power solution (typically 1.1 V core, 2.5 V/3.3 V I/O, and 1.2 V PLL analog) and follow Intel's PCB layout guidelines for flip-chip BGA packages, including via-in-pad and microvia stackups to escape the 1.0 mm BGA pitch. Configuration memory requires an external EPCS or EPCQ flash device, and JTAG chain integrity must be verified before live system bring-up.
Drop-in alternatives for EP3SE260H780I4N — 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 EP3SE260H780I4N (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Operating Temperature, Mounting Type, Family, Speed Grade.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP3SE260H780I4LN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$14860 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP3SE260H780I4L
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1395 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP3SE260H780I4
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$1390 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP3SE260H780I3N
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$3295 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP3SE260H780C4N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1395 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP3SE110F780I4N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1850 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP3SE260H780I4N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | Stratix III Enhanced (Stratix III E) |
| Logic Elements | 255,000 |
| Embedded Memory Bits | 16,672,768 bits |
| Logic Array Blocks (LABs) | 10,200 |
| User I/Os | 488 |
| Process Technology | 65 nm |
| Core Voltage | 1.1 V |
| Maximum Operating Frequency | 450 MHz |
| Package | 780-pin FC-HFBGA (FCBGA) |
| Package Dimensions | 33 mm x 33 mm |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +100C (Industrial) |
| Configuration Modes | AS, PS, JTAG, FPP |
| Boundary Scan | IEEE Std. 1149.1 (JTAG) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
EP3SE260H780I4N 33 mm x 33 mm Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP3SE260H780I4N (33 mm x 33 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 EP3SE260H780I4N.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP3SE260H780I4N is suitable for 6 applications: High-Speed Digital Signal Processing, Software Defined Radio (SDR), Video Broadcast Infrastructure, ASIC Prototyping, Test and Measurement Instrumentation, Military and Aerospace Signal Processing.
High-Speed Digital Signal Processing
The EP3SE260H780I4N's 255,000 logic elements and embedded DSP blocks make it well suited for high-throughput signal processing pipelines such as radar baseband, software-defined radio (SDR) channelizers, and multi-carrier cellular baseband cards. At 450 MHz fabric Fmax with hundreds of 18x18 multipliers distributed across the fabric, the device sustains tens of GMACs of multiply-accumulate throughput. The 488 user I/Os support parallel LVDS data paths to high-speed ADCs and DACs, while the dedicated memory PHY blocks handle DDR3/QDRII+ buffers that keep the DSP pipelines fed with samples. Power dissipation at full DSP utilization typically ranges 8-15 W depending on toggle rate.
Recommended
Software Defined Radio (SDR)
Software-defined radio platforms require FPGAs with abundant DSP resources, high-speed serial transceivers, and flexible memory interfaces - all of which the EP3SE260H780I4N provides. The Stratix III E family integrates multi-gigabit transceivers supporting CPRI, OBSAI, and custom serial protocols, while the 16,672,768 embedded memory bits serve as fast sample buffers and FFT twiddle factor storage. The 488 user I/Os interface to RF front-end ADCs/DACs at LVDS rates up to 840 Mbps per pair, and the JTAG 1149.1 boundary-scan capability simplifies board bring-up of complex SDR mezzanine cards.
Recommended
Video Broadcast Infrastructure
Broadcast video routers, multi-format converters, and 4K/UHD processing engines benefit from the EP3SE260H780I4N's logic density and high I/O count. The device can multiplex hundreds of SDI/HD-SDI/3G-SDI streams, perform real-time scaling and deinterlacing, and bridge between HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, and 12G-SDI domains. The 10,200 LABs absorb multi-format color-space conversion pipelines, while the high transceivers support SMPTE 2022 IP video transport. Industrial temperature grade and lead-free assembly support professional broadcast equipment reliability requirements.
Recommended
ASIC Prototyping
ASIC and ASSP prototyping demands the highest logic density available in a programmable fabric, which the EP3SE260H780I4N supplies at 255,000 logic elements. The Stratix III E architecture supports multi-FPGA partitioning via the LVDS-based Atom Wrapper methodology, allowing two or more devices to emulate larger ASICs. The 780-pin FC-HFBGA exposes 488 user I/Os plus dozens of high-speed serial lanes for chip-to-chip emulation interconnect, while the Quartus II design flow supports Verilog/VHDL synthesis of unmodified ASIC RTL. Industrial temperature operation supports realistic system-level characterization of pre-silicon ASICs.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Instrumentation
High-end oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, protocol analyzers, and arbitrary waveform generators rely on FPGAs like the EP3SE260H780I4N for real-time acquisition, triggering, and DSP. The device's 488 user I/Os interface to multiple high-speed ADC channels, while its 10,200 LABs implement complex trigger engines and protocol decoders. Embedded memory holds deep acquisition records, and the JTAG IEEE 1149.1 boundary-scan chain supports manufacturing test of completed instruments. Industrial temperature grade ensures 24/7 reliability in production-line ATE applications.
Recommended
Military and Aerospace Signal Processing
Ruggedized signal processing systems in defense and aerospace leverage the EP3SE260H780I4N's industrial temperature grade, abundant DSP resources, and high I/O bandwidth. Applications include electronic countermeasures (ECM), synthetic aperture radar (SAR), signals intelligence (SIGINT) collectors, and avionics data buses. The 780-pin FC-HFBGA package offers superior thermal and mechanical performance versus wire-bond BGAs, and the lead-free finish meets modern defense environmental specifications. The JTAG boundary-scan chain supports MIL-STD-883 test methodologies during board-level acceptance.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP3SE260H780I4N — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP3SE260H780I4LN | EP3SE260H780I4L | EP3SE260H780I4 | EP3SE260H780I3N | EP3SE260H780C4N | EP3SE110F780I4N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Intel (formerly Altera) | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel |
| Package | 780-pin FC-HFBGA (FCBGA) | 780-pin FC-HFBGA (FCBGA) - same | 780-pin FC-HFBGA (FCBGA) - same | 780-pin FC-HFBGA (FCBGA) - same | 780-pin FC-HFBGA (FCBGA) - same | 780-pin FC-HFBGA (FCBGA) - same | 780-pin FC-HFBGA (FCBGA) - same |
| Logic Elements | 255,000 | 255,000 | 255,000 | 255,000 | 255,000 | 255,000 | 106,500 |
| Embedded Memory Bits | 16,672,768 | 16,672,768 | 16,672,768 | 16,672,768 | 16,672,768 | 16,672,768 | 8,892,032 |
| Speed Grade | I4 (fastest industrial) | I4 (same) | I4 (same) | I4 (same) | I3 (-10% Fmax typical) | C4 (commercial temp) | I4 (same) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +100C (Industrial) | -40C to +100C (Industrial) | -40C to +100C (Industrial) | -40C to +100C (Industrial) | -40C to +100C (Industrial) | 0C to +85C (Commercial) | -40C to +100C (Industrial) |
| User I/Os | 488 | 488 | 488 | 488 | 488 | 488 | 488 |
| Process Technology | 65 nm | 65 nm | 65 nm | 65 nm | 65 nm | 65 nm | 65 nm |
| Core Voltage | 1.1 V | 1.1 V | 1.1 V | 1.1 V | 1.1 V | 1.1 V | 1.1 V |
| Lifecycle Status (2026-09) | Last Time Buy | Last Time Buy | Last Time Buy | Last Time Buy | Last Time Buy | Last Time Buy | Last Time Buy |
Key Differentiators
- Highest-density Stratix III E in production 780-pin FC-HFBGA (vs EP3SE110F780I4N)
- Industrial temperature grade with full speed grade I4 (vs EP3SE260H780C4N)
- Highest speed grade (I4) in industrial temperature (vs EP3SE260H780I3N)
Design Notes
Estimated: The EP3SE260H780I4N at typical DSP utilization (60-70% LE, mid toggle rate) consumes approximately 8-12 W. The 1.1 V core rail must be sourced from a high-efficiency buck converter capable of delivering at least 15 A continuous with tight output tolerance; the 2.5 V/3.3 V I/O rails typically draw 1-3 A total. Use Intel's PowerPlay early power estimator (EPE) spreadsheet during architecture phase to size the power tree accurately - assuming typical values will cause thermal issues during bring-up.
The 780-pin FC-HFBGA uses a 1.0 mm ball pitch with flip-chip die attach, requiring microvia (laser-drilled) PCB stackups with via-in-pad construction. Standard 4-layer FR-4 will not yield adequate signal integrity at LVDS speeds - plan for at least 8 layers with 2 signal layers between each ground/power plane pair. Exposed die bumps under the package require a center BGA thermal pad with 9-12 thermal vias tied to an internal ground plane for heat extraction.
Do not confuse the FC-HFBGA (flip-chip) package variant with the standard HFBGA (wire-bond) variant - they have different thermal profiles and different PCB land pad recommendations. The 'H' in the part number denotes the FC-HFBGA package. Also note that the I4 speed grade is the fastest industrial grade; if design timing does not close, an I3 part is pin-compatible and stock is sometimes available when I4 is constrained.
All configuration pins (nCONFIG, nSTATUS, CONFIG_DONE, DCLK) require 4.7 kohm pull-up resistors to VCCIO of the configuration bank. The MSEL[2:0] pins must be hardwired to select the desired configuration mode (AS, PS, JTAG, or FPP). JTAG chain integrity should be verified by running the Boundary-Scan Description Language (BSDL) test vector on a bare PCB before the FPGA is configured - this catches solder shorts and opens in minutes rather than during functional bring-up.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free compliance confirmed by Intel/Altera product documentation. AEC-Q100 not applicable - this is a commercial/industrial FPGA, not an automotive-qualified IC. Halogen-free status not separately documented; consult the Intel PCN archive for IEC 61249-2-21 declaration if required.
