EP4CE40F29C8 - 39.6K LE Cyclone IV E FPGA, 780-FBGA | Intel
MPN: EP4CE40F29C8 ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $95 | $95.00 |
| 10 | $88.5 | $885.00 |
| 100 | $78 | $7,800.00 |
| 500 | $72.5 | $36,250.00 |
| 1,000 | $68 | $68,000.00 |
EP4CE40F29C8 Overview
A Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a semiconductor device containing an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs), programmable interconnect, and dedicated hardware such as block RAM, DSP blocks, and PLL/clock trees, all of which can be rewired post-manufacture to implement arbitrary digital circuits. Cyclone IV E sits at the low-end of Intel's FPGA portfolio, positioned as the most cost-optimized SRAM-based FPGA family for high-volume applications such as industrial control, video bridging, motor drive, and I/O expansion. Compared with its predecessor Cyclone III, Cyclone IV E halves the core power consumption while preserving the same Quartus II / Quartus Prime design flow.
Key features of the EP4CE40F29C8 include 4 PLLs for clock synthesis and skew management, 116 embedded 9x9 multipliers for moderate DSP workloads, up to 8 configuration schemes supported through the dedicated configuration pins, and built-in PCI Express hard IP block (PIPE) on certain Cyclone IV E variants. The 780-FBGA package exposes the full I/O count of the device, allowing designers to maximize external connectivity without resorting to a larger device.
Technically, the device is powered from a 1.2 V core rail with separate VCCIO banks for flexible I/O standard support (LVDS, SSTL, HSTL, LVCMOS up to 3.3 V). Configuration can be loaded via JTAG, passive serial, or active serial flash, and the device supports remote upgrade via the dual-image configuration feature. Embedded block RAM totals 270 kbit (M9K blocks) with true dual-port operation, and the four PLLs support independent frequency synthesis with reconfigurable bandwidth.
Typical applications for the EP4CE40F29C8 span industrial motor control drives, LED video walls and display controllers, machine vision pre-processing pipelines, automotive infotainment head units, and PCIe Gen1 endpoint cards. The combination of mid-range logic density, low static power, and rich I/O makes it particularly attractive for I/O aggregation bridges that previously required a CPLD plus a microcontroller.
When designing with this device, plan thermal dissipation for the FBGA package early - although core power is modest, dense I/O switching on 532 pins can drive junction temperature rise. Use the Quartus Prime PowerPlay Power Analyzer to estimate worst-case power before committing to a layout that lacks thermal vias under the BGA.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, verified drop-in alternatives within the same Cyclone IV E family, and practical design notes not collated in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for EP4CE40F29C8 — 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 EP4CE40F29C8 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Speed Grade, Process Technology, PLLs, Package, Embedded Memory.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP4CE40F29C8N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$104.6 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CE55F29C8N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$285 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CE30F29C8N
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP4CE40F29C7N
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$55.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CE40F29C6N
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$77.51 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CE40F29C8 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | Cyclone IV E |
| Logic Elements (LE) | 39,600 |
| Embedded Memory Bits | 1,161,216 |
| Embedded Multipliers (9x9) | 116 |
| User I/O Pins | 532 |
| PLLs | 4 |
| Process Technology | 60 nm low-power |
| Package | 780-ball FBGA |
| Package Code | F29 (FBGA) |
| Speed Grade | C8 |
| Temperature Grade | Commercial (0C to +85C) |
| Configuration Memory | SRAM-based |
| Core Voltage | 1.2 V |
| Configuration Scheme | AS, PS, JTAG, FPP |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
EP4CE40F29C8 f29 (fbga) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP4CE40F29C8 (f29 (fbga) 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 EP4CE40F29C8.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP4CE40F29C8 is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Motor Control, LED Video Wall Controller, Machine Vision Pre-Processing, Automotive Infotainment Head Unit, PCIe Gen1 Endpoint Card, Industrial Protocol Bridge (I/O Aggregation), Test & Measurement Instrumentation.
Industrial Motor Control
The EP4CE40F29C8 is well-matched to industrial motor control: its 4 PLLs synthesize the multiple PWM-aligned clocks needed for 3-phase inverter timing, while the 116 embedded 9x9 multipliers accelerate Clarke/Park transforms and SVPWM modulation in real time. The 532 user I/Os accept multiple quadrature encoder inputs, Hall-effect sensor arrays, and gate-driver enable lines on a single chip, removing the need for a companion CPLD. With commercial-grade 0C to +85C operation and the low-power 60 nm process, the device fits AC drive enclosures with passive cooling. Quartus Prime DSP Builder IP further reduces firmware development time for FOC algorithms.
Recommended
LED Video Wall Controller
LED video wall controllers benefit from the EP4CE40F29C8's combination of 1.16 Mbit embedded block RAM (135 x M9K blocks) for line buffering and the high I/O count that drives dozens of differential LVDS output pairs. The 4 PLLs allow independent pixel-clock synthesis for heterogeneous panels with different refresh rates, while the SRAM-based configuration supports remote bitstream updates for adding new panel resolutions in the field. The 60 nm low-power process keeps the BGA junction temperature within safe limits even at 532 I/Os switching simultaneously, making the part a strong fit for commercial-grade signage installations.
Recommended
Machine Vision Pre-Processing
Machine vision front-end boards use the EP4CE40F29C8 to perform image pre-processing tasks such as Bayer demosaicing, histogram equalization, and Sobel edge detection in hardware, offloading the system CPU. The 116 embedded 9x9 multipliers execute convolution kernels in real time at sensor frame rates up to 60 fps for 1080p streams, while the 4 PLLs generate the sensor pixel clock, the DDR2 memory controller clock, and the GigE Vision PHY clock from a single 50 MHz reference. Quartus Prime Video and Image Processing (VIP) suite IP cores reduce time-to-prototype for vision pipelines.
Recommended
Automotive Infotainment Head Unit
In automotive infotainment head units, the EP4CE40F29C8 handles display replication, CAN/LIN bus bridging, and LVDS-to-MIPI protocol conversion. Its 532 user I/Os accommodate multiple camera inputs, touchscreen controllers, and audio I2S buses in a single device. Designers can use the Cyclone IV E's PCI Express hard IP (PIPE) block for direct connection to an automotive SoC, eliminating an external PCIe switch. The 60 nm low-power process minimizes quiescent draw on the battery rail when the vehicle is parked.
Recommended
PCIe Gen1 Endpoint Card
The EP4CE40F29C8 supports a x1 PCIe Gen1 (2.5 GT/s) endpoint through its built-in PIPE hard IP, making it ideal for low-cost data acquisition cards, industrial control adapters, and protocol analyzer endpoints. The 4 PLLs generate the 100 MHz PCIe reference clock plus application clocks for ADC sampling, while 39,600 LEs implement DMA engines, scatter-gather logic, and user-defined register interfaces. The 1,161,216 bits of embedded memory serve as high-bandwidth packet buffers between PCIe transaction layer and the application logic.
Recommended
Industrial Protocol Bridge (I/O Aggregation)
Industrial protocol bridges using the EP4CE40F29C8 aggregate multiple fieldbus channels (Modbus RTU, Profibus, EtherCAT slave, CANopen) into a single Ethernet or PCIe uplink, replacing what would otherwise require a CPLD plus microcontroller combination. The 4 PLLs create independent baud-rate clocks for each fieldbus, while the 116 embedded multipliers accelerate CRC calculations on high-throughput EtherCAT slave traffic. With 532 user I/Os the device supports up to 8 isolated RS-485 channels plus several CAN interfaces on a single chip, reducing board area and BOM cost.
Recommended
Test & Measurement Instrumentation
Test and measurement instruments such as logic analyzers, protocol exercisers, and mixed-signal oscilloscope digitizer front-ends rely on the EP4CE40F29C8's high I/O count and parallel processing capability. Its 4 PLLs synthesize the multiple sample-clock domains needed for simultaneous capture across channels, while the 1,161,216 bits of embedded block RAM buffer acquisition windows before DMA into host memory. The commercial temperature grade and 60 nm low-power process keep heat dissipation manageable in dense benchtop equipment enclosures. Quartus Prime SignalTap II logic analyzer IP enables in-system debug without external probes.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP4CE40F29C8 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP4CE40F29C8N | EP4CE55F29C8N | EP4CE30F29C8N | EP4CE40F29C7N | EP4CE40F29C6N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel |
| Package | 780-FBGA (F29) | 780-FBGA (F29) - same | 780-FBGA (F29) - same | 780-FBGA (F29) - same | 780-FBGA (F29) - same | 780-FBGA (F29) - same |
| Logic Elements | 39,600 | 39,600 | 55,856 (+41%) | 28,896 (-27%) | 39,600 | 39,600 |
| Embedded Memory (bits) | 1,161,216 | 1,161,216 | 2,396,160 | 608,256 | 1,161,216 | 1,161,216 |
| Embedded Multipliers (9x9) | 116 | 116 | 156 | 66 | 116 | 116 |
| User I/O Pins | 532 | 532 | 532 | 532 | 532 | 532 |
| Speed Grade | C8 | C8 | C8 | C8 | C7 (slower) | C6 (slowest) |
Key Differentiators
- Direct lead-free RoHS drop-in variant available (vs EP4CE40F29C8N)
- Logic-density headroom via same-package upgrade (vs EP4CE55F29C8N)
- Lower-cost downsize option on same footprint (vs EP4CE30F29C8N)
- Cyclone IV E low-power 60 nm process (vs EP4CE40F23C8N (484-FBGA variant))
Design Notes
Estimated: at typical utilization (50% LEs, 50% block RAM toggling, 532 I/Os at 100 MHz), the EP4CE40F29C8 dissipates approximately 1.5 W to 2 W of core power on the 60 nm process. The 780-FBGA package relies on thermal vias under the BGA grid plus a copper pour on inner PCB layers for heat removal. For designs in fully sealed enclosures with no airflow, run the Quartus Prime PowerPlay Power Analyzer with worst-case vector stimuli and verify junction temperature stays below 85C; add a small heat spreader if headroom is insufficient.
The 780-FBGA F29 package uses a fine-pitch ball grid requiring microvia or laser-drilled via technology on the PCB; standard 0.4 mm-pitch BGA escape rules apply. Decouple each VCC and VCCIO pin with a 0.1 uF X7R capacitor placed as close to the package as the via geometry allows, plus a single 10 uF bulk capacitor per power rail. Route high-speed differential pairs (LVDS, PCIe, DDR2) with controlled impedance and length matching per the Cyclone IV Device Handbook pinout guidelines.
Use Active Serial (AS) mode with an EPCQ16 or EPCQ32 flash for production deployment to enable remote firmware upgrades via the dual-image feature. Always pull MSEL pins to the correct logic level for the chosen configuration scheme at board power-up - leaving MSEL floating causes configuration failure. After PCB assembly, perform JTAG IDCODE verification before attempting AS configuration to confirm the device is properly powered and grounded.
For designs using LVDS I/Os (such as LED video wall pixel-clock interfaces), enable the on-chip LVDS serializer/deserializer (SERDES) blocks and follow Intel's LVDS routing guidelines: 100 ohm differential impedance, intra-pair length matching within 150 mils, and pair-to-pair skew within 300 mils. Pre-emphasis and differential output voltage (VOD) settings should be tuned using the Quartus Prime Assignment Editor based on actual board measurements, not datasheet defaults.
Compliance Information
Per distributor listing data (DigiKey product 2288390), the EP4CE40F29C8 is RoHS compliant. The lead-free status of the bare MPN without 'N' suffix is not explicitly stated in available data; choose EP4CE40F29C8N when explicit lead-free finish is required. AEC-Q100 not applicable for industrial/consumer FPGA use; choose a different family for automotive qualification.