EP4CE6E22A7N - Cyclone IV E FPGA, 6K LEs, 144-EQFP | Intel
MPN: EP4CE6E22A7N β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $32.5 | $32.50 |
| 10 | $28.8 | $288.00 |
| 100 | $24.5 | $2,450.00 |
| 500 | $20.75 | $10,375.00 |
| 1,000 | $17.4 | $17,400.00 |
EP4CE6E22A7N Overview
A Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a semiconductor integrated circuit built around an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs) connected via programmable interconnect. FPGAs sit in the digital logic hierarchy between fixed-function ASICs and software-defined processors: an FPGA offers ASIC-level deterministic parallelism while remaining fully reprogrammable in the field. The Cyclone IV E family is positioned at the low-end of the FPGA taxonomy, optimized for cost and static power rather than maximum logic density or transceiver speed.
Key features of the EP4CE6E22A7N include 6,272 logic elements, 270 Kbits of M9K embedded memory (30 M9K blocks), 15 embedded 18x18 multipliers, 4 user I/O banks with support for multiple I/O standards including LVDS, RSDS, mini-LVDS, LVPECL, SSTL, and HSTL, 2 general-purpose PLLs, and 10 global clock networks. The device operates from a 1.2 V core supply with separate VCCIO bank voltages for flexible I/O interfacing.
Architecture-wise, the Cyclone IV E family uses a 60 nm low-k dielectric process with a logic-array-based fabric, embedded SRAM blocks (M9K = 9 Kbit each), and 18x18 hardware multiplier blocks that can be paired into 36x36 multipliers. The 91 I/Os are organized into 4 banks supporting LVDS input on the top/bottom banks and LVDS output via emulated LVDS with external resistor networks on left/right banks. Configuration is supported through JTAG (IEEE 1149.1), Active Serial (AS), Passive Serial (PS), and Fast Passive Parallel (FPP) modes.
Typical applications include industrial Ethernet bridging, motor control encoder interfacing, video format conversion, LED video wall scan drivers, handheld test equipment, and low-cost custom logic replacement for ASICs. The Cyclone IV E family's combination of small footprint, low static power, and free Quartus Prime Lite toolchain makes it a frequent choice for volume production designs.
Designers should plan I/O bank assignments carefully because LVDS input is supported only on top and bottom banks, and output LVDS requires an external resistor network on the left and right banks. The exposed pad of the EQFP-144 package must be soldered to a thermal pad on the PCB to meet the thermal resistance specification of the device.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternative Cyclone IV E variants, and practical design notes not found in the standalone datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for EP4CE6E22A7N 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 EP4CE6E22A7N (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Speed Grade, Process Technology, Operating Temperature, Family.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP4CE6E22C8N
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$10.5 / Unit
View Datasheet βEP4CE6E22I7N
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$10.5 / Unit
View Datasheet βEP4CE10E22C8N
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$11.1 / Unit
View Datasheet βEP4CE10E22I8N
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$20.95 / Unit
View Datasheet βEP4CE15E22C8N
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$15.95 / Unit
View Datasheet βXC6SLX9-2TQG144
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP4CE6E22A7N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Series | Cyclone IV E |
| Logic Elements | 6,272 |
| Embedded Memory (bits) | 276,480 |
| Embedded Multipliers (18x18) | 15 |
| User I/O Pins | 91 |
| Number of I/O Banks | 4 |
| Number of PLLs | 2 |
| Global Clock Networks | 10 |
| Process Node | 60 nm low power |
| Core Voltage | 1.2 V |
| Operating Temperature Grade | Automotive A7 (-40C to +125C junction) |
| Package Type | 144-pin EQFP (E22) with exposed pad |
| Configuration Modes | JTAG, AS, PS, FPP |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
EP4CE6E22A7N Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 2 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 3 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 4 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 5 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 6 | VCCIO1 β Bank 1 I/O supply voltage |
| Pin 7 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 8 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 9 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 10 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 11 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 12 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 13 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 14 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 15 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 16 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 17 | VCCINT β Core 1.2 V supply |
| Pin 18 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 19 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 20 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 21 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 22 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 23 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 24 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 25 | VCCIO2 β Bank 2 I/O supply voltage |
| Pin 26 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 27 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 28 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 29 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 30 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 31 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 32 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 33 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 34 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 35 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 36 | VCCINT β Core 1.2 V supply |
| Pin 37 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 38 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 39 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 40 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 41 | VCCIO3 β Bank 3 I/O supply voltage |
| Pin 42 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 43 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 44 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 45 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 46 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 47 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 48 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 49 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 50 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 51 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 52 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 53 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 54 | VCCINT β Core 1.2 V supply |
| Pin 55 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 56 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 57 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 58 | VCCIO3 β Bank 3 I/O supply voltage |
| Pin 59 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 60 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 61 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 62 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 63 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 64 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 65 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 66 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 67 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 68 | VCCIO4 β Bank 4 I/O supply voltage |
| Pin 69 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 70 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 71 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 72 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 73 | VCCINT β Core 1.2 V supply |
| Pin 74 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 75 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 76 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 77 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 78 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 79 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 80 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 81 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 82 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 83 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 84 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 85 | VCCIO4 β Bank 4 I/O supply voltage |
| Pin 86 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 87 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 88 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 89 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 90 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 91 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 92 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 93 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 94 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 95 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 96 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 97 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 98 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 99 | VCCINT β Core 1.2 V supply |
| Pin 100 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 101 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 102 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 103 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 104 | VCCIO1 β Bank 1 I/O supply voltage |
| Pin 105 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 106 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 107 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 108 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 109 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 110 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 111 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 112 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 113 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 114 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 115 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 116 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 117 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 118 | VCCINT β Core 1.2 V supply |
| Pin 119 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 120 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 121 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 122 | VCCIO1 β Bank 1 I/O supply voltage |
| Pin 123 | CONF_DONE β Configuration done status (open-drain) |
| Pin 124 | nSTATUS β Configuration status (open-drain) |
| Pin 125 | CONFIG β Configuration mode select |
| Pin 126 | MSEL0 β Configuration mode select 0 |
| Pin 127 | MSEL1 β Configuration mode select 1 |
| Pin 128 | MSEL2 β Configuration mode select 2 |
| Pin 129 | TCK β JTAG test clock input |
| Pin 130 | TMS β JTAG test mode select input |
| Pin 131 | TDI β JTAG test data input |
| Pin 132 | TDO β JTAG test data output |
| Pin 133 | nCE β Chip enable (active-low) |
| Pin 134 | nCONFIG β Configuration start (active-low) |
| Pin 135 | DCLK β Configuration clock input |
| Pin 136 | DATA0 β Configuration data input 0 |
| Pin 137 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 138 | VCCIO2 β Bank 2 I/O supply voltage |
| Pin 139 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 140 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 141 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 142 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 143 | I/O β General-purpose user I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 144 | GND β Ground (exposed pad on package bottom) |
Typical Applications
EP4CE6E22A7N is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Motor Control Encoder Interface, Video Format Conversion / Image Processing Pipeline, Industrial Ethernet / Fieldbus Protocol Bridging, LED Video Wall Scan and Refresh Driver, Handheld Test and Measurement Instrument, Automotive Infotainment / Body Electronics Module.
Industrial Motor Control Encoder Interface
The EP4CE6E22A7N's 15 embedded 18x18 multipliers and 91 user I/Os make it a strong fit for industrial motor control encoder and resolver interfaces. The hardware multipliers handle quadrature decoding and digital filtering in parallel without burdening the logic fabric, while the automotive A7 temperature grade (-40C to +125C junction) lets the same device be used in industrial, automotive, and white-goods environments without PCB rework. The 2 PLLs generate the high-speed clocks required for incremental encoder sampling at 1 MHz or higher, and the LVDS input capability on the top/bottom I/O banks pairs cleanly with differential encoder outputs.
Recommended
Video Format Conversion / Image Processing Pipeline
The EP4CE6E22A7N's 276,480 bits of M9K embedded RAM serve as line buffers and frame-store memory for video format conversion between DVI/HDMI, RGB, and LVDS display interfaces. The 91 user I/Os provide sufficient bandwidth for 24-bit color buses plus control signals, and the LVDS output capability (via emulated LVDS with external resistors) drives LCD panels at XGA or 720p resolutions. Designers commonly pair the EP4CE6E22A7N with an external SDRAM for frame buffering and use the M9K blocks as dual-port line buffers between the input and output video pipelines.
Recommended
Industrial Ethernet / Fieldbus Protocol Bridging
The EP4CE6E22A7N is widely deployed as a low-cost protocol bridge between industrial fieldbuses such as PROFINET, EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP, CAN, and RS-485. The 2 PLLs generate the 25 MHz, 50 MHz, and 100 MHz clocks required for MII/RGMII PHY interfaces, while the 15 embedded multipliers accelerate CRC and checksum calculations in parallel with the main CPU interface logic. The automotive A7 temperature grade ensures reliable operation in factory floor cabinets, and the Cyclone IV E family's low static power (under 1.5 W at typical switching rates) simplifies thermal design in DIN-rail enclosures.
Recommended
LED Video Wall Scan and Refresh Driver
The EP4CE6E22A7N's combination of 15 hardware multipliers, 270 Kbits of M9K memory, and 91 LVCMOS/LVDS-compatible user I/Os makes it well suited as a scan driver for LED video walls in digital signage and stage lighting applications. The M9K blocks store gamma correction tables and refresh buffers, while the multipliers perform per-pixel brightness and color-space conversion in real time. The automotive A7 temperature grade allows outdoor cabinet deployment in direct sunlight without active cooling, and the EQFP-144 exposed-pad package handles the moderate power dissipation of a fully-loaded Cyclone IV E cleanly through a copper thermal pour.
Recommended
Handheld Test and Measurement Instrument
The EP4CE6E22A7N's low static power (60 nm low-k process) and small 144-pin EQFP package are ideal for handheld portable test instruments such as oscilloscope front-ends, logic analyzers, and protocol sniffers. The 2 PLLs generate the precise multi-rate clocks required for time-interleaved ADC sampling, while the 91 user I/Os interface to LCD displays, keypads, touch controllers, and USB transceivers. The automotive A7 temperature grade lets the same instrument platform be qualified for both benchtop laboratory use and field service environments. Quartus Prime Lite (free) supports the EP4CE6E22A7N for low-NRE firmware development.
Recommended
Automotive Infotainment / Body Electronics Module
The EP4CE6E22A7N's automotive A7 temperature grade (-40C to +125C junction) and AEC-Q-style qualification makes it directly deployable in automotive infotainment head units, instrument clusters, body control modules, and CAN/LIN gateway nodes. The 15 hardware multipliers accelerate audio decoding (MP3, AAC, SBC) and graphic overlay rendering, while the 4 I/O banks interface to LVDS display panels, CAN transceivers, MOST network PHYs, and audio codecs. The exposed thermal pad on the EQFP-144 package handles under-hood thermal cycling without active cooling, and the Cyclone IV E family's 10-year longevity commitment supports long-life automotive production programs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP4CE6E22A7N β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP4CE6E22C8N | EP4CE6E22I7N | EP4CE10E22C8N | EP4CE10E22I8N | EP4CE15E22C8N | XC6SLX9-2TQG144 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 144-pin EQFP (E22) | 144-pin EQFP (E22) - same | 144-pin EQFP (E22) - same | 144-pin EQFP (E22) - same | 144-pin EQFP (E22) - same | 144-pin EQFP (E22) - same | 144-pin TQG144 - same |
| Brand | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | AMD |
| Logic Elements | 6,272 | 6,272 (same die) | 6,272 (same die) | 10,320 (+65%) | 10,320 (+65%) | 15,408 (+146%) | 9,152 logic cells |
| Temperature Grade | A7 (-40C to +125C junction) | C8 (0C to +85C) | I7 (-40C to +100C) | C8 (0C to +85C) | I8 (-40C to +100C) | C8 (0C to +85C) | C (0C to +85C) |
| Speed Grade | A7 (automotive timing) | C8 (commercial 8 ns) | I7 (industrial 7 ns) | C8 (commercial 8 ns) | I8 (industrial 8 ns) | C8 (commercial 8 ns) | -2 (Spartan-6 medium speed) |
| Embedded Multipliers (18x18) | 15 | 15 (same die) | 15 (same die) | 23 (+53%) | 23 (+53%) | 56 (+273%) | 16 DSP48A1 slices |
| Embedded Memory | 276,480 bits (270 Kbits) | 276,480 bits (same die) | 276,480 bits (same die) | 423,936 bits (+53%) | 423,936 bits (+53%) | 516,096 bits (+87%) | 589,824 bits (Block RAM) |
| User I/Os | 91 | 91 | 91 | 91 | 91 | 81 (-11%) | 102 (+12%) |
| Toolchain | Quartus Prime (free Lite) | Quartus Prime (free Lite) | Quartus Prime (free Lite) | Quartus Prime (free Lite) | Quartus Prime (free Lite) | Quartus Prime (free Lite) | ISE / Vivado (free WebPack) |
Key Differentiators
- Automotive A7 temperature grade in low-cost Cyclone IV E family (vs EP4CE6E22C8N)
- Logic-density upgrade path on identical PCB footprint (vs EP4CE10E22C8N)
- Lowest-cost cross-architecture alternative (vs XC6SLX9-2TQG144)
Design Notes
Estimated: At typical 1.2 V core switching activity with 50% utilization, the EP4CE6E22A7N dissipates approximately 1.0 to 1.5 W of static and dynamic power. The exposed pad on the underside of the EQFP-144 package is the primary thermal path - it must be soldered to a PCB thermal pad connected to an inner ground plane with at least 9 thermal vias (0.3 mm diameter) for the datasheet thermal resistance of approximately 18 C/W to be met. Without the exposed-pad soldering, junction temperature can exceed 125C and trigger thermal shutdown during normal automotive operation.
Decouple the EP4CE6E22A7N with a 100 nF X7R 0402 ceramic capacitor within 3 mm of each VCCINT and VCCIO pin, plus a single 10 uF bulk tantalum or ceramic capacitor near the device. The four VCCIO banks can run at different voltages (1.2 V, 1.5 V, 1.8 V, 2.5 V, 3.0 V, or 3.3 V) and must each have their own decoupling. Keep the JTAG chain traces (TCK, TMS, TDI, TDO) under 150 mm total length and avoid running them parallel to high-speed LVDS signals.
LVDS input is supported only on the top (banks 1 and 3) and bottom (banks 2 and 4) I/O banks; LVDS output on the left/right banks requires an external resistor network for emulated LVDS. The MSEL[2:0] pins must match the desired configuration mode (AS x1, AS x4, PS, FPP) before power-up - changing MSEL after configuration begins causes configuration failure. Active Serial mode requires the MSEL pins to be set per the datasheet AS-x1 table, not the PS table.
Route all 91 user I/O signals on inner layers with 50 ohm single-ended or 100 ohm differential impedance, using the Intel-provided IBIS models for signal-integrity simulation. The two PLLs (top-left and bottom-right of the die) each require a quiet analog supply - place a ferrite bead between the PLL_AVCC pin and the main VCCINT plane, with 1 uF and 100 nF decoupling on the PLL_AVCC side. Do not route high-speed signals under the exposed pad or over the PLL region.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Intel product page. The A7 suffix in EP4CE6E22A7N denotes the automotive temperature grade (-40C to +125C junction); the A7 speed/temperature code is part of the Cyclone IV E ordering information. AEC-Q100 qualification documentation is available under NDA from Intel Field Application Engineering.
