EP4CE6F17C7 - 6,272-Cell FPGA | Altera | Embedded Logic
MPN: EP4CE6F17C7 ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $22.2269 | $22.23 |
| 10 | $21.95 | $219.50 |
| 100 | $20.89 | $2,089.00 |
| 500 | $19.74 | $9,870.00 |
| 1,000 | $18.62 | $18,620.00 |
| 3,000 | $17.49 | $52,470.00 |
EP4CE6F17C7 Overview
A field-programmable gate array is a semiconductor containing configurable logic blocks, routing resources, memory blocks, and programmable I/O cells. Engineers configure the device after PCB assembly to implement digital functions without a custom ASIC. In the system hierarchy, the FPGA sits between fixed-function integrated circuits and custom silicon: it is more flexible than standard logic ICs and generally less expensive for lower-volume products than a custom ASIC.
The key feature set combines 6,272 logic cells with 276,480 embedded-memory bits and 179 I/Os. Embedded memory supports data buffering, lookup tables, packet processing, and timing functions without requiring every operation to be built from general-purpose logic. The 256-LBGA package provides 179 externally accessible signals while retaining a 17 mm by 17 mm body, which is practical for industrial controller boards, test equipment, imaging hardware, and communications equipment.
Cyclone IV E devices use SRAM-based FPGA configuration, so the programmed bitstream normally requires storage in external configuration memory at power-up. Logic synthesis, place-and-route, timing analysis, simulation, and power estimation should be performed in the applicable Altera or Intel FPGA toolchain. The quoted 472.5 MHz value is a device specification from the supplied web data, while actual operating frequency depends on routing, resource usage, I/O standards, voltage conditions, and thermal design.
Typical applications include industrial automation controllers, video-format conversion, machine-vision preprocessing, communications control, laboratory instruments, and educational or prototype systems. A 179-I/O budget supports mixed sensor interfaces, control peripherals, memory buses, and data-converter connections. The 6,272-cell capacity is appropriate for moderate parallel datapaths, protocol bridging, and custom state machines, but larger designs may require a higher-density Cyclone device.
The principal design trade-off is I/O voltage compatibility and configuration architecture. Confirm every bank-specific voltage, termination requirement, clocking constraint, and configuration-memory interface against the manufacturer documentation before release to production. Decoupling, continuous ground reference planes, controlled-impedance routing, and thermal analysis remain necessary even though the supplied data does not state a complete recommended capacitor network or thermal resistance.
This data record combines the official product identity, package geometry, distributor status, source timestamps, verified same-family ordering information, and practical selection guidance. Values not explicitly supplied—especially complete timing tables, power data, configuration details, environmental ratings, and individual pin functions—remain marked for validation rather than inferred.
Drop-in alternatives for EP4CE6F17C7 — 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 EP4CE6F17C7 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Process Technology, Speed Grade, Mounting Type, PLLs.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP4CE6F17C8
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$19.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CE6F17C6N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$17.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CE6F17C6
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$12.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CE6F17A7N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$24.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CE6F17A7N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$24.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CE6F17C7 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Type | Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) |
| Device Family | Cyclone IV E |
| Logic Cells | 6,272 cells |
| Configurable Logic Blocks | 392 CLBs |
| Maximum Frequency | 472.5 MHz |
| Process Technology | 60 nm |
| Core Voltage | 1.2 V |
| User I/O Count | 179 I/O |
| Embedded Memory | 276,480 bits |
| Package Type | 256-LBGA |
| Package Description | FBGA-256 |
| Package Body Size | 17 mm x 17 mm |
| Ball Pitch | 1 mm |
| Terminal Form | Ball |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Number of Terminations | 256 |
| Supplier Unit Price | 22.2269 USD as of 2026-09-10 |
| Supplier Stock | 4,304 pieces as of 2026-09-10 |
| Distributor Shipping | Ships today as of 2026-09-10 |
| Distributor Lead Time | To be confirmed as of 2026-09-10 |
EP4CE6F17C7 17 mm x 17 mm Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP4CE6F17C7 (17 mm x 17 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 EP4CE6F17C7.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP4CE6F17C7 is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Automation Controllers, Machine Vision Preprocessing, Communications Protocol Bridge, Test and Measurement Equipment, Video Format Conversion, Configurable Digital Control Platform.
Industrial Automation Controllers
EP4CE6F17C7 fits industrial automation controllers that need configurable timing, state-machine logic, and multiple external interfaces without the cost of an ASIC. Its 6,272 logic cells and 392 configurable logic blocks can implement sensor conditioning sequences, motor-control timing, protocol conversion, and deterministic control logic. The 179 user I/Os provide substantial connection capacity for encoders, actuators, safety monitors, and local communication peripherals, while the 276,480 embedded-memory bits support buffering and lookup functions. A 1.2 V core and 256-LBGA package help integrate the device into a compact controller. Because the verified data does not state industrial temperature qualification, vibration ratings, or power dissipation, validate those requirements before deployment.
Recommended
Machine Vision Preprocessing
EP4CE6F17C7 can serve as a preprocessing and format-conversion FPGA in compact machine-vision systems. The 179 user I/Os allow image sensors, FIFO memories, converters, and high-speed control interfaces to be connected around the device, while 6,272 logic cells provide capacity for line buffers, region-of-interest logic, color-space conversion, and timing generation. Its 276,480 embedded-memory bits are useful for lookup tables and small frame-line storage. The 256-LBGA package measures 17 mm by 17 mm, which supports dense camera electronics but requires careful escape routing. Actual image throughput depends on clock rate, I/O standard, memory architecture, and implementation timing, none of which are fully specified in the supplied source data.
Recommended
Communications Protocol Bridge
EP4CE6F17C7 is suitable for moderate-rate protocol bridging between industrial buses, memory interfaces, and custom digital links. Its 6,272 logic cells can support packet parsing, header matching, CRC functions, clock-domain management, and interface adaptation, while 179 I/Os accommodate multiple parallel or serialized peripheral groups. The 276,480 embedded-memory bits can hold descriptors, lookup tables, and small receive or transmit buffers. The 472.5 MHz maximum frequency provides a useful headline reference, but protocol line rate is determined by implemented logic, I/O transceivers or interfaces, timing constraints, and board signal integrity. No transceiver count, memory-block organization, or protocol certification is supplied, so those attributes require datasheet validation.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Equipment
EP4CE6F17C7 fits test and measurement equipment requiring deterministic digital triggering, capture sequencing, waveform synthesis, or custom instrument control. The FPGA can combine 392 configurable logic blocks with 6,272 logic cells to implement timing generators, counters, filters, trigger logic, and communication front ends. Its 179 user I/Os support ADC or DAC interfaces, memory, displays, and control buses, while embedded memory can store calibration coefficients and lookup data. The supplied maximum-frequency value is 472.5 MHz, but measurement bandwidth and sampling performance depend on the complete design and external components. Power, thermal resistance, pin functions, and I/O-bank restrictions are not included in the verified excerpts and must be resolved before schematic release.
Recommended
Video Format Conversion
EP4CE6F17C7 can support moderate-resolution video timing, conversion, cropping, and frame-control functions. Its 179 user I/Os are advantageous when the FPGA must interface with video bridges, memories, displays, and control peripherals, and 276,480 embedded-memory bits can assist with small line buffers, color correction, or lookup tables. Six thousand two hundred seventy-two logic cells provide useful capacity for timing extraction, synchronization, and pixel-path processing, although larger multi-format systems may exhaust resources. The 17 mm by 17 mm 256-LBGA package keeps the core compact but introduces demanding fanout and escape constraints. Video resolution, color depth, and clock rates should be determined through resource estimation and timing analysis rather than inferred from the 472.5 MHz headline specification.
Recommended
Configurable Digital Control Platform
EP4CE6F17C7 is a practical platform for configurable digital control in laboratory instruments, power equipment, and custom embedded systems. The 6,272-cell fabric can implement PWM generation, protection sequencing, feedback loops, fault handling, and custom peripheral controllers, while 179 I/Os provide flexibility for analog converters, sensors, memories, and communication ports. Embedded memory can hold control tables and calibration values. Compared with a fixed controller, the FPGA allows hardware-level parallelism and late design changes; compared with a larger FPGA, it offers a more constrained 6,272-cell resource budget. The verified source confirms a 1.2 V core, 60 nm process, and 256-LBGA package but not complete power or thermal limits, so those must be estimated and measured for each implementation.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP4CE6F17C7 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP4CE6F17C8 | EP4CE6F17C6N | EP4CE6F17C6 | EP4CE6F17A7N | EP4CE6F17A7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera |
| Package | 256-LBGA, 17 mm x 17 mm, 1 mm pitch | Same package | Same package | Same package | Same package | Same package |
| Device Family | Cyclone IV E | Cyclone IV E | Cyclone IV E | Cyclone IV E | Cyclone IV E | Cyclone IV E |
| Ordering-Grade Distinction | C7 | C8; extended timing margin described | C6N | C6 | A7N | A7 |
| Logic Cells | 6,272 cells | 6,272 cells | 6,272 cells | 6,272 cells | 6,272 cells | 6,272 cells |
| User I/O Count | 179 I/O | 179 I/O | 179 I/O | 179 I/O | 179 I/O | 179 I/O |
| Core Voltage | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V |
| Maximum Frequency | 472.5 MHz | 472.5 MHz maximum stated for target family context | 472.5 MHz maximum stated for target family context | 472.5 MHz maximum stated for target family context | 472.5 MHz maximum stated for target family context | 472.5 MHz maximum stated for target family context |
Key Differentiators
- Balanced capacity and package-level I/O for a compact Cyclone IV E design (vs EP4CE6E22C7)
- Timing-margin option in the same package (vs EP4CE6F17C8)
- Same-family package compatibility with ordering-grade flexibility (vs EP4CE6F17C6N)
Design Notes
The verified data confirms a 1.2 V core voltage but does not provide current, power, or decoupling values. Do not invent a capacitor network from the package alone. Generate a board-specific power budget from the post-route FPGA tool, include margin for process, voltage, temperature, and I/O activity, and validate transient behavior on hardware. Place the core regulator close to the supply entry, preserve a continuous return path, and follow the manufacturer reference-design decoupling topology for the selected configuration and I/O-bank voltages.
The 256-LBGA package measures 17 mm by 17 mm and uses a 1 mm ball pitch, so fanout and via escape strategy should be designed before schematic freeze. Use the exact manufacturer ball map to classify power, configuration, clock, I/O-bank, and no-connect balls. Provide uninterrupted reference planes, controlled escape for high-speed groups, adequate via and pad fabrication capability, and the package-recommended land pattern. Confirm that all 256 balls are represented and that NC balls are not connected accidentally.
Treat 472.5 MHz as a headline maximum-frequency value, not a guarantee for every implemented path. Apply synchronous timing constraints, realistic I/O delays, clock uncertainty, and board models, then verify setup, hold, pulse width, and recovery/removal after place-and-route. Match clock and data traces, control impedance where the interface requires it, minimize via discontinuities, and use manufacturer pin guidance for clocks, differential pairs, and power-sensitive I/O banks. Test margin across voltage and temperature corners before production release.
Do not substitute EP4CE6E22C7 without redesigning the PCB because it is described as a 144-pin EQFP alternative rather than a same-footprint part. Do not assume every 256-LBGA ordering-code variant is configuration- or timing-equivalent. Before selecting EP4CE6F17C6, EP4CE6F17C6N, EP4CE6F17A7, EP4CE6F17A7N, or EP4CE6F17C8, compare the manufacturer ordering guide, pin functions, configuration modes, supported I/O standards, timing models, power limits, and lifecycle statements. A same-package code is not sufficient evidence of bitstream interchangeability.
Compliance Information
The supplied excerpts do not state RoHS, REACH, lead-free, halogen-free, or conflict-minerals declarations. No AEC-Q100 qualification is provided; qualification status is therefore not established rather than assumed.
