EP4CE6F17C7N - Cyclone IV E FPGA 6272 LE, 256-FBGA | Altera
MPN: EP4CE6F17C7N β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.19 | $5.19 |
| 10 | $4.9 | $49.00 |
| 100 | $4.55 | $455.00 |
| 500 | $4.1 | $2,050.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.85 | $3,850.00 |
| 3,000 | $3.6 | $10,800.00 |
EP4CE6F17C7N Overview
An FPGA is an integrated circuit whose logic fabric can be programmed after manufacturing to perform arbitrary digital functions. FPGAs sit above CPLDs in capacity and below ASICs in design-fixed cost, making them common for prototyping, parallel processing, interface bridging, and low-to-mid-volume products. Within the broader taxonomy, an FPGA is a programmable logic device under integrated circuits, and the Cyclone IV E family is Altera/Intel's cost-optimized, low-power 60 nm product line. Understanding this hierarchy helps engineers compare FPGAs by logic elements, RAM bits, I/O count, package, voltage rails, and configuration method.
The device provides 392 CLBs/lab-style logic blocks according to distributor specifications, along with 276,480 RAM bits for FIFOs, line buffers, or small memory structures. Its 179 user I/O pins support multi-purpose digital interfaces, and the quoted maximum internal clock frequency is 472.5 MHz. The 1.2 V core voltage and low-cost FBGA package make it suitable for designs that need programmable parallelism without the expense of transceiver-rich FPGAs.
The EP4CE6F17C7N uses SRAM-based, volatile configuration technology, meaning it must be configured at power-up from a host, external memory, or a serial configuration device. Its logic fabric is organized into Cyclone IV E architecture with embedded memory blocks and phase-locked-loop-based clock management, although not all peripheral counts are listed in the verified distributor snippets. The commercial temperature suffix C and speed grade 7 are encoded in the part number, and the N suffix indicates lead-free processing.
Typical applications include industrial motor-control PWM generation, video and image preprocessing, wired-network packet FIFO or PHY bridging, high-speed data acquisition front-end glue logic, and automotive infotainment prototyping. The 179 user I/O and 276,480 RAM bits are particularly useful where parallel capture and reformatting are required, such as converting an ADC or image sensor bus into a memory or processor interface.
For production designs, plan for a separate 1.2 V core supply, appropriate I/O bank voltages, and FPGA configuration storage. Because the FPGA is SRAM-based, confirm that the configuration device or host interface is included in the boot sequence. For harsh-temperature environments, use the industrial or automotive suffix variants rather than the standard commercial-grade device.
This page combines distributor pricing references, drop-in Cyclone IV E F17-package alternatives, comparison tables, and practical design guidance that are not all present in one manufacturer datasheet, helping engineers evaluate the EP4CE6F17C7N faster.
Drop-in alternatives for EP4CE6F17C7N 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 EP4CE6F17C7N (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Process Technology, Configuration Modes, Operating Temperature, Speed Grade.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP4CE6F17C6N
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$17.95 / Unit
View Datasheet βEP4CE6F17C8N
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View Datasheet βEP4CE6F17C7
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―β In Stock
$17.49 / Unit
View Datasheet βEP4CE6F17I7N
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―β In Stock
$15.1 / Unit
View Datasheet βEP4CE6F17A7N
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$24.5 / Unit
View Datasheet βEP4CE6F17C7N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | Altera / Intel |
| Series | Cyclone IV E |
| Product Category | FPGA - Field Programmable Gate Array |
| Number of Logic Elements / Cells | 6272 |
| Number of CLBs / LABs | 392 |
| Total RAM Bits | 276480 bits |
| Number of User I/O | 179 |
| Package / Case | 256-LBGA (FBGA-256) |
| Package Body Size | 17 mm x 17 mm |
| Ball Pitch | 1 mm |
| Core Supply Voltage | 1.2 V |
| Process Technology | 60 nm |
| Maximum Internal Clock Frequency | 472.5 MHz |
| Lead-Free Finish | Yes (N suffix) |
| Number of Terminations | 256 |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Compliance | Compliant |
| Lifecycle Status | Active production |
EP4CE6F17C7N 17 mm x 17 mm Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP4CE6F17C7N (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 EP4CE6F17C7N.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP4CE6F17C7N is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Motor Control, Video and Display Processing, Wired Networking Infrastructure, High-Speed Data Acquisition and Instrumentation, Automotive Infotainment and Telematics Prototyping, IoT Edge and Smart Factory Connectivity.
Industrial Motor Control
The EP4CE6F17C7N is well suited to industrial motor control because its 6,272 logic elements can implement multiple PWM-generation channels, encoder quadrature decoding, fault logic, and dead-time insertion in parallel. 179 user I/O pins provide enough connections for three-phase inverter gate signals, current-sense ADC inputs, encoder interfaces, and HMI pushbuttons or LEDs. The 276,480 RAM bits can store small speed-reference or diagnostic FIFOs. The -7 speed grade supports the 472.5 MHz internal clock capability quoted by distributors, which allows current-loop tasks to execute with short timer periods and low comparator latency. In a typical servo-drive design, an FPGA offloads real-time timing from the host MCU/DSP, improving deterministic response. If the final product must operate inside an uncontrolled industrial cabinet, an industrial-temperature Cyclone IV E variant should be selected instead of the commercial C7N part.
Recommended
Video and Display Processing
For video and display applications, the EP4CE6F17C7N provides enough logic and RAM for pixel-format conversion, simple 2D filtering, timing generation, and small-line FIFOs. The 179 user I/O pins can carry 24-bit RGB, separate horizontal/vertical sync, pixel clock, and I2C or SPI control signals. The 276,480 RAM bits equal roughly 34,560 bytes, which is practical for line-buffered operations or small image-processing kernels. Because the device is an SRAM FPGA, the parallel pixel pipeline is implemented in hardware rather than executed as software, giving predictable latency and low processor overhead. A common system places an image sensor or receiver in front of the FPGA and an HDMI or LVDS transmitter after it. The internal clock frequency up to 472.5 MHz gives ample margin for 1080p-class pixel clocks, although the exact bandwidth depends on the I/O standard and external memory architecture used.
Recommended
Wired Networking Infrastructure
The EP4CE6F17C7N is a practical FPGA for low-port-count networking infrastructure such as managed Ethernet switches, industrial fieldbus gateways, and small packet-processing systems. Its 179 user I/O pins can connect to MII, RMII, GMII, or RGMII PHYs, and 6,272 logic elements are sufficient for MAC soft-cores, packet FIFOs, VLAN tag insertion/removal, and simple classification engines. The 276,480 RAM bits provide packet buffering and queue descriptors without requiring an external SRAM in many low-throughput designs. The commercial C7N variant is suitable for indoor networking equipment; industrial-temperature variants should be used for rugged Ethernet switches or factory-floor protocol converters. Because Cyclone IV E does not include hard Ethernet MACs, the networking protocol stack is implemented in programmable logic or with a companion processor, giving designers flexibility to support custom frame formats and legacy industrial protocols.
Recommended
High-Speed Data Acquisition and Instrumentation
The EP4CE6F17C7N fits high-speed data acquisition front ends that require parallel capture from ADCs, digital down-conversion, FIFO buffering, and trigger logic. 179 user I/O pins can connect multiple parallel-output ADCs or high-speed serial LVDS pairs depending on the I/O bank implementation. The 6,272 logic elements can implement digital decimation filters, threshold detectors, and address generators, while the 276,480 RAM bits store pre-trigger samples or temporary blocks before transfer to a host. The -7 speed grade supports 472.5 MHz internal clock rates for oversampling or high-speed state machines, though external LVDS rates depend on the device I/O standard. In an oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer, or vibration monitoring system, the FPGA creates a deterministic data path from the converter to the DMA interface, reducing the CPU burden and preserving trigger accuracy. Use appropriate signal-conditioning front-end components around the FPGA for sensor scaling and protection.
Recommended
Automotive Infotainment and Telematics Prototyping
Although the commercial EP4CE6F17C7N is intended for standard temperature environments, it is commonly used in automotive infotainment and telematics prototyping to implement display timing, audio I/O bridging, camera sensor aggregation, or CAN/LIN protocol preprocessing. The 179 user I/O pins can connect to touch controllers, LVDS display links, audio codecs, and microcontroller SoCs. The 6,272 logic elements are enough for flexible interface translation and small control state machines, and the 276,480 RAM bits support data FIFOs between non-clocked domains. For production automotive designs, engineers should migrate to the automotive-specified A7N variant or another AEC-qualified platform if required by the program. The main engineering advantage is reconfigurability: during vehicle development, timing and pin assignments can be updated in the lab before the ASIC or SoC interface is finalized.
Recommended
IoT Edge and Smart Factory Connectivity
In IoT edge systems and smart-factory gateways, the EP4CE6F17C7N can serve as a deterministic I/O coprocessor that aggregates sensors, drives actuators, and communicates with a Linux-based host or cloud module. Its 179 I/O pins can read parallel encoders, temperature ADC buses, limit switches, and serial sensor streams. The 6,272 logic elements implement real-time control loops and simple protocol framing, while the 276,480 RAM bits buffer telemetry before transmission. Because the FPGA is reconfigurable, a single PCB can support multiple sensor protocols by loading different bitstreams, reducing hardware variants. The low-cost FBGA-256 package is compatible with four-to-six-layer PCB design used in many edge gateways. Commercial temperature grade is adequate for indoor smart building or utility room installations; industrial variants are preferred when the IoT node is mounted near motors, ovens, or outdoor enclosures.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP4CE6F17C7N β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP4CE6F17C6N | EP4CE6F17C8N | EP4CE6F17C7 | EP4CE6F17I7N | EP4CE6F17A7N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 256-LBGA (FBGA-256) | 256-LBGA (FBGA-256) | 256-LBGA (FBGA-256) | 256-LBGA (FBGA-256) | 256-LBGA (FBGA-256) | 256-LBGA (FBGA-256) |
| Brand | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera |
| Number of Logic Elements | 6272 | 6272 | 6272 | 6272 | 6272 | 6272 |
| Total RAM Bits | 276480 bits | 276480 bits | 276480 bits | 276480 bits | 276480 bits | 276480 bits |
| Number of User I/O | 179 | 179 | 179 | 179 | 179 | 179 |
| Core Supply Voltage | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V |
| Speed Grade from Part Number | -7 (C7N) | -6 (C6N) | -8 (C8N) | -7 (C7) | -7 (I7N) | -7 (A7N) |
| Temperature Grade | Commercial (C) | Commercial (C) | Commercial (C) | Commercial (C) | Industrial (I) | Automotive (A) |
| Lead-Free Finish | Yes (N suffix) | Yes (N suffix) | Yes (N suffix) | No (non-N leaded finish) | Yes (N suffix) | Yes (N suffix) |
Key Differentiators
- Mainstream -7 speed grade balances timing margin and cost (vs EP4CE6F17C8N)
- Lead-free N finish supports modern RoHS-compliant assembly (vs EP4CE6F17C7)
- Standard commercial grade is cost-optimized for indoor equipment (vs EP4CE6F17I7N)
Design Notes
The EP4CE6F17C7N core is a 1.2 V supply design on a 60 nm process. Use a dedicated switching regulator or low-dropout regulator for VCCINT and keep the power path separate from I/O bank supplies. At a 472.5 MHz maximum internal clock quoted in distributor data, high logic utilization can increase core current substantially. Use the Intel/Altera PowerPlay Early Power Estimator during the design phase rather than assuming a fixed power number. Estimated decoupling: place at least one 100 nF ceramic capacitor near each VCC ball or at regular intervals across the 256-ball BGA, plus bulk capacitance in the 10-47 uF range per power rail. Confirm exact values with the Cyclone IV power-rail decoupling recommendations.
The 256-LBGA package has a 17 mm x 17 mm body and 1 mm ball pitch. For a low-cost commercial product, use a four-layer PCB with a solid ground plane and a dedicated 1.2 V plane if routing density permits. Fan out the outer BGA ball rows with standard via-in-pad or dogbone vias, and assign inner-row signal escapes carefully to preserve signal integrity. Avoid placing vias directly under the package center unless your assembly partner supports via-in-pad and cap-plating. The N suffix means the device is lead-free, so use a lead-free reflow profile. Since no pinout table was encoded in this page, download the official Cyclone IV pinout files before finalizing the FPGA symbol and footprint.
The EP4CE6F17C7N is an SRAM-based FPGA and loses its configuration when power is removed. A common design mistake is omitting a configuration device or controller, which leaves the FPGA unconfigured after every power cycle. In production, include a serial configuration device or connect the FPGA to a host that can load a bitstream over a supported configuration scheme. Also remember that C7N is the commercial temperature grade, not industrial or automotive; if the end product must operate at wide temperature, use the I7N or A7N Cyclone IV E variant. Before board fabrication, check voltage sequencing, I/O bank voltages, and any pull-up requirements on configuration pins.
Compliance Information
The N suffix and distributor snippets indicate a lead-free, RoHS-compliant finish. REACH, halogen-free, and conflict-minerals status were not explicitly present in the verified web data and should be confirmed with the Intel/Altera documentation.
