EP4CE6F17C8LN - Cyclone IV E FPGA, 6K LEs, 256-FBGA | Intel / Altera
MPN: EP4CE6F17C8LN β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $27.5 | $27.50 |
| 10 | $24.75 | $247.50 |
| 100 | $21.95 | $2,195.00 |
| 500 | $19.5 | $9,750.00 |
| 1,000 | $17.25 | $17,250.00 |
EP4CE6F17C8LN Overview
An FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is a semiconductor device built around an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs) connected by a programmable interconnect. FPGAs sit at the top of the programmable-logic hierarchy, above CPLDs and discrete logic, and are widely used for parallel DSP, glue logic, video bridging, and prototype ASIC/ASSP emulation. The Cyclone IV E family is Intel's non-transceiver low-power tier, optimized for industrial, consumer, and automotive applications where static and dynamic power consumption must stay low.
Key features of the EP4CE6F17C8LN include 179 maximum user I/O pins, two general-purpose PLLs, and support for multiple I/O standards including LVDS, LVCMOS, SSTL, and PCI Express (soft IP). The 'L' suffix denotes a 1.0 V core voltage operation, and the '8' speed grade provides higher logic performance than the '7' grade. The device supports configuration via JTAG, Active Serial, and Passive Serial modes, with built-in decompression and encryption capabilities.
The Cyclone IV E architecture uses adaptive logic modules (ALMs) containing 8-input fracturable look-up tables, paired with 9-Kbit M9K memory blocks distributed across the fabric. This combination delivers an efficient balance of logic density, block RAM, and DSP throughput, allowing designers to consolidate multiple discrete functions (timing, glue logic, video processing, motor control) into a single programmable device.
Typical applications for EP4CE6F17C8LN include industrial control and HMI panels, video bridging and display controllers, low-cost motor drives, LED signage, and consumer electronics requiring flexible I/O. It is also widely used in education and prototype development for ASIC/ASSP replacement. The wide operating temperature range and industrial-grade reliability make it suitable for factory automation and outdoor installations.
When designing with this device, pay close attention to power sequencing, decoupling, and PLL configuration. Use the Quartus Prime design software (free Lite edition available) for synthesis, place-and-route, and timing closure. Intel provides reference designs and application notes for common interfaces including DDR2/DDR3 memory controllers and LVDS display bridging.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in compatible Cyclone IV E family alternatives, and practical design notes not consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for EP4CE6F17C8LN 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 EP4CE6F17C8LN (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Process Technology, Configuration Modes, Speed Grade, Core Voltage (VCCINT).
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP4CE6F17C8N
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$13.75 / Unit
View Datasheet βEP4CE6F17C7N
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$3.6 / Unit
View Datasheet βEP4CE6F17C6N
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$17.95 / Unit
View Datasheet βEP4CE10F17C8LN
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP4CE15F17C8LN
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP4CE22F17C8LN
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP4CE6F17C8LN Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Series | Cyclone IV E |
| Device Family | Cyclone IV E (EP4CE6) |
| Logic Elements (LEs) | 6,272 |
| Logic Array Blocks (LABs) | 392 |
| Embedded Memory (Kbits) | 270 |
| Embedded 18x18 Multipliers | 15 |
| Maximum User I/O Pins | 179 |
| General Purpose PLLs | 2 |
| Process Technology | 60 nm |
| Core Voltage (VCCINT) | 1.0 V (L suffix) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| Package | 256-ball F17 FBGA (17x17 mm, 1.0 mm pitch) |
| Configuration Modes | JTAG, Active Serial, Passive Serial |
| Transceivers | None (Cyclone IV E family) |
| Speed Grade | 8 |
EP4CE6F17C8LN 256-ball f17 fbga (17x17 mm, 1.0 mm pitch) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP4CE6F17C8LN (256-ball f17 fbga (17x17 mm, 1.0 mm pitch) 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 EP4CE6F17C8LN.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP4CE6F17C8LN is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control and HMI Panels, Video Bridging and Display Controllers, Low-Cost Motor Drives, LED Signage and Lighting Controllers, ASIC/ASSP Prototype and Bridging, Education and FPGA Learning Platforms.
Industrial Control and HMI Panels
The EP4CE6F17C8LN is well suited to industrial HMI panels because its 6,272 logic elements easily handle TFT LCD timing controllers, touch-screen I2C/SPI bridging, and key-scan matrices. The 179 user I/Os support direct connection to color TFT panels (18/24-bit RGB), capacitive touch controllers, and multi-channel GPIO for backlight PWM and status LEDs. Industrial temperature rating (-40C to +85C) ensures operation in factory environments, while the low static power (Cyclone IV E is Intel's lowest-power family) simplifies thermal design in sealed enclosures. Pin compatibility with EP4CE10/15/22 in the same F17 BGA enables in-place upgrades as designs grow in complexity.
Recommended
Video Bridging and Display Controllers
The EP4CE6F17C8LN delivers cost-effective video bridging for converting between HDMI, MIPI, LVDS, and RGB interfaces in cameras, projectors, and digital signage. The 15 embedded 18x18 multipliers handle pixel-rate scaling and color-space conversion (YUV to RGB), while 270 Kbits of block RAM buffer scan-line data efficiently. With LVDS support up to 840 Mbps per pair, the FPGA can drive 24-bit color TFT panels at WXGA resolutions. The F17 BGA package is also available on Intel's low-cost development kits, accelerating prototyping of video pipelines.
Recommended
Low-Cost Motor Drives
The EP4CE6F17C8LN integrates Field-Oriented Control (FOC) algorithms for BLDC and PMSM motors in appliances, pumps, and small industrial drives. With 15 hardware multipliers, the FPGA can execute Park/Clarke transforms and PI controllers at PWM switching rates above 100 kHz with deterministic latency - critical for low-speed torque ripple control. The 2 PLLs generate multiple clock domains for encoder sampling and PWM generation. Designers appreciate the 179 I/Os for parallel GPIO to inverter gate drivers, Hall sensors, and resolver excitation.
Recommended
LED Signage and Lighting Controllers
The EP4CE6F17C8LN drives high-channel-count LED walls and architectural lighting with precise per-pixel PWM control. Its 179 user I/Os can be partitioned into multiple shift-register chains for APA102, SK6812, or WS2812 LEDs, refreshing thousands of pixels at >1 kHz frame rates without flicker. Block RAM (M9K) buffers gamma-corrected color tables, and the 18x18 multipliers accelerate per-pixel color mixing in hardware. The low static power of the Cyclone IV E family allows high-density LED controller boards to run cool without active cooling.
Recommended
ASIC/ASSP Prototype and Bridging
Engineers use the EP4CE6F17C8LN as a low-cost prototyping platform for ASICs and ASSPs, emulating production silicon before tape-out. The Quartus Prime toolchain supports incremental compilation, allowing design teams to validate gate-level logic, timing, and I/O behavior with real-world interfaces. For production bridging applications, the FPGA can glue legacy microcontrollers to modern peripherals (USB 3.0, GbE, MIPI) when no off-the-shelf ASSP is available. Pin compatibility across the EP4CE family supports design migration as feature requirements evolve.
Recommended
Education and FPGA Learning Platforms
The EP4CE6F17C8LN powers university FPGA curricula and learning kits because it offers enough logic (6,272 LEs) for Verilog/VHDL lab projects without overwhelming beginners. The Cyclone IV E family is well supported by Intel's free Quartus Prime Lite toolchain, including ModelSim-Altera Starter Edition for simulation. The F17 BGA package is featured on multiple third-party development boards (e.g., Terasic DE0-Nano), giving students hands-on experience with BGA soldering, clock distribution, and on-chip debug (SignalTap). Industrial temperature grade also makes it relevant for senior design projects targeting real-world deployments.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP4CE6F17C8LN β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP4CE6F17C8N | EP4CE6F17C7N | EP4CE10F17C8LN | EP4CE15F17C8LN | EP4CE22F17C8LN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) |
| Package | 256-FBGA (F17, 17x17 mm, 1.0 mm pitch) | 256-FBGA (F17) - same | 256-FBGA (F17) - same | 256-FBGA (F17) - same | 256-FBGA (F17) - same | 256-FBGA (F17) - same |
| Logic Elements | 6,272 | 6,272 (same) | 6,272 (same) | 10,320 (+65%) | 15,408 (+145%) | 22,320 (+256%) |
| Embedded Memory (Kbits) | 270 | 270 | 270 | 423 | 504 | 594 |
| Embedded 18x18 Multipliers | 15 | 15 | 15 | 23 | 56 | 66 |
| Maximum User I/O | 179 | 179 | 179 | 179 | 179 | 179 |
| Speed Grade | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) | 0C to +85C (commercial) | 0C to +85C (commercial) | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
| Core Voltage (VCCINT) | 1.0 V (L suffix) | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.0 V | 1.0 V | 1.0 V |
Key Differentiators
- Industrial temperature grade at low-cost 1.0 V core (vs EP4CE6F17C8N)
- Pin-compatible upgrade path within F17 package (vs EP4CE10F17C8LN)
- Higher speed grade than grade 7 alternatives (vs EP4CE6F17C7N)
Design Notes
The Cyclone IV E EP4CE6 with 1.0 V core (L suffix) consumes roughly 100-150 mW static plus dynamic power proportional to toggle rate. Estimated: at 50 MHz clock and 25% toggle rate, dynamic power is approximately 200-300 mW. Decouple VCCINT with 100 nF ceramic capacitors near each power pin and bulk 10 uF tantalum at the regulator output. Use a low-dropout regulator (e.g., LM1117-1.0) with adequate input headroom from a 1.8 V or 3.3 V rail.
The F17 256-ball FBGA package uses a 1.0 mm ball pitch and 17x17 mm body. Use a minimum 6-layer PCB with microvia-in-pad technology for reliable BGA assembly. Escape routing on the top layer with 0.1 mm (4 mil) traces and laser-drilled microvias to inner layers. Match trace lengths within each LVDS pair to within 150 mil for reliable signal integrity at 840 Mbps.
Do not confuse the EP4CE6F17C8LN (1.0 V core, L suffix) with the EP4CE6F17C8N (1.2 V core). Mixing core voltages will damage the FPGA. Also note that 'speed grade 8' parts must not be downgraded to 'grade 7' if timing closure depends on grade-8 Fmax. Verify the exact ordering code with the Quartus Prime device programmer before programming production boards.
Route all eight VCCINT and VCCIO supply pins with wide polygons, not thin traces, to minimize DC drop. Place at least four 100 nF 0402 ceramic capacitors evenly distributed under the BGA footprint. Connect JTAG TCK and TMS to ground through 10 K pull-downs to prevent spurious configuration at power-up. Use a separate ground island for PLL analog supplies (VCCA_PLL) if available.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free confirmed via Altera product page. Cyclone IV E family is not AEC-Q100 qualified; consult Intel automotive part numbering for qualified variants. Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in verified data.
