EP4CGX15BF14C8N - Cyclone IV GX FPGA, 14400 LE | Intel
MPN: EP4CGX15BF14C8N ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $27.68 | $27.68 |
| 10 | $24.9 | $249.00 |
| 100 | $22.1 | $2,210.00 |
| 500 | $20.25 | $10,125.00 |
| 1,000 | $18.5 | $18,500.00 |
EP4CGX15BF14C8N Overview
An FPGA is a reconfigurable logic device whose logic blocks, routing resources, and I/O pins are configured after manufacturing. In the system hierarchy, an FPGA sits above standard fixed-function logic: it implements custom digital functions in hardware while retaining software-like re-routability. Cyclone IV GX is Intel's low-cost, low-power FPGA family, and the GX suffix indicates that the family includes high-speed transceiver and hardened protocol options in larger-density/package combinations. This EP4CGX15 variant is intended for high-volume, cost-sensitive designs that need moderate logic density in a small footprint.
Key features include 14,400 logic elements for medium-density control, video, and protocol logic; 552,960 bits of embedded RAM for FIFOs, packet buffers, and line buffers; 72 user I/Os available on the 169-ball FineLine BGA; and a 402 MHz maximum I/O clock rate. The 1.15 V to 1.25 V core supply keeps dynamic power low for thermally constrained systems. The F14 package code and C8N ordering suffix identify the commercial-temperature, speed-grade-8 variant of the EP4CGX15 device.
The Cyclone IV GX fabric is SRAM-based, so it must be configured at power-up from an external flash device or host. The same EP4CGX15 F14 device is offered with different speed and temperature grade ordering codes, allowing one PCB to be reused across several performance and qualification points. The 169-ball LBGA package balances board area with routability and is well suited to two- to four-layer PCB designs when the I/O count is matched to external interfaces.
Typical applications include small-form-factor video and machine-vision interfaces, industrial I/O bridging, camera-link front ends, protocol conversion, and telecom/broadcast control logic. The 72 I/Os and flexible clock resources are sufficient for 8-/10-/12-bit parallel data paths and moderate-rate LVDS interfaces.
Design guidance: decouple the 1.15 V to 1.25 V core supplies with low-ESR ceramic capacitors placed close to BGA vias, and select an Intel/Altera serial configuration device appropriate for the application. Follow the Cyclone IV GX board design guidelines for power sequencing, I/O bank voltage, and high-speed pin placement.
This page synthesizes distributor availability, pin-compatible speed/temperature variants, and practical board-level notes—information frequently scattered across separate datasheet, distributor, and Q&A pages.
Drop-in alternatives for EP4CGX15BF14C8N — 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 EP4CGX15BF14C8N (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Speed Grade, Operating Temperature, Transceivers, Embedded 18x18 Multipliers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP4CGX15BF14C7N
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View Datasheet →EP4CGX15BF14C6N
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View Datasheet →EP4CGX15BF14I7N
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
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View Datasheet →EP4CGX15BF14A7N
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
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View Datasheet →EP4CGX15BF14C8N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| FPGA Family | Cyclone IV GX |
| Number of Logic Elements | 14400 |
| Total RAM Bits | 552960 bits |
| Embedded Memory | 540 Kbit |
| Number of User I/Os | 72 |
| Maximum User I/O Clock Frequency | 402 MHz |
| Core Supply Voltage | 1.15 V to 1.25 V |
| Package | 169-LBGA |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Temperature Grade | C (commercial, from OPN suffix) |
| Speed Grade | 8 (from OPN suffix C8N) |
| RoHS Status | Unknown (not stated in supplied data) |
EP4CGX15BF14C8N 169-lbga Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP4CGX15BF14C8N (169-lbga 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 EP4CGX15BF14C8N.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP4CGX15BF14C8N is suitable for 6 applications: Machine-Vision Camera Interface, Industrial I/O and Protocol Bridging, Video Surveillance I/O Bridge, Small-Cell and Telecom Control Logic, Broadcast and Pro-Audio Routing Bridges, SDR/RF Control and Monitoring Interface.
Machine-Vision Camera Interface
EP4CGX15BF14C8N suits machine-vision camera front ends because its 72 user I/Os can carry parallel CMOS sensor data and control signals while 14,400 logic elements implement exposure timing, line decoding, and data formatting. The 552,960-bit embedded RAM acts as line buffers that deskew image rows at high sensor clock rates. With a 402 MHz maximum I/O clock, the FPGA has enough bandwidth for moderate-bandwidth parallel sensors without an external FIFO. The 169-LBGA package keeps the camera board compact. Designers can include a serial configuration device on the same PCB so the vision interface boots immediately at power-up. Typical companion logic includes LVDS transmitters and video decoders on the sensor side.
Recommended
Industrial I/O and Protocol Bridging
EP4CGX15BF14C8N provides enough logic and I/O to bridge UART, SPI, I2C, and custom industrial protocols. The 14,400 logic elements implement state machines, Manchester encoding, checksums, and timing generators, while the 72 I/Os support multiple configurable I/O banks. Because the core runs from 1.15 V to 1.25 V, dynamic power is low even when protocol processing is continuous. Designers can place the FPGA between industrial transceivers and a host processor, offloading real-time framing tasks. The small 169-LBGA package is suitable for compact PLC I/O cards and motor-drive interface modules. Reusing the same PCB across C8N, C7N, or I7N variants simplifies speed and temperature upgrades.
Recommended
Video Surveillance I/O Bridge
In video surveillance systems, EP4CGX15BF14C8N can capture BT.656 or parallel YCbCr video streams, add timestamping, and pass processed pixels to an encoder or network SoC. The available 552,960 bits of RAM are sufficient for 8-bit line buffering, frame-dropping control, and simple overlay logic. Its 72 I/Os accommodate standard video decoders and low-speed control interfaces such as UART and I2C. Because the design is small, the FPGA can be used as a companion to a main video codec rather than as the codec itself. Using the C8N commercial variant minimizes BOM cost for indoor surveillance equipment, while the A7N variant can serve broader-temperature outdoor cameras.
Recommended
Small-Cell and Telecom Control Logic
Cyclone IV GX devices such as EP4CGX15BF14C8N are used in telecom line cards and small-cell control planes for reset sequencing, status monitoring, register mapping, and SERDES sideband control in larger GX packages. In this F14 variant, the 14,400 LEs implement protocol state machines and the 72 I/Os connect to PHYs, clock synthesizers, and host processors. 402 MHz I/O toggle capability supports high-speed parallel bus interfaces such as 16-bit ULCA or memory-mapped control buses. The embedded RAM stores small packet counters and FIFOs. This application benefits from the low-power 1.15 V to 1.25 V core, reducing thermal load in sealed telecom enclosures.
Recommended
Broadcast and Pro-Audio Routing Bridges
EP4CGX15BF14C8N can implement audio/video routing and synchronization glue in broadcast equipment. Its logic elements handle time-slot mapping and GPIO for tally and control panels, while the 552,960-bit RAM supplies small audio and video FIFOs for de-jittering. The 72 I/Os connect to SDI/audio PHYs, AES/EBU receivers, and external microcontrollers. A 402 MHz maximum I/O clock is more than sufficient for audio clocks and control interfaces. Because broadcast applications often need long product life, the commercial C8N variant provides an established, widely stocked density point. The compact 169-LBGA footprint helps fit PCIe-style or rack-unit cards with dense board layouts.
Recommended
SDR/RF Control and Monitoring Interface
EP4CGX15BF14C8N is useful in software-defined radio systems as the control and monitoring FPGA between an RF front end and a DSP processor. It can implement SPI register access, gain/attenuator control, frequency divider state machines, and digital envelope monitoring. The 72 I/Os connect to ADCs, DACs, PLL synthesizers, and RF switches. In this role the FPGA does not perform heavy DSP but provides low-latency deterministic control, leaving the host processor free for baseband algorithms. The low-power 1.15 V to 1.25 V core is valuable in portable or thermally constrained radio designs, while the availability of I7N and A7N order variants supports extended-temperature field deployment.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP4CGX15BF14C8N — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP4CGX15BF14C7N | EP4CGX15BF14C6N | EP4CGX15BF14A7N |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) |
| FPGA Family | Cyclone IV GX | Cyclone IV GX | Cyclone IV GX | Cyclone IV GX |
| Package | 169-LBGA | 169-LBGA - same | 169-LBGA - same | 169-LBGA - same |
| Logic Elements | 14400 | 14400 | 14400 | 14400 |
| Total RAM Bits | 552960 | 552960 | 552960 | 552960 |
| User I/Os | 72 | 72 | 72 | 72 |
| Core Supply Voltage | 1.15 V to 1.25 V | 1.15 V to 1.25 V | 1.15 V to 1.25 V | 1.15 V to 1.25 V |
| Speed Grade / Temperature Grade | 8 / Commercial (C) | 7 / Commercial (C) | 6 / Commercial (C) | 7 / Automotive-grade (A) |
Key Differentiators
- Pin-compatible speed/temperature grade family (vs EP4CGX15BF14C7N)
- Commercial-grade C8N ordering point (vs EP4CGX15BF14A7N)
- Balanced density in a small 169-LBGA package (vs Larger Cyclone IV GX density variants)
Design Notes
EP4CGX15BF14C8N is a Cyclone IV GX FPGA with a 1.15 V to 1.25 V core supply. Place multiple 100 nF ceramic capacitors close to each core VCC ball, and add 1 uF to 10 uF bulk capacitors per supply cluster on the BGA underside or near vias. Because the package is 169-LBGA, route power planes with multiple vias between the BGA pads and internal power/ground planes. Verify the VCCIO voltage for each I/O bank and the required configuration/auxiliary supplies from the Cyclone IV GX handbook.
The 169-LBGA package has a 1.0 mm or smaller ball pitch depending on the exact package option, so use controlled-diameter vias and adequate solder-mask expansion for the inner rows. For differential LVDS or other high-speed I/O, define 100 Ohm differential and 50 Ohm single-ended impedances on the PCB stack-up. Keep clock traces short, use a solid ground reference, and avoid splitting the ground plane beneath the FPGA. Reference Intel/Altera Cyclone IV GX board design guidelines for pin/pad and routing details.
Because EP4CGX15BF14C8N is SRAM-based, it must be configured after power-up by a serial configuration device or a host. Common companions include Intel/Altera EPCS and EPCQ serial flash devices. Select MSEL pins for the desired configuration scheme, and ensure the configuration voltage rail matches the selected flash. In production, leave JTAG access for boundary scan and in-system updates. A missing or incorrectly strapped configuration device is the most common cause of 'blank FPGA' failures on prototype boards.
Do not assume unused I/O pins are safe to leave floating; assign unused pins as inputs with weak pull-ups or as outputs driving low in the Quartus Prime project to reduce crowbar current. Confirm every I/O bank supply is powered even if the bank is unused. When changing between C8N, C7N, C6N, I7N, or A7N variants, rerun timing closure because speed grade changes affect fMAX and timing reports even though the pinout is identical.
Compliance Information
Compliance status is not explicitly stated in the supplied web data. Verify actual RoHS/REACH/lead-free status with Intel/Altera ordering information before claiming compliance.
