EP4CGX22BF14I8 - Cyclone IV GX FPGA, 21K LE | Altera
MPN: EP4CGX22BF14I8 ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $72.5 | $72.50 |
| 10 | $63.8 | $638.00 |
| 100 | $52.4 | $5,240.00 |
| 500 | $46.9 | $23,450.00 |
| 1,000 | $41.3 | $41,300.00 |
EP4CGX22BF14I8 Overview
An FPGA is a semiconductor device that can be configured after manufacturing to implement arbitrary digital logic. The Cyclone IV GX family sits inside the FPGA hierarchy as a cost-optimized, transceiver-capable device family: FPGA -> programmable logic device -> integrated circuit -> semiconductor. This part is frequently selected when an ASIC or ASSP is too expensive or too inflexible, and when a microcontroller does not provide enough parallel I/O or high-speed data processing. In a system, FPGAs typically sit between sensors, processors, and high-speed serial links, performing protocol handling, DSP, or glue logic.
Key features include 21,280 logic elements, 774,144 bits of embedded RAM, and 72 user I/Os in the 169-ball F14 package. The Cyclone IV GX family is built on a 60 nm low-power process with a 1.2 V core supply. The I suffix indicates industrial temperature capability, useful for outdoor, factory, and transportation applications. Because this is the F14 package variant, boards can remain compact while still offering moderate logic density for protocol bridging, line buffering, and simple DSP.
Once configured from an external EPCQ serial flash or through JTAG, the FPGA implements the designers logic entirely in hardware. The 774,144 RAM bits can be used as FIFOs, shift registers, or small packet buffers. The 72 user I/Os support a wide range of single-ended and differential I/O standards, allowing the device to talk to DDR memories, ADCs, DACs, PHYs, and processors without extra level-shifting in most designs.
Typical applications for the EP4CGX22BF14I8 include industrial motor-control I/O, machine-vision camera front-ends, software-defined-radio IF processing, communication edge switches, medical imaging preprocessing, and aerospace sensor aggregation. The industrial-temperature version is especially useful in unheated enclosures or remote sites where commercial parts cannot be guaranteed.
A key design consideration is clean power delivery. Use separate low-noise regulators for VCCINT, VCCAUX, and VCCIO and place decoupling capacitors as close as possible to the FPGA balls. Because the core is only 1.2 V, even a modest 1 A regulator can support many logic designs, but the configuration I/O bank should be sequenced correctly during power-up.
This page synthesizes distributor listings, drop-in F14 package alternatives, and practical FPGA design guidance not repeated in the manufacturer datasheet. Pricing shown is a market estimate as of 2026-09-10; always confirm stock and cost through XAIPART before ordering.
Drop-in alternatives for EP4CGX22BF14I8 — 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 EP4CGX22BF14I8 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Transceivers, Operating Temperature, Process Technology, PLLs.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP4CGX22BF14I8N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$25.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CGX22BF14I7
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$39.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CGX22BF14I7N
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$45.9 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CGX22BF14C8N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$21.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CGX22BF14C8
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$24.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CGX22BF14C7N
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$39.48 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CGX22BF14C7
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$23.6 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CGX22BF14C6N
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$42.14 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CGX22BF14I8 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| FPGA Family | Cyclone IV GX |
| Device Type | FPGA |
| Logic Elements / Cells | 21280 |
| Total RAM Bits | 774144 bits |
| Number of User I/Os | 72 |
| Core Supply Voltage | 1.2 V |
| Process Technology | 60 nm |
| Package Type | 169-FBGA (F14) |
| Number of Pins | 169 |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial (I suffix) |
| Speed Grade | 8 |
EP4CGX22BF14I8 169-fbga (f14) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP4CGX22BF14I8 (169-fbga (f14) 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 EP4CGX22BF14I8.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP4CGX22BF14I8 is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Automation and Motor Control, Machine Vision Camera Front-End, Software-Defined Radio IF Processing, Communication Edge Switch and Protocol Bridge, Medical Imaging and Ultrasound Preprocessing, Aerospace and Defense Sensor Aggregation.
Industrial Automation and Motor Control
Industrial automation and motion control benefit from parallel FPGA I/O and deterministic timing. The EP4CGX22BF14I8, with 72 user I/Os and 21,280 logic elements, can implement stepper and servo PWM generators, quadrature encoder counters, or fieldbus bridge glue logic in front of a host CPU. Its 1.2 V core and 60 nm process lower dynamic power compared with older 90 nm FPGAs, which simplifies power budgeting in compact PLCs and robot controllers. Because the I-grade target supports industrial temperature, the 169-ball FBGA can be placed on a small control board with moderate airflow. Use a serial configuration flash such as EPCQ16SI8N and separate 1.2 V, 2.5 V, and 3.3 V power islands to keep the core and I/O banks clean.
Recommended
Machine Vision Camera Front-End
Machine-vision systems need high-bandwidth pixel capture and preprocessing without loading the main processor. The EP4CGX22BF14I8 can receive 8-, 10-, or 12-bit parallel image data, perform Bayer conversion, simple thresholding, or region-of-interest windowing, and buffer lines in the 774,144-bit embedded RAM. Its 72 pin-compatible user I/Os connect to CMOS image sensors and an LVDS or parallel bridge to the host SoC. The industrial I-grade version is suitable for inspection cameras mounted near ovens, freezers, or outdoor conveyor lines. A typical front-end uses an image sensor plus an EPCQ serial flash for configuration; the FPGA provides deterministic latency and offloads the host processor from low-level pixel manipulation, making it easier to achieve real-time inspection at modest power.
Recommended
Software-Defined Radio IF Processing
The EP4CGX22BF14I8 is suitable for software-defined-radio IF processing because Cyclone IV GX devices include transceiver capable I/O for clean serial data interfaces. With 21,280 logic elements, the FPGA can run FIR filters, numerically controlled oscillator mixers, and digital down/up-conversion datapaths at moderate sample rates. The 774,144 RAM bits hold coefficient tables and FIFO buffers, while 72 user I/Os connect high-speed ADCs, DACs, and a host microcontroller. The 1.2 V core and 60 nm process reduce power in battery-powered receivers. When designing for best converter SNR, isolate the ADC clock and decouple the 1.2 V core rail with low-noise LDOs and balanced decoupling caps.
Recommended
Communication Edge Switch and Protocol Bridge
Cost-optimized 1G edge switches, protocol converters, and industrial Ethernet endpoints can use the EP4CGX22BF14I8 for packet parsing, CRC checking, FIFO buffering, and small lookup tables. The 21,280 logic elements and 774,144 RAM bits provide enough storage for multiple packet queues at line rates. The 72 user I/Os connect Ethernet PHYs and a host processor without requiring an extra bridge FPGA. The 60 nm process and 1.2 V core permit fanless enclosures in many designs, especially when the busy rate is below full-duplex line rate. Use the FPGA to pre-filter frames, timestamp packets, and offload lower-priority protocol tasks. The industrial I8 version is useful for switches installed in unheated roadside or rooftop cabinets.
Recommended
Medical Imaging and Ultrasound Preprocessing
Portable ultrasound and compact medical imaging systems require low-power parallel processing for beamforming, filtering, and scan conversion. The EP4CGX22BF14I8 implements digital filtering, FIR beamforming coefficients, and data FIFOs in its 21,280 logic elements and 774,144 RAM bits. The 72 user I/Os connect to analog-front-end devices or image sensors, while the small 169-ball FBGA saves board area in handheld probes. The 1.2 V core reduces battery drain and the 60 nm process provides mature reliability. The industrial I8 temperature grade benefits mobile carts that may be moved between temperature extremes. Note that the FPGA is not itself a medical safety certified component; the system integrator must still achieve IEC 60601 certification at the product level.
Recommended
Aerospace and Defense Sensor Aggregation
Unmanned vehicles, avionics data concentrators, and payload processors use the EP4CGX22BF14I8 to aggregate multiple serial sensors and camera streams with deterministic scheduling. The 21,280 logic elements implement UART, SPI, and custom sensor interfaces, while the 72 user I/Os allow multiple physical connections to GPS modules, IMUs, and cameras. Industrial I-grade temperature helps systems survive cold-soak and high-temperature mission profiles. The 774,144 RAM bits buffer telemetry before encoding, and the 1.2 V core keeps power low in battery-limited UAVs. Since the target does not carry the N suffix, confirm the ball finish is compatible with your assembly and mission reliability requirements before qualification.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP4CGX22BF14I8 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP4CGX22BF14I8N | EP4CGX22BF14I7N | EP4CGX22BF14C8N |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera |
| Package | 169-FBGA (F14) | 169-FBGA (F14) - same | 169-FBGA (F14) - same | 169-FBGA (F14) - same |
| Logic Elements | 21280 | 21280 | 21280 | 21280 |
| Total RAM Bits | 774144 bits | 774144 bits | 774144 bits | 774144 bits |
| User I/O Count | 72 | 72 | 72 | 72 |
| Core Supply Voltage | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial (I) | Industrial (I) | Industrial (I) | Commercial (C) |
| Speed Grade | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 |
| Lead-Free Finish | No N suffix - compliance unverified | N suffix - lead-free | N suffix - lead-free | N suffix - lead-free |
Key Differentiators
- Industrial I-grade ordering option in a small F14 BGA (vs EP4CGX22BF14C8N)
- Lower speed grade is adequate for many bus and control applications (vs EP4CGX22BF14I7N)
- No N suffix supports legacy tin-lead assembly workflows (vs EP4CGX22BF14I8N)
Design Notes
The EP4CGX22BF14I8 core operates from a 1.2 V supply while I/O banks typically use 2.5 V or 3.3 V. Estimate total current by adding core logic current, I/O toggle current, and PLL/transceiver current after synthesis. Use separate low-noise regulators for VCCINT, VCCAUX, and VCCIO. Place 100 nF ceramic capacitors close to each power ball and 10 uF bulk capacitors on each power plane. Sequencing is not as strict as older FPGA families, but check the Cyclone IV power-up requirements in the device handbook.
The F14 package is a 169-ball FBGA with a compact ball pitch. Route signals from the center of the BGA with blind microvias if possible, or fan out to an inner-layer escape. Keep high-speed transceiver traces impedance-controlled and away from the configuration clock. Add ground vias around the FPGA to reduce loop inductance and to improve EMC. Because this package has no exposed thermal pad, thermal relief from the PCB ground plane and airflow is important.
The most common EP4CGX22BF14I8 design mistakes are incorrect configuration pin strapping, missing serial flash, and powering the VCCIO bank before the core is ready. Use an EPCQ serial flash for master boot and confirm MSEL pins match the chosen configuration scheme. Do not assume the non-N target is RoHS compliant; verify the exact ball finish from the manufacturer before assembly. Also confirm the 72 user I/O count is sufficient for your design because the F14 package has fewer available I/Os than larger Cyclone IV GX packages.
The 60 nm 1.2 V core keeps FPGA power low, but large designs with many I/O toggles and transceivers can still dissipate several watts. Add an airflow estimate during system design and measure the junction temperature if the board will be in an industrial cabinet. Because the industrial I suffix indicates a wider-case operating range, do not assume the device can dissipate unlimited power; the final thermal design should be checked against the Cyclone IV thermal model.
Compliance Information
The EP4CGX22BF14I8 does not include the trailing N suffix used by Altera to order lead-free packages. RoHS/REACH/lead-free status should be confirmed from the manufacturer because the retrieved web data does not state compliance for this non-N variant. The EP4CGX22BF14I8N variant is the lead-free ordering option.
