EP4CGX30CF23C6 - 29.4K LEs Cyclone IV GX FPGA 484-BGA | Intel
MPN: EP4CGX30CF23C6 ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $38.75 | $38.75 |
| 10 | $35.2 | $352.00 |
| 100 | $31.1 | $3,110.00 |
| 500 | $27.85 | $13,925.00 |
| 1,000 | $25.4 | $25,400.00 |
EP4CGX30CF23C6 Overview
A Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a programmable logic device whose architecture sits between standard logic ICs and ASICs in the design hierarchy. The Cyclone IV GX family specifically targets cost-optimized applications that still require multi-gigabit transceivers, sitting at the lower end of the transceiver-equipped FPGA market. Its 1.2 V core voltage, 60 nm process node, and LVDS/LVCMOS/PCIe-friendly I/O banks give designers a flexible fabric for parallel and serial data paths on a single die.
Key features include 30,000 logic elements (with 29,440 cells per the device variant), 66 (9-bit) 18 x 18 multipliers for DSP, 1,105,920 bits of embedded RAM organized into M9K blocks, four 3.125 Gbps transceivers, four phase-locked loops (PLLs), and PCI Express hard IP. The C6 speed grade in a commercial temperature grade (0 C to +85 C) suits general-purpose embedded computing, video bridging, and motor-control applications where industrial grade parts are not required.
Architecturally, the Cyclone IV GX combines a logic fabric of LABs (Logic Array Blocks), embedded memory columns, DSP blocks, and routing resources with hardened serial transceivers - all configured through SRAM-based configuration cells. Designers capture logic in HDL, then synthesize, place-and-route, and bitstream-generate using the Quartus Prime design suite. JTAG, Active Serial (AS), and Passive Serial (PS) configuration modes are supported.
Typical applications include industrial control and human-machine interface panels, machine-vision camera bridges, low-cost PCIe endpoint cards, motor drives, video format conversion, and portable/handheld test equipment. The transceiver-rich I/O makes it particularly useful for converting between parallel video buses and serial protocols such as Camera Link, DisplayPort, or PCIe.
When designing with this device, ensure the PCB land pattern follows the 1.0 mm pitch FBGA-484 recommendation and that multi-rail decoupling uses 100 nF and 10 uF ceramics placed close to the power pins. Configuration is volatile - select a configuration flash device and follow Altera's MSL 3 floor-life guidelines when handling bare die packages.
This page consolidates distributor pricing as of 2026-09-10, drop-in alternative FPGAs in the same FBGA-484 footprint, and practical board-level design guidance not always visible in the manufacturer handbook.
Drop-in alternatives for EP4CGX30CF23C6 — 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 EP4CGX30CF23C6 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, Speed Grade, Process Technology, Transceivers, Package.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP4CGX30CF23C6N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$85.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CGX30CF23C7N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$71.59 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CGX30CF23C8N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$60.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CGX30CF23I7N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$41.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CGX30CF23C8
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$62.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CGX30CF23I6N
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP4CGX30CF23I7
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$55.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CGX30CF23C7
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$137.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CGX30CF23C6 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | Cyclone IV GX |
| Logic Elements | 29,440 |
| Logic Array Blocks (LABs) | 1,840 |
| Total Memory Bits | 1,105,920 |
| Embedded Memory | M9K blocks |
| DSP 18x18 Multipliers | 66 |
| Maximum User I/Os | 290 |
| Transceivers | 4 channels, up to 3.125 Gbps |
| PLLs | 4 |
| Core Voltage | 1.2 V |
| Process Node | 60 nm |
| Package | 484-ball FBGA (F23) |
| Speed Grade | C6 (commercial) |
| Operating Temperature | 0 C to +85 C (commercial) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 3 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
EP4CGX30CF23C6 484-ball fbga (f23) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP4CGX30CF23C6 (484-ball fbga (f23) 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 EP4CGX30CF23C6.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP4CGX30CF23C6 is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial PCIe Endpoint Card, Machine Vision Camera Link Bridge, Video Format Conversion, Motor Control and Drive Electronics, Portable Test and Measurement Equipment, Industrial Human-Machine Interface (HMI).
Industrial PCIe Endpoint Card
The EP4CGX30CF23C6 is widely used for industrial PCIe Gen1 endpoint cards in factory automation and data-acquisition systems. Its four integrated 3.125 Gbps transceivers can be configured as one or two PCIe hard-IP lanes, eliminating the need for an external PHY and reducing BOM cost. With 29,440 logic elements and 1,105,920 bits of embedded RAM, the device comfortably fits typical endpoint designs such as multi-channel ADC streaming buffers, encoder counters, and machine-vision frame grabbers. Quartus Prime provides a verified PCIe IP core that lets engineers reach link-up within hours rather than weeks. The 1.2 V core and 290 user I/Os support both legacy parallel buses (LVCMOS/LVDS) and modern differential pairs on the same die, ideal when the host SBC needs to bridge to industrial sensors.
Recommended
Machine Vision Camera Link Bridge
In machine-vision Camera Link and CoaXPress bridge designs, the EP4CGX30CF23C6 acts as the protocol converter between a high-speed camera interface and a host processor. The four 3.125 Gbps transceivers are fast enough to handle Camera Link's Full/80-bit modes when paired with an external deserializer, while the 66 18x18 DSP multipliers accelerate Bayer demosaic and color-correction pre-processing. Its 1,105,920 bits of embedded RAM serve as line buffers for image pipelines, and 290 user I/Os expose LVDS/CMOS channels for shutter, GPIO, and trigger synchronization. The commercial 0-85 C temperature range is well matched to factory-floor enclosures. Designers typically load bitstreams via the JTAG port during development and Active Serial flash in production.
Recommended
Video Format Conversion
The EP4CGX30CF23C6 powers video format converters that translate between HDMI, DisplayPort, MIPI, LVDS, and parallel RGB/YC interfaces. Its abundant LVDS-capable user I/Os (up to 290) accommodate multi-lane display serializers, and the embedded M9K memory blocks form effective line buffers for rate-matching between different pixel clocks. Designers use the four PLLs to derive independent pixel clocks for input, output, and memory controller domains, with deterministic latency maintained by hard PLL phase shifting. The four 3.125 Gbps transceivers can drive DisplayPort 1.1a or HDMI 1.4 over an external level shifter, making the device a flexible front-end for multi-format scaler boards, projectors, and digital signage controllers.
Recommended
Motor Control and Drive Electronics
Motor drives for industrial servo and stepper systems use the EP4CGX30CF23C6 to implement field-oriented control (FOC), space-vector PWM, and encoder feedback decoding. The 66 18x18 DSP multipliers accelerate the Clarke/Park transforms and PID loops running at typical 16 kHz to 32 kHz update rates. With 290 user I/Os, the FPGA easily interfaces to Hall sensors, quadrature encoders, resolver-to-digital converters, and isolated gate drivers. Designers often pair the Cyclone IV GX with external op-amps and current-sense ADCs. The C6 commercial speed grade is appropriate for indoor control cabinets; industrial variants like EP4CGX30CF23I7N extend operation to -40 C to +100 C for outdoor or vehicle-mounted drives.
Recommended
Portable Test and Measurement Equipment
Handheld oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, protocol analyzers, and bench-top signal generators use the EP4CGX30CF23C6 as the central processing hub. The four transceivers deliver up to 3.125 Gbps for high-speed serial decode (USB 3.0 front-end, SATA, PCIe), while 1,105,920 bits of embedded RAM provide deep acquisition buffers for waveform capture. The 1.2 V core and power-efficient Cyclone IV GX architecture suit battery-powered operation. With 290 user I/Os, the FPGA can directly probe multi-channel analog front-ends, multiplex LCD displays, and drive touch-screen controllers from a single chip. Quartus Prime allows IP reuse across product variants, shortening time-to-market for OEM test-equipment vendors.
Recommended
Industrial Human-Machine Interface (HMI)
Touch-screen operator panels and HMI controllers in factory automation often use the EP4CGX30CF23C6 to bridge between touch controllers, TFT displays, network interfaces, and the host PLC. The abundant LVDS-capable user I/Os drive high-resolution 18/24-bit RGB panels, and the embedded M9K memory acts as a frame buffer for partial-screen updates. The four transceivers support EtherCAT, PROFINET, or Sercos industrial Ethernet via external PHYs. Designers benefit from Quartus Prime's Nios II soft-core processor for running real-time OS tasks such as touch de-bounce, gesture recognition, and protocol stack processing. The commercial temperature grade suits indoor control panels; industrial variants serve outdoor or refrigerated environments.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP4CGX30CF23C6 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP4CGX30CF23C6N | EP4CGX30CF23C7N | EP4CGX30CF23C8N | EP4CGX30CF23I7N | EP4CGX30CF23I6N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 484-ball FBGA (F23) | 484-ball FBGA (F23) - same | 484-ball FBGA (F23) - same | 484-ball FBGA (F23) - same | 484-ball FBGA (F23) - same | 484-ball FBGA (F23) - same |
| Brand | Intel (formerly Altera) | Intel - same | Intel - same | Intel - same | Intel - same | Intel - same |
| Logic Elements | 29,440 | 29,440 | 29,440 | 29,440 | 29,440 | 29,440 |
| Speed Grade | C6 (commercial) | C6 | C7 (faster) | C8 (fastest) | I7 (industrial) | I6 (industrial) |
| Temperature Grade | Commercial 0 to +85 C | Commercial 0 to +85 C | Commercial 0 to +85 C | Commercial 0 to +85 C | Industrial -40 to +100 C | Industrial -40 to +100 C |
| User I/Os | 290 | 290 | 290 | 290 | 290 | 290 |
| Transceivers | 4 x 3.125 Gbps | 4 x 3.125 Gbps | 4 x 3.125 Gbps | 4 x 3.125 Gbps | 4 x 3.125 Gbps | 4 x 3.125 Gbps |
| RoHS / Pb-free | Non-Pb-free (SnPb) | Pb-free (RoHS) | Pb-free (RoHS) | Pb-free (RoHS) | Pb-free (RoHS) | Pb-free (RoHS) |
| Embedded Memory Bits | 1,105,920 | 1,105,920 | 1,105,920 | 1,105,920 | 1,105,920 | 1,105,920 |
| Approx. Unit Price (1 pc) | $38.75 | $40.10 | $44.20 | $48.50 | $52.30 | $50.85 |
Key Differentiators
- Pb-free / RoHS compliance with identical silicon (vs EP4CGX30CF23C6N)
- Faster speed grade drop-in for tight timing margin (vs EP4CGX30CF23C7N)
- Industrial temperature support in identical footprint (vs EP4CGX30CF23I7N)
Design Notes
Estimated: the FBGA-484 (F23) package uses 1.0 mm ball pitch. Per Altera AN 532 (Cyclone IV GX Board Design Guidelines), the PCB requires at minimum a 4-layer stack-up with a continuous ground plane beneath the device. Use 100 nF X7R 0402 capacitors within 100 mils of every VCCINT/VCCIO power pin and 10 uF bulk ceramics distributed around the package perimeter. Microvia-in-pad is strongly recommended for the inner balls to maintain signal-integrity on multi-gigabit transceivers.
Estimated: at maximum toggle rate with all four transceivers active at 3.125 Gbps, the EP4CGX30CF23C6 may dissipate up to 2.5 W. Without airflow, junction temperature can approach 95 C in a commercial variant. Designers should provide at least 4 thermal vias per thermal pad ball and connect them to an inner ground plane for heat spreading. Industrial variants in enclosed enclosures should include a small heatsink or active airflow when sustained transceiver traffic is expected.
Per the Cyclone IV GX handbook, the four 3.125 Gbps transceivers require 100-ohm differential routing with intra-pair skew under 5 mils and maximum trace length of 6 inches. Reference the Altera Cyclone IV GX Transceiver User Guide for eye-diagram compliance masks. Power-rail decoupling for the XCVR_VCC supply must use a Pi network (10 uF | 100 nF | ferrite bead) to isolate switching noise from sensitive analog blocks.
Do not assume the EP4CGX30CF19I7N (F19 / 324-ball) is drop-in compatible with the EP4CGX30CF23C6 (F23 / 484-ball). The F19 and F23 packages have different ball maps, pin counts, and I/O assignments. Configuration mode selection (AS/PS/JTAG) must use the correct MSEL[2:0] strapping per the datasheet - mis-setting MSEL is a common reason for first-time board bring-up failure. Configuration flash devices must be Cyclone IV GX compatible (e.g., EPCQ64 or EPCQ128) to avoid bitstream format mismatch.
Keep all JTAG pins (TCK, TMS, TDI, TDO) routed with 50-ohm single-ended impedance and pulled up per the handbook to prevent spurious configuration. Separate analog PLL power (VCCA_PLL) from digital VCCINT with a ferrite bead and dedicated decoupling. For PCIe endpoint designs, the 100 MHz reference clock must have a Pi filter and be length-matched to within 25 mils across all lanes used.
Compliance Information
EP4CGX30CF23C6 ships with SnPb ball finish (non-RoHS). Use EP4CGX30CF23C6N (Pb-free 'N' suffix) for RoHS compliance. AEC-Q100 not applicable - this is a programmable logic device, not a discrete automotive IC, though automotive-grade variants exist in the Cyclone IV family.
