EP4CGX30CF23C7 - Cyclone IV GX FPGA 29K LE 484-FBGA | Intel
MPN: EP4CGX30CF23C7 ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $156.4 | $156.40 |
| 10 | $151.85 | $1,518.50 |
| 60 | $146.28 | $8,776.80 |
| 100 | $142.1 | $14,210.00 |
| 500 | $137.62 | $68,810.00 |
EP4CGX30CF23C7 Overview
An FPGA is a user-configurable logic device whose internal architecture is built from an array of look-up tables (LUTs), flip-flops, programmable interconnect, and dedicated hard-IP blocks such as transceivers, PLLs, and memory controllers. FPGAs sit at the top of the programmable logic hierarchy and allow hardware engineers to implement arbitrary digital circuits - including bus interfaces, DSP pipelines, and custom accelerators - after PCB fabrication. The Cyclone IV GX series specifically emphasizes low total system cost by combining 3.125 Gbps multi-gigabit transceivers, hard PCIe and memory controllers, and integrated transceivers into a 60 nm process optimized for power-sensitive applications such as industrial video, broadcast, and wireless backhaul.
Key features of the EP4CGX30CF23C7 include 1840 logic array blocks (LABs), four PLLs, two 3.125 Gbps transceiver channels (where offered in the GX family), and 80 dedicated 18x18 multipliers for DSP pipelines. The 484-ball FBGA package exposes all 290 user I/Os and supports LVDS, LVCMOS, SSTL, and HSTL I/O standards with hot-socketing capability. Embedded memory totals 1.05 Mbit organized as 30 kbit M9K blocks, and the device supports common external memory interfaces including DDR/DDR2 SDRAM and QDRII SRAM via dedicated hard controllers.
The Cyclone IV GX architecture pairs a 4-input LUT fabric with embedded transceivers and a flexible I/O ring, allowing designers to consolidate what would otherwise be a multi-chip implementation - a discrete FPGA plus a separate transceiver PHY - into a single device. This integration reduces board area, BOM cost, and signal-integrity risk on high-speed serial links. The integrated transceivers support PCIe Gen1 x1/x2, Gigabit Ethernet, Serial RapidIO, and CPRI, while the Quartus II design software provides pre-verified PHY IP that slashes development time for serial-protocol bridge applications.
Typical applications include industrial video capture and processing cards, low-cost PCIe endpoint cards, video broadcast converters, motor-control front-ends, and handheld test equipment that require a mix of parallel processing and high-speed serial I/O. The combination of integrated transceivers, DSP blocks, and a low-cost 1.2 V core also suits wireless picocell baseband processing and serial RapidIO bridging in legacy telecom backplanes.
When designing with this device, confirm the required temperature grade and transceiver count for your application - the EP4CGX30CF23C7 is the commercial-grade, 8-transceiver variant in the FBGA-484 pinout. Power planning must account for transceiver dynamic current, which dominates the power budget when the serial links are active; use the Quartus II PowerPlay early power estimator before PCB layout.
Drop-in alternatives for EP4CGX30CF23C7 — 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 EP4CGX30CF23C7 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, Speed Grade, Transceivers, Package, Process Technology.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP4CGX30CF23C8N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$60.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CGX30CF23I7N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$41.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CGX30CF23C6N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$85.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CGX30CF23I7
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$55.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CGX30CF23C7N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$71.59 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CGX30CF23C7 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Series | Cyclone IV GX |
| Logic Elements | 29,440 |
| Logic Array Blocks (LABs) | 1,840 |
| Embedded Memory | 1,105,920 bits (1.05 Mbit) |
| Embedded Multipliers (18x18) | 80 |
| PLLs | 4 |
| Maximum User I/Os | 290 |
| Transceiver Channels | 8 (3.125 Gbps) |
| Core Voltage | 1.2 V |
| Package | 484-ball FBGA (F23) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | 0 C to +85 C (commercial) |
| Process Node | 60 nm |
| Configuration Method | Serial/Parallel via Quartus II |
| RoHS Status | Non-compliant (per ICs-100.com stock listing) |
EP4CGX30CF23C7 484-ball fbga (f23) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP4CGX30CF23C7 (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 EP4CGX30CF23C7.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP4CGX30CF23C7 is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Video Capture and Processing, Low-Cost PCIe Endpoint Cards, Wireless Picocell Baseband Processing, Video Broadcast Format Converters, Motor Control and Industrial Drive Front-Ends, Handheld Test and Measurement Equipment.
Industrial Video Capture and Processing
The EP4CGX30CF23C7 is well suited for industrial video capture and processing cards because it combines 29,440 logic elements and 80 dedicated 18x18 multipliers in a single 484-FBGA device. Its 3.125 Gbps transceiver channels accept Camera Link, CoaXPress, or GigE Vision serial streams directly, while the on-chip DSP blocks perform real-time color-space conversion and edge detection. The 1.2 V low-power core keeps board thermal design within industrial enclosures, and the 290 user I/Os expose parallel video buses to companion image sensors or HDMI/DVI bridges.
Recommended
Low-Cost PCIe Endpoint Cards
The Cyclone IV GX family integrates hard PCIe Gen1 x1/x2 IP cores with multi-gigabit transceivers, allowing the EP4CGX30CF23C7 to implement a complete PCIe endpoint without an external PHY. With 29K logic elements it can host bus-bridge state machines, DMA engines, and protocol glue while sustaining PCIe Gen1 line rate. Designers can implement half-height, half-length PCIe cards for data-acquisition, instrumentation, or industrial-control endpoints where BOM cost is critical.
Recommended
Wireless Picocell Baseband Processing
The 8 transceiver channels of the EP4CGX30CF23C7 support CPRI and OBSAI fronthaul links to picocell radio heads at up to 3.125 Gbps, while the 80 DSP multipliers perform baseband channelization, FFT/iFFT, and digital predistortion in a single chip. The 1,105,920 bits of embedded memory buffer FFT windows without external SRAM for moderate channel counts. The 1.2 V core and 60 nm process keep the device under typical picocell power budgets of 8-12 W.
Recommended
Video Broadcast Format Converters
Broadcast studios need to convert between SDI, HDMI, DisplayPort, and analog video formats in real time. The EP4CGX30CF23C7 with 290 I/Os supports multi-format parallel video buses, while 80 multipliers handle color-space conversion and scaling operations. Its integrated transceivers ingest 3G-SDI streams at 2.97 Gbps directly, eliminating external cable equalizers and reducing bill-of-materials cost for converter boxes.
Recommended
Motor Control and Industrial Drive Front-Ends
Servo drives and industrial inverters require deterministic pulse-width modulators, encoder interfaces, and fast current-loop computation. The EP4CGX30CF23C7 hosts the PWM generator, SVPWM modulator, and 80 18x18 multipliers for Park/Clarke transforms and PID loops in a single device. The 290 user I/Os interface to multi-axis encoder feedback, while the integrated transceivers carry EtherCAT, SERCOS III, or proprietary fiber-optic links to the motion controller.
Recommended
Handheld Test and Measurement Equipment
Portable oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and protocol analyzers benefit from the EP4CGX30CF23C7's combination of low power (1.2 V core), high I/O count (290), and integrated transceivers. The DSP multipliers implement FIR filters for signal conditioning, while the 1.05 Mbit of embedded memory buffers waveform captures. The 484-FBGA package fits inside handheld enclosures with multi-layer PCBs, and the Quartus II PowerPlay tools enable runtime thermal optimization for battery operation.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP4CGX30CF23C7 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP4CGX30CF23C8N | EP4CGX30CF23I7N | EP4CGX30CF23C6N | EP4CGX30CF23C7N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel |
| Package | 484-FBGA (F23) | 484-FBGA (F23) - same | 484-FBGA (F23) - same | 484-FBGA (F23) - same | 484-FBGA (F23) - same |
| Logic Elements | 29,440 | 29,440 | 29,440 | 29,440 | 29,440 |
| Speed Grade | C7 (commercial) | C8 (faster) | I7 (industrial) | C6 (slower) | C7 (commercial) |
| Operating Temperature | 0 C to +85 C | 0 C to +85 C | -40 C to +100 C | 0 C to +85 C | 0 C to +85 C |
| Transceiver Channels | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Pb-free Finish (RoHS) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Embedded Memory | 1,105,920 bits | 1,105,920 bits | 1,105,920 bits | 1,105,920 bits | 1,105,920 bits |
Key Differentiators
- Drop-in Pb-free alternative with same speed grade (vs EP4CGX30CF23C7N)
- Industrial temperature range option (vs EP4CGX30CF23I7N)
- Higher speed grade available without PCB rework (vs EP4CGX30CF23C8N)
Design Notes
Estimated: at maximum toggle activity with all 8 transceivers active at 3.125 Gbps and 100% logic utilization on the 60 nm process, the EP4CGX30CF23C7 can dissipate 2.5-3.5 W. Use the Quartus II PowerPlay early power estimator with actual toggle rates and transceiver utilization to refine this estimate. A 4-layer PCB with a dedicated ground plane and thermal via array beneath the 484-FBGA is recommended to keep junction temperature below 85 C for commercial-grade operation.
The 8 multi-gigabit transceivers require controlled-impedance (100 ohm differential) routing on the PCB. Place AC-coupling capacitors within 200 mil of the transmitter balls, and keep the differential pair length-matched to within 5 mil. Reference the Cyclone IV GX Transceiver Layout Guidelines (Altera application note AN532) for via stitching and stackup recommendations specific to the F23 package.
Do not confuse the EP4CGX30CF23 (F23, 484-ball) with the EP4CGX30CF19 (F19, 324-ball) - the packages have different ball counts and pinouts and are NOT pin-compatible. Similarly, EP4CGX30BF14 (BGA-256 F14) is a smaller-footprint variant. Always check the F-number in the package designator matches your PCB land pattern before ordering.
Compliance Information
EP4CGX30CF23C7 uses SnPb (leaded) ball finish and is RoHS non-compliant per distributor listing. The 'N' suffix variants (e.g., EP4CGX30CF23C7N, EP4CGX30CF23I7N) are Pb-free / RoHS-compliant drop-in alternatives. AEC-Q100 qualification not applicable as this is a commercial-grade FPGA not targeting automotive applications.
