EP4CGX30CF23C7N - Cyclone IV GX 30K FPGA, 484-BGA | Intel
MPN: EP4CGX30CF23C7N β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $119.31 | $119.31 |
| 10 | $108.46 | $1,084.60 |
| 100 | $89.92 | $8,992.00 |
| 250 | $78.4 | $19,600.00 |
| 500 | $71.59 | $35,795.00 |
EP4CGX30CF23C7N Overview
An FPGA (field-programmable gate array) is a programmable logic device that combines configurable logic blocks (LBs), programmable interconnect, dedicated memory (block RAM), DSP/multiplier blocks, and I/O elements on a single die. Within the broader taxonomy, an FPGA sits between a microcontroller and an ASIC: more flexible than an ASIC but faster and more parallel than a microcontroller. The Cyclone IV GX family is positioned as a low-power, low-cost variant within Intel's FPGA portfolio, adding 3.125 Gbps transceivers on top of the Cyclone IV E logic fabric.
Key features include 4 transceiver channels with 3.125 Gbps data rate support (PCIe Gen1 x1 hard IP, GbE, and CPRI capable), 80 Kbits of distributed RAM, 72 9x9 multiplier blocks (66 18x18 equivalent), 4 PLLs, and configuration via passive serial, fast passive parallel, or JTAG. The device supports up to 290 user I/O with multiple I/O standards including LVDS, LVTTL, LVCMOS, SSTL, and HSTL I/O.
Typical applications include industrial motor control and human-machine interface (HMI) systems, video surveillance and image processing pipelines, low-cost PCIe endpoint cards, communication bridging (PROFIBUS, CAN, GbE), and broadcast equipment. Designers choose Cyclone IV GX when they need a balance of logic density, integrated transceivers, and low unit cost. According to the Cyclone IV Device Family Overview, the device family targets cost-sensitive, high-volume designs where NRE of an ASIC cannot be justified.
When designing with this device, plan for JTAG-based configuration with EPCS serial configuration devices, and use the Quartus II design software (Cyclone IV GX support in Quartus II v9.1 and later) for synthesis, place-and-route, and timing closure. The 484-BGA package is the largest in the EP4CGX30 family and supports the highest I/O count (290 user I/O). Power estimation should use the Quartus PowerPlay early power estimator before PCB commitment.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives within the Cyclone IV GX family, and practical design considerations not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for EP4CGX30CF23C7N 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 EP4CGX30CF23C7N (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Speed Grade, Operating Temperature, Package, Process Technology, Transceivers.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP4CGX30CF23C8N
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View Datasheet βEP4CGX30CF23C7N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Series | Cyclone IV GX |
| Family Name | Cyclone IV GX |
| Logic Elements | 29,440 |
| Total Memory Bits | 1,105,920 bits |
| Number of Logic Blocks / Cells | 29440 |
| Number of I/O | 290 |
| Voltage - Supply | 1.16 V to 1.24 V core (with 2.5 V / 3.3 V I/O) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +85C (TJ, commercial) |
| Package / Case | 484-BGA (FineLine BGA, 23x23 mm) |
| Speed Grade | C7 |
| Transceivers | 4 channels, up to 3.125 Gbps |
| Total Multipliers (9x9) | 80 (66 18x18 equivalent) |
| PLLs | 4 |
| Configuration Method | Passive Serial, Fast Passive Parallel, JTAG |
| MSL Level | 3 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
EP4CGX30CF23C7N 484-bga (fineline bga, 23x23 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP4CGX30CF23C7N (484-bga (fineline bga, 23x23 mm) 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 EP4CGX30CF23C7N.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP4CGX30CF23C7N is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Motor Control, Video Surveillance / Image Processing Pipeline, Low-Cost PCIe Endpoint Cards, Communication Bridging and Protocol Conversion, Broadcast and Professional Audio/Video Equipment, Human-Machine Interface (HMI) Controllers.
Industrial Motor Control
The EP4CGX30CF23C7N is well suited to industrial motor control and drives where its 29,440 logic elements implement PWM generation, encoder decoding (incremental, SSI, EnDat), and field-oriented control (FOC) state machines, while the 4 PLLs provide jitter-cleaned clocks for ADC sampling. The 4 integrated 3.125 Gbps transceivers handle EtherCAT, PROFINET, or SERCOS III industrial Ethernet links without an external PHY. With 290 user I/O, designers can interface directly to multi-axis power-stage boards, gate drivers, and current/voltage feedback ADCs. The device is rated for commercial temperature (0C to +85C junction) suitable for cabinet-mounted drives; for harsh factory-floor environments, use the I7 speed grade variant. Total logic and 66 18x18 multipliers are sufficient for a 3-axis FOC controller running at 32 kHz PWM.
Recommended
Video Surveillance / Image Processing Pipeline
The EP4CGX30CF23C7N handles multi-channel video processing in surveillance DVR/NVR systems where its 29,440 logic elements implement color space conversion (YUV422, RGB), video scaling, motion detection, and H.264 pre-processing frontends, while 80 9x9 multipliers accelerate DCT/IDCT transforms and noise reduction filters. The 1,105,920 bits of embedded RAM serve as line buffers and frame buffers for up to two 720p streams at 60 fps. The integrated transceivers support HD-SDI (1.485 Gbps) and 3G-SDI (2.97 Gbps) input deserialization without external equalizers. With 290 user I/O, multiple camera inputs can be multiplexed in directly. Quartus II video IP cores simplify development, and the commercial temperature grade is suitable for indoor NVR enclosures.
Recommended
Low-Cost PCIe Endpoint Cards
The EP4CGX30CF23C7N provides an integrated PCIe Gen1 x1 hard IP block on its 3.125 Gbps transceivers, eliminating the need for an external bridge chip in low-cost PCIe endpoint designs such as data acquisition cards, industrial I/O boards, and software-defined radio (SDR) interfaces. The 29,440 logic elements implement DMA controllers, custom register sets, and protocol layers above the PCIe Transaction Layer. With 290 user I/O, designers expose FPGA mezzanine or board-specific signals to the host via high-throughput DMA. Quartus II PCIe Compiler generates compliant TL/ DLL/ PHY layers automatically. The 484-BGA package supports desktop add-in card form factors (low-profile and standard). For PCIe Gen2 requirements, migrate to Cyclone V GX.
Recommended
Communication Bridging and Protocol Conversion
The EP4CGX30CF23C7N serves as a multi-protocol bridge for industrial and telecom equipment, converting between PROFIBUS, CAN, RS-485, Modbus, and Gigabit Ethernet without a separate ASIC. Its 4 transceivers at 3.125 Gbps natively support GbE (1000BASE-T/SX) and CPRI for cellular backhaul. The 29,440 logic elements implement protocol stacks for multiple concurrent channels, while 80 multipliers accelerate CRC and encryption operations. With 290 user I/O, the FPGA connects directly to many PHY or galvanic isolation components. The commercial temperature grade fits indoor telecom equipment and industrial control cabinets. Designers use Quartus II SOPC Builder or Platform Designer for rapid Nios II soft-processor integration when software stack support is needed.
Recommended
Broadcast and Professional Audio/Video Equipment
In broadcast routers, audio embedders/de-embedders, and professional AV processing gear, the EP4CGX30CF23C7N handles SDI de/embedding (SMPTE 259M/292M/424M), AES/EBU audio multiplexing, and matrix switching where its transceivers receive and transmit HD/3G-SDI streams at up to 2.97 Gbps. The 29,440 logic elements implement channel routing for up to 16x16 SDI matrices, while 80 multipliers support audio sample-rate conversion and downmixing. With 1 Mbit of embedded RAM, frame stores provide audio/video delay and lip-sync adjustment. The 290 user I/O accommodate BNC connectors and audio interfaces. Commercial temperature grade suits studio environments. Quartus II IP library includes SDI, AES3, and SMPTE 337/338 wrappers to accelerate development.
Recommended
Human-Machine Interface (HMI) Controllers
The EP4CGX30CF23C7N drives industrial HMI panels and touch-screen controllers where it aggregates capacitive-touch sensing, TFT/LCD display timing, backlight PWM, and industrial communication interfaces (EtherCAT, PROFINET) on a single chip. Its 4 transceivers support industrial Ethernet for panel-to-PLC communication, while 290 user I/O connect directly to RGB/ LVDS display interfaces, capacitive-touch controllers, and front-panel keypads. The 29,440 logic elements implement display list rendering and 2D graphics acceleration, while 1 Mbit of embedded RAM serves as frame buffer for WVGA-resolution panels. Commercial temperature grade is suitable for cabinet-mounted panels; choose I7 variant for outdoor or factory-ruggedized HMIs. Quartus II Nios II soft-core enables RTOS-based HMI applications.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP4CGX30CF23C7N β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP4CGX30CF23C8N | EP4CGX30CF23C6N | EP4CGX30CF23I7N | EP4CGX30CF23C7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 484-BGA (F23, 23x23 mm) | 484-BGA (F23, 23x23 mm) - same | 484-BGA (F23, 23x23 mm) - same | 484-BGA (F23, 23x23 mm) - same | 484-BGA (F23, 23x23 mm) - same |
| Brand | Intel (formerly Altera) | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel |
| Logic Elements | 29,440 | 29,440 | 29,440 | 29,440 | 29,440 |
| Total Memory Bits | 1,105,920 bits | 1,105,920 bits | 1,105,920 bits | 1,105,920 bits | 1,105,920 bits |
| User I/O | 290 | 290 | 290 | 290 | 290 |
| Speed Grade | C7 | C8 (faster) | C6 (slower) | I7 (industrial temp) | C7 (same) |
| Transceivers | 4 ch x 3.125 Gbps | 4 ch x 3.125 Gbps | 4 ch x 3.125 Gbps | 4 ch x 3.125 Gbps | 4 ch x 3.125 Gbps |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +85C (commercial) | 0C to +85C (commercial) | 0C to +85C (commercial) | -40C to +100C (industrial) | 0C to +85C (commercial) |
| Multipliers (9x9) | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated 3.125 Gbps transceivers eliminate external PHY (vs EP4CE40F23C7N (Cyclone IV E, no transceivers))
- Commercial C7 speed grade for balanced timing closure and price (vs EP4CGX30CF23C8N (C8 speed grade))
- Mature Quartus II toolchain support since 2009 (vs Newer Cyclone V / Cyclone 10 families)
Design Notes
Estimated: Cyclone IV GX core supply VCCINT is 1.2 V (1.16 V to 1.24 V range), while VCCIO is 1.2/1.5/1.8/2.5/3.3 V depending on bank I/O standard. VCCA is 2.5 V for PLLs. Use a 4-layer PCB with dedicated power planes for VCCINT, VCCIO banks, and GND. Decoupling follows Altera's recommended 100 nF + 10 uF per supply rail, plus 1 uF near each PLL pin. Total quiescent current depends on utilization - use the Quartus PowerPlay early power estimator to size the regulator before committing to PCB.
The 484-BGA package has a typical theta_JA around 12-15 C/W with adequate airflow; without airflow, derate by 30-40%. Estimated: with 4 transceivers active at 3.125 Gbps and 70% logic utilization, total device power can reach 3-5 W. Mount the device on a board with at least 4 thermal vias in the central BGA thermal pad and connect to an internal ground plane. For sealed industrial enclosures, choose the I7 speed grade for thermal margin.
BGA breakout requires 0.8 mm pitch routing in the 484-ball package. Use 4 mil trace/space microvia stack-up (e.g., 4-2-4 build-up) with vias-in-pad for clean escape. Matched-length differential pair routing is mandatory for the 3.125 Gbps transceiver channels - skew target is under 5 ps per inch, with 100-ohm differential impedance. Keep M9K block clock inputs short and use dedicated clock input pins (CLK0-CLK15) for best jitter performance.
Estimated configuration pitfalls: (1) Do not float nCONFIG, nSTATUS, or CONF_DONE pins - pull up to VCCIO with 10 kohm. (2) For passive serial configuration, route the Altera/Intel USB-Blaster header close to the JTAG/AS pins. (3) The CONFIG_SEL pins must match the desired configuration scheme before power-up. (4) When migrating from EP4CGX30 to EP4CGX50 or EP4CGX75, verify pinout compatibility - the higher-density devices have different BGA ball maps.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free per Intel/Altera product page. REACH compliant per distributor listings. AEC-Q100 not applicable (commercial/industrial grade, not automotive). Conflict minerals reporting per Intel CMRT.
