EP4CGX50CF23C6 - Cyclone IV GX FPGA, 49,888 LEs, 484-BGA | Altera
MPN: EP4CGX50CF23C6 ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $234.01 | $234.01 |
| 10 | $218.5 | $2,185.00 |
| 100 | $195 | $19,500.00 |
| 500 | $178.25 | $89,125.00 |
| 1,000 | $162.4 | $162,400.00 |
EP4CGX50CF23C6 Overview
What is an FPGA? A Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a semiconductor device built around a matrix of configurable logic blocks (CLBs/LABs) connected by programmable routing, topped with I/O cells and hard IP such as transceivers, PLLs, and block RAM. FPGAs sit between general-purpose microcontrollers (fixed function, sequential) and ASICs (custom silicon, high NRE) - they deliver hardware parallelism and design-iterability without mask costs. Cyclone IV GX extends the family by adding 3.125 Gbps multi-gigabit transceivers, bridging the gap toward Stratix families.
Key features include 6-input LUT-based logic, 364 18x18 multipliers, 250 MHz maximum operating frequency for the logic fabric, and dedicated hardware for PCI Express Gen1 (x1/x2). The device also integrates a hard memory controller and supports external memory interfaces including DDR2, DDR3, LPDDR2, and QDRII+. Eight 3.125 Gbps transceivers provide high-speed serial connectivity for protocols like PCIe, GbE, CPRI, and Serial RapidIO.
Cyclone IV GX FPGAs are manufactured on a low-power 60 nm process, delivering the Cyclone IV family's hallmark low static and dynamic power. The C6 speed grade places the part in the commercial temperature range (0C to +85C) at a moderate performance tier, suitable for industrial, communications, and consumer equipment where transceivers and DSP throughput are required but not extreme performance.
Typical applications include industrial video and imaging processing, PCIe endpoint expansion cards, low-end wireless baseband signal processing, motor control with encoder interfaces, and broadcast equipment. The 484-BGA package provides ample I/O and signal integrity for high-speed serial designs while remaining manufacturable on standard PCB processes.
When designing with this device, allocate sufficient PCB layers for transceiver routing (typically 6+ layer stack-up), maintain 100-ohm differential impedance on transceiver pairs, and ensure decoupling is placed within the package BGA field. Configuration via JTAG or serial flash should be planned early, and the Quartus II toolchain is required for synthesis, place-and-route, and timing closure.
This page consolidates distributor pricing, drop-in pin-compatible Cyclone IV GX variants, and design considerations not found in the manufacturer datasheet, accelerating part selection for engineers targeting low-cost, transceiver-equipped FPGA designs.
Drop-in alternatives for EP4CGX50CF23C6 — 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 EP4CGX50CF23C6 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Transceivers, Speed Grade, Mounting Type, Process Technology.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP4CGX50CF23C7
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$55.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CGX50CF23C8N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$56.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CGX50CF23I7N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$121.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CGX50CF23C6N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$65.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CGX50CF23C8
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$99.79 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CGX50CF23C6 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Series | Cyclone IV GX |
| Family | Cyclone IV GX |
| Logic Elements (LEs) | 49,888 |
| Logic Array Blocks (LABs) | 3,118 |
| Embedded Memory | 2,562,048 bits |
| Maximum User I/Os | 290 |
| Number of Transceivers | 8 (3.125 Gbps) |
| Multiplier Blocks (18x18) | 364 |
| PLLs | 8 |
| Supply Voltage (Core) | 1.2 V |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +85C (commercial) |
| Speed Grade | C6 |
| Package | 484-BGA (FBGA-484), 23 x 23 mm, 1.0 mm pitch |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Configuration Method | JTAG / Serial / Passive / Fast passive |
EP4CGX50CF23C6 Pin Configuration
| Pin A1 | I/O — User I/O bank 3 |
| Pin A12 | I/O — User I/O bank 4 |
| Pin AC1 | I/O — User I/O bank 5 |
| Pin B12 | I/O — User I/O bank 8 |
| Pin D5 | REFCLK_0 — Transceiver reference clock input |
| Pin D8 | REFCLK_1 — Transceiver reference clock input |
| Pin GND | GND — Ground (multiple balls across BGA field) |
| Pin VCC | VCCINT — Core 1.2 V supply |
| Pin VCCIO1 | VCCIO_1 — I/O bank 1 supply |
| Pin VCCIO8 | VCCIO_8 — I/O bank 8 supply |
| Pin VCCA | VCCA — PLL analog supply |
| Pin VCCPD | VCCPD — Pre-driver supply |
| Pin nCONFIG | nCONFIG — Configuration control |
| Pin nSTATUS | nSTATUS — Configuration status |
| Pin CONF_DONE | CONF_DONE — Configuration done |
| Pin TCK | TCK — JTAG clock |
| Pin TMS | TMS — JTAG mode select |
| Pin TDI | TDI — JTAG data in |
| Pin TDO | TDO — JTAG data out |
| Pin GXB_TX | GXB_TX[7:0] — Transceiver transmit (8 channels) |
Typical Applications
EP4CGX50CF23C6 is suitable for 6 applications: PCIe Gen1 Endpoint Expansion, Industrial Video Processing, Wireless Baseband Signal Processing, Motor Control with Encoder Feedback, Broadcast and Audio Processing Equipment, Cost-Optimized Communications Backplane.
PCIe Gen1 Endpoint Expansion
The EP4CGX50CF23C6 is well-suited for PCIe Gen1 endpoint designs because it integrates a hard PCIe Gen1 controller plus 8 transceivers capable of 3.125 Gbps, eliminating the need for an external PHY. With 49,888 logic elements and 364 18x18 multipliers, the fabric provides ample room for protocol stack, DMA engines, and application logic. Engineers typically pair it with downstream companion chips (EEPROM for configuration, flash for data) on a standard 4-lane PCIe add-in card layout.
Recommended
Industrial Video Processing
The EP4CGX50CF23C6 supports real-time video pipeline processing with its 364 18x18 hardware multipliers enabling DSP blocks for filtering, scaling, and color-space conversion at typical video rates (1080p60). The 2,562,048 bits of embedded block RAM buffers line buffers and frame statistics, while 290 user I/Os accommodate parallel video buses (BT.1120, RGB/YCbCr) plus camera interfaces. The commercial temperature range (0C to +85C) and low-power 60 nm process suit factory-floor and broadcast equipment environments.
Recommended
Wireless Baseband Signal Processing
The EP4CGX50CF23C6 delivers moderate DSP throughput for low-end wireless baseband signal processing such as small-cell, femtocell, or CPRI front-haul aggregation. The 3.125 Gbps transceivers connect to RF front-ends or CPRI links, while the 49,888 logic elements plus 364 multipliers handle channelization, FFT/iFFT, and digital up/down conversion. The Cyclone IV GX low-power architecture suits thermally constrained outdoor radio units.
Recommended
Motor Control with Encoder Feedback
The EP4CGX50CF23C6 provides deterministic hardware parallelism for multi-axis motor control loops, with its 364 hardware multipliers supporting field-oriented control (FOC) algorithms and SVPWM modulation. Eight PLLs generate independent timing domains for encoder sampling (QEI), PWM switching frequencies, and ADC synchronization. Industrial designers benefit from the 290 user I/Os to interface with multiple servo drives, encoder ports, and isolated gate-driver feedback on a single chip.
Recommended
Broadcast and Audio Processing Equipment
The EP4CGX50CF23C6 fits broadcast routers, audio mixers, and digital signal processors with its combination of embedded memory (2.5 Mb) for FIFO buffering and 290 I/Os for multi-channel AES/EBU, MADI, or Dante audio interfaces. The integrated transceivers support MADI coaxial links at 3.125 Gbps, while the fabric implements custom audio routing, sample-rate conversion, and effects processing. Commercial temperature operation and reliable Altera Cyclone IV GX supply continuity suit pro-audio product lifecycles.
Recommended
Cost-Optimized Communications Backplane
The EP4CGX50CF23C6 suits communications backplane line cards where 8 transceivers provide SERDES connectivity to switches or FPGAs on neighbouring cards, and 49,888 logic elements handle packet processing, queuing, and aggregation. The 484-BGA package is compatible with standard backplane PCB stack-ups, and the C6 speed grade balances throughput against power for line-card thermal budgets. Compared to the EP4CGX110CF23C7 (109K LEs), this part saves cost when the fabric requirement stays under ~50K LEs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP4CGX50CF23C6 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP4CGX50CF23C7 | EP4CGX50CF23C8N | EP4CGX50CF23I7N |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 484-BGA (FBGA-484, F23) | 484-BGA (FBGA-484, F23) - same | 484-BGA (FBGA-484, F23) - same | 484-BGA (FBGA-484, F23) - same |
| Brand | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) |
| Logic Elements | 49,888 | 49,888 | 49,888 | 49,888 |
| Speed Grade | C6 | C7 (faster) | C8 (fastest) | I7 (industrial) |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +85C (commercial) | 0C to +85C (commercial) | 0C to +85C (commercial) | -40C to +100C (industrial) |
| Lead-Free (Pb-free) | No (non-N suffix) | No | Yes (N suffix) | Yes (N suffix) |
| Transceivers (3.125 Gbps) | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| User I/Os | 290 | 290 | 290 | 290 |
| Embedded Memory | 2,562,048 bits | 2,562,048 bits | 2,562,048 bits | 2,562,048 bits |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated 3.125 Gbps transceivers at low cost (vs EP4CE40F23C8 (Cyclone IV E, no transceivers))
- Moderate speed grade C6 balances performance and cost (vs EP4CGX50CF23C7 (C7 speed grade))
- Same F23 footprint across C6/C7/C8 speed grades (vs EP4CGX50CF23I7N (industrial temperature))
Design Notes
The 484-BGA package has a 1.0 mm ball pitch on a 23 x 23 mm body, which requires at least a 6-layer PCB stack-up with microvia-in-pad or standard via structures for reliable assembly. Use 100-ohm differential impedance for the 8 transceiver pairs (GXB_RX/GXB_TX) and 50-ohm single-ended for clock and GPIO. Place decoupling capacitors directly under the BGA field on the opposite side, and ensure continuous ground planes under the entire transceiver region to maintain signal integrity at 3.125 Gbps.
Estimated: at maximum logic utilization with all 8 transceivers active at 3.125 Gbps, the EP4CGX50CF23C6 dissipates approximately 3-4 W of dynamic power. With the FBGA-484 thermal resistance theta_JA of approximately 18-22 C/W on a JEDEC 4-layer test board, junction temperature rise above ambient is roughly 70-90 C. Adequate airflow or thermal vias beneath the package thermal pad (center balls) is required for designs without a heatsink.
Common pitfalls when designing with the EP4CGX50CF23C6: (1) forgetting that the C6 suffix indicates commercial temperature and a moderate speed grade - do not assume C6 timing in industrial-grade deployments; (2) confusing the F23 package (484-BGA) with the F27 package (672-BGA) - the F27 EP4CGX50DF27C7 is NOT a drop-in and requires PCB redesign; (3) omitting the MSL 3 moisture-sensitive-device bake-out before reflow assembly of the BGA; (4) leaving JTAG pins floating - TCK, TMS, TDI, TDO must be pulled per the configuration user guide to avoid in-system programming errors.
Route the 8 transceiver channels as length-matched differential pairs with continuous reference planes and minimal via transitions. Keep the REFCLK_0/REFCLK_1 reference clock traces short and isolated from switching signals. According to the Cyclone IV GX handbook, transceiver channels must be assigned to specific GXB banks - verify the channel-to-ball mapping in the F23 pin table before locking the schematic. Configuration pins (nCONFIG, nSTATUS, CONF_DONE) should be brought out to test points for factory programming and debug.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Altera/Intel product page. AEC-Q100 not applicable - FPGAs are not automotive-grade qualified unless explicitly designated. Lead-free (Pb-free) variants require the N suffix (e.g. EP4CGX50CF23C6N, EP4CGX50CF23C8N); the base EP4CGX50CF23C6 is non-N. Halogen-free status unknown from the provided data.
