EP4CGX50CF23I8N - 49,888 LEs Cyclone IV GX FPGA | Intel | FBGA-484
MPN: EP4CGX50CF23I8N ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $78.5 | $78.50 |
| 10 | $72 | $720.00 |
| 100 | $65.5 | $6,550.00 |
| 250 | $60 | $15,000.00 |
| 500 | $54 | $27,000.00 |
EP4CGX50CF23I8N Overview
A Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a semiconductor device whose digital logic, interconnects, I/O, and even analog blocks can be reconfigured by the end user after manufacturing. FPGAs sit between fixed-function ASICs (lower per-unit cost but no flexibility) and microcontrollers (software-defined but limited performance). The Cyclone IV GX family specifically targets low-power, transceiver-rich designs - bridging toward ASIC-like capability at FPGA-like NRE cost. Architecturally, the EP4CGX50CF23I8N contains logic array blocks (LABs), embedded RAM blocks, DSP blocks, and high-speed transceivers all wired through a programmable interconnect fabric.
Key features include 49,888 logic elements, approximately 70 Mbits of embedded memory (per device family maximum), up to 290 user I/O pins, 8 integrated transceiver channels at up to 3.125 Gbps, support for PCI Express Gen1 x1/x2/x4 hard IP blocks, and integrated phase-locked loops (PLLs). The -I8N speed grade indicates an industrial temperature range (-40C to +100C junction) and an 8-speed-grade timing bin, balancing performance against power. Hard IP for PCIe, memory controllers, and transceivers removes soft-logic overhead, freeing fabric for application code.
The Cyclone IV GX architecture uses a 60nm low-k dielectric process and supplies the core at 1.2V with separate I/O bank voltages (1.2V-3.3V) for flexible system integration. The 8-transceiver integration distinguishes the GX family from the E-only Cyclone IV GX siblings, making it preferred for protocols such as PCIe, Serial RapidIO, Gigabit Ethernet, and CPRI in wireless backhaul. JTAG-based configuration via Quartus Prime enables rapid iteration cycles.
Typical applications include industrial video surveillance with on-board video analytics, low-cost PCIe endpoint cards for data acquisition, motor control and industrial automation with deterministic latency, telecommunications line cards with CPRI / OBSAI backhaul, and broadcast video bridging. The integrated transceivers also suit point-to-point microwave links and small-cell base stations where BOM minimization is critical.
When designing with the EP4CGX50CF23I8N, allocate at least 6 PCB layers to manage BGA breakout, provide matched-length routing for the 3.125 Gbps transceiver channels, and respect the FPGA's recommended decoupling network (typically 0402-size ceramics near every VCC pin plus bulk tantalum or polymer capacitors). Quartus Prime design tools and Altera's HardCopy flow can migrate successful FPGA prototypes into structured ASICs for volume production.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternative Cyclone IV GX variants, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone, providing an engineer-ready reference for selection and sourcing.
Drop-in alternatives for EP4CGX50CF23I8N — 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 EP4CGX50CF23I8N (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, RoHS Status, Operating Temperature, Process Technology, Speed Grade.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP4CGX50CF23I7N
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$121.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CGX50CF23C8N
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$56.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CGX50CF23C7N
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$110.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CGX50CF23I7
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$112 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CGX30CF23I7N
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$41.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CGX50CF23I8N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | Cyclone IV GX |
| Logic Elements | 49,888 |
| Process Technology | 60 nm |
| Core Supply Voltage | 1.2 V |
| Package | 484-pin FBGA (F23) |
| User I/O Pins (max) | 290 |
| Embedded Memory | 2,562,048 bits (per family) |
| Transceiver Channels | 8 |
| Max Transceiver Data Rate | 3.125 Gbps |
| Hard PCIe IP Blocks | Yes (Gen1 x1/x2/x4) |
| Speed Grade | 8 |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +100C (industrial, junction) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (FBGA) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (per family) |
| Configuration Interface | JTAG / Active Serial / Passive Serial |
EP4CGX50CF23I8N 484-pin fbga (f23) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP4CGX50CF23I8N (484-pin 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 EP4CGX50CF23I8N.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP4CGX50CF23I8N is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial PCIe Endpoint Cards, Motor Control and Industrial Automation, Telecom Line Cards and Wireless Backhaul, Video Surveillance and Broadcast Bridging, Test and Measurement Instrumentation, LED Video Wall and Display Controllers.
Industrial PCIe Endpoint Cards
The EP4CGX50CF23I8N's hard PCIe Gen1 x1/x2/x4 IP blocks make it ideal for low-cost industrial endpoint cards such as data acquisition boards, machine vision frame grabbers, and FPGA-based coprocessor adapters. The 8 integrated 3.125 Gbps transceivers drive the PCIe PHY directly without external serializer/deserializer chips, reducing BOM cost by USD 15-30 per board. With 49,888 logic elements, designers can implement custom DMA engines, on-board signal processing, and protocol translation logic. The industrial -40C to +100C temperature range supports deployment in factory cabinets and outdoor enclosures. Quartus Prime's PCIe IP Compiler generates TLP handling, MSI/MSI-X interrupt logic, and reference clocking, accelerating time-to-prototype to typically 2-4 weeks.
Recommended
Motor Control and Industrial Automation
In industrial servo drives and motor controllers, the EP4CGX50CF23I8N provides deterministic latency PWM generation, quadrature encoder interfaces, and fieldbus protocol bridging (EtherCAT, PROFINET, CANopen). Its 49,888 logic elements support multiple control loops running at 100 kHz - 1 MHz switching frequencies, while embedded 3.4 Mbits of RAM buffer reference trajectories and telemetry. The industrial temperature range ensures operation in factory floor environments with ambient temperatures up to 70C. The 8 transceivers enable high-speed encoder feedback (e.g., EnDat 2.2, BiSS) and real-time Ethernet fieldbus connectivity in a single chip, replacing discrete MCU + CPLD + PHY solutions with a unified platform.
Recommended
Telecom Line Cards and Wireless Backhaul
The EP4CGX50CF23I8N is well-suited for telecom line cards and small-cell base stations where its 8 transceivers implement CPRI, OBSAI, or Serial RapidIO links to baseband processors at up to 3.125 Gbps. The integrated transceivers eliminate external PHY complexity for CPRI line bit rates up to 2457.6 Mbps (option 6), with sufficient margin for jitter and link budget. With 49,888 logic elements, the FPGA handles PHY-layer framer logic, scrambling, and L1 in-band protocol overhead in soft logic, while 3.4 Mbits of embedded RAM buffers antenna data and timing-critical control structures. Industrial temperature grade suits outdoor remote radio head (RRH) deployment.
Recommended
Video Surveillance and Broadcast Bridging
In HD-SDI video routers, broadcast switchers, and IP-based surveillance systems, the EP4CGX50CF23I8N bridges between legacy SDI domains (up to 3G-SDI per channel) and 10-Gigabit Ethernet network backbones. Its 8 transceivers support multiple 3G-SDI inputs simultaneously, while 49,888 logic elements implement SDI embedding/de-embedding, genlock synchronization, and audio sample-rate conversion. The 3.4 Mbits of embedded RAM function as line buffers for cross-point switching with sub-frame latency. Designers can integrate up to 4 channels of 3G-SDI alongside AES audio I/O in a single device, replacing multiple dedicated SDI cross-point ICs. The FBGA-484 package accommodates large user I/O counts for parallel video buses.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Instrumentation
For protocol analyzers, logic analyzers, and bit-error-rate testers, the EP4CGX50CF23I8N's 8 transceivers support multi-standard stimulus-response at up to 3.125 Gbps across PCIe, SATA, GbE, and custom serial protocols. The 49,888 logic elements implement protocol-aware pattern generators, real-time error counters, and link-training state machines, while 3.4 Mbits of embedded RAM store captured trace data for on-the-fly analysis. Industrial temperature grade supports benchtop and portable instrument deployment. The Quartus Prime Transceiver Toolkit provides eye-diagram measurements, jitter injection, and link-margin characterization that engineers use during product validation. The FBGA-484 footprint provides abundant user I/O for parallel interfaces to LCD displays, USB, and Ethernet control planes.
Recommended
LED Video Wall and Display Controllers
In large-format LED video walls, the EP4CGX50CF23I8N serves as a high-bandwidth pixel-routing controller driving hundreds of parallel LED driver channels. With 290 user I/O pins in the FBGA-484 package, the FPGA interfaces directly to multiple HUB75-style LED receiver cards without external line drivers. The 49,888 logic elements implement color-space conversion (RGB / YCbCr / HDR-PQ), brightness/gamma correction, and refresh-rate adaptation, while 3.4 Mbits of embedded RAM buffer multiple scan-line frames for tear-free playback. The 8 transceivers enable optional gigabit Ethernet or fiber-optic video input from media servers, supporting distributed wall architectures. The industrial temperature range suits outdoor stadium and signage deployments.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP4CGX50CF23I8N — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP4CGX50CF23I7N | EP4CGX50CF23C8N | EP4CGX50CF23C7N | EP4CGX50CF23I7 | EP4CGX30CF23I7N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel |
| Package | FBGA-484 (F23) | FBGA-484 (F23) - same | FBGA-484 (F23) - same | FBGA-484 (F23) - same | FBGA-484 (F23) - same | FBGA-484 (F23) - same |
| Logic Elements | 49,888 | 49,888 (same) | 49,888 (same) | 49,888 (same) | 49,888 (same) | 29,440 (-41%) |
| Transceiver Channels | 8 | 8 (same) | 8 (same) | 8 (same) | 8 (same) | 4 (-50%) |
| Max Transceiver Data Rate | 3.125 Gbps | 3.125 Gbps | 3.125 Gbps | 3.125 Gbps | 3.125 Gbps | 3.125 Gbps |
| Embedded Memory | 3.4 Mbits | 3.4 Mbits | 3.4 Mbits | 3.4 Mbits | 3.4 Mbits | 1.2 Mbits (-65%) |
| Speed Grade | 8 | 7 (slower) | 8 (same) | 7 (slower) | 7 (slower) | 7 (slower) |
| Temperature Range | -40C to +100C (industrial) | -40C to +100C (industrial) | 0C to +85C (commercial) | 0C to +85C (commercial) | -40C to +100C (industrial) | -40C to +100C (industrial) |
| Hard PCIe Gen1 IP | Yes (x1/x2/x4) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Approx Unit Price (1 pc, USD) | 78.50 | 70.00 | 65.00 | 62.00 | 70.00 | 55.00 |
Key Differentiators
- Highest speed grade (8) in the Cyclone IV GX CGX50 F23 family (vs EP4CGX50CF23I7N)
- Industrial temperature range (-40C to +100C junction) (vs EP4CGX50CF23C8N)
- Maximum density (49,888 LEs) in the F23 (FBGA-484) package (vs EP4CGX30CF23I7N)
Design Notes
The F23 FBGA-484 package has a 1.0mm ball pitch and 484 balls on a regular array. Plan for at least 6 PCB layers to fan out signals from the inner BGA rows to the periphery. Use 0.5 oz copper on outer layers for the breakout and 1 oz on internal planes. Match the transceiver channel lengths within +/- 5 mils for the 3.125 Gbps signals, and route the reference clock with 50 ohm controlled impedance.
Cyclone IV GX devices require multiple voltage rails: 1.2V core, 2.5V analog (PLL/ transceiver), and 1.2V-3.3V I/O bank supplies. Place a 10 uF bulk tantalum or polymer capacitor plus a 100 nF ceramic within 100 mils of every VCC pin group. Use a star-ground topology from a dedicated GND pour; isolate analog and digital ground returns to prevent noise coupling into the PLL analog supply (VCCA).
The FBGA-484 package's theta_JA depends heavily on PCB copper area and airflow. With 100 sq in of copper and no airflow, expect theta_JA around 18 C/W; with minimal copper and still air, theta_JA may exceed 35 C/W. At full utilization (all 8 transceivers active, 70% LE toggling), typical power is 1.5-2.0 W - manageable without a heatsink in well-ventilated industrial enclosures.
For 3.125 Gbps transceiver channels, follow Intel's Cyclone IV GX board design guidelines strictly: maintain 100 ohm differential impedance, use AC-coupling capacitors (100 nF) at the transmitter output, and provide a clean reference clock (within +/- 100 ppm) with adequate slew rate. Eye-diagram validation with the Transceiver Toolkit is recommended before committing to a layout revision.
Do not assume the EP4CGX50CF23I8N and EP4CGX50CF23I7N are interchangeable at the timing-closure level - speed grade 8 is required for designs with critical paths above ~300 MHz internal fabric Fmax. Also, the I8N's industrial temperature range (-40C to +100C) cannot be relaxed for commercial-only products - always match the temperature grade to deployment environment to avoid field failures.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance is per the Cyclone IV GX family product page (Intel/Altera). REACH compliance is per Intel's standard product declaration. AEC-Q100 is not applicable as this is an FPGA, not an automotive-grade IC. Halogen-free status is not explicitly stated in the verified data.
