EP4SGX360FH29I4N - Stratix IV GX FPGA 360K LE, 780-BGA | Intel
MPN: EP4SGX360FH29I4N ⚠ Last Time Buy| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4850 | $4,850.00 |
| 10 | $4520 | $45,200.00 |
| 25 | $4290 | $107,250.00 |
| 50 | $3995 | $199,750.00 |
| 100 | $3720 | $372,000.00 |
EP4SGX360FH29I4N Overview
What is an FPGA? A Field Programmable Gate Array is a programmable logic device containing an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs/LABs), embedded memory, DSP blocks, and high-speed transceivers interconnected by a programmable routing fabric. FPGAs sit at the top of the programmable logic hierarchy between ASICs (custom silicon) and general-purpose processors: they offer ASIC-like parallel performance with processor-like reconfigurability, enabling hardware-level acceleration without NRE cost.
Key features of the EP4SGX360FH29I4N include 36 embedded 18x18 multipliers for DSP, four PLLs for clock synthesis, 1.6 Gbps LVDS support, and an industrial temperature grade (-40C to +100C for the I4 suffix). The part is fabricated on TSMC's 40nm process and supports configuration via JTAG, Active Serial, or Passive Parallel modes. The 780-BGA package uses a 1mm ball pitch and exposes a full 289 GPIOs for parallel interfacing.
The Stratix IV GX architecture combines a rich logic fabric with hardened PCIe Gen1/Gen2 hard IP blocks, multi-gigabit transceivers (MGTs), and on-chip termination, making the EP4SGX360FH29I4N a strong fit for high-throughput applications including 40G/100G line cards, broadcast video processing, and ASIC prototyping. The 8.5 Gbps transceivers enable protocols such as PCIe 2.0, SATA 2.0, XAUI, CEI-6G, and SFI-5.
Typical applications include ASIC prototyping, wireless baseband processing, high-performance computing accelerators, radar/sonar signal processing, and broadcast video infrastructure. The integrated transceivers and DSP blocks accelerate data-plane packet processing and parallel mathematical operations.
When designing with this device, allocate ample PCB area for the 780-ball FCBGA (29mm x 29mm typical) and use at least 8 PCB layers with continuous power and ground planes to deliver clean transponder analog supply rails. JTAG programming header, configuration flash, and external clock sources must be co-designed for production reliability.
Drop-in alternatives for EP4SGX360FH29I4N — 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 EP4SGX360FH29I4N (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Operating Temperature, Speed Grade, Series, Family.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP4SGX360FH29I4
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View Datasheet →EP4SGX360FH29I3N
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View Datasheet →EP4SGX360FH29C4N
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View Datasheet →EP4SGX360FH29C3N
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View Datasheet →EP4SGX360FH29C2XN
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View Datasheet →EP4SGX360FH29I4N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | Stratix IV GX |
| Series | EP4SGX360 |
| Logic Elements | 353,600 |
| Logic Array Blocks (LABs) | 14,144 |
| Embedded Memory | 23,105,536 bits |
| User I/Os | 289 |
| Number of Pins/balls | 780 |
| Package | 780-BGA, FCBGA (FH29) |
| Ball Pitch | 1.0 mm |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +100C (industrial, I4 grade) |
| Max Transceiver Data Rate | 8.5 Gbps |
| PLLs | 4 |
| Process Node | 40nm TSMC |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Configuration Mode | JTAG / Active Serial / Passive Parallel |
| Hard PCIe IP | PCIe Gen1/Gen2 hard IP blocks |
EP4SGX360FH29I4N 780-bga, fcbga (fh29) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP4SGX360FH29I4N (780-bga, fcbga (fh29) 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 EP4SGX360FH29I4N.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP4SGX360FH29I4N is suitable for 7 applications: ASIC Prototyping Platform, Wireless Baseband Processing, Broadcast Video Processing, High-Performance Computing Accelerator, Radar and Sonar Signal Processing, 40G/100G Network Line Card, Test and Measurement Instrumentation.
ASIC Prototyping Platform
The EP4SGX360FH29I4N's 353,600 logic elements and 23 Mbit embedded memory make it ideal for ASIC prototyping where engineers need to emulate complex SoC designs in real silicon before mask tape-out. The Stratix IV GX family has a long history as an ASIC prototype vehicle because its high LE count, abundant block RAM, and 8.5 Gbps transceivers can match mid-range ASIC complexity. Placed on a multi-board ASIC emulator, the FH29 device runs gate-level netlists directly - the hard PCIe Gen2 IP block accelerates verification of PCIe peripherals. Designers should use Quartus II Prime or Standard Edition with the Stratix IV GX device library; synthesis flow typically achieves 100-200 MHz on critical paths for prototype validation.
Recommended
Wireless Baseband Processing
The EP4SGX360FH29I4N integrates 36 embedded 18x18 multipliers and high-speed DSP blocks well suited to wireless baseband signal processing such as LTE, WiMAX, and early 5G prototypes. The 8.5 Gbps transceivers interface with RF front-end ADCs/DACs and backhaul links, while the 23 Mbit embedded memory buffers symbol streams between FFT/decoder stages. Industrial temperature grade (-40C to +100C) supports outdoor base-station deployment. The device's parallel DSP throughput outperforms DSP microprocessors for PHY-layer algorithms such as channel estimation and MIMO decoding, and the programmable fabric enables protocol updates without hardware redesign.
Recommended
Broadcast Video Processing
The EP4SGX360FH29I4N delivers the parallel processing bandwidth needed for broadcast video processing: 4K/UHD up/down conversion, color space conversion, and real-time codec acceleration. The 8.5 Gbps transceivers handle SDI (Serial Digital Interface) links including 3G-SDI and emerging 6G/12G-SDI standards, while the 289 GPIOs drive HDMI, DisplayPort, and parallel video buses. The 23 Mbit embedded memory acts as frame buffers for scaling and deinterlacing. Industrial temperature grade supports studio and field-broadcast equipment. Quartus II video IP cores accelerate design entry for designers familiar with Altera/Intel FPGA toolchains.
Recommended
High-Performance Computing Accelerator
The EP4SGX360FH29I4N accelerates compute-bound workloads in HPC systems through its parallel logic fabric and 8.5 Gbps transceivers. Typical use cases include custom encryption/decryption engines, financial Monte Carlo simulations, and database query acceleration where general-purpose CPUs become the bottleneck. The hard PCIe Gen2 IP block provides a low-latency CPU-to-FPGA interconnect at up to 5 Gbps, and the 23 Mbit embedded memory caches working datasets close to the logic. Industrial temperature grade and 780-BGA packaging support multi-FPGA accelerator cards in rack-mounted servers.
Recommended
Radar and Sonar Signal Processing
The EP4SGX360FH29I4N's 353,600 logic elements, embedded DSP blocks, and high-bandwidth transceivers are well matched to radar and sonar signal processing pipelines. The device performs real-time FFT, pulse compression, and beamforming on multi-channel data streams from RF front-ends. The 8.5 Gbps transceivers digitize and aggregate ADC outputs while the parallel logic fabric executes matched filters and adaptive thresholding algorithms. Industrial -40C to +100C temperature grade supports naval and field-deployable systems. The Stratix IV GX family has been deployed in phased-array radar and synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) applications.
Recommended
40G/100G Network Line Card
The EP4SGX360FH29I4N serves as a packet-processing engine in 40G/100G telecom line cards, leveraging its 8.5 Gbps transceivers to bond multiple lanes for higher aggregate throughput. Typical applications include deep-packet inspection (DPI), traffic management, and protocol adaptation between OTN, Ethernet, and SONET. The 289 user I/Os drive parallel data paths to external network processors and TCAM lookups, while the hard PCIe Gen2 IP block enables coprocessor offload. Industrial temperature grade and 780-BGA package support multi-FPGA ATCA or AdvancedTCA line-card designs.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Instrumentation
The EP4SGX360FH29I4N functions as a flexible waveform generator, digitizer, or protocol analyzer in high-end test and measurement equipment. The 8.5 Gbps transceivers capture or generate high-speed serial test patterns (PRBS, PCIe, SATA, USB 3.0) for compliance testing, while the 353,600 logic elements implement real-time DSP, statistical analysis, and triggering logic. The 23 Mbit embedded memory stores waveform samples and correlation results. Industrial -40C to +100C temperature range supports laboratory and field test gear. Custom triggering, sequencing, and protocol decoding can be updated via in-system programming without hardware redesign.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP4SGX360FH29I4N — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP4SGX360FH29I4 | EP4SGX360FH29I3N | EP4SGX360FH29C4N | EP4SGX360FH29C3N | EP4SGX360FH29C2XN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) |
| Package | 780-BGA (FH29) | 780-BGA (FH29) - same | 780-BGA (FH29) - same | 780-BGA (FH29) - same | 780-BGA (FH29) - same | 780-BGA (FH29) - same |
| Logic Elements | 353,600 | 353,600 | 353,600 | 353,600 | 353,600 | 353,600 |
| LABs | 14,144 | 14,144 | 14,144 | 14,144 | 14,144 | 14,144 |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial -40C to +100C | Commercial 0C to +85C | Industrial -40C to +100C | Commercial 0C to +85C | Commercial 0C to +85C | Commercial 0C to +85C |
| Speed Grade | I4 (fastest industrial) | I4 (commercial temp version) | I3 (-1 speed step) | C4 (commercial temp, fast) | C3 (-1 step) | C2X (-2 steps, slowest) |
| Embedded Memory | 23,105,536 bits | 23,105,536 bits | 23,105,536 bits | 23,105,536 bits | 23,105,536 bits | 23,105,536 bits |
| User I/Os | 289 | 289 | 289 | 289 | 289 | 289 |
| Lifecycle Status | Last-time-buy | Last-time-buy | Last-time-buy | Last-time-buy | Last-time-buy | Last-time-buy |
Key Differentiators
- Fastest speed grade in industrial temperature range (vs EP4SGX360FH29I3N)
- Industrial temperature range for harsh environments (vs EP4SGX360FH29C4N)
- Full 8.5 Gbps transceiver support across FH29 package (vs EP4SGX360FF35I4N)
Design Notes
The 780-BGA FCBGA package requires thermal management via thermal vias under the central ball array and a PCB heatsink or top-side heat spreader. For continuous 8.5 Gbps transceiver operation, expect 8-15 W power dissipation depending on utilization. Use at least 12 PCB layers with solid power/ground planes. Theta-JA for the FH29 package is approximately 12 C/W with proper thermal design (4-layer minimum with thermal vias); without thermal vias, junction temperatures can exceed +100C under sustained load.
The 780-BGA with 1mm ball pitch requires HDI PCB fabrication with microvias (laser-drilled) and sequential lamination. Recommended stackup: 8-12 layers with continuous GND planes on layers 2 and N-1, VCC cores on layers 3-4. Match all differential pairs to 100 ohm +/- 10% impedance for 8.5 Gbps serial channels. Use length matching within 0.127mm for high-speed parallel interfaces. Ball-to-pad registration must be specified for BGA pad pitch tolerance.
8.5 Gbps transceiver channels demand tight signal integrity control: use 100 ohm differential impedance with adjacent GND stitching vias spaced every 0.5 lambda. AC-coupling capacitors (100nF X7R) are required between adjacent TX/RX pairs; do NOT route DC-coupled signals to the MGT pins. Reference clock inputs must be low-jitter (under 100 fs RMS) oscillators; Xilinx/Microsemi part substitution requires firmware register reconfiguration. Maintain return path continuity across layer transitions with GND vias adjacent to each signal via.
The EP4SGX360FH29I4N requires multiple supply rails: VCC (core), VCCA_PLL (PLL analog), VCCPT (programmable technology), VCCIO (I/O banks), VCCPD (pre-driver), VCCR/VCCP_GXB/MGT analog supplies. Use a dedicated LDO per analog rail and bulk decoupling of at least 220 uF low-ESR ceramic plus 1mF polymer per rail. Power sequencing follows Intel's recommended order: VCC -> VCCIO -> VCCPD. Inrush current can exceed 10A on ramp-up; use soft-start controllers.
Common pitfalls: (1) Using JTAG configuration without external flash - the configuration volatile memory needs re-loading each power cycle. (2) Forgetting to tie MSEL pins for the desired configuration mode. (3) Not enabling the nCONFIG or nSTATUS pull-ups. (4) Driving 8.5 Gbps lines through 90-degree bends or excessive vias - keep via count under 4 per TX/RX pair. (5) Failing to constrain clock domain crossings in Quartus - use ALTDDIO or design-wide CDC scripts.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance per Intel product page. AEC-Q100 not applicable for FPGAs - FPGAs are not directly qualified against automotive IC stress standards; the I4 industrial temperature range (-40C to +100C) provides the temperature margin typically required for in-cabin automotive systems.
