EPC1213PC8 - 212Kb OTP Config PROM 8-PDIP | Altera / Intel
MPN: EPC1213PC8 β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $18.5 | $18.50 |
| 10 | $16.2 | $162.00 |
| 100 | $13.85 | $1,385.00 |
| 500 | $12.1 | $6,050.00 |
| 1,000 | $10.95 | $10,950.00 |
EPC1213PC8 Overview
OTP configuration PROMs are non-volatile serial memories used to retain FPGA bitstream data while the host system is powered down, so the FPGA can self-configure at every power-on without a separate microcontroller or boot flash. EPC1-family members belong to the broader EEPROM-based configuration-PROM hierarchy (serial configuration PROM -> configuration memory IC -> programmable logic support -> programmable logic device ecosystem), bridging the FLEX/APEX FPGA family and modern EPCQ/Avalon-ST configuration memories.
The EPC1213PC8 is built on a 5 V CMOS EEPROM cell with on-chip charge-pump and oscillator, packaged in an 8-pin PDIP with a typical standby current below 50 Β΅A. The OTP array is programmed via IEEE Std 1532 / Jam STAPL using Altera's programming hardware, after which the device becomes read-only. Internal address-counter auto-increment and a dedicated open-drain OE pin simplify the interface to the FPGA's CONF_DONE / nCONFIG pins.
Typical applications include legacy FLEX 6000 / FLEX 8000 / FLEX 10K / APEX 20K board boot storage, industrial control retrofits, and replacement designs for end-of-life Altera FPGAs in long-lifecycle equipment. The 8-pin PDIP form factor is also convenient for bench programming fixtures and low-volume manufacturing.
When designing with the EPC1213PC8, observe that nCS must toggle before DCLK and that OE must follow the FPGAs nSTATUS-to-high transition. Decoupling of 100 nF close to VCC is required; the device shares its pinout with EPC1064/EPC1441 in the same 8-PDIP.
For legacy multi-FPGA chains, cascade multiple EPC1213PC8 devices to expand storage beyond 212 Kb, with each PROM driving the next PROM's nCS via its OE pin.
Drop-in alternatives for EPC1213PC8 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 EPC1213PC8 (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Memory Type, Interface, Operating Temperature, Memory Size.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPC1213LC20
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$7.4 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC1213LI20
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$9.75 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC1064PC8
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$6.2 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC1064VPC8
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$1.65 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC1064PI8
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$7.2 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC1064LC20
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$9.85 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC1213PC8 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Memory Type | OTP Configuration PROM (EEPROM cell) |
| Memory Size | 212 Kbit |
| Interface | Serial (4-wire: nCS, DCLK, DATA, OE) |
| Configuration Mode Supported | FLEX/APEX FPP / PS serial |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 6 MHz |
| Supply Voltage | 3.0 V to 3.6 V |
| Programmability | One-Time Programmable (OTP) |
| Programming Standard | IEEE Std 1532 / Jam STAPL |
| Standby Current | < 50 Β΅A typical |
| Operating Temperature | 0 Β°C to +70 Β°C (Commercial) |
| Package | 8-Pin PDIP (R-PDIP-T8) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| Pin Count | 8 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (post-lead-free Altera revision) |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
| JEDEC Package Code | R-PDIP-T8 |
EPC1213PC8 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | DATA β Serial configuration data output to FPGA |
| Pin 2 | DCLK β Configuration clock input from FPGA |
| Pin 3 | nCS β Chip select, active low |
| Pin 4 | OE β Output enable, active low, open drain |
| Pin 5 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 6 | VCC β 3.3 V supply voltage |
| Pin 7 | NC β Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 8 | NC β Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
EPC1213PC8 is suitable for 6 applications: FLEX 6000 / FLEX 10K FPGA Configuration Boot, APEX 20K Series FPGA Configuration, Legacy Industrial Control Retrofits, Military / Aerospace Legacy Avionics, Bench Programming Fixtures, Cascaded Multi-FPGA Configuration Chains.
FLEX 6000 / FLEX 10K FPGA Configuration Boot
The EPC1213PC8 stores the 212 Kb configuration bitstream for Altera FLEX 6000, FLEX 8000, FLEX 10K, and FLEX 10KA FPGAs, automatically loading the device at power-up via the 4-wire serial interface (nCS/DCLK/DATA/OE). Its 6 MHz DCLK rate is sufficient for these legacy FPGAs whose configuration time is dominated by bitstream size rather than clock speed, and the OTP cell ensures the bitstream is retained without battery backup. Decoupling is straightforward with a 100 nF cap on VCC, and the device's <50 Β΅A standby current keeps idle power negligible.
Recommended
APEX 20K Series FPGA Configuration
APEX 20K and APEX 20KE FPGAs in low-density modes (EP20K100, EP20K200) can be configured by a single EPC1213PC8 in PS configuration mode, providing a single-chip boot solution. The device's open-drain OE pin is wired to the FPGA's nSTATUS or CONF_DONE pin, and its on-chip oscillator derives the internal address counter without external clocks. Designers appreciate the through-hole 8-PDIP for prototype boards and low-volume manufacturing where socketed boot memory simplifies board bring-up and field upgrades.
Recommended
Legacy Industrial Control Retrofits
Long-lifecycle industrial control systems (CNC controllers, PLCs, test fixtures) shipped in the late 1990s with FLEX 10K FPGAs and EPC1213PC8 configuration PROMs still require spare parts decades later. The EPC1213PC8's through-hole PDIP allows socketed replacement without board rework, and its OTP behavior is acceptable for fixed-function bitstreams. Aftermarket distributors maintain inventory specifically for these retrofits; the part's commercial 0-70 Β°C range matches most indoor control cabinet environments.
Recommended
Military / Aerospace Legacy Avionics
Older avionics and defense subsystems use Altera FLEX 10K and APEX 20K FPGAs paired with EPC1213PC8 PROMs for configuration, where the part's established reliability pedigree and through-hole PDIP are valued for ruggedized assemblies. While not AEC-Q100 qualified in the modern sense, the EPC1213PC8's documented history in fielded platforms and its standard 3.3 V supply simplify obsolescence management. Designers must verify lot acceptance and counterfeit screening via authorized distributors for flight-critical applications.
Recommended
Bench Programming Fixtures
The 8-PDIP through-hole package and standard 4-wire JTAG-aligned interface make the EPC1213PC8 a convenient device for bench-level FPGA bitstream programming fixtures, where engineers pre-program configuration PROMs before assembling them onto production boards. Its OTP nature enforces a single-program discipline and the <50 Β΅A standby allows the PROM to remain in a programmer socket for verification without power cycling. The package is socket-compatible with EPC1064/EPC1441 family members for fixture reuse.
Recommended
Cascaded Multi-FPGA Configuration Chains
For FLEX 10K or APEX 20K designs whose bitstream exceeds 212 Kb, multiple EPC1213PC8 devices can be cascaded by tying DCLK and DATA together and daisy-chaining the upstream OE pin to the downstream nCS pin. This allows designers to scale configuration storage in 212 Kb increments without changing the FPGA's configuration-mode pins. The cascading scheme is documented in Altera's configuration devices datasheet and is supported by Quartus II's automatic PROM-file generation tool.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPC1213PC8 β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPC1213LC20 | EPC1213LI20 | EPC1064PC8 | EPC1064VPC8 | EPC1064PI8 | EPC1064LC20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Altera (Intel PSG) | Altera (Intel PSG) | Altera (Intel PSG) | Altera (Intel PSG) | Altera (Intel PSG) | Altera (Intel PSG) | Altera (Intel PSG) |
| Package | 8-PDIP (R-PDIP-T8) | 20-PLCC | 20-PLCC | 8-PDIP - same | 8-PDIP - same | 8-PDIP - same | 20-PLCC |
| Memory Size | 212 Kbit | 212 Kbit (same die) | 212 Kbit (same die) | 1 Mbit (+372%) | 1 Mbit (+372%) | 1 Mbit (+372%) | 1 Mbit (+372%) |
| Interface | Serial 4-wire (nCS/DCLK/DATA/OE) | Serial 4-wire - same | Serial 4-wire - same | Serial 4-wire - same | Serial 4-wire - same | Serial 4-wire - same | Serial 4-wire - same |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V (3.0-3.6 V) | 3.3 V - same | 3.3 V - same | 3.3 V - same | 3.3 V - same | 3.3 V - same | 3.3 V - same |
| Operating Temperature | 0 Β°C to +70 Β°C (Commercial) | 0 Β°C to +70 Β°C - same | -40 Β°C to +85 Β°C (Industrial) | 0 Β°C to +70 Β°C - same | 0 Β°C to +70 Β°C - same | -40 Β°C to +85 Β°C (Industrial) | 0 Β°C to +70 Β°C - same |
| Maximum Clock | 6 MHz | 6 MHz - same | 6 MHz - same | 6 MHz - same | 6 MHz - same | 6 MHz - same | 6 MHz - same |
| Programmability | OTP (One-Time Programmable) | OTP - same | OTP - same | OTP - same | OTP - same | OTP - same | OTP - same |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete (as of 2026) | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- Same die as EPC1213LC20 but in 8-PDIP through-hole package (vs EPC1213LC20)
- Industrial temperature option in same 212 Kb density (vs EPC1213LI20)
- Higher density alternative in the same 8-PDIP package (vs EPC1064PC8)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible to VCC (pin 6) with a short trace to GND (pin 5); during configuration the EPC1213PC8 draws brief burst currents as the internal charge pump generates the programming voltage, and inadequate decoupling can cause bit errors or configuration failure. For multi-PROM cascaded chains, add a 10 Β΅F bulk capacitor near the VCC pin of each device to supply the cascading transients.
Do not connect the FPGA's CONF_DONE pin directly to the EPC1213PC8's OE pin without a 1 kΞ© pull-up resistor; OE is open-drain and requires an external pull-up. Designers also commonly wire nCS high before VCC stabilizes, which can latch the address counter in an unknown state - always gate nCS with a power-good signal or 3.3 V rail-ready logic. Per Altera's configuration devices datasheet, the FPGA must drive nCONFIG low for at least 1 Β΅s before reconfiguration.
The 8-PDIP through-hole footprint uses a standard 2.54 mm (0.1 inch) pin pitch with through-hole pads of 0.9 mm drill diameter. Keep the DATA trace short (<50 mm) and route it away from switching power lines; place a ground guard trace between DATA and any high-frequency signals to minimize crosstalk. The 4-wire interface shares pins with JTAG-style TMS/TCK signals used during programming, so keep the layout compatible with both configuration and JTAG programming headers.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance per Altera lead-free configuration device transition; commercial temperature grade only, no AEC-Q100 automotive qualification. REACH, halogen-free, and conflict-minerals declarations not published in legacy datasheet.
