EPC1441PI8N - 440Kb OTP Config PROM, 8-PDIP | Altera / Intel
MPN: EPC1441PI8N β Last Time Buy| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.31 | $5.31 |
| 10 | $4.95 | $49.50 |
| 100 | $4.42 | $442.00 |
| 500 | $3.95 | $1,975.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.55 | $3,550.00 |
EPC1441PI8N Overview
A configuration PROM is a specialized non-volatile memory device whose sole purpose is to hold the FPGA's configuration bitstream so the FPGA can self-load after power-up. Unlike a generic EEPROM or Flash, a configuration PROM implements a vendor-specific serial protocol (in Altera's case the PS, FPP, or passive serial interface) and is sized in bits, not bytes, to match the target FPGA's bitstream length. EPC1441 sits at the top of the EPC1441/EPC1213/EPC1064 family, offering the largest density to support FLEX10KA and APEX20K family devices, while EPC1213 (212Kb) and EPC1064 (65Kb) serve smaller FPGAs in the same generation.
Key features include 440,800-bit storage capacity, single 5.0V supply operation (VCC = 5.0V nominal, compatible with 5V-tolerant FPGA configuration pins), a low-power CMOS standby mode with ICCSTBY of approximately 50 uA, and an industrial operating temperature range of -40C to +85C. The OTP cell is programmed via a standard PROM programmer before PCB assembly; once programmed, the device powers up the FPGA in <100 ms through the Altera serial configuration chain. The 8-pin PDIP package is pin-compatible with the EPC2 and EPC1 upgrade paths.
Architecturally, EPC1441PI8N uses a poly-fuse OTP array organized as a long serial shift register clocked by DCLK from the FPGA. The FPGA drives nCONFIG low-to-high at power-up, the PROM presents its first bit on DATA, and the FPGA clocks DCLK to shift the bitstream in. When configuration completes, the PROM enters standby to minimize system power draw, an important consideration in power-sensitive designs.
Typical applications include legacy FLEX10K, FLEX10KA, FLEX6000, and APEX20K FPGA configuration memory in industrial control systems, telecommunications infrastructure, and test-and-measurement equipment. The 8-PDIP package is preferred for through-hole retrofits, prototype boards, and legacy replacements where SMD-only EPC1441LC20 or EPC1441PC8 variants are not drop-in.
When designing with this device, note that the OTP cell must be programmed on a standalone programmer prior to PCB mounting because in-system programming is not supported. For new designs targeting modern Intel/Altera Cyclone or MAX series FPGAs, consider serial Flash-based configuration (EPCS or EPCQ devices) instead of legacy PROMs.
Drop-in alternatives for EPC1441PI8N 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 EPC1441PI8N (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Memory Type, Mounting Type, Configuration Interface, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPC1441PI8
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
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View Datasheet βEPC1441PCB
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View Datasheet βEPC1441PC8
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View Datasheet βEPC1213PI8
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View Datasheet βEPC1064PI8
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View Datasheet βEPC1441PI8N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Memory Type | OTP Configuration PROM (poly-fuse) |
| Memory Capacity | 440,800 bits (440 Kbit) |
| Configuration Interface | Altera Serial (PS) configuration |
| Supply Voltage VCC | 5.0 V nominal (4.75 V to 5.25 V) |
| Standby Supply Current ICCSTBY | approximately 50 uA |
| Programming Method | Off-board PROM programmer (poly-fuse OTP) |
| Configuration Time | <100 ms typical for FLEX10KA loading |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| Package | 8-pin PDIP (Plastic DIP, through-hole) |
| Pin Count | 8 |
| Mounting Type | Through-hole (THT) |
| Lead-Free / RoHS | Non-RoHS (legacy through-hole); check suffix for Pb-free option |
| Compatible FPGA Families | FLEX10K, FLEX10KA, FLEX6000, APEX20K series |
| Family Position | Top-of-family (largest density: 440Kb) |
| Endurance | One-time programmable (no reprogram cycles) |
EPC1441PI8N Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | DATA β Serial data output to target FPGA |
| Pin 2 | DCLK β Configuration clock input from target FPGA |
| Pin 3 | nSTATUS β Active-low status output to target FPGA |
| Pin 4 | OE β Output enable input from target FPGA |
| Pin 5 | nCONFIG β Active-low configuration control input from target FPGA |
| Pin 6 | GND β Ground reference |
| Pin 7 | VCC β +5V supply voltage |
| Pin 8 | nCE β Active-low chip enable input from target FPGA |
Typical Applications
EPC1441PI8N is suitable for 6 applications: FLEX10KA FPGA Configuration Memory, APEX20K Industrial Control Board Configuration, Legacy Telecom Infrastructure Repair, Test & Measurement Instrumentation Front-End, Military / Aerospace Legacy Avionics, Prototype Development Boards (Educational/University Labs).
FLEX10KA FPGA Configuration Memory
The EPC1441PI8N is the reference configuration memory for Altera FLEX10KA-series FPGAs because its 440-Kbit density matches the bitstream size of the largest FLEX10KA devices (e.g., EPF10K100). At power-up the FLEX10KA drives nCONFIG low-to-high, the EPC1441PI8N responds by shifting the bitstream out on DATA under DCLK control, and configuration completes in typically 60-100 ms. The 8-PDIP package is convenient for prototype FLEX10KA boards where engineers need to swap PROMs for testing different configuration images, though only OTP programming limits field updates.
Recommended
APEX20K Industrial Control Board Configuration
The EPC1441PI8N provides reliable through-hole configuration storage for APEX20K-series FPGAs used in industrial control PLC backplanes where vibration resistance and hand-replaceability matter more than minimum footprint. The 8-PDIP through-hole leads withstand mechanical stress that SMD-only EPC1441PC8 or EPC1441LC20 variants cannot, and the 5V supply directly matches the 5V-tolerant APEX20K configuration pins. The 440-Kbit density covers the full APEX20K200 bitstream, and the OTP cell provides tamper-resistant configuration for industrial IP protection.
Recommended
Legacy Telecom Infrastructure Repair
Telecommunications infrastructure deployed in the late 1990s and early 2000s used Altera FLEX10K and APEX20K FPGAs configured by EPC1441 PROMs, and many of those systems remain in service today. The EPC1441PI8N is the OEM-specified replacement for board-level repair because the 8-PDIP footprint matches the original through-hole pads without requiring PCB rework. Distributors such as OEMsec and Veswin stock EPC1441PI8N for telecom OEMs that must maintain 10-20 year service agreements on legacy equipment.
Recommended
Test & Measurement Instrumentation Front-End
Bench-top oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and spectrum analyzers built around FLEX10KA/APEX20K FPGAs use the EPC1441PI8N to store the factory calibration configuration at power-up. The 8-PDIP package simplifies factory programming on a chip programmer and the OTP nature prevents field users from modifying the calibration bitstream. The 5V supply aligns with the analog front-end rails, and the 50-uA standby current adds negligible current drain to portable instruments running on battery.
Recommended
Military / Aerospace Legacy Avionics
Long-life avionics platforms continue to specify the EPC1441PI8N because its -40C to +85C industrial temperature range and through-hole PDIP package meet the mechanical robustness requirements of military and aerospace qualification programs. The OTP cell locks the configuration permanently, satisfying the anti-tamper requirements of DO-254 design assurance for airborne electronic hardware. Engineers maintain qualified BOMs that reference the EPC1441PI8N by exact part number, and last-time-buy inventory is allocated for these programs.
Recommended
Prototype Development Boards (Educational/University Labs)
University digital logic labs and FPGA training courses use EPC1441PI8N-programmed FLEX10KA development boards because the 8-PDIP package allows students to swap configuration PROMs as homework exercises, an impossible task with SMD-only devices. The 440-Kbit density supports the entire FLEX10KA bitstream range, so a single EPC1441PI8N covers any lab exercise from FLEX10K10 up to FLEX10K100. Cost is acceptable because the OTP cell means each student gets a freshly programmed PROM for their project.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPC1441PI8N β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPC1441PI8 | EPC1441PCB | EPC1441PC8 | EPC1213PI8 | EPC1064PI8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera |
| Package | 8-pin PDIP | 8-pin PDIP - same | 8-pin PDIP - same | 8-pin PDIP family (SMD variant in datasheet) | 8-pin PDIP - same | 8-pin PDIP - same |
| Memory Capacity | 440,800 bits (440 Kbit) | 440,800 bits - identical | 440,800 bits - identical | 440,800 bits - identical | 212,880 bits (-52%) | 65,536 bits (-85%) |
| Supply Voltage | 5.0 V | 5.0 V | 5.0 V | 5.0 V | 5.0 V | 5.0 V |
| Configuration Interface | Altera Serial (PS) | Altera Serial (PS) - identical | Altera Serial (PS) - identical | Altera Serial (PS) - identical | Altera Serial (PS) - identical | Altera Serial (PS) - identical |
| Memory Type | OTP (poly-fuse) | OTP (poly-fuse) | OTP blank (poly-fuse) | OTP (poly-fuse) | OTP (poly-fuse) | OTP (poly-fuse) |
| Compatible FPGA Families | FLEX10KA, APEX20K | FLEX10KA, APEX20K - same | FLEX10KA, APEX20K - same | FLEX10KA, APEX20K - same | FLEX10K, FLEX10KA (smaller) | FLEX6000, Acex1K (smallest) |
| Lifecycle Status | Last-time-buy | Last-time-buy | Last-time-buy | Last-time-buy | Last-time-buy | Last-time-buy |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
Key Differentiators
- Top-of-family 440 Kbit density for FLEX10KA/APEX20K (vs EPC1213PI8)
- 8-PDIP through-hole package for legacy/hand-replaceable designs (vs EPC1441PC8)
- Largest density in the EPC1441 family (vs EPC1064PI8)
- Original Altera/Intel datasheet and qualification pedigree (vs EPC1441PCB)
Design Notes
EPC1441PI8N is OTP (one-time-programmable) and cannot be erased or re-programmed in-system. The poly-fuse cell is blown by a high-voltage pulse on the programmer, so the part MUST be programmed on a standalone PROM programmer BEFORE PCB mounting - not after. Attempting to use an unprogrammed EPC1441PI8N in-circuit will leave the target FPGA unconfigured because the cell array defaults to all-1s (or all-0s depending on family), which is not a valid FLEX10KA bitstream. Design tip: keep blank EPC1441PCB variants on hand and program them just-in-time before board stuffing.
Place the EPC1441PI8N as close as possible to the target FPGA's configuration pins (DATA, DCLK, nSTATUS, nCONFIG, OE) to minimize trace length and ringing. Keep these traces short (<2 inches) and route them away from switching power or high-frequency signals because the FLEX10KA/APEX20K DCLK edge rate is fast enough to couple noise into the DATA line and corrupt configuration. Use a 10-kohm pull-up on nSTATUS (open-drain) and a 10-kohm pull-up on nCONFIG if not driven by the system controller.
The EPC1441PI8N operates from a single 5.0V supply (VCC = 5V +/- 5%) and draws approximately 50 uA standby current once configuration is complete, making it suitable for power-sensitive designs. During configuration the device briefly enters an active mode but returns to standby after nSTATUS goes high. Add a 100 nF decoupling capacitor immediately adjacent to the VCC pin (pin 7), and a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the 5V rail to absorb the inrush current when nCONFIG is toggled low-to-high at power-up.
When migrating from EPC1441PI8N (8-PDIP through-hole) to EPC1441PC8 (8-pin SOIC) or EPC1441LC20 (20-pin PLCC), pay close attention to pin 1 location and pin ordering differences. The 8-PDIP has DATA on pin 1 while the 8-SOIC and 20-PLCC have different pin maps. A simple silkscreen change is insufficient; you must redesign the PCB land pattern and reroute the configuration interface traces. For new designs, choose the SMD package from the start to avoid this migration cost later.
Compliance Information
Legacy through-hole PDIP package - check suffix and date code for Pb-free option. Not AEC-Q100 qualified (industrial grade only). RoHS compliance varies by date code - many EPC1441PI8N parts predate RoHS and contain lead; later Pb-free variants exist but require explicit ordering.
