EPC1441TI32N - 440Kb FPGA Config PROM, 32-TQFP | Intel / Altera
MPN: EPC1441TI32N β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.5 | $8.50 |
| 10 | $7.65 | $76.50 |
| 100 | $6.8 | $680.00 |
| 500 | $6.1 | $3,050.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.45 | $5,450.00 |
EPC1441TI32N Overview
A serial configuration PROM (also called a configuration device) is a non-volatile memory that holds the FPGA's configuration bitstream. Because SRAM-based LUT devices lose their configuration every time they lose power, a configuration PROM re-loads the bitstream at power-up via a serial interface. Within the broader taxonomy, the EPC1441TI32N belongs to: configuration PROM -> serial configuration memory -> non-volatile memory -> memory IC -> semiconductor. It is the master boot source for the FPGA in standalone (non-processor-driven) designs.
Key specifications include a memory density of 440,800 bits (one bit per word, 440,800 words), a 3.3 V supply voltage, a serial data rate of up to 10 MHz (Mouser listing shows 8 MHz), and an industrial operating temperature grade. The OTP cell array is programmed through the JTAG IEEE 1149.1 interface and the configuration data is clocked out serially to the target FPGA on power-up using Altera's proprietary serial configuration protocol (not generic SPI).
The EPC1441TI32N uses a simple state-machine-based controller with a 4-pin serial configuration interface (nCS, DCLK, DATA, nCONFIG/nSTATUS) rather than a full SPI core. This minimal pin count allows the device to share its JTAG chain with other Altera configuration devices and with the FPGA itself, enabling in-system re-programming of the entire chain through a single JTAG header. The architecture is intentionally low-cost and one-time-programmable: each bit cell is written only once via anti-fuse or fuse-link programming.
Typical applications include boot configuration for Altera/Intel Cyclone-series FPGAs in industrial controllers, factory automation modules, telecom line cards, and any design that uses an SRAM-based FPGA without an external processor or flash to load its bitstream. The TQFP-32 package is hand-solderable and breadboard-friendly, making the EPC1441TI32N common in prototype and low-volume production. The industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C typical for this family) allows deployment in uncontrolled-environment enclosures.
When designing with this part, note that the EPC1441TI32N is a one-time-programmable device: a programming error permanently bricks the part. Designers should verify the bitstream on a Cyclone/Cyclone II board with a JTAG programmer before committing production units. The 10 MHz (or 8 MHz per Mouser) serial clock is compatible with all Altera passive-serial mode FPGAs but is NOT a generic SPI memory; it cannot directly replace a 25Q-series SPI flash in a non-Altera design.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternative part numbers (EPC1441TI32, EPC1441TC32N, EPC1441PC8, etc.), and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for EPC1441TI32N 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 EPC1441TI32N (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Memory Size, Operating Temperature, Package, Memory Type, Programming Interface.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPC1441TI32
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―β In Stock
$9.3 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC1441TC32N
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―β In Stock
$1.45 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC1441TC32
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―β In Stock
$9.75 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC1441T32
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―β In Stock
$7.1 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC1441LC20N
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―β In Stock
$7.95 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC1441TI32N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Memory Type | OTP Configuration PROM (serial) |
| Memory Density | 440 kbit (440,800 bits) |
| Number of Words | 440,800 words |
| Bits per Word | 1 bit |
| Memory Technology | EPROM (one-time programmable) |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V |
| Interface Type | Altera passive-serial (FPGA configuration) |
| Programming Interface | IEEE 1149.1 (JTAG) - 5 V and 3.3 V ISP |
| Max Serial Clock | 10 MHz (per datasheet.com) / 8 MHz (per Mouser listing) |
| Package Type | TQFP-32 (plastic, 7x7 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature Grade | Industrial |
| Number of Pins | 32 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
| Supported FPGA Families | ACEX 1K, APEX 20K, APEX II, Arria GX, Cyclone, Cyclone II, FLEX 10K, FLEX 6000, Mercury, Stratix, Stratix GX, Stratix II, Stratix II GX |
EPC1441TI32N Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 2 | DATA β Serial data output to FPGA |
| Pin 3 | DCLK β Configuration clock input from FPGA |
| Pin 4 | nCS β Chip select (active low) |
| Pin 5 | nCONFIG β Configuration control from FPGA |
| Pin 6 | nSTATUS β Status output to FPGA |
| Pin 7 | VCC β 3.3 V supply |
| Pin 8 | TDI β JTAG test data in |
| Pin 9 | TMS β JTAG test mode select |
| Pin 10 | TCK β JTAG test clock |
| Pin 11 | TDO β JTAG test data out |
| Pin 12 | NC β Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 13 | NC β Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 14 | OE β Output enable (active low) |
| Pin 15 | nRESET β Reset (active low) |
| Pin 16 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 17 | VCC β 3.3 V supply |
| Pin 18 | A0 β Address line 0 (cascaded config) |
| Pin 19 | A1 β Address line 1 (cascaded config) |
| Pin 20 | A2 β Address line 2 (cascaded config) |
| Pin 21 | A3 β Address line 3 (cascaded config) |
| Pin 22 | A4 β Address line 4 (cascaded config) |
| Pin 23 | A5 β Address line 5 (cascaded config) |
| Pin 24 | A6 β Address line 6 (cascaded config) |
| Pin 25 | A7 β Address line 7 (cascaded config) |
| Pin 26 | A8 β Address line 8 (cascaded config) |
| Pin 27 | A9 β Address line 9 (cascaded config) |
| Pin 28 | A10 β Address line 10 (cascaded config) |
| Pin 29 | A11 β Address line 11 (cascaded config) |
| Pin 30 | A12 β Address line 12 (cascaded config) |
| Pin 31 | A13 β Address line 13 (cascaded config) |
| Pin 32 | A14 β Address line 14 (cascaded config) |
Typical Applications
EPC1441TI32N is suitable for 6 applications: Cyclone / Cyclone II FPGA Boot Configuration, Industrial Controller Modules, Telecom Line Cards, Test and Measurement Equipment, Automotive ECU Prototyping, Legacy Board Revision Support.
Cyclone / Cyclone II FPGA Boot Configuration
The EPC1441TI32N is the canonical configuration device for Altera Cyclone and Cyclone II SRAM-based FPGAs. Its 440-kbit density matches the bitstream size of small to mid-density Cyclone devices (e.g., EP1C3, EP1C6, EP1C12, EP2C5, EP2C8), and the 10 MHz passive-serial clock aligns with the Cyclone family's maximum configuration clock. The part is wired to the FPGA's MSEL[2:0] pins for passive-serial mode and to nCONFIG/nSTATUS/DCLK/DATA. Compared to flash-based controllers, the EPC1441TI32N's OTP nature means a single JTAG-programmed bitstream boots without any external processor intervention.
Recommended
Industrial Controller Modules
In industrial PLCs, motor controllers, and factory-automation modules, the EPC1441TI32N serves as the non-volatile bitstream source for a Cyclone-class FPGA. The industrial operating temperature grade (-40C to +85C) and the 32-pin TQFP package (rated for typical reflow profiles) suit factory-floor enclosures. The OTP nature means the bitstream is locked at programming time, preventing field-tampering of the FPGA logic. The 10 MHz configuration clock provides under 50 ms configuration time for a typical 400-kbit Cyclone bitstream, satisfying most IEC 61131-2 startup-time requirements for industrial controllers.
Recommended
Telecom Line Cards
Telecom line cards based on Altera Stratix / Stratix II / Arria GX FPGAs use the EPC1441TI32N as part of a JTAG-chained configuration memory array. For larger Stratix bitstreams that exceed 440 kbit, multiple EPC devices can be cascaded in the same JTAG chain. The 3.3 V supply rail is compatible with standard telecom -48 V-to-3.3 V intermediate bus converters. The Altera passive-serial protocol allows the same JTAG header to program both the configuration memory and the FPGA itself, simplifying field updates and factory programming of telecom line cards.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Equipment
Test and measurement instruments such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and protocol analyzers often use Cyclone or Cyclone II FPGAs for high-speed signal processing, with the EPC1441TI32N providing the boot configuration. The low-noise 3.3 V supply is compatible with the instrument's analog front-end power rails. The OTP nature prevents accidental overwriting during calibration, and the JTAG programming interface allows factory-only re-flashing. The TQFP-32 footprint is compatible with the high-density 4-layer PCBs typical of benchtop instruments.
Recommended
Automotive ECU Prototyping
Although not AEC-Q100 qualified, the EPC1441TI32N is used in pre-production automotive ECU prototypes where Altera/Intel FPGAs accelerate CAN, LIN, and FlexRay protocol logic. The industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C) covers most cabin and under-hood-prototype testing. The 32-pin TQFP is small enough for hand-routed prototype boards. For production automotive designs requiring AEC-Q100, designers typically migrate to flash-based controllers or to automotive-grade Altera Cyclone III / Cyclone IV FPGAs with their own configuration solutions.
Recommended
Legacy Board Revision Support
The EPC1441TI32N is commonly used to support existing board revisions where the original Altera FPGAs (Cyclone, Cyclone II, ACEX 1K, FLEX 10K) are still in production but the configuration memory needs re-spinning due to RoHS compliance, lead-free reflow, or component obsolescence on the original EPC part. Because the EPC1441TI32N is pin-compatible with the legacy EPC16/EPC8/EPC4 family in TQFP-32 footprint, it is the modern RoHS-compliant drop-in for board re-spins. The identical Altera passive-serial protocol ensures no FPGA firmware changes are needed.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPC1441TI32N β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPC1441TI32 | EPC1441TC32N | EPC1441TC32 | EPC1441T32 | EPC1441LC20N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Intel (formerly Altera) | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel |
| Package | TQFP-32 (7x7 mm) | TQFP-32 - same | TQFP-32 - same | TQFP-32 - same | TQFP-32 - same | TQFP-32 - same |
| Memory Density | 440 kbit | 440 kbit | 440 kbit | 440 kbit | 440 kbit | 440 kbit |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Industrial | Commercial (0C to +70C) | Commercial (0C to +70C) | Industrial | Industrial |
| RoHS / Lead-Free | Yes (N suffix) | No (non-N) | Yes (N suffix) | No (non-N) | No (non-N) | Yes (N suffix) |
| Serial Clock | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 10 MHz |
| Programming Interface | JTAG IEEE 1149.1 | JTAG IEEE 1149.1 | JTAG IEEE 1149.1 | JTAG IEEE 1149.1 | JTAG IEEE 1149.1 | JTAG IEEE 1149.1 |
Key Differentiators
- Industrial temperature grade with full RoHS compliance (vs EPC1441TC32N)
- Lead-free RoHS-compliant variant (vs EPC1441TI32)
- Pin-compatible upgrade path from older EPC16 / EPC8 / EPC4 (vs EPC16QI100N)
Design Notes
The EPC1441TI32N is one-time-programmable (OTP): a single bad bitstream permanently bricks the device. Always verify the .sof / .pof bitstream on a Cyclone development board with a ByteBlaster or USB-Blaster JTAG programmer BEFORE committing production EPC devices to programming. Stock 10% extra EPROMs for engineering rework. For designs that may need bitstream updates, consider migrating to EPCQ-series or to a flash-based configuration controller.
Place the EPC1441TI32N within 50 mm of the target FPGA's CONFIG pins (nCONFIG, nSTATUS, DCLK, DATA, nCS) to keep the passive-serial configuration traces short. Add 33 ohm series damping resistors on DCLK and DATA if configuration errors appear at high clock rates. Decouple VCC (pin 7 and pin 17) with 100 nF X7R ceramic capacitors placed within 3 mm of each VCC pin. Tie the JTAG chain (TDI/TDO/TCK/TMS) in series so the EPC and target FPGA share a single JTAG header for in-system programming.
For multi-FPGA boards, cascade EPC1441TI32N devices in a JTAG chain by wiring TDO of one EPC to TDI of the next. Set MSEL[2:0] on each FPGA to passive-serial mode (typically MSEL=000 for 3.3 V). The address lines A0-A14 on the EPC1441TI32N are used internally to sequence the bitstream read-out; leave them unconnected in single-FPGA designs but ensure pin compatibility with the cascaded configuration scheme. The JTAG chain order EPC->FPGA is recommended to allow JTAG programming of the EPC while the FPGA is in bypass.
The EPC1441TI32N consumes approximately 25 mA active and 5 uA standby per the Altera configuration device datasheet. At 3.3 V, active power dissipation is 82.5 mW and standby is negligible. The TQFP-32 package has a typical theta_JA of 50 C/W, so a worst-case 125C junction temperature requires at most a small copper pour - no heatsink needed. Industrial temperature range is -40C to +85C, well within the package capability for typical reflow profiles.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per 'N' suffix designation. Lead-free (Pb-free) terminations per Intel/Altera datasheet. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - for AEC-Q100 automotive applications, contact Intel for the appropriate automotive-grade configuration memory. ISO 9001:2008 registered per Altera datasheet.
