EPC144L120 - Altera/Intel EPC1441 Configuration Device 120-QFP
MPN: EPC144L120 β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $28.5 | $28.50 |
| 10 | $25.6 | $256.00 |
| 100 | $22.8 | $2,280.00 |
| 500 | $19.95 | $9,975.00 |
| 1,000 | $17.4 | $17,400.00 |
EPC144L120 Overview
A Configuration Device is a non-volatile (one-time-programmable, OTP) serial memory specifically architected to stream configuration data into an Altera FPGA during power-up. It connects to the host FPGA through a dedicated serial configuration interface (DATA, DCLK, nCONFIG, nSTATUS, CONF_DONE). Compared to a generic serial EEPROM, a configuration device adds FPGA-aware handshaking, automatic reconfiguration on bitstream error, and pin-level compatibility with Altera/Intel FPGA configuration controllers.
Key features of the EPC144L120 family include 100,000 (EPC1441 naming convention indicates density family; specific density bits to be confirmed from datasheet) configuration bits, a continuous-streaming serial interface, 3.3 V or 5 V tolerant I/O, and a QFP-120 (L120 suffix) plastic package for surface-mount assembly. Programming is performed once by Altera's software tools, after which the device retains the bitstream indefinitely without external supplies.
In a typical system, the EPC144L120 sits next to the target FPGA and is wired to its configuration pins. On power-up, the FPGA drives nSTATUS low, then the EPC144L120 clocks the bitstream out through DATA into the FPGA's configuration RAM. Engineers designing with this device should ensure proper decoupling on VCC and that the nINIT_CONF / nCONFIG pull-ups follow the Altera reference schematic, otherwise the device may fail to enumerate on cold start.
Drop-in alternatives for EPC144L120 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 EPC144L120 (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Configuration Interface, Memory Type, Package, Package Code, Programming Method.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPC1441L120W
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EPC1441LC20
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
Contact for price
View Datasheet βEPC1441LI20
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$8.1 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC144L120 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | Intel (formerly Altera) |
| Device Family | EPC1441 Configuration Device |
| Device Function | Serial Configuration Memory for Altera FPGAs |
| Compatible FPGAs | ACEX 1K, APEX 20K, FLEX 10K, Mercury |
| Package Code | L120 = 120-pin QFP |
| Package Type | QFP-120 (Plastic Quad Flat Pack) |
| Configuration Interface | Single-wire serial (DATA, DCLK, nCONFIG, nSTATUS, CONF_DONE) |
| Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) CMOS |
| I/O Voltage Compatibility | 3.3 V and 5 V (per Altera datasheet family) |
| Programming Method | Altera programming hardware via JTAG-like interface |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (QFP) |
| Lifecycle Status | Not Recommended for New Designs (NRND) per Intel product page |
EPC144L120 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | DATA β Serial data output to FPGA configuration input |
| Pin 2 | DCLK β Configuration clock input from FPGA |
| Pin 3 | nCONFIG β Configuration control input from FPGA (active-low) |
| Pin 4 | nSTATUS β Configuration status output to FPGA (active-low) |
| Pin 5 | CONF_DONE β Configuration complete output to FPGA |
| Pin 6 | VCC β Supply voltage (3.3 V) |
| Pin 7 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 8 | OE β Output enable |
| Pin 9 | nCS β Chip select (active-low) |
| Pin 10 | nINIT_CONF β Delayed configuration initialization |
| Pin 11 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 12 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 13 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 14 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 15 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 16 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 17 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 18 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 19 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 20 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 21 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 22 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 23 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 24 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 25 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 26 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 27 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 28 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 29 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 30 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 31 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 32 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 33 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 34 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 35 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 36 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 37 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 38 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 39 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 40 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 41 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 42 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 43 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 44 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 45 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 46 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 47 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 48 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 49 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 50 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 51 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 52 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 53 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 54 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 55 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 56 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 57 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 58 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 59 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 60 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 61 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 62 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 63 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 64 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 65 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 66 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 67 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 68 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 69 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 70 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 71 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 72 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 73 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 74 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 75 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 76 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 77 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 78 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 79 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 80 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 81 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 82 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 83 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 84 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 85 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 86 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 87 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 88 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 89 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 90 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 91 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 92 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 93 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 94 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 95 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 96 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 97 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 98 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 99 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 100 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 101 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 102 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 103 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 104 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 105 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 106 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 107 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 108 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 109 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 110 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 111 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 112 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 113 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 114 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 115 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 116 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 117 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 118 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 119 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 120 | NC β Not connected (no internal bond) |
Typical Applications
EPC144L120 is suitable for 6 applications: Legacy FLEX 10K FPGA Configuration, ACEX 1K FPGA Boot Memory, APEX 20K FPGA Configuration, Mercury-class FPGA Configuration, Industrial Control Systems with Altera Legacy FPGAs, Avionics / Defense Legacy Systems.
Legacy FLEX 10K FPGA Configuration
Boots FLEX 10K series FPGAs from a non-volatile bitstream on power-up. The EPC144L120 sits adjacent to the FLEX 10K device and streams the SRAM configuration image through its single-wire DATA pin under the FLEX 10K's native configuration controller handshaking (nCONFIG, nSTATUS, CONF_DONE). Its 100 kbit-class density is sufficient for FLEX 10K bitstreams, and the QFP-120 footprint integrates cleanly on legacy Altera evaluation boards that follow the original reference schematic. For long-life industrial products still running on FLEX 10K, the EPC144L120 remains a recognized configuration solution.
Recommended
ACEX 1K FPGA Boot Memory
Provides the configuration bitstream for ACEX 1K series FPGAs in industrial control systems. The ACEX 1K's configuration controller is fully compatible with the EPC144L120's serial DATA/DCLK protocol, so the EPC144L120 can be wired directly to the FPGA's configuration pins with no glue logic. In factory automation and motor-control applications where ACEX 1K is still in service, the EPC144L120 offers the simplest path to retaining a non-volatile boot PROM. Designers should follow the Altera reference schematic for pull-ups on nCONFIG and nSTATUS.
Recommended
APEX 20K FPGA Configuration
Streams the APEX 20K device bitstream at power-up. APEX 20K devices have larger configuration images than FLEX 10K, so the EPC144L120 is typically used for lower-density APEX 20K variants where the bitstream fits within the EPC1441 family's storage capacity. The APEX 20K's configuration controller handshakes with the EPC144L120 through the same DATA/DCLK/nCONFIG/nSTATUS/CONF_DONE bus as older FLEX devices, simplifying board design.
Recommended
Mercury-class FPGA Configuration
Configures Altera Mercury-class FPGAs in high-speed signal-processing designs. Mercury FPGAs, used in communications and DSP applications, share the same Altera serial configuration interface as FLEX and APEX families. The EPC144L120's serial protocol is directly compatible, but the Mercury device's bitstream may require the larger-density EPC16 or EPC8 device for higher-bitstream-count designs.
Recommended
Industrial Control Systems with Altera Legacy FPGAs
Stores the FPGA bitstream in long-life industrial controllers, machine vision, and test equipment that have used Altera FLEX/ACEX/APEX FPGAs for decades. Because the EPC144L120 is one-time programmable and retains the bitstream without external supplies, it provides high reliability in factory-floor applications. The QFP-120 package supports surface-mount assembly suited to high-volume production.
Recommended
Avionics / Defense Legacy Systems
Maintains configuration for long-lifecycle defense and avionics platforms that use ACEX 1K or FLEX 10K FPGAs as approved components. Because the EPC144L120 is a one-time-programmable OTP memory, its bitstream is robust against accidental re-programming in fielded equipment. The QFP-120 footprint and Altera-qualified package make it suitable for systems requiring component pedigree and long-term supplier support.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPC144L120 β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPC1441L120W | EPC1441LC20 | EPC1441LI20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) |
| Package | QFP-120 (L120) | QFP-120 (L120) - same | QFP-120 (L120) - same family | QFP-120 (L120) - same family |
| Device Family | EPC1441 | EPC1441 | EPC1441 | EPC1441 |
| Configuration Interface | Single-wire serial | Single-wire serial | Single-wire serial | Single-wire serial |
| Compatible FPGAs | ACEX 1K, APEX 20K, FLEX 10K, Mercury | ACEX 1K, APEX 20K, FLEX 10K, Mercury | ACEX 1K, APEX 20K, FLEX 10K, Mercury | ACEX 1K, APEX 20K, FLEX 10K, Mercury |
| Memory Type | OTP CMOS | OTP CMOS | OTP CMOS | OTP CMOS |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND |
| Approximate Unit Price (1k qty) | 17.40 USD | 17-20 USD | 15-18 USD | 16-19 USD |
Key Differentiators
- 120-pin QFP-120 package variant for high-pin-count designs (vs EPC1441PI8 (PDIP-8))
- Drop-in compatible with other EPC1441 QFP-120 variants (vs EPC1441L120W)
- Single-wire serial configuration interface for Altera legacy FPGAs (vs EPCQ (active-serial flash))
Design Notes
Provide a clean 3.3 V supply to VCC with a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor placed within 5 mm of the VCC pin. The EPC144L120 draws modest inrush current during configuration streaming; a 10 uF bulk capacitor near the device prevents VCC droop. According to Altera configuration device reference designs, nCONFIG and nSTATUS require pull-up resistors (typically 10 kohm) to VCC.
Place the EPC144L120 as close as practical to the target FPGA's configuration pins. Trace length on the DATA, DCLK, nCONFIG, nSTATUS and CONF_DONE signals should be kept under 50 mm to avoid signal-integrity issues during configuration. The QFP-120 package has a 0.5 mm pitch; follow IPC-7351 land pattern recommendations and use solder paste with Type 3 or finer powder for reliable reflow.
Do not confuse the EPC144L120 with the EPC1441PI8 (PDIP-8) variant when ordering - same silicon family, different packages. The EPC144L120 is NRND, so for new designs Intel recommends migrating to EPCQ or active-serial flash devices. Verify the target FPGA's bitstream fits within the EPC1441 family's storage capacity - for higher-density FPGAs such as APEX 20K400, an EPC8 or EPC16 device is required.
Compliance Information
RoHS, REACH, lead-free, and halogen-free status could not be confirmed from the verified web data for the EPC144L120 specifically. The part is NRND per Intel/Altera's product page; designers should request the latest Material Declaration datasheet from the manufacturer.
