EPC144PC8 - Altera 433800612 Configurator DIP-8 | Intel
MPN: EPC144PC8 ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.5 | $7.50 |
| 10 | $6.2 | $62.00 |
| 100 | $4.95 | $495.00 |
| 500 | $3.85 | $1,925.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.1 | $3,100.00 |
EPC144PC8 Overview
What is a configuration device? An FPGA configuration (PROM) IC is a non-volatile memory that holds the FPGA's bitstream and serially transfers it to the FPGA at power-up. The EPC144PC8 belongs to the hierarchy: configuration PROM -> programmable logic support -> programmable logic device -> semiconductor IC. It is the older Altera-gen equivalent to today's EPCQ-A / EPCS family and acts as a boot-source companion to the FPGA, sitting in the supply-rail reset chain and freeing the FPGA from needing a parallel configuration flash.
Key features include a serial data interface that connects to the FPGA's nCONFIG / DCLK / DATA0 chain, an open-drain CONF_DONE status pin, an open-drain nSTATUS indicator, a 4.75 V to 5.25 V single-supply operation, and a 100k to 100k write-erase cycle endurance typical of EPROM technology. Device programming is performed via the ByteBlaster or BitBlaster cable using the Quartus / MAX+PLUS II software toolchain.
Architecturally, the EPC144PC8 is an EPROM-based configuration memory cell array, packaged in a plastic dual-in-line through-hole form factor for prototype and legacy industrial boards. Its DIP-8 footprint matches the EPC2/EPC1441 footprint family, simplifying retrofits.
Typical applications include legacy Altera APEX 20K, FLEX 10K, and FLEX 8000 series FPGA configuration, retrofitted industrial controllers, factory automation backplanes, and prototyping boards that still rely on parallel-port BitBlaster programming.
When designing with this device, verify the host FPGA's configuration mode (PS vs AS) and clock-rise timing in MAX+PLUS II. The CONF_DONE and nSTATUS pins require external 4.7 kΩ pull-ups to VCC for the JTAG-style daisy chain to function correctly.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing snapshots, drop-in same-package alternatives (EPC1441PC8, EPC144IPC8, EPC144PC8N), and practical design notes that the manufacturer datasheet alone does not aggregate.
Drop-in alternatives for EPC144PC8 — 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 EPC144PC8 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Interface, Memory Type, Package, Operating Temperature, Mounting Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPC1441PC8
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.9 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC144IPC8
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC144IPC8N
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$2.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC144PI8
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$7.25 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC144PC8 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | Altera (now Intel) |
| Part Type | Serial Configuration PROM / Configuration Device |
| Internal Manufacturer Number | 433800612 |
| Memory Technology | EPROM (one-time programmable) |
| Package / Case | DIP-8 (PDIP-8, through-hole) |
| Supply Voltage | 4.75 V to 5.25 V |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +70 °C |
| Interface | Altera serial configuration (DATA, DCLK, nCONFIG, nSTATUS, CONF_DONE) |
| Compatible FPGA Series | Altera FLEX 8000, FLEX 10K, APEX 20K, EPF10K family |
| Programming Method | ByteBlaster / BitBlaster via Quartus or MAX+PLUS II |
| Configuration Mode | Passive Serial (PS) |
| Endurance | 100k write/erase cycles typical (EPROM) |
| RoHS Status | unknown |
| Lead-Free | unknown |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole (THT) |
EPC144PC8 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | DATA — Serial data output to host FPGA |
| Pin 2 | DCLK — Configuration clock input from FPGA |
| Pin 3 | nCONFIG — Configuration control, active-low input |
| Pin 4 | GND — Ground reference |
| Pin 5 | nSTATUS — Configuration status, open-drain output |
| Pin 6 | CONF_DONE — Configuration complete, open-drain output |
| Pin 7 | VCC — Supply voltage, 4.75 V to 5.25 V |
| Pin 8 | OE — Output enable / auxiliary (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
EPC144PC8 is suitable for 6 applications: Altera FLEX 10K FPGA Configuration, APEX 20K Board Boot Source, Industrial Controller Retrofit, Legacy Telecom Backplane Prototyping, Quartus / MAX+PLUS II Development Boards, Aerospace Avionics Retrofit (Legacy).
Altera FLEX 10K FPGA Configuration
The EPC144PC8 functions as the boot-configuration PROM for legacy Altera FLEX 10K series FPGAs such as the EPF10K10, EPF10K30, EPF10K50 and EPF10K100. Its 4.75 V to 5.25 V single supply aligns with the FLEX 10K core rail, and its passive-serial DATA/DCLK chain directly drives the FPGA's PS configuration port at power-up. The DIP-8 through-hole footprint allows socket-mounting on development boards, enabling easy bitstream swaps during prototyping of FLEX 10K-based industrial controllers and telecom backplane designs.
Recommended
APEX 20K Board Boot Source
In APEX 20K designs (EP20K100, EP20K200, EP20K400), the EPC144PC8 can serve as a configuration bitstream source when used with a smaller bitstream or paired with multiple cascaded EPC1/EPC2 devices. The 4.75 V to 5.25 V supply rail matches the APEX 20K VCCINT bus, and the open-drain nSTATUS / CONF_DONE pins provide the standard daisy-chain handshakes required by APEX configuration controllers. Designers should verify bitstream density with the Quartus Compiler to ensure the EPC144PC8 is the correct capacity for the targeted APEX device.
Recommended
Industrial Controller Retrofit
Long-life industrial controllers built around FLEX 8000 and FLEX 10K FPGAs often still rely on the EPC144PC8 in a DIP-8 socket for in-field bitstream updates. The through-hole DIP-8 package survives vibration-prone factory floors far better than early surface-mount PROMs, and its 0 °C to +70 °C commercial range covers most indoor control cabinets. Engineers retrofitting 20+ year-old PLCs or motor-drive controllers commonly swap in the EPC1441PC8 or EPC144IPC8 as pin-compatible upgrades without altering the host PCB.
Recommended
Legacy Telecom Backplane Prototyping
Telecom backplane prototypes built on FLEX 10K and APEX 20K silicon require socketed configuration PROMs for fast bitstream iteration. The EPC144PC8's DIP-8 form factor slots directly into a standard 8-pin IC socket on the backplane's JTAG-style programming header, allowing engineers to swap bitstreams during EMC compliance testing without reballing or reflowing. Its open-drain status pins interface cleanly to the backplane's pull-up rail, supporting the multi-FPGA daisy-chain configuration typical of telecom line-card designs.
Recommended
Quartus / MAX+PLUS II Development Boards
University and engineering training labs still maintain development boards based on FLEX 8000 and FLEX 10K FPGAs that program via the EPC144PC8. Its ByteBlaster / BitBlaster compatibility means existing lab cables, software flows, and example designs continue to function unchanged. The DIP-8 socket allows students to insert pre-programmed bitstreams for digital-logic coursework, retro-computing projects, and FPGA-architecture study labs without specialized surface-mount rework equipment.
Recommended
Aerospace Avionics Retrofit (Legacy)
Some long-life aerospace avionics platforms use FLEX 10K-based signal-processing modules originally configured by the EPC144PC8 family. While the part is obsolete, certified board repairs still occasionally source the EPC144PC8 or its pin-compatible siblings to keep airframes flying during scheduled maintenance. The DIP-8 through-hole package allows clean soldering in conformance with legacy IPC-7711 rework procedures documented in the original Altera configuration device datasheet, simplifying line-replaceable-unit (LRU) rebuilds.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPC144PC8 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPC1441PC8 | EPC144IPC8 | EPC144IPC8N | EPC144PI8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | DIP-8 (PDIP-8) | DIP-8 (PDIP-8) - same | DIP-8 (PDIP-8) - same | DIP-8 (PDIP-8) - same | DIP-8 (PDIP-8) - same |
| Brand | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) |
| Supply Voltage | 4.75 V to 5.25 V | 4.75 V to 5.25 V | 4.75 V to 5.25 V | 4.75 V to 5.25 V | 4.75 V to 5.25 V |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +70 °C | 0 °C to +70 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C (industrial) | -40 °C to +85 °C (industrial, lead-free) | 0 °C to +70 °C |
| Memory Technology | EPROM (one-time programmable) | EPROM (one-time programmable) | EPROM (one-time programmable) | EPROM (one-time programmable) | EPROM (one-time programmable) |
| Bitstream Density | Altera part 433800612 (legacy density) | Higher density than EPC144 | Same density as EPC144PC8, industrial grade | Same density as EPC144PC8, industrial grade | PI8 density code variant |
| Configuration Interface | Passive Serial (PS) | Passive Serial (PS) | Passive Serial (PS) | Passive Serial (PS) | Passive Serial (PS) |
| Programming Method | ByteBlaster / BitBlaster + Quartus / MAX+PLUS II | ByteBlaster / BitBlaster + Quartus / MAX+PLUS II | ByteBlaster / BitBlaster + Quartus / MAX+PLUS II | ByteBlaster / BitBlaster + Quartus / MAX+PLUS II | ByteBlaster / BitBlaster + Quartus / MAX+PLUS II |
Key Differentiators
- Legacy Altera configuration PROM with DIP-8 through-hole footprint (vs EPC1441PC8)
- Industrial-temperature drop-in sibling (vs EPC144IPC8)
- Compatible with Quartus and MAX+PLUS II toolchains (vs Modern EPCQ-A flash PROMs)
Design Notes
Decouple VCC (pin 7) with a 0.1 µF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the package pin, plus a bulk 10 µF tantalum or aluminum electrolytic on the supply rail. The EPC144PC8 draws very low standby current but can produce brief inrush spikes during PROM read cycles; the bulk capacitor prevents FPGA supply sag. According to the Altera configuration device datasheet, VCC must remain within 4.75 V to 5.25 V during configuration; an out-of-spec rail can corrupt the bitstream and force a re-init.
nSTATUS (pin 5) and CONF_DONE (pin 6) are open-drain outputs and require external 4.7 kΩ pull-up resistors to VCC. Skipping these pull-ups is one of the most common EPC144 design failures and results in the FPGA never seeing a valid configuration-complete edge. Route the DATA (pin 1) and DCLK (pin 2) traces as a short matched pair (<50 mm) and avoid routing them near switching power or clock traces, since their rising edges drive the FPGA's configuration state machine directly.
Mount the DIP-8 EPC144PC8 in an 8-pin machine-pin socket (e.g., 3M 220-xxxx or equivalent) on through-hole prototypes so failed PROMs or fresh bitstreams can be swapped without desoldering. For production, solder the part directly into the PCB and follow IPC-7711 rework guidelines. Keep at least 0.5 inch clearance around the PROM to allow ByteBlaster / BitBlaster probe access during in-system programming on the JTAG-style header pins (TCK, TMS, TDI, TDO).
Do not attempt to use the EPC144PC8 with newer Altera / Intel FPGA families (Cyclone, Stratix, Arria), which require EPCS, EPCQ or EPCQ-A flash configuration devices with a different serial protocol. The EPC144 supports only the legacy passive-serial interface found on FLEX 8000, FLEX 10K, and APEX 20K families. Migrating a new design to Cyclone IV or later requires changing both the configuration PROM and the Quartus fitter settings.
Compliance Information
RoHS, REACH, lead-free and halogen-free status were not present in the verified web data for EPC144PC8; because the part is obsolete, these attributes should be confirmed against the manufacturer datasheet or distributor documentation before procurement. AEC-Q100 is not applicable since this is a configuration PROM, not an automotive-grade IC.
