EPC160I100 - Altera Enhanced Configuration Device, QFP-100 | Intel FPGA
MPN: EPC160I100 β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $28.5 | $28.50 |
| 10 | $24.75 | $247.50 |
| 100 | $21.2 | $2,120.00 |
| 500 | $18.4 | $9,200.00 |
| 1,000 | $15.95 | $15,950.00 |
EPC160I100 Overview
An Enhanced Configuration Device is a non-volatile configuration memory plus controller integrated circuit used to store FPGA bitstreams and load them at power-up. It belongs to the configuration memory hierarchy: configuration memory -> non-volatile memory (NOR flash) -> memory IC. Compared with classic serial configuration EEPROMs (EPC1, EPC2), the EPC160 adds higher density, faster page-write throughput, JTAG-based in-system programmability, and dedicated controller logic that offloads the host processor. The EPC160I100 extends the family by operating from an industrial temperature range, making it suitable for harsh-environment designs.
Key differentiating features include 1.6 Mb of configuration storage, parallel/byte-wide data interface, 5.0V tolerant inputs while operating at 3.3V core, JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) ISP, and an industrial temperature rating of -40C to +85C. The 100-pin QFP package offers generous signal margin for board designers who need to bring out dedicated configuration status pins and JTAG chains. Multi-device JTAG daisy-chaining is supported for systems where more than one configuration source is desired.
At the architectural level, the EPC160 family uses a sectored NOR flash array that is erasable per 32 KB sector and supports up to 10,000 program/erase cycles per sector. The on-chip controller handles command sequencing, status handshaking to the FPGA, and JTAG instruction decoding. Designers configure the controller by writing a single setup register, after which configuration is autonomous on subsequent power-ups. The device automatically detects the connected FPGA family and applies the correct configuration clock scheme.
Typical applications include industrial control boards using APEX 20K or ACEX 1K FPGAs, telecommunications line cards requiring remote firmware upgrade via JTAG, military/aerospace systems needing industrial-temperature non-volatile boot, and legacy Altera FPGA designs migrating from EPC2 to higher-density configuration. The JTAG ISP also supports field updates without removing the configuration device from the board.
When designing with the EPC160I100, confirm that the connected FPGA's configuration mode (passive serial vs parallel) matches the EPC160's selected interface. Place a 0.1uF decoupling capacitor close to each VCC pin, and provide a 10k pull-up on nINIT_CONF if used. The reference designs in Altera application note AN 116 describe the recommended schematic and timing constraints for APEX II systems.
This page consolidates distributor pricing, JTAG/ISP timing considerations, and pin-compatible alternatives not present in the original datasheet, supporting sourcing and second-source qualification decisions.
Drop-in alternatives for EPC160I100 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 EPC160I100 (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Configuration Interface, Device Type, Operating Temperature, Programmability.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPC160C100
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$7.2 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC144TI32
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$7.1 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC144TC32
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$9.75 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC1441TC32
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$9.75 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC1441LC20
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
Contact for price
View Datasheet βEPC160I100 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | Altera (Intel Programmable Solutions Group) |
| Device Type | Enhanced Configuration Device (EPC) |
| Configuration Memory Size | 1.6 Mbit |
| Supported FPGA Families | APEX II, APEX 20K, Mercury, ACEX 1K, FLEX 10K, FLEX 10KE |
| Supply Voltage (VCC) | 3.3 V |
| I/O Tolerance | 5.0 V tolerant |
| Configuration Interface | Passive serial, parallel byte-wide |
| In-System Programming | JTAG (IEEE Std 1149.1) |
| Program/Erase Cycles | 10,000 cycles per sector |
| Sector Size | 32 KB |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Package | QFP-100 (14x14 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
EPC160I100 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | DATA0 β Configuration data bit 0 |
| Pin 2 | DATA1 β Configuration data bit 1 |
| Pin 3 | DATA2 β Configuration data bit 2 |
| Pin 4 | DATA3 β Configuration data bit 3 |
| Pin 5 | DATA4 β Configuration data bit 4 |
| Pin 6 | DATA5 β Configuration data bit 5 |
| Pin 7 | DATA6 β Configuration data bit 6 |
| Pin 8 | DATA7 β Configuration data bit 7 |
| Pin 9 | VCC β 3.3V supply |
| Pin 10 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 11 | DCLK β Configuration clock output |
| Pin 12 | nCONFIG β Configuration start control |
| Pin 13 | nSTATUS β Configuration status output |
| Pin 14 | CONF_DONE β Configuration complete indicator |
| Pin 15 | TCK β JTAG test clock |
| Pin 16 | TMS β JTAG test mode select |
| Pin 17 | TDI β JTAG test data in |
| Pin 18 | TDO β JTAG test data out |
| Pin 19 | nINIT_CONF β Active-low init/conf mode select |
| Pin 20 | OE β Output enable for data bus |
Typical Applications
EPC160I100 is suitable for 6 applications: APEX 20K FPGA Configuration, ACEX 1K Industrial Control Boards, Telecommunications Line Card Boot, Mercury FPGA High-Speed DSP Systems, FLEX 10K Legacy System Sustainment, Field-Programmable JTAG ISP Upgrade.
APEX 20K FPGA Configuration
The EPC160I100 stores up to 1.6 Mbit of configuration data and delivers it to APEX 20K FPGAs at power-up via passive serial or parallel byte-wide interface. Its 3.3V core with 5.0V tolerant I/O matches APEX 20K multi-voltage banks, eliminating level shifters. JTAG ISP enables field updates without removing the device, and the -40C to +85C industrial grade supports factory-floor deployments.
Recommended
ACEX 1K Industrial Control Boards
In industrial control systems using ACEX 1K FPGAs, the EPC160I100 provides reliable non-volatile configuration storage across -40C to +85C. The device's 32 KB sector erase and 10,000 program/erase cycles support frequent remote firmware updates over JTAG. Its QFP-100 footprint allows hand-rework during prototyping and integrates cleanly into 4-layer industrial PCBs with 0.5 mm pitch QFP soldering profiles.
Recommended
Telecommunications Line Card Boot
The EPC160I100 is well-suited to telecommunications line cards built around Altera FLEX 10K or APEX 20K FPGAs. Its parallel byte-wide interface shortens configuration time on multi-Mbit FPGA bitstreams, reducing service interruption during card reset. JTAG ISP enables remote firmware upgrades via the board's existing JTAG access port, and the industrial temperature rating supports outdoor cabinet deployments.
Recommended
Mercury FPGA High-Speed DSP Systems
Mercury FPGAs used in high-speed DSP applications benefit from the EPC160I100's parallel configuration mode, which minimizes boot latency on multi-Mbit bitstreams. The EPC160I100's deterministic configuration timing aligns with Mercury's DSP pipeline requirements, while JTAG ISP enables in-field algorithm updates. Industrial temperature rating supports base-station outdoor enclosures.
Recommended
FLEX 10K Legacy System Sustainment
The EPC160I100 sustains legacy FLEX 10K and FLEX 10KE designs that remain in production for industrial and aerospace customers. Its 1.6 Mbit density accommodates the largest FLEX 10KE bitstreams, while JTAG ISP allows board-level programming during maintenance. Industrial temperature rating ensures continued operation in deployed systems across the product life-cycle.
Recommended
Field-Programmable JTAG ISP Upgrade
The EPC160I100 enables in-system firmware upgrade through JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) on legacy Altera FPGA boards without removing the configuration device. Engineers can connect a ByteBlaster cable and use Quartus Programmer to refresh the bitstream in production. The 10,000 program/erase cycle rating per 32 KB sector supports frequent firmware revisions throughout the product life-cycle.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPC160I100 β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPC160C100 | EPC144TI32 | EPC144TC32 | EPC1441TC32 | EPC1441LC20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Altera (Intel PSG) | Altera (Intel PSG) | Altera (Intel PSG) | Altera (Intel PSG) | Altera (Intel PSG) | Altera (Intel PSG) |
| Package | QFP-100 (14x14 mm) | QFP-100 - same | QFP-100 - same | QFP-100 - same | QFP-100 - same | QFP-100 - same |
| Configuration Memory | 1.6 Mbit | 1.6 Mbit | 1.44 Mbit | 1.44 Mbit | 1.44 Mbit | 1.44 Mbit |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V |
| I/O Tolerance | 5.0 V tolerant | 5.0 V tolerant | 5.0 V tolerant | 5.0 V tolerant | 5.0 V tolerant | 5.0 V tolerant |
| JTAG ISP | Yes (IEEE 1149.1) | Yes (IEEE 1149.1) | Yes (IEEE 1149.1) | Yes (IEEE 1149.1) | Yes (IEEE 1149.1) | Yes (IEEE 1149.1) |
| Configuration Interface | Passive serial + Parallel byte-wide | Passive serial + Parallel byte-wide | Passive serial + Parallel byte-wide | Passive serial + Parallel byte-wide | Passive serial + Parallel byte-wide | Passive serial + Parallel byte-wide |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- Industrial temperature rating (vs EPC160C100)
- Higher configuration density than EPC144 family (vs EPC144TI32)
- Parallel byte-wide configuration support (vs EPC2)
Design Notes
The EPC160I100 operates from a single 3.3V VCC rail and includes 5.0V tolerant I/O to interface with mixed-voltage FPGA banks. Place a 0.1uF decoupling capacitor close to each VCC pin and a 10uF bulk capacitor within 25 mm. During JTAG ISP programming, peak current can momentarily exceed the read-mode quiescent current; ensure the 3.3V regulator has at least 50 mA headroom to avoid brownouts that corrupt configuration writes.
Use a 4-layer PCB with a continuous ground plane under the QFP-100 footprint to reduce EMI on the DCLK line. Keep DATA[7:0] traces matched within 5 mm to avoid configuration timing violations; the parallel byte-wide interface is more sensitive to skew than the passive serial interface. Route JTAG signals TCK, TMS, TDI, TDO as a chain with stubs under 10 mm and add a 10k pull-up on nINIT_CONF if the FPGA does not drive it externally.
Do not assume 5.0V supply - the EPC160I100 VCC is 3.3V; only the I/O are 5V tolerant. Confusing the two ratings will damage the part. Also verify that the connected FPGA configuration mode (passive serial vs parallel) matches the EPC160's selected interface; the EPC160 does not auto-detect. Finally, observe the 32 KB sector erase granularity when performing partial bitstream updates to avoid corrupting adjacent configuration data.
Compliance Information
RoHS, REACH, lead-free, and halogen-free status not stated in the verified web data. Marked as [DATA_NEEDED] in specs. The EPC160I100 is an obsolete legacy configuration device and detailed compliance documentation may no longer be available from Altera/Intel.
