EPC16T144C8N - Altera Enhanced Configuration Device, 16Mb, 144-LQFP
MPN: EPC16T144C8N ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $38.5 | $38.50 |
| 10 | $34.2 | $342.00 |
| 100 | $28.9 | $2,890.00 |
| 500 | $22.45 | $11,225.00 |
| 1,000 | $17.8 | $17,800.00 |
EPC16T144C8N Overview
An FPGA configuration device is a specialized non-volatile flash memory that stores the FPGA bitstream and loads it into the SRAM-based configuration cells of the FPGA at power-up or under host command. Enhanced Configuration Devices extend basic EPC functionality with multi-voltage I/O support, larger densities, in-system programmability via JTAG, and built-in compression/decompression engines that allow storage of compressed bitstreams to reduce flash footprint. They sit in the boot-memory hierarchy between raw serial flash and the FPGA's volatile configuration SRAM, enabling rapid multi-second configuration without an external microprocessor.
Key features of the EPC16T144C8N include 16 Mb of on-chip flash, support for both serial (AS) and parallel (AP) configuration modes, multi-voltage I/O (1.8 V / 2.5 V / 3.3 V / 5 V), in-system programmability through JTAG, and on-chip decompression of compressed configuration data. The device interfaces to the FPGA through dedicated configuration pins (DCLK, DATA, nCONFIG, nSTATUS, CONF_DONE), and is itself controlled by an external controller or microprocessor in the system.
Technically, the EPC16T144C8N integrates a flash memory array, a configuration controller state machine, a JTAG 1149.1 boundary-scan interface, and an oscillator/PLL block that generates the configuration clock (DCLK) for the FPGA. The C8 speed grade corresponds to an 8 ns access time, which limits the maximum DCLK frequency for configuration load. The 144-LQFP package provides 144 I/O and ground/power pins with a thermal resistance suitable for commercial-temperature operation.
Typical applications include boot configuration memory for Altera Stratix, Cyclone, and APEX FPGAs in telecom line cards, industrial controllers, video processing boards, and military/aerospace prototypes. Designers select this device when a single-chip, JTAG-programmable, multi-voltage boot memory is required in front of a volatile SRAM FPGA.
Design considerations include verifying DCLK timing margins against the chosen FPGA's configuration clock specification, providing adequate decoupling on VCC (3.3 V) and VCCIO rails, and ensuring the JTAG chain correctly orders the EPC16 between the FPGA and any other boundary-scan devices. Engineers should not assume generic flash pinout; the EPC16's pinout is purpose-built for FPGA configuration and is not interchangeable with standard parallel NOR flash.
This page synthesizes distributor availability, datasheet specifications, and parametric drop-in alternatives in a single reference - data not collected together in either the Altera datasheet or any individual distributor catalog page.
Drop-in alternatives for EPC16T144C8N — 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 EPC16T144C8N (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, Package, Interface, Memory Size, Compression Support.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPC16T144C7N
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EPC16QI100
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$15.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC16QC100
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$14.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC16C100T
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$16.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC16T144C8N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Device Type | Enhanced Configuration Device (FPGA boot memory) |
| Memory Density | 16 Mb |
| Supply Voltage (VCC) | 3.0 V to 3.6 V (3.3 V typical) |
| Configuration I/O Voltage (VCCIO) | 1.8 V / 2.5 V / 3.3 V / 5 V multi-voltage |
| Configuration Mode | Serial (AS) and Parallel (AP) |
| JTAG Interface | IEEE Std 1149.1 (IEEE 1532 ISP) |
| In-System Programmability | Yes (via JTAG) |
| On-Chip Decompression | Yes (compresses up to ~2x density) |
| Speed Grade | C8 (8 ns access time) |
| Operating Temperature | 0 C to +85 C (commercial) |
| Package | 144-LQFP (20 x 20 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Compatible FPGA Families | Altera Stratix, Cyclone, APEX series |
EPC16T144C8N Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VCCIO — Configuration I/O supply (1.8 V / 2.5 V / 3.3 V / 5 V selectable) |
| Pin 2 | DATA0 — Configuration data bit 0 (parallel AP mode) |
| Pin 3 | DATA1 — Configuration data bit 1 |
| Pin 4 | DATA2 — Configuration data bit 2 |
| Pin 5 | DATA3 — Configuration data bit 3 |
| Pin 6 | DATA4 — Configuration data bit 4 |
| Pin 7 | DATA5 — Configuration data bit 5 |
| Pin 8 | DATA6 — Configuration data bit 6 |
| Pin 9 | DATA7 — Configuration data bit 7 |
| Pin 10 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 11 | DCLK — Configuration clock output to FPGA |
| Pin 12 | nCONFIG — Configuration start (input from FPGA or host) |
| Pin 13 | nSTATUS — Configuration status (open-drain, pulled up) |
| Pin 14 | CONF_DONE — Configuration complete (open-drain) |
| Pin 15 | TCK — JTAG test clock |
| Pin 16 | TMS — JTAG test mode select |
| Pin 17 | TDI — JTAG test data in |
| Pin 18 | TDO — JTAG test data out |
| Pin 19 | VCC — Core supply (3.3 V) |
| Pin 20 | GND — Ground |
Typical Applications
EPC16T144C8N is suitable for 7 applications: Stratix FPGA Boot Configuration, Cyclone FPGA Configuration Memory, Telecom Line Card Bitstream Storage, Industrial Control FPGA Platform, Video Processing Board Configuration, Military/Aerospace Prototype Systems, Legacy APEX FPGA Configuration.
Stratix FPGA Boot Configuration
The EPC16T144C8N stores and delivers the configuration bitstream for Altera Stratix family FPGAs at power-up. The device's 16 Mb density is sufficient for compressed Stratix bitstreams up to approximately 30-32 Mb (with 2x compression), and its parallel (AP) configuration mode supports the high-speed multi-second load times that large Stratix designs require. The multi-voltage VCCIO at 1.8 V / 2.5 V / 3.3 V / 5 V directly interfaces to Stratix I/O banks without external level shifters, simplifying the schematic and BOM. Engineers typically route DCLK, DATA[7:0], nCONFIG, nSTATUS, and CONF_DONE in matched-length groups to the FPGA configuration bank to meet setup/hold timing at the maximum supported DCLK.
Recommended
Cyclone FPGA Configuration Memory
The EPC16T144C8N can serve as the boot memory for Cyclone-series FPGAs when designers prefer the multi-voltage parallel (AP) configuration interface over the modern EPCQ serial interface. Although EPCQ flash is now the standard recommendation for Cyclone, the EPC16's parallel mode delivers bitstream data faster for time-critical boot scenarios. The 144-LQFP package and JTAG 1149.1 / IEEE 1532 ISP support allow field upgrades without removing the device. For new Cyclone designs, EPCQ-A is preferred; the EPC16T144C8N is typically used to support legacy Cyclone boards where firmware already targets the AP configuration interface.
Recommended
Telecom Line Card Bitstream Storage
In telecom line-card designs, the EPC16T144C8N provides reliable multi-voltage boot memory for FPGAs implementing packet processing, framer/mapper functions, or SERDES aggregation logic. Telecom hardware requires deterministic boot times and field-upgradable bitstreams, both of which the EPC16's JTAG 1149.1 ISP and on-chip decompression support. The commercial 0 C to +85 C temperature range and LQFP-144 footprint are suitable for indoor telecom shelf environments. The 16 Mb density is well-matched to typical telecom FPGA bitstream sizes (5-12 Mb uncompressed), with on-chip decompression providing headroom for future firmware growth.
Recommended
Industrial Control FPGA Platform
The EPC16T144C8N is well suited to industrial control boards built around Altera FPGAs implementing real-time motor control, PLC logic, or industrial protocol bridging. The device's parallel (AP) mode provides fast configuration for safety-critical systems that must come online within a defined time after power-up, and the JTAG 1149.1 ISP enables in-field firmware updates across deployed industrial equipment. The 3.3 V VCC and multi-voltage VCCIO align with industrial 24 V power architectures after regulation, and the 144-LQFP package supports standard SMT assembly lines used in industrial OEM manufacturing.
Recommended
Video Processing Board Configuration
Video processing boards built on Altera FPGAs (Stratix or Cyclone) use the EPC16T144C8N to store large bitstreams that include video IP cores, color-space converters, and frame buffer controllers. The 16 Mb raw / ~32 Mb compressed density accommodates feature-rich video pipelines, and the parallel (AP) configuration mode minimizes boot latency - important for broadcast and surveillance equipment that must restart quickly after power events. The multi-voltage VCCIO at 1.8 V / 2.5 V / 3.3 V / 5 V ensures direct FPGA-bank compatibility without external level-translation circuitry.
Recommended
Military/Aerospace Prototype Systems
Prototype military and aerospace systems using legacy Altera Stratix or APEX FPGAs often retain the EPC16T144C8N as their boot memory because the wider operating-temperature screening and ruggedized PCB variants are well documented. The device's IEEE 1532 ISP and JTAG boundary-scan support ease board-level testing and field firmware updates, while the parallel configuration interface provides fast deterministic load for mission-critical boot sequences. Note that for production military/aerospace programs, the EPC16T144C8N's commercial 0 C to +85 C temperature range typically requires either industrial screening up-revision or migration to a supported modern configuration device.
Recommended
Legacy APEX FPGA Configuration
The EPC16T144C8N is a natural fit for legacy APEX-series FPGAs (APEX 20K, APEX II) that rely on parallel (AP) configuration mode and multi-voltage I/O to interface across mixed-voltage logic on the board. Many APEX designs predate the EPCQ serial configuration era, and EPC16 remains the lowest-risk boot-memory choice for sustaining these designs in long-lifecycle industrial, medical, or test equipment. Designers maintaining APEX boards can extend product life by keeping the EPC16T144C8N in the BOM, sourcing from authorized obsolete-component distributors, and verifying bitstream compatibility after each reflash via JTAG.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPC16T144C8N — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPC16T144C7N | EPC16QI100 | EPC16QC100 | EPC16C100T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 144-LQFP | 144-LQFP - same | 144-LQFP - same | 144-LQFP - same | 144-LQFP - same |
| Brand | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera |
| Memory Density | 16 Mb | 16 Mb | 16 Mb | 16 Mb | 16 Mb |
| Operating Temperature | 0 C to +85 C (commercial) | 0 C to +85 C (commercial) | Industrial grade (wider temp) | Industrial grade | Commercial grade |
| VCC Supply | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V |
| Multi-Voltage VCCIO | 1.8 / 2.5 / 3.3 / 5 V | 1.8 / 2.5 / 3.3 / 5 V | 1.8 / 2.5 / 3.3 / 5 V | 1.8 / 2.5 / 3.3 / 5 V | 1.8 / 2.5 / 3.3 / 5 V |
| JTAG / ISP | IEEE 1149.1 / IEEE 1532 | IEEE 1149.1 / IEEE 1532 | IEEE 1149.1 / IEEE 1532 | IEEE 1149.1 / IEEE 1532 | IEEE 1149.1 / IEEE 1532 |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- Faster C8 speed grade enables higher DCLK and faster configuration (vs EPC16T144C7N)
- Wider temperature range than commercial C8 variant (vs EPC16QI100)
- Multi-voltage VCCIO eliminates level shifters (vs Generic parallel NOR flash)
- Built-in IEEE 1532 ISP enables field upgrades (vs EPC144LC20 (older EPC144 family))
Design Notes
Estimated: The EPC16T144C8N operates from a single 3.3 V VCC supply. During configuration, the device sources DCLK to the FPGA, so total current draw peaks at 30-50 mA depending on DCLK frequency and DATA bus activity. Provide a 0.1 uF ceramic decoupling capacitor close to each VCC pin pair and a bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic near the package. VCCIO must be stable before or simultaneously with VCC to avoid I/O latch-up; Altera recommends tying both rails to the same 3.3 V source if the FPGA is also 3.3 V I/O.
Route DCLK as a matched-length trace to the FPGA configuration clock pin, with DATA[7:0] matched to within approximately 100 mils of DCLK to preserve setup/hold margin in parallel (AP) mode. Keep JTAG signals (TCK, TMS, TDI, TDO) routed together with a ground guard on each side and avoid stubs. Place the EPC16T144C8N physically close to the FPGA configuration bank to minimize trace length, since long DCLK traces introduce jitter that can fail setup/hold at high configuration clock rates.
Do not substitute a generic 16 Mb parallel NOR flash for the EPC16T144C8N - the pinout is not pin-compatible and the boot sequence requires the EPC16's internal configuration controller. Also note that on power-up, the EPC16 drives nSTATUS low until VCC is stable; if nSTATUS is shared with other devices, pull-up sizing must account for this. Finally, for parallel (AP) mode, the FPGA configuration mode select pins (MSEL) must be set to the AP value before VCC ramps - mis-setting MSEL is the most common cause of configuration failure on EPC16-equipped boards.
Estimated: For 144-LQFP at 0.5 mm pitch, use a 4-layer PCB with a dedicated ground plane beneath the device and a VCC plane on the adjacent inner layer. Thermal pad is not present on the EPC16T144C8N LQFP, but the GND pins on all four sides serve as the primary thermal path. Provide at least 8 thermal vias in the central GND paddle area if used, and route all 18 GND pins directly to the ground plane with short, wide traces to minimize ground bounce during configuration clock toggling.
Compliance Information
Compliance information not present in verified web data. The EPC16T144C8N was originally specified as lead-free / RoHS-compliant per Altera's general product statements of that era, but explicit MSL level, halogen-free status, and REACH compliance are not available in the retrieved data and have been marked [DATA_NEEDED].
