EPC16U88 - 16Mb Enhanced Configuration Device | Altera
MPN: EPC16U88 ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $18.5 | $18.50 |
| 10 | $16.8 | $168.00 |
| 100 | $14.95 | $1,495.00 |
| 500 | $13.2 | $6,600.00 |
| 1,000 | $11.85 | $11,850.00 |
EPC16U88 Overview
A configuration PROM (also called a configuration device) is a non-volatile flash memory that stores the FPGA's bitstream. At power-up or reconfiguration, the FPGA loads its configuration bitstream from the PROM over a serial or parallel configuration interface. The EPC16 family supports in-system programmability via IEEE 1149.1 (JTAG), enabling field firmware updates without removing the FPGA or PROM from the board. Enhanced Configuration Devices add features such as multi-device configuration cascading, JTAG-based ISP, and compatibility with newer Altera/Intel FPGA families requiring 16 Mb of bitstream storage.
Key features of the EPC16U88 include 16 Mb of flash configuration memory, JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) in-system programmability, support for FPP (Fast Passive Parallel), PS (Passive Serial), and AS (Active Serial) configuration schemes, a 3.3V core supply with multi-voltage I/O, and an 88-ball UBGA package providing compact board footprint. The device supports cascading for multi-FPGAs or larger bitstream storage, and offers page-mode operation that accelerates configuration time for larger bitstreams compared with first-generation EPC devices.
Technically, the EPC16U88 uses a 3.3V VCC with 5V-tolerant I/O. Configuration time is governed by the internal flash access path and the selected configuration mode; PS mode is typically the slowest, FPP the fastest. Page mode can be enabled to reduce configuration time when supported by the target FPGA. The device integrates JTAG TAP logic compliant with IEEE 1149.1, and supports a dedicated nSTATUS, nCONFIG, and CONF_DONE hand-shake protocol compatible with Altera/Intel FPGA configuration controllers.
Typical applications include booting Altera/Intel Stratix, Cyclone, and Arria FPGAs in industrial control, telecommunications, test & measurement, and embedded computing systems. It is also used in development boards and evaluation kits as the off-board boot source. Any design that needs reliable, in-system updatable configuration memory for a SRAM-based FPGA is a primary use case.
When designing with the EPC16U88, ensure the JTAG chain order matches the schematic: TMS, TCK, TDI, TDO shared with the FPGA. Add 0.1 uF decoupling near each VCC pin and follow Altera's recommended termination on configuration bus signals (DCLK, DATA0..DATA7, nCONFIG, nSTATUS, CONF_DONE) to avoid signal-integrity issues across long PCB traces. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, 88-UBGA drop-in alternatives, and design notes not found on a single manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for EPC16U88 — 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 EPC16U88 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Operating Temperature, Programming Interface, Configuration Interface, Memory Size.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPC16UC88
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
Contact for price
View Datasheet →EPC16UI88N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$17.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC16JC88
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$17.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC16U188N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$19.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC164C88N
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$7.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →XCF16P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EPC16U88 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Memory Density | 16 Mb |
| Device Family | EPC16 (Enhanced Configuration Device) |
| Function | Configuration PROM for SRAM-based LUT FPGAs |
| Package | 88-ball UBGA (UltraBGA), 11x8 mm |
| Package Suffix Code | U88 (UBGA-88) |
| Supply Voltage (VCC) | 3.3 V |
| I/O Voltage Tolerance | 5 V tolerant I/O |
| Configuration Modes Supported | FPP, PS, AS (with target FPGA) |
| In-System Programming | Yes (IEEE 1149.1 JTAG) |
| Multi-Device Cascading | Yes (page-mode support) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| Compatible FPGA Families | Altera Stratix, Cyclone, Arria series |
| Configuration Interface Width | Up to 8-bit parallel (FPP) |
EPC16U88 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 2 | DATA0 — Configuration data bit 0 |
| 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 | DCLK — Configuration clock (from FPGA) |
| Pin 11 | nCONFIG — Configuration control (active low) |
| Pin 12 | nSTATUS — Configuration status (active low) |
| Pin 13 | CONF_DONE — Configuration done (active high) |
| Pin 14 | TCK — JTAG test clock |
| Pin 15 | TMS — JTAG test mode select |
| Pin 16 | TDI — JTAG test data in |
| Pin 17 | TDO — JTAG test data out |
| Pin 18 | VCC — 3.3V supply |
| Pin 19 | VCC — 3.3V supply |
| Pin 20 | VCC — 3.3V supply |
| Pin 21 | OE — Output enable (active low) |
| Pin 22 | nCE — Chip enable (active low) |
| Pin 23 | nCASC — Cascade select (active low) |
| Pin 24 | PORSEL — Power-on reset select |
| Pin 25 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 26 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 27 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 28 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 29 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 30 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 31 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 32 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 33 | VCC — 3.3V supply |
| Pin 34 | VCC — 3.3V supply |
| Pin 35 | INIT — Open-drain reset for FPGA |
| Pin 36 | DEV_CLRn — Device clear for FPGA (optional) |
| Pin 37 | DEV_OE — Device OE for FPGA (optional) |
| Pin 38 | CRC_ERROR — Configuration CRC error flag |
| Pin 39 | JTAGEN — JTAG enable (active high) |
| Pin 40 | A0 — Address line 0 (page mode) |
| Pin 41 | A1 — Address line 1 (page mode) |
| Pin 42 | A2 — Address line 2 (page mode) |
| Pin 43 | A3 — Address line 3 (page mode) |
| Pin 44 | A4 — Address line 4 (page mode) |
| Pin 45 | A5 — Address line 5 (page mode) |
| Pin 46 | A6 — Address line 6 (page mode) |
| Pin 47 | A7 — Address line 7 (page mode) |
| Pin 48 | A8 — Address line 8 (page mode) |
| Pin 49 | A9 — Address line 9 (page mode) |
| Pin 50 | A10 — Address line 10 (page mode) |
| Pin 51 | A11 — Address line 11 (page mode) |
| Pin 52 | A12 — Address line 12 (page mode) |
| Pin 53 | A13 — Address line 13 (page mode) |
| Pin 54 | A14 — Address line 14 (page mode) |
| Pin 55 | A15 — Address line 15 (page mode) |
| Pin 56 | A16 — Address line 16 (page mode) |
| Pin 57 | A17 — Address line 17 (page mode) |
| Pin 58 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 59 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 60 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 61 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 62 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 63 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 64 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 65 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 66 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 67 | VCC — 3.3V supply |
| Pin 68 | VCC — 3.3V supply |
| Pin 69 | BYREn — Byte enable (active low) |
| Pin 70 | CSn — Chip select (active low) |
| Pin 71 | WPn — Write protect (active low) |
| Pin 72 | RSTn — Reset (active low) |
| Pin 73 | CLK — System clock input |
| Pin 74 | RDY — Ready signal (open drain) |
| Pin 75 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 76 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 77 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 78 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 79 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 80 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 81 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 82 | VCC — 3.3V supply |
| Pin 83 | VCC — 3.3V supply |
| Pin 84 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 85 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 86 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 87 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 88 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
EPC16U88 is suitable for 7 applications: Altera/Intel Stratix FPGA Configuration Boot, Altera/Intel Cyclone FPGA Configuration Boot, Altera/Intel Arria FPGA Configuration Boot, JTAG ISP Programming Station, Multi-Device Cascaded Configuration Chain, FPGA Development Board Boot Memory, Industrial Control and Factory Automation Systems.
Altera/Intel Stratix FPGA Configuration Boot
The EPC16U88 stores the Stratix (II/III) bitstream and presents it over FPP at power-up. With 16 Mb capacity it supports large Stratix bitstreams, and JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) ISP enables field firmware updates. The 88-ball UBGA footprint (11x8 mm) keeps the boot circuit compact, while 5V-tolerant I/O lets it interface directly to older Stratix 3.3V banks. Use it in industrial control or telecom base-station designs where the Stratix needs reliable non-volatile boot memory and in-system updatability.
Recommended
Altera/Intel Cyclone FPGA Configuration Boot
The EPC16U88 boots Cyclone (II/III/IV) FPGAs in PS or FPP mode. Cyclone bitstreams are typically 4-8 Mb so the 16 Mb EPC16U88 leaves headroom for firmware-growth and golden-image storage. JTAG ISP via the EPC16U88 lets engineers update the bitstream on deployed boards without removing them. The 88-UBGA package suits compact Cyclone-based designs in test & measurement and consumer products where PCB area is at a premium.
Recommended
Altera/Intel Arria FPGA Configuration Boot
The EPC16U88 supports Arria (II/II GX/III) FPGAs in FPP mode where high configuration bandwidth is required for large DSP-heavy bitstreams. The EPC16U88's 8-bit FPP data bus and DCLK interface match Arria's configuration controller. JTAG chain allows cascading the EPC16U88 and the Arria FPGA for in-system updates. Industrial temperature range (-40C to +85C) supports outdoor deployments in telecom and video-processing equipment.
Recommended
JTAG ISP Programming Station
The EPC16U88 integrates a JTAG TAP (IEEE 1149.1) controller that supports in-system programming through a standard JTAG chain (TMS/TCK/TDI/TDO). Engineers can update the configuration bitstream via ByteBlaster, USB-Blaster, or third-party JTAG programmers without removing the device from the board. The 88-ball UBGA package keeps the JTAG interface compact, and the device supports multi-device JTAG chains (FPGA + EPC + other JTAG peripherals).
Recommended
Multi-Device Cascaded Configuration Chain
The EPC16U88 supports page-mode cascading for configuring multiple FPGAs or storing large bitstreams. Two EPC16U88 devices can be cascaded to provide 32 Mb total capacity, supporting Stratix II/III devices with bitstreams exceeding 16 Mb. The cascade mode uses the same UBGA-88 footprint and JTAG interface, simplifying PCB design. Use it in high-density compute systems where the FPGA bitstream is large enough to require two configuration PROMs.
Recommended
FPGA Development Board Boot Memory
The EPC16U88 was a standard boot memory on Altera/Intel FPGA development kits (Stratix II, Cyclone II/III, Arria II evaluation boards). It provides 16 Mb of non-volatile storage plus JTAG ISP so developers can rapidly prototype firmware. The 88-ball UBGA package simplifies board layout with a single dedicated boot device. For new development kits, engineers may prefer the smaller EPCQ-A serial flash (8-pin SOIC), but the EPC16U88 remains common on legacy reference designs.
Recommended
Industrial Control and Factory Automation Systems
Industrial control PLCs and factory-automation controllers often use Altera Cyclone or Stratix FPGAs booted by the EPC16U88. The 16 Mb capacity supports golden-image firmware plus user logic updates, and the industrial -40C to +85C temperature range is suitable for factory floor environments. JTAG ISP enables remote firmware updates over Ethernet-attached JTAG servers. The 88-UBGA package is robust for industrial vibration and thermal-cycling profiles when properly soldered with MSL-compliant handling.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPC16U88 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPC16UC88 | EPC16UI88N | EPC16JC88 | EPC16U188N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 88-ball UBGA (11x8) | 88-ball UBGA (11x8) - same | 88-ball UBGA (11x8) - same | 88-ball UBGA (11x8) - same | 88-ball UBGA (11x8) - same |
| Brand | Altera | Altera - same | Altera - same | Altera - same | Altera - same |
| Memory Density | 16 Mb | 16 Mb | 16 Mb | 16 Mb | 16 Mb |
| Lead Finish / RoHS | Tin-lead / non-RoHS | Lead-free matte-tin / RoHS | Lead-free / RoHS | Lead-free / RoHS | Lead-free / RoHS |
| JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) ISP | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Configuration Modes | FPP / PS / AS | FPP / PS / AS | FPP / PS / AS | FPP / PS / AS | FPP / PS / AS |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete / EOL | Obsolete / EOL | Obsolete / EOL | Obsolete / EOL | Obsolete / EOL |
| Compatible FPGA Families | Stratix, Cyclone, Arria | Stratix, Cyclone, Arria | Stratix, Cyclone, Arria | Stratix, Cyclone, Arria | Stratix, Cyclone, Arria |
Key Differentiators
- Drop-in RoHS lead-free variant (vs EPC16UC88)
- Industrial temperature grade with same footprint (vs EPC16UI88N)
- Multiple speed grades in same package (vs EPC164C88N)
Design Notes
The EPC16U88 operates from a single 3.3V VCC supply. Place a 0.1 uF ceramic decoupling capacitor close to each of the four VCC pins (and a 4.7 uF bulk capacitor) to suppress transient current spikes during configuration reads. The 3.3V rail must rise monotonically and reach 3.0V within 100 ms to satisfy the PORSEL-controlled power-on reset timing; an RC delay on nCONFIG may be required if the FPGA VCCINT ramps slower than the EPC VCC.
The 88-ball UBGA (11x8 mm) requires careful PCB land-pattern design: 0.5 mm ball pitch, NSMD (non-solder-mask-defined) pads are preferred for thermal-cycle reliability, and micro-via-in-pad may be used to escape the inner balls. Match the PCB land pattern to Altera's reference footprint in the EPC16 datasheet. Keep the configuration traces (DCLK, DATA0..7, nCONFIG, nSTATUS, CONF_DONE) short (<100 mm) and series-terminate the DCLK line with 33 ohm to dampen reflections on long traces.
DCLK and the 8-bit DATA bus are the critical high-speed configuration signals. Route them as a matched-length group with skew <100 ps to avoid setup/hold violations at the target FPGA. Keep them away from switching power and clock signals, and place a ground guard via fence between the configuration bus and adjacent signal layers. Use 4-layer PCB stack-up with continuous ground plane under the EPC16U88 for noise immunity.
Common EPC16U88 design pitfalls include: (1) cascading two EPC16U88 devices without wiring the nCASC pin correctly - the first device's nCASC must drive the second's nCE; (2) forgetting JTAG chain order - the EPC16U88 must be in the JTAG chain before the FPGA for in-system programming; (3) using 3.3V LVCMOS without checking FPGA VCCIO bank voltage - some Cyclone banks require 2.5V or 1.8V, requiring a level shifter; (4) ordering the EPC16U88 expecting RoHS compliance - U88 may be non-RoHS, order EPC16UC88 for RoHS.
Compliance Information
EPC16U88 is marked 'U88' (non-RoHS variant). RoHS compliance data not available in verified sources. For RoHS-compliant assembly choose EPC16UC88 or EPC16UI88N. AEC-Q100 is not applicable - this is a configuration memory IC, not an automotive-grade component.
