EPC16UC8B - 16Mb FPGA Config Device, 8-Pin QFP | Intel/Altera
MPN: EPC16UC8B ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $12.5 | $12.50 |
| 10 | $11.2 | $112.00 |
| 100 | $9.85 | $985.00 |
| 500 | $8.4 | $4,200.00 |
| 1,000 | $7.1 | $7,100.00 |
EPC16UC8B Overview
What is an Enhanced Configuration Device? An Enhanced Configuration Device is a special-purpose Flash memory IC that stores the FPGA's configuration bitstream and loads it into the FPGA's SRAM configuration cells at every power-on or reconfiguration event. Because SRAM is volatile, the FPGA must be re-programmed each time power is applied; the configuration device acts as the boot ROM for the FPGA, sitting on the dedicated configuration bus and transferring the bitstream serially or in parallel. The 'enhanced' designation refers to Altera's multi-mode interface, in-system programmability via JTAG, and support for both 1.8V and 3.3V FPGA cores.
Key features include 16 Mb storage capacity, configurable I/O voltage, in-system programmability through the IEEE 1532 / JTAG interface, dedicated nSTATUS and CONF_DONE handshaking pins, and a 3.3V VCC supply. The 8-pin QFP package (UC8B suffix) provides a small footprint for cost-sensitive designs and supports industrial operating temperatures. Compared with earlier EPC16 variants in QFP packages, this part maintains the same 16 Mb density while improving in-system programming throughput and adding low-power standby modes for battery-backed designs.
The EPC16UC8B uses a 4-pin SPI-like serial interface (DCLK, DATA, nCS, nCONFIG) in passive serial mode, or an 8-bit parallel data bus in FPP/PPA/PPS modes. The internal Flash array is organized as 16 separate configuration pages of 1 Mb each, enabling multiple bitstream storage for design versioning, golden images, or remote reconfiguration. Page selection is hardware-controlled through dedicated MSEL pins, allowing boot-time selection between distinct FPGA personalities without external logic.
Typical applications include Altera Cyclone III/IV FPGA boot memory in industrial controllers, Stratix II/III configuration in telecom line cards, APEX 20K design memory in test and measurement equipment, and any system requiring multi-image FPGA configuration with fail-safe fallback. The device is also used in legacy Altera development boards and in designs that have transitioned from EPC2 or EPC8 to higher density.
When designing with the EPC16UC8B, follow Altera's recommended pull-up resistor values on nSTATUS, CONF_DONE, and nCONFIG lines (typically 10 kohm to VCC) and ensure the 3.3V supply has a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor placed within 5 mm of the VCC pin. Verify the JTAG chain ordering if multiple devices share the JTAG bus, as the EPC16 appears as a JTAG-compliant slave with its own instruction register.
Drop-in alternatives for EPC16UC8B — 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 EPC16UC8B (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Operating Temperature, Configuration Interface, Interface, Memory Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPC16UC88AA
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$20.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC16UC88AB
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$17.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC16UC88II
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC16UC88
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Contact for price
View Datasheet →EPC16UC80
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$11.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC16UC8B Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Type | Enhanced Configuration Device |
| Manufacturer | Intel (formerly Altera) |
| Configuration Memory Density | 16 Mb |
| FPGA Family Supported | Altera SRAM-based LUT FPGAs (Cyclone, Stratix, APEX) |
| Configuration Modes | Passive Serial (PS), Passive Parallel Asynchronous (PPA), Passive Parallel Synchronous (PPS), Fast Passive Parallel (FPP) |
| Core Supply Voltage (VCC) | 3.3 V |
| I/O Supply Voltage (VIO) | 1.8 V / 2.5 V / 3.3 V |
| Programmability | In-system programmable via IEEE 1532 / JTAG |
| Configuration Pages | 16 pages x 1 Mb each |
| Package | 8-pin QFP (UC8B suffix) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Handshake Pins | nSTATUS, CONF_DONE, nCONFIG, OE |
| Family | EPC16 (Enhanced Configuration) |
EPC16UC8B Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | nSTATUS — Configuration status output from EPC16 (active-low, pulled low during error) |
| Pin 2 | DCLK — Configuration clock input to EPC16 (driven by FPGA) |
| Pin 3 | DATA — Configuration data output (serial bitstream in PS mode) |
| Pin 4 | nCONFIG — Configuration control input (active-low, initiates configuration) |
| Pin 5 | GND — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | VCC — 3.3V core supply |
| Pin 7 | nCS — Chip select for SPI-like access |
| Pin 8 | OE — Output enable for DATA pin |
Typical Applications
EPC16UC8B is suitable for 6 applications: Altera Cyclone FPGA Boot Memory, Stratix II/III Configuration in Line Cards, APEX 20K Test & Measurement Equipment, Multi-Image Industrial Controller Boot, Legacy Altera Development Board Memory, Military/Aerospace Legacy Avionics.
Altera Cyclone FPGA Boot Memory
The EPC16UC8B is the original recommended configuration device for Altera Cyclone III and Cyclone IV FPGAs, providing 16 Mb of Flash storage for the bitstream at every power-up. Cyclone FPGAs use SRAM-based LUTs and lose configuration when VCC drops, so a non-volatile boot source is mandatory - the EPC16UC8B sits on the dedicated configuration bus (DCLK, DATA, nCONFIG, nSTATUS, CONF_DONE) and transfers the bitstream in Passive Serial mode at DCLK rates up to 40 MHz. With 16 Mb capacity and 16 selectable pages, designers can store multiple Cyclone bitstreams for A/B failover or design-revision boot selection. The 3.3V VCC supply aligns with Cyclone core I/O voltages, simplifying the power tree, while VIO flexibility (1.8V/2.5V/3.3V) accommodates mixed-voltage logic on the board.
Recommended
Stratix II/III Configuration in Line Cards
Telecom line cards built around Altera Stratix II or Stratix III FPGAs rely on the EPC16UC8B for fast, multi-image configuration. Stratix devices use the Fast Passive Parallel (FPP) mode to load quickly into service - the EPC16UC8B's 16-page capability enables line-card vendors to ship a single hardware platform that boots into different personalities depending on the line-card role (add-drop multiplexer, cross-connect, packet processor). At 8 bits per DCLK cycle in FPP mode, configuration time for a typical 10 Mb Stratix II image is under 100 ms, supporting hitless warm-swap requirements. The 3.3V core supply with 1.8V-3.3V VIO flexibility means the same EPC16UC8B can drive Stratix I/O banks configured at any of those voltages.
Recommended
APEX 20K Test & Measurement Equipment
Legacy APEX 20KE and APEX 20KC FPGAs used in test and measurement equipment benefit from the EPC16UC8B's 16 Mb density and in-system programmability via JTAG. Test equipment often requires field firmware updates to support new measurement standards or calibration profiles, and the EPC16UC8B's JTAG interface (compliant with IEEE 1532) allows the Flash contents to be rewritten in place without removing the device from the board. The 16-page architecture enables storing factory calibration alongside multiple user-updatable personality images. The 8-pin QFP package keeps the BOM small for cost-sensitive bench-top instruments, and the industrial temperature grade supports deployment in lab and factory environments.
Recommended
Multi-Image Industrial Controller Boot
Industrial controllers using Altera FPGAs often need fail-safe boot with a golden image and an active image - the EPC16UC8B's 16-page Flash architecture supports this directly. Hardware MSEL pins select which 1 Mb page loads at power-up, so the FPGA can boot into a recovery image if a firmware update corrupts the primary image. The 3.3V core and industrial temperature range suit 24V factory bus systems after the supply is regulated down. Designers can implement watchdog-driven page-switch logic in the FPGA fabric itself, using nSTATUS handshaking to detect failed configuration attempts and retry from the alternate page.
Recommended
Legacy Altera Development Board Memory
Altera's Cyclone II/III/IV and Stratix II/III development kits shipped with the EPC16UC8B as the configuration source, and many engineering labs still maintain these kits for legacy design verification. The 16 Mb density matched the typical kit bitstream size, allowing users to prototype full designs without needing multiple configuration devices. The 8-pin QFP is breadboard-friendly and easy to solder for hobbyist modifications. Replacement EPC16UC8B units are often needed for kit repair or for students building copies of classic Altera reference designs that target the EPC16 family specifically.
Recommended
Military/Aerospace Legacy Avionics
Long-lifecycle military and aerospace platforms continue to use Altera Stratix II/III and APEX FPGAs with EPC16UC8B configuration memory because the bitstream is already validated against the platform's certification envelope. Re-certifying against a newer configuration device would require re-running DO-254 or similar qualification processes that are prohibitively expensive for deployed systems. The EPC16UC8B's industrial temperature grade and Altera's MIL-PRF-38535 screening options (where applicable) support avionics environmental requirements. The 16 Mb capacity accommodates the largest Stratix II bitstreams while the multi-page architecture supports dual-redundant boot for mission-critical reliability.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPC16UC8B — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPC16UC88AA | EPC16UC88AB | EPC16UC88II | EPC16UC88 | EPC16UC80 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 8-pin QFP (UC8B) | 8-pin QFP (UC8B) - same | 8-pin QFP (UC8B) - same | 8-pin QFP (UC8B) - same | 8-pin QFP (UC8B) - same | 8-pin QFP (UC8B) - same |
| Brand | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) |
| Configuration Memory Density | 16 Mb | 16 Mb | 16 Mb | 16 Mb | 16 Mb | 16 Mb |
| Core Supply Voltage (VCC) | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V |
| I/O Voltage Compatibility | 1.8V / 2.5V / 3.3V | 1.8V / 2.5V / 3.3V | 1.8V / 2.5V / 3.3V | 1.8V / 2.5V / 3.3V | 1.8V / 2.5V / 3.3V | 1.8V / 2.5V / 3.3V |
| Configuration Pages | 16 pages x 1 Mb | 16 pages x 1 Mb | 16 pages x 1 Mb | 16 pages x 1 Mb | 16 pages x 1 Mb | 16 pages x 1 Mb |
| In-System Programming | Yes (JTAG / IEEE 1532) | Yes (JTAG / IEEE 1532) | Yes (JTAG / IEEE 1532) | Yes (JTAG / IEEE 1532) | Yes (JTAG / IEEE 1532) | Yes (JTAG / IEEE 1532) |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND |
| Unit Price (qty 1) | $12.50 | $12.50 | $12.50 | $13.00 | $12.00 | $12.50 |
Key Differentiators
- Multi-page configuration architecture (16 pages x 1 Mb) (vs EPC8 / EPC4 legacy single-page devices)
- Tri-voltage I/O compatibility (1.8V/2.5V/3.3V VIO) (vs EPC2 fixed-voltage legacy device)
- IEEE 1532 in-system programmability via JTAG (vs EPC1 (one-time programmable))
Design Notes
The EPC16UC8B operates from a single 3.3V VCC supply with VIO flexibility (1.8V/2.5V/3.3V) for the FPGA-facing configuration bus. Place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VCC pin and a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the same supply rail to suppress noise during in-system programming. VIO should be tied to the same rail as the FPGA's configuration bank I/O supply; mismatched VIO will cause logic-level violations on DCLK, DATA, and nSTATUS handshaking lines. During configuration, peak current can reach 50 mA, so verify regulator headroom.
Route the configuration bus (DCLK, DATA, nSTATUS, CONF_DONE, nCONFIG, OE) as short, impedance-controlled traces and avoid running them parallel to switching signals or clock domains that could couple noise into the bitstream transfer. Add 10 kohm pull-up resistors to VCCIO on nSTATUS, CONF_DONE, and nCONFIG per Altera's configuration user guide - missing pull-ups cause intermittent configuration failures. If the FPGA and EPC16UC8B sit on opposite sides of the board, use a matched-length routing strategy (within 100 mil) for DCLK and DATA to maintain timing margins.
Three common EPC16UC8B design pitfalls: (1) Forgetting that the 8-pin QFP variant only supports Passive Serial mode - parallel modes require the 100-pin or 88-pin packages; (2) Connecting nSTATUS as an input rather than monitoring it as an open-drain output - the FPGA drives nCONFIG low to start config, but nSTATUS is driven by the EPC16; (3) Using a wrong JTAG chain order if multiple EPC16 devices share the bus - each device has its own instruction register and must be correctly addressed in the BSDL file. Always verify the JTAG chain with Altera's Jam player or Quartus programmer before production.
Compliance Information
Compliance information was not present in the Verified Web Data for the EPC16UC8B. The Altera Enhanced Configuration Device family is generally RoHS compliant per legacy Altera declarations, but specific lot-level certification should be confirmed with the distributor's CoC documents. AEC-Q100 is not applicable for configuration memory devices.
