EPC16UI88AA - 16Mb Enhanced Config Flash 88-UBGA | Intel
MPN: EPC16UI88AA ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $24.5 | $24.50 |
| 10 | $21.85 | $218.50 |
| 100 | $19.4 | $1,940.00 |
| 500 | $17.2 | $8,600.00 |
| 1,000 | $15.65 | $15,650.00 |
EPC16UI88AA Overview
An FPGA configuration memory is a non-volatile storage device that holds the FPGA's bitstream and serially loads it into the FPGA's SRAM configuration cells at power-up. The Enhanced Configuration Device family (EPC4, EPC8, EPC16) sits in the hierarchy: configuration PROM -> configuration memory -> non-volatile memory -> semiconductor IC. These devices eliminated the need for external programming hardware by enabling in-system reprogrammability through JTAG, which dramatically accelerated FPGA development cycles and enabled field-upgradeable designs.
Key features include 16-Mbit density organized as 16M x 1 bit, a 3.3V core supply, 66.7 MHz maximum configuration clock frequency, and 3-STATE output control. The device interfaces to FPGAs through a dedicated serial configuration bus and supports JTAG boundary-scan programming for board-level testing. The 88-ball UBGA package provides compact mounting for space-constrained designs.
Architecturally, the EPC16UI88AA uses a single-transistor NOR flash cell array with on-chip charge-pump generation and an internal oscillator for self-timed programming. The device is split into multiple configuration pages, allowing pre-stored bitstreams to be selected at reset via dedicated page-select pins, enabling multi-boot FPGA systems that can switch between firmware images in microseconds.
Typical applications include Altera/Intel Stratix and Cyclone FPGA configuration storage, multi-image FPGA boot systems, industrial control boards requiring in-field firmware upgrades, and prototyping platforms where iterative bitstream loading is required. The device is pin-compatible with other EPC16 family members and pairs directly with Intel FPGA configuration controllers.
Design consideration: maintain the 3.3V VCC within tolerance and route JTAG signals with proper length matching; the EPC16 family is now in NRND (Not Recommended for New Designs) status on many distributor pages, so verify long-term availability before committing to new designs.
This page synthesizes Intel/Octopart distributor pricing, same-family drop-in alternatives (EPC16UC88AA, EPC16UC88N), and practical design notes not consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for EPC16UI88AA — 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 EPC16UI88AA (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Memory Type, Package, Operating Temperature, In-System Programming, Interface.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPC16UC88AA
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$20.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC16UC88N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC16UC88
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
Contact for price
View Datasheet →EPC16UC88SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$8.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC16UC88T
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC16UC88II
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC16UI88AA Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Memory Type | NOR Flash (Enhanced Configuration Device) |
| Memory Size | 16 Mbit |
| Memory Organization | 16M x 1 bit |
| Interface Type | Serial FPGA Configuration Bus + JTAG |
| Configuration Clock Frequency | 66.7 MHz (max) |
| Supply Voltage (VCC) | 3.3 V |
| Output Characteristics | 3-STATE |
| Write/Erase Endurance | 100,000 cycles |
| Package | 88-ball UBGA |
| Programming Method | In-system via JTAG |
| Multi-Page Boot Support | Yes (multiple bitstream images) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Family | Enhanced Configuration Device (EPC4/EPC8/EPC16) |
EPC16UI88AA 88-ball ubga Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EPC16UI88AA (88-ball ubga package). This digital IC includes GPIO, communication interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C), and power pins. Refer to the manufacturer datasheet for alternate pin functions and configuration options. Essential for embedded system design and PCB layout.
No detailed pinout data available for EPC16UI88AA.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EPC16UI88AA is suitable for 6 applications: Stratix FPGA Configuration Storage, Cyclone Series FPGA Boot Memory, Multi-Image Firmware Boot System, Industrial Control PLC Platform, Telecom Line Card Bitstream Storage, Prototype and Development Board Firmware.
Stratix FPGA Configuration Storage
The EPC16UI88AA provides 16 Mbit of non-volatile bitstream storage for Altera/Intel Stratix and Stratix GX FPGAs, holding the full uncompressed configuration image required at power-up. Its 66.7 MHz DCLK rate yields roughly 240 ms configuration time for a 16-Mbit stream, acceptable for most boot sequencing requirements. Designers route the serial configuration bus (DATA0, DCLK, nCONFIG, nSTATUS, CONF_DONE) directly between the EPC16UI88AA and the Stratix device, with the EPC16 driving configuration until CONF_DONE goes high. Compared to JTAG-only programming, this solution enables instant boot without an external programmer, which is essential in deployed systems.
Recommended
Cyclone Series FPGA Boot Memory
The EPC16UI88AA is commonly paired with Cyclone, Cyclone II, Cyclone III, and Cyclone IV FPGAs as the dedicated configuration memory. Its 3.3V VCC matches the Cyclone family's VCCIO bank used during configuration, eliminating level-shifters. With 100,000 write/erase cycles, the device tolerates hundreds of in-field bitstream updates over the product lifecycle - useful for industrial control and test equipment. Multi-page boot is supported via dedicated page-select pins, allowing two or more pre-stored images to be loaded based on strap settings, which simplifies fail-safe firmware design.
Recommended
Multi-Image Firmware Boot System
The EPC16UI88AA supports multi-page configuration, enabling a single device to hold multiple bitstream images selected at reset via dedicated page-select pins. This is valuable in industrial systems where a primary firmware image, a golden/backup image, and field-update staging images all reside in one 16-Mbit flash. Switching between pages happens in microseconds, far faster than re-flashing from an external source. The page-select inputs are sampled at power-on, so designers can strap them to GPIOs for software-driven fallback. This makes the EPC16UI88AA a strong choice for fail-over and A/B update architectures on legacy Altera platforms.
Recommended
Industrial Control PLC Platform
In industrial PLC and process-control boards, the EPC16UI88AA stores FPGA bitstreams implementing real-time control loops, motor drivers, or deterministic I/O state machines. Its industrial temperature screening supports factory-floor operation, and the 100,000-cycle endurance tolerates frequent firmware revisions as control algorithms evolve. JTAG-based in-system programming allows the same device to be re-flashed at the customer site without desoldering, reducing field-service cost. The 88-ball UBGA package is robust to vibration when properly soldered, and its compact footprint preserves board area for analog signal-conditioning circuitry.
Recommended
Telecom Line Card Bitstream Storage
Legacy telecom line cards and base-station baseband units frequently use the EPC16UI88AA to configure mid-generation Altera FPGAs that implement PHY, framer, or protocol-bridge functions. The 16-Mbit density covers the largest APEX 20K and Mercury device bitstreams. Its 3.STATE outputs allow the configuration bus to be shared between the EPC16 and a JTAG controller during board test, simplifying manufacturing test flows. Designers appreciate the deterministic DCLK interface, which avoids the variable-latency issues seen with processor-driven boot loaders on critical infrastructure equipment.
Recommended
Prototype and Development Board Firmware
University labs, FPGA evaluation boards, and OEM reference designs often rely on the EPC16UI88AA because it removes the need for an external programmer during iterative bitstream development. Engineers can compile a Quartus project, load the resulting .sof/.pof through JTAG, and immediately see the design run without removing the board from the test setup. The 100,000-cycle endurance easily absorbs thousands of compile-and-test cycles typical of a development project. Its compatibility with multiple FPGA families (Stratix, Cyclone, APEX) lets the same configuration device support several target boards in a lab inventory.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPC16UI88AA — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPC16UC88AA | EPC16UC88N | EPC16UC88 | EPC16UC88SS | EPC16UC88T | EPC16UC88II |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 88-ball UBGA | 88-ball UBGA - same | 88-ball UBGA - same | 88-ball UBGA - same | 88-ball UBGA - same | 88-ball UBGA - same | 88-ball UBGA - same |
| Brand | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel |
| Memory Size | 16 Mbit | 16 Mbit | 16 Mbit | 16 Mbit | 16 Mbit | 16 Mbit | 16 Mbit |
| Organization | 16M x 1 | 16M x 1 | 16M x 1 | 16M x 1 | 16M x 1 | 16M x 1 | 16M x 1 |
| Max DCLK Frequency | 66.7 MHz | 66.7 MHz | 66.7 MHz | 66.7 MHz | 66.7 MHz | 66.7 MHz | 66.7 MHz |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V |
| Write/Erase Endurance | 100,000 cycles | 100,000 cycles | 100,000 cycles | 100,000 cycles | 100,000 cycles | 100,000 cycles | 100,000 cycles |
| In-System Programming | JTAG | JTAG | JTAG | JTAG | JTAG | JTAG | JTAG |
| Grade Suffix | UI88AA (industrial) | UC88AA (industrial) | UC88N | UC88 (commercial) | UC88SS | UC88T (tape/reel) | UC88II (industrial) |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND |
Key Differentiators
- Multi-page configuration boot support (vs EPC8 (8 Mbit) family member)
- Industrial temperature grade (vs EPC16UC88 (commercial grade))
- JTAG in-system programming with 100,000 cycle endurance (vs One-Time-Programmable (OTP) configuration PROMs)
Design Notes
The 88-ball UBGA package requires precise PCB land-pattern design with non-solder-mask-defined (NSMD) pads to ensure reliable joint formation. Recommended ball-pad diameter is 0.4 mm with 0.8 mm pitch, per the EPC16 family datasheet. Use microvia-in-pad or filled-and-capped vias under the BGA to route signals out from inner balls, and apply a reflow profile consistent with JEDEC J-STD-020 for moisture-sensitive components. Decoupling: place a 100 nF X7R ceramic capacitor within 2 mm of each VCC ball, plus a 4.7 uF bulk capacitor near the device.
Do not confuse the EPC16 family with the EPCQ family. EPC16 supports the legacy FPP/serial passive configuration mode used by Stratix, Cyclone, and APEX FPGAs; EPCQ supports Active Serial (AS) mode for newer families such as Cyclone V, Arria, and Stratix 10. They are NOT interchangeable - using EPC16 with an AS-mode FPGA, or EPCQ with a passive-mode FPGA, will result in configuration failure. Verify the target FPGA's configuration mode in its pin connection guidelines before selecting the boot memory.
Route the configuration bus (DATA0, DCLK, nCONFIG, nSTATUS, CONF_DONE) as a controlled-impedance group with matched lengths within 1 cm of each other, especially on boards above 10 MHz DCLK rates. Source-series terminate DCLK if the trace exceeds 5 cm. The 3.3V VCC rail should be isolated from switching-converter noise; place a ferrite bead or pi-filter (10 uF || ferrite || 100 nF) on the supply line feeding the EPC16 to prevent VCC noise from corrupting in-system programming operations.
The 88-ball UBGA package has a low thermal resistance to the PCB (theta_JA typically around 30-40 C/W on a 4-layer board with adequate via farm under the package). Although the EPC16 family consumes modest power during read (typically tens of mA), in-system programming draws higher peak currents; ensure the copper plane under the BGA has a thermal via array (at least 9 vias, 0.3 mm drill) to keep junction temperature within the operating range.
Compliance Information
RoHS, REACH, lead-free, and halogen-free status were not specified in the verified web data for EPC16UI88AA; compliance flags are conservatively set to 'unknown' pending manufacturer confirmation.
