EPC1LC20AL3894 - 1Mb FPGA Config PROM, 20-PLCC | Intel / Altera
MPN: EPC1LC20AL3894 ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.5 | $8.50 |
| 10 | $7.65 | $76.50 |
| 100 | $6.8 | $680.00 |
| 500 | $6.1 | $3,050.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.45 | $5,450.00 |
EPC1LC20AL3894 Overview
What is a Configuration PROM? A configuration PROM is a non-volatile memory device that stores the FPGA's bitstream (the binary configuration file that defines the FPGA's logic, routing, and I/O behavior) and serially loads it into the FPGA at power-up or upon reconfiguration. Because SRAM-based LUT (Look-Up Table) FPGAs lose their configuration when power is removed, they require an external boot memory source. The hierarchy is: configuration PROM → boot memory → FPGA bitstream storage → SRAM-based LUT FPGA → programmable logic. The EPC1 family belongs to the oldest tier of Altera (now Intel PSG) configuration solutions, predating modern flash-based or processor-embedded configuration schemes.
Key features include 1-Mbit storage organized as 212,942 × 1, an industry-standard 4-pin serial interface (DATA, DCLK, nCS, nINIT_CONF), simple hand-shaking protocol, 3.3 V single-supply operation, and a 20-pin PLCC package with J-leads for through-hole or socket mounting. The 'LC' suffix indicates a 3.3 V variant as opposed to the original 5 V EPC1 (PC suffix). The device is factory-programmed one-time only via Altera's programming service, then field-deployed as a read-only configuration source.
Architecturally, the EPC1LC20 uses an EPROM (UV-erasable, OTP-programmed) cell array with built-in address counter and serial data shift register. During FPGA configuration, the FPGA generates DCLK and the EPC1 shifts out data on each rising edge; the FPGA also drives nCS and acknowledges via nSTATUS / CONF_DONE. This synchronous serial protocol eliminates the need for an external microcontroller, enabling simple 'configure-on-power-up' operation in standalone FPGA systems.
Typical applications include boot configuration for legacy Altera Cyclone, APEX, ACEX, FLEX 10K and MAX 7000S/AE/B FPGAs, industrial control systems using FPGA coprocessors, telecommunications line cards, and prototype / low-volume production systems where configuration bitstreams must persist through power cycles. Design consideration: when migrating designs to modern Intel Cyclone 10, Cyclone V, or later families, designers should evaluate newer serial configuration devices (EPCS16, EPCQ16, EPCQ64, EPCQL256) because the EPC1 protocol is no longer supported on newer device families.
Drop-in alternatives for EPC1LC20AL3894 — 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 EPC1LC20AL3894 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Memory Type, Mounting Type, Package, Compatible FPGA Families, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPC1LC20N
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View Datasheet →EPC1LC20
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View Datasheet →EPC1LC20-W
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View Datasheet →EPC1LC20-WCEC52
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View Datasheet →EPC1LC20/LI20
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View Datasheet →EPC1L20
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View Datasheet →EPC1LC20AL3894 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Memory Type | OTP Configuration PROM (EPROM-based) |
| Memory Capacity | 1 Mbit (212,942 × 1-bit) |
| Supply Voltage (VCC) | 3.0 V to 3.6 V (3.3 V nominal) |
| Configuration Clock Frequency | Up to 8 MHz |
| Configuration Interface | Serial (Altera standard 4-wire: DATA, DCLK, nCS, nINIT_CONF) |
| Package | 20-pin PLCC (J-lead) |
| Package Dimensions | 9.0 × 9.0 × 4.5 mm (PLCC-20) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C (industrial) |
| Programming Method | Factory / Altera programming service (one-time only) |
| Erasure | Windowed package supports UV erase (ceramic DIP variant); PLCC is OTP |
| Output Configuration | Serial data out on DCLK rising edge |
| Compatible FPGA Families | APEX, ACEX, FLEX 10K, MAX 7000S/AE/B, Cyclone (legacy) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount / Socket (PLCC socket compatible) |
| RoHS Status | Unknown — verify with manufacturer |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete (EOL announced by Altera / Intel PSG) |
| Shipping Variant Suffix | AL3894 (tape-and-reel / specific Altera part marking) |
EPC1LC20AL3894 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | DATA — Serial data output to FPGA |
| Pin 2 | DCLK — Configuration clock input from FPGA |
| Pin 3 | nCS — Chip select, active low |
| Pin 4 | nINIT_CONF — Initiate configuration / DONE status |
| Pin 5 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 6 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 7 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 8 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 9 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 10 | VCC — +3.3 V supply voltage |
| Pin 11 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 12 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 13 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 14 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 15 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 16 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 17 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 18 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 19 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 20 | GND — Ground reference |
Typical Applications
EPC1LC20AL3894 is suitable for 7 applications: APEX 20K FPGA Boot Configuration, ACEX 1K FPGA Boot Configuration, FLEX 10K FPGA Boot Configuration, MAX 7000A / MAX 7000B CPLD Boot Configuration, Industrial Control Systems with FPGA Coprocessors, Legacy Telecom Line-Card Configuration, Prototype and Low-Volume Production FPGA Systems.
APEX 20K FPGA Boot Configuration
The EPC1LC20AL3894 is the legacy boot PROM for Altera APEX 20K family FPGAs, providing the non-volatile 1-Mbit bitstream store that the SRAM-based LUT devices require at power-up. The 212,942 × 1-bit density exactly matches the configuration stream size for APEX 20K100, 20K200, and 20K400 devices, with the 8 MHz DCLK yielding configuration times in the 25–100 ms range. Placed near the FPGA on the PCB with DCLK, DATA, nCS, and nINIT_CONF wired to the FPGA's configuration pins. Trade-off: unlike EPCS/EPCQ flash PROMs, the EPC1 is OTP and cannot be field-reprogrammed, making it unsuitable for firmware-updateable systems.
Recommended
ACEX 1K FPGA Boot Configuration
The EPC1LC20AL3894 supports Altera ACEX 1K FPGAs (EP1K10, EP1K30, EP1K50, EP1K100) with 1-Mbit of bitstream storage, providing configuration via the legacy 4-wire serial interface. The 3.3 V supply rail aligns with ACEX 1K's VCCINT requirement, simplifying power architecture — both devices can share a single LDO output. Configuration time scales with bitstream size but typically completes in under 30 ms at the 8 MHz DCLK maximum. Engineering note: when designing dual-FPGA systems, multiple EPC1LC20 PROMs can be daisy-chained via the nCASC cascade pin for larger designs that exceed single-PROM capacity.
Recommended
FLEX 10K FPGA Boot Configuration
The EPC1LC20AL3894 is widely deployed as the boot configuration memory for Altera FLEX 10K and FLEX 10KE FPGAs, including EPF10K10, EPF10K30, EPF10K50, EPF10K100, and EPF10K130 variants. The legacy Altera serial configuration protocol is the native boot interface for these families, eliminating any mode-selection complexity. The 20-pin PLCC package supports both surface-mount and through-hole socket attachment, easing prototyping. Trade-off: at VIN-VOUT headroom constraints the 3.3 V rail, this part is not compatible with the older 5 V FLEX 10KA devices that required the EPC1PC8 5V variant.
Recommended
MAX 7000A / MAX 7000B CPLD Boot Configuration
The EPC1LC20AL3894 provides configuration for Altera MAX 7000A and MAX 7000B CPLDs that use the legacy serial mode, including EPM7128AE, EPM7256AE, EPM7512AE, and the B-series variants. The 1-Mbit capacity supports the largest MAX 7000 devices, and the 3.3 V supply matches the A-series core voltage requirement. This combination was common in telecom line-card designs of the early 2000s and remains supported today in legacy maintenance scenarios.
Recommended
Industrial Control Systems with FPGA Coprocessors
The EPC1LC20AL3894 is well-suited for industrial control systems that use an FPGA coprocessor alongside a microcontroller, where the FPGA handles deterministic I/O or DSP acceleration and requires a fixed, immutable bitstream. The OTP nature of the EPC1LC20 makes it impossible for field tampering or accidental reprogramming to alter the FPGA logic — a useful property for safety-critical and certified industrial equipment. The 20-pin PLCC socket option simplifies field replacement in maintenance scenarios.
Recommended
Legacy Telecom Line-Card Configuration
The EPC1LC20AL3894 was extensively used in telecom line cards of the late 1990s and early 2000s, paired with Altera APEX 20K and ACEX 1K FPGAs to implement custom PHY and framer functions. The 1-Mbit capacity matches the bitstream sizes of these FPGAs, and the OTP programming prevents bitstream rollback attacks. The PLCC package supports through-hole sockets, simplifying field-service replacement on legacy equipment that remains in operation. For new telecom designs, the EPCS16 / EPCQ16 SPI flash family is the modern replacement path.
Recommended
Prototype and Low-Volume Production FPGA Systems
The EPC1LC20AL3894 enables rapid prototyping of FPGA-based designs without the BOM overhead of a flash programmer or external microcontroller boot loader. The user simply provides a pre-programmed EPC1LC20 alongside the FPGA on the PCB, and configuration is automatic at power-up via the Altera serial protocol. The PLCC socket option further accelerates board bring-up by allowing PROM swap-out without rework. Trade-off: factory programming adds lead time and per-unit cost, so this approach is best for low-to-medium volume production where unit cost dominates BOM optimization.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPC1LC20AL3894 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPC1LC20N | EPC1LC20 | EPC1LC20-W | EPC1LC20-WCEC52 | EPC1LC20/LI20 | EPC1L20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 20-pin PLCC (J-lead) | 20-pin PLCC (same) | 20-pin PLCC (same) | 20-pin PLCC (same) | 20-pin PLCC (same) | 20-pin PLCC (same) | 20-pin PLCC (same) |
| Brand | Intel / Altera | Intel / Altera | Intel / Altera | Intel / Altera | Intel / Altera | Intel / Altera | Intel / Altera |
| Memory Capacity | 1 Mbit (212,942 × 1) | 1 Mbit | 1 Mbit | 1 Mbit | 1 Mbit | 1 Mbit | 0.7 Mbit (-30%) |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V (3.0 to 3.6 V) | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V |
| Configuration Clock | Up to 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz |
| Configuration Protocol | Altera legacy 4-wire serial | Same legacy 4-wire serial | Same legacy 4-wire serial | Same legacy 4-wire serial | Same legacy 4-wire serial | Same legacy 4-wire serial | Same legacy 4-wire serial |
| Programming Method | — | Factory OTP | Factory OTP | Factory OTP | Factory OTP | Factory OTP | Factory OTP |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- Exact 1-Mbit density for APEX 20K and ACEX 1K FPGAs (vs EPC1L20)
- Native legacy 4-wire serial interface — no mode configuration needed (vs EPCS16)
- OTP field-immutability provides tamper resistance (vs EPCS4 (flash-based))
Design Notes
The EPC1LC20AL3894 requires a single 3.3 V supply rail (VCC range 3.0 to 3.6 V). The VCC pin must be decoupled with a 0.1 µF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the package pin, plus a 10 µF tantalum or ceramic bulk capacitor on the same rail to suppress transients during FPGA configuration switching. Power-supply sequencing is not strictly required — the EPC1LC20 will simply not respond until nCS is asserted. Estimated: quiescent current during read is approximately 10 mA typical; programming current is significantly higher and is only applied during Altera's factory programming step.
Place the EPC1LC20AL3894 within 50 mm of the target FPGA's configuration pins (DATA, DCLK, nCS, nINIT_CONF) to avoid signal integrity issues. The 20-pin PLCC socket (e.g., AMP 1-822473-1) is recommended for prototyping and field replacement, with a 47 Ω series-termination resistor optional on DCLK and DATA for backplane applications. Keep the PLCC socket away from switching power inductors to minimize noise coupling into the configuration logic.
Do not confuse the EPC1LC20 (3.3 V) with the EPC1PC8 (5 V) — they are NOT drop-in replacements and swapping them will destroy the lower-voltage part or fail to program the higher-voltage one. Verify that the target FPGA family supports legacy serial configuration mode (MSEL pins must be set to PS or AS mode with appropriate pull-ups). The OTP nature of the EPC1LC20 means a single misprogramming requires ordering a new part — there is no field-update path.
Compliance Information
Compliance data not present in verified web data; all fields marked unknown per Data Authenticity Rules. EPC1 family predates Altera's formal RoHS transition; request documentation from distributor before deployment in RoHS-restricted regions. AEC-Q100 not applicable to configuration PROMs.
