EPC1LC20CEC - 1Mb OTP Config PROM 20-PLCC | Altera
MPN: EPC1LC20CEC ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $14.5 | $14.50 |
| 10 | $12.75 | $127.50 |
| 100 | $10.5 | $1,050.00 |
| 500 | $8.8 | $4,400.00 |
| 1,000 | $7.2 | $7,200.00 |
EPC1LC20CEC Overview
Background Knowledge: A configuration PROM is a non-volatile serial memory used to load the bitstream of an SRAM-based FPGA at every power-up, because SRAM cells lose their configuration when power is removed. Configuration PROMs belong to the memory IC family (sub-category: serial configuration memory), sit between generic EEPROM/Flash and application-specific FPGA support devices, and are essential for stand-alone or in-system programmable FPGA designs that cannot rely on a microprocessor to load the bitstream.
Key features of the EPC1LC20CEC include 1 Mbit (1,048,576 bits) of storage, a simple 4-pin serial configuration interface (DATA, DCLK, nCS, OE), low-power CMOS technology, and an industry-standard 20-pin JEDEC PLCC socket footprint that allows hand-replacement or socket-based in-system programming.
The architecture uses a one-time-programmable anti-fuse cell array, allowing the device to be programmed once in the field or factory and read indefinitely without data retention concerns. The 8 MHz DCLK supports fast configuration of mid-density Altera FPGA families such as ACEX 1K, APEX 20K, FLEX 6000, FLEX 8000 and FLEX 10K.
Typical applications include stand-alone configuration of Altera FPGAs in industrial controllers, telecommunications line cards, test and measurement equipment, and any design that needs automatic FPGA bitstream loading at power-on without a host processor. The PLCC-20 socket footprint simplifies prototyping and field upgrades.
Design consideration: Connect nCONFIG of the target FPGA to the EPC1LC20CEC nCS pin through the standard Altera serial configuration schematic, and place a 10 kohm pull-up on nCS/OE. For multi-FPGA daisy-chains, use the Altera EPC2 or EPC4 family instead, which supports cascaded configuration.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, datasheet pinout, and practical configuration-design notes beyond the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for EPC1LC20CEC — 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 EPC1LC20CEC (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Memory Type, Package, Mounting Type, Compatible FPGA Families, Supply Voltage.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPC1LC20
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC1LC20C
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC1LC20AL3894
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC1LC20-W
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$9.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC2LC20
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC1LC20/LI20
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$4.6 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC1LC20CEC Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Memory Type | OTP Configuration PROM (anti-fuse) |
| Memory Size | 1 Mbit (1,048,576 bits) |
| Configuration Interface | Serial (4-pin: DATA, DCLK, nCS, OE) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 8 MHz |
| Programming Mode | One-Time Programmable (OTP) |
| Package | 20-pin PLCC (9x9 mm) |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to +70°C |
| Configuration Mode | Altera serial slave/master |
| Compatible FPGA Families | ACEX 1K, APEX 20K, FLEX 6000, FLEX 8000, FLEX 10K |
| Read Endurance | Unlimited |
| Program Endurance | 1 cycle (OTP) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (PLCC socket compatible) |
| RoHS Status | Non-compliant (legacy PLCC package) |
| Lead-Free | No (contains lead) |
EPC1LC20CEC Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | DATA — Serial configuration data output to FPGA DATA0 pin |
| Pin 2 | DCLK — Configuration clock input from FPGA (up to 8 MHz) |
| Pin 3 | nCS — Chip select, active-low (pull to FPGA nCONFIG via 10 kohm) |
| Pin 4 | OE — Output enable, active-low (drive from FPGA nSTATUS) |
| Pin 5 | VCC — Positive supply (3.3 V or 5 V per FPGA I/O bank) |
| Pin 6 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 7 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 8 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 9 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 10 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| 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 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
EPC1LC20CEC is suitable for 6 applications: Standalone Altera FPGA Configuration, Industrial Control Boards, Telecommunications Line Cards, Test and Measurement Equipment, Aerospace and Defense Avionics (Legacy), Prototype and Educational FPGA Development.
Standalone Altera FPGA Configuration
The EPC1LC20CEC stores the 1-Mbit configuration bitstream and loads it into an SRAM-based Altera FPGA such as ACEX 1K or FLEX 10K at every power-up, eliminating the need for a host processor to perform the load. The 8 MHz DCLK delivers a full 1-Mbit image in roughly 0.13 seconds, which is fast enough for industrial controllers and telecom line cards where deterministic power-on to functional-time matters. The 20-PLCC socket footprint allows the bitstream to be swapped in the field without soldering, useful for shipping variants of the same hardware. Verified by the Altera Configuration Devices datasheet.
Recommended
Industrial Control Boards
Factory-automation PLCs, motor controllers and remote I/O modules frequently embed a PLCC-socketed EPC1LC20CEC so the FPGA logic can be revised by swapping a programmed PROM rather than reworking the board. The OTP one-time-programmable anti-fuse cell array provides permanent, rugged storage with unlimited read endurance, ideal for long-life industrial equipment operating 24/7 across the 0 to 70C commercial temperature range. The 20-pin PLCC package with industry-standard JEDEC footprint is mechanically robust against vibration when socketed with a retention clip.
Recommended
Telecommunications Line Cards
Legacy telecom line cards (E1/T1, SONET, early Ethernet switches) use the EPC1LC20CEC to self-configure mid-density Altera FPGAs at hot-insertion, allowing the card to come online without host-CPU interaction. The 4-wire serial configuration interface (DATA, DCLK, nCS, OE) requires only four FPGA pins, leaving the rest for user I/O, which is critical when the FPGA sits behind a compact BGA package. The OTP anti-fuse cell is immune to single-event upsets in most terrestrial installations, making the part attractive for fixed-line telecom racks.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Equipment
Bench-top oscilloscopes, logic analysers and protocol testers historically embedded the EPC1LC20CEC to configure the timing/sequencing FPGA, since the OTP part allowed the factory to pre-burn a known-good bitstream and the field engineer to swap chips during calibration. The 20-PLCC socket enabled rapid firmware updates without hot-air rework, important in a service depot environment. The commercial temperature rating and proven Altera anti-fuse reliability made it a go-to part for calibrated test instruments shipped in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Recommended
Aerospace and Defense Avionics (Legacy)
Pre-RoHS aerospace and defense systems, which are exempt from lead-free solder mandates, often used the EPC1LC20CEC to configure RADAR signal processing and avionics FPGAs. The OTP anti-fuse cell provides radiation-tolerant, non-volatile storage that retains the bitstream through power cycles without refresh. The 20-PLCC package is available with MIL-spec screening on some Altera part numbers, making the family attractive for upgrades of legacy avionic LRUs where the existing PCB footprint is fixed.
Recommended
Prototype and Educational FPGA Development
Universities, R&D labs and FPGA training courses used the EPC1LC20CEC on legacy Altera development boards (e.g. Nios, Excalibur, early Cyclone predecessors) to teach the configuration-process fundamentals. The PLCC-20 socket allowed students to swap pre-burned PROMs without a programmer, illustrating the difference between volatile SRAM configuration and non-volatile PROM storage. Today these PROMs appear on eBay for retro-computing and FPGA-classroom demonstrations of the Altera serial configuration protocol.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPC1LC20CEC — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPC1LC20 | EPC1LC20C | EPC1LC20AL3894 | EPC2LC20 | EPC1LC20/LI20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera |
| Package | 20-PLCC (9x9) | 20-PLCC (9x9) | 20-PLCC (9x9) | 20-PLCC (9x9) | 20-PLCC (9x9) | 20-PLCC (9x9) |
| Memory Density | 1 Mbit | 1 Mbit | 1 Mbit | 1 Mbit | 2 Mbit | 1 Mbit |
| Configuration Clock | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz |
| Programming Mode | OTP (anti-fuse) | OTP (anti-fuse) | OTP (anti-fuse) | OTP (anti-fuse) | OTP (anti-fuse) | OTP (anti-fuse) |
| Operating Temperature | 0 to +70 C | 0 to +70 C | 0 to +70 C | 0 to +70 C | 0 to +70 C | -40 to +85 C (industrial) |
| Compatible FPGA Families | ACEX/APEX/FLEX 6K/8K/10K | ACEX/APEX/FLEX 6K/8K/10K | ACEX/APEX/FLEX 6K/8K/10K | ACEX/APEX/FLEX 6K/8K/10K | ACEX/APEX/FLEX 6K/8K/10K + 20K large bitstreams | ACEX/APEX/FLEX 6K/8K/10K |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete (re-stocked) | Obsolete | Obsolete |
| RoHS Compliance | Non-compliant | Non-compliant | Non-compliant | Non-compliant | Non-compliant | Non-compliant |
Key Differentiators
- Higher bitstream density than the EPC1 family base (EPC1LC20) for larger FPGAs (vs EPC1LC20)
- Industrial temperature grade vs commercial-only on the EPC1LC20CEC (vs EPC1LC20/LI20)
- JTAG-less field programming via Altera programming hardware vs in-system reprogrammability (vs EPC16QI100)
Design Notes
Estimated: the EPC1LC20CEC is specified for 3.3 V or 5 V VCC operation; tie the supply pin to the same rail as the target FPGA's configuration-bank I/O. Add a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VCC pin (pin 5) to suppress switching noise from DCLK transitions. The configuration-only current draw is below 20 mA during read, so a shared 3.3 V LDO can power both the PROM and the FPGA's configuration bank if total budget allows.
Route DATA, DCLK, nCS and OE as short matched-length traces from the 20-PLCC socket to the FPGA. Keep DCLK traces away from high-frequency switching signals to avoid coupling glitches that can cause configuration errors. The nCS-to-nCONFIG and OE-to-nSTATUS connections each need a 10 kohm pull-up to VCC. Reference: Altera AN 116 - Configuring SRAM-Based FPGAs Using Serial Configuration PROMs.
Do not assume the EPC1LC20CEC accepts 1.8 V signals - the configuration interface operates at the FPGA's VCCIO level (3.3 V or 5 V typical). Always use the Altera programming hardware (e.g. Altera USB-Blaster with Quartus programmer) for at least 30 seconds per megabit to ensure OTP anti-fuse cells are fully formed; under-programmed cells can lead to read errors months later. Finally, OTP means one mistake and the device is scrap - always program a test bench first.
Compliance Information
Legacy PLCC-20 package uses tin-lead (SnPb) finish and is not RoHS compliant. AEC-Q100 automotive qualification is not applicable to this configuration PROM family. Part is obsolete / end-of-life per Altera/Intel FPGA product lifecycle; remaining stock is allocated through authorised distributors.
