EPC1PC8/PI8 - 1Mb OTP Configuration PROM, 8-PDIP | Altera
MPN: EPC1PC8/PI8 ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.45 | $8.45 |
| 10 | $7.6 | $76.00 |
| 100 | $6.85 | $685.00 |
| 500 | $6.2 | $3,100.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.55 | $5,550.00 |
EPC1PC8/PI8 Overview
An OTP configuration PROM is a non-volatile memory device used to load the configuration bitstream into an SRAM-based FPGA each time the system powers up or reinitializes. Because SRAM-based FPGAs lose their configuration when power is removed, an external PROM (or other boot source) is required to reload the LUT and routing data on every power cycle. OTP devices are programmed once during board manufacture and provide a low-cost, simple boot path for production systems that do not need in-field reprogramming of the boot image.
Key features of the EPC1PC8/PI8 include 1 Mbit of configuration storage, a serial configuration interface, an OE-driven address counter reset, an nCS chip-select control, cascading support for multi-device configuration chains, and compatibility with the Altera (now Intel) Quartus programming flow via the JTAG-style programming algorithm. The serial output data stream is clocked out to the FPGA's DATA0/DCLK pins until the entire bitstream has been delivered and the FPGA enters user mode.
The device uses a simple four-wire serial interface (nCS, OE, DCLK, DATA) so the PCB footprint stays minimal and the BOM cost low. The 8-PDIP through-hole package supports hand-soldering, breadboard prototyping, and legacy industrial backplanes that still require DIP-form factor configuration memory, while a pin-compatible 8-pin SOIC variant (EPC1SI8) is offered for surface-mount designs.
Typical applications include Altera/Intel Cyclone FPGA boot storage, APEX 20K industrial control configuration, ACEX 1K legacy board retrofits, prototyping platforms, and any production system that needs a deterministic one-time boot image loaded from a small serial PROM. The EPC1 family remains a cost-effective choice for designs that do not require in-system reprogramming of the boot PROM.
When designing with the EPC1PC8/PI8, ensure that the OE line is driven low by the FPGA's CONF_DONE / nSTATUS logic to start the address counter, and that the nCS line is held in the correct state during FPGA configuration. Verify the FPGA's configuration clock maximum (typically 33 MHz for newer Cyclone families) versus the EPC1's 8 MHz ceiling, and use an EPCS or EPCQ device for higher clock rates. The 8-PDIP package is recommended for through-hole boards and prototyping; use the EPC1SI8 SOIC variant for surface-mount production.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in Altera and Intel alternatives, and practical configuration-design notes not found in the original datasheet, giving engineers a single reference for EPC1PC8/PI8 sourcing and design-in decisions.
Drop-in alternatives for EPC1PC8/PI8 — 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 EPC1PC8/PI8 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Memory Size, Memory Type, Interface, Package, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPC1PC8N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC1PI8
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC1PI8N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC1441PC8
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.9 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC1441PI8
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.25 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC1PC8/PI8 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Memory Type | OTP Configuration PROM |
| Memory Size | 1 Mbit |
| Configuration Mode | Serial |
| Maximum Operating Frequency | 8 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (3.3 V mode) | 3.0 V to 3.6 V |
| Supply Voltage (5 V mode) | 4.75 V to 5.25 V |
| Programmable Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Package | 8-PDIP (through-hole, 0.300 inch) |
| Operating Temperature | 0 C to +70 C |
| Number of Pins | 8 |
| Family Name | EPC1 |
| Interface | Serial (DCLK, DATA, OE, nCS) |
| Cascade Support | Yes (multi-device chains) |
EPC1PC8/PI8 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | nCS — Chip select (active low); enables DATA output driver |
| Pin 2 | DATA — Serial configuration data output to FPGA DATA0 pin |
| Pin 3 | OE — Output enable (active low); resets address counter when low |
| Pin 4 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 5 | DCLK — Configuration clock input from FPGA |
| Pin 6 | VCC — Supply voltage (3.0-3.6 V or 4.75-5.25 V) |
| Pin 7 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 8 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
EPC1PC8/PI8 is suitable for 6 applications: Altera Cyclone FPGA Boot Storage, APEX 20K / APEX II Configuration Memory, ACEX 1K Legacy Board Retrofits, FPGA Prototyping and Education Platforms, Industrial Control and Test Equipment, Legacy Telecom Backplane and Routing Systems.
Altera Cyclone FPGA Boot Storage
The EPC1PC8/PI8 is purpose-built to store and load the configuration bitstream of Altera Cyclone and Cyclone II SRAM-based FPGAs at every power-up. Its 1 Mbit capacity covers typical Cyclone I/II designs, and the 8 MHz serial clock matches the configuration interface of these families. Engineers place the EPC1 between the FPGA's DATA0/DCLK/nCONFIG/nSTATUS pins so that on power-on, the FPGA can self-load its LUT and routing configuration without an external microcontroller.
Recommended
APEX 20K / APEX II Configuration Memory
For APEX 20K, APEX 20KC, APEX 20KE, and APEX II FPGAs, the EPC1PC8/PI8 supplies the non-volatile boot image these SRAM-based devices require. The dual-voltage (3.3 V/5 V) operation lets the PROM sit on the same rail as the APEX 20K family without level shifting. Cascade support means designers can chain two EPC1 devices when bitstreams exceed 1 Mbit, which is common in APEX 20K designs that combine MultiPLEX and logic usage.
Recommended
ACEX 1K Legacy Board Retrofits
ACEX 1K designs deployed across industrial automation, motor control, and telecommunications infrastructure often require a direct-replacement configuration PROM when the original boot device is end-of-life. The EPC1PC8/PI8 maintains pin compatibility with the original ACEX 1K reference designs and delivers the same 8 MHz serial configuration interface, simplifying field retrofits. Using an OTP PROM also ensures the boot image cannot be inadvertently rewritten in the field, which is desirable for safety-critical industrial installations.
Recommended
FPGA Prototyping and Education Platforms
The EPC1PC8/PI8 in the through-hole 8-PDIP package is ideal for breadboard-based FPGA prototyping kits and university lab exercises that teach configuration-memory concepts. Students can program the OTP once with a development bitstream and observe the FPGA boot sequence live on logic analyzers. The DIP form factor also simplifies hand-soldering in coursework where students assemble the configuration chain themselves.
Recommended
Industrial Control and Test Equipment
Industrial PLCs, motor controllers, and test instruments that rely on ACEX 1K or APEX 20K FPGAs benefit from the deterministic one-time boot path provided by the EPC1PC8/PI8. Because OTP memory cannot be rewritten accidentally or maliciously, the boot image stays locked across the product lifecycle - a regulatory advantage for industrial safety systems (IEC 61508 SIL contexts) and metering equipment. The wide 0-70 C operating range and dual-voltage supply make the PROM robust against industrial rail variation.
Recommended
Legacy Telecom Backplane and Routing Systems
Carrier-grade telecom backplanes from the early 2000s typically use APEX II or Arria GX FPGAs paired with EPC1 configuration PROMs. When these systems need field repair or refurbishment, the EPC1PC8/PI8 supplies an authentic replacement boot device that matches the original PCB land pattern. Engineers servicing legacy telecom equipment can keep existing boards running without redesigning the configuration chain, minimizing downtime and sparing cost.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPC1PC8/PI8 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPC1PC8N | EPC1PI8 | EPC1PI8N | EPC1441PC8 | EPC1441PI8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Altera (now Intel) | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera |
| Package | 8-PDIP | 8-PDIP | 8-PDIP (cross-listed under SOIC family) | 8-PDIP (cross-listed under SOIC family) | 8-PDIP | 8-PDIP |
| Memory Size | 1 Mbit | 1 Mbit | 1 Mbit | 1 Mbit | 440 Kbit | 440 Kbit |
| Programmable Type | OTP | OTP | OTP | OTP | OTP | OTP |
| Maximum Configuration Clock | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz |
| Supply Voltage | 3.0-3.6 V / 4.75-5.25 V | 3.0-3.6 V / 4.75-5.25 V | 3.0-3.6 V / 4.75-5.25 V | 3.0-3.6 V / 4.75-5.25 V | 3.0-3.6 V / 4.75-5.25 V | 3.0-3.6 V / 4.75-5.25 V |
| Lead-Free Finish | Unknown (likely SnPb DIP) | Yes (Pb-free) | Unknown | Yes (Pb-free) | Unknown | Unknown |
| Cascade Support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- Dual-voltage support (3.3 V and 5 V) on the same die (vs EPC1441PC8)
- Direct fit in 8-PDIP through-hole footprint (vs EPC1PI8 (SOIC))
- 1 Mbit density matches typical Cyclone I/II bitstreams (vs EPC1441PC8 (440 Kbit))
Design Notes
Do not assume EPC1PC8/PI8 can configure newer Cyclone III/IV/V or Arria 10/Stratix 10 devices. Modern Altera/Intel FPGAs require configuration clocks above 8 MHz and have migrated to EPCS1/EPCS4/EPCQ boot devices. Using an EPC1 family PROM with a modern FPGA will fail configuration or generate CRC errors. Verify the target FPGA's supported configuration clock and memory capacity before selecting the EPC1PC8/PI8.
The serial configuration interface uses four signals (nCS, OE, DCLK, DATA). Keep DCLK and DATA traces short and matched in length to within 1 cm on the PCB to avoid skew-induced mis-clocking. Add a 10 kohm pull-up on nCS and OE to prevent floating lines during power-up, which can inadvertently enable the DATA output driver before the FPGA is ready to receive configuration data.
Place the EPC1PC8/PI8 within 5 cm of the FPGA's configuration pins to minimize parasitic capacitance on the DCLK and DATA traces. Decouple VCC (pin 6) with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor plus a 10 uF bulk capacitor close to the device. Route OE and nCS as dedicated control signals; do not share them with other logic on the board, because contention during configuration can corrupt the bitstream.
Compliance Information
Compliance data not present in verified sources. EPC1PC8/PI8 is an obsolete Altera/Intel product, so RoHS/REACH status varies by date code and manufacturing lot. Request the latest manufacturer C-of-C before procurement.
