EPC1PI8 - Altera 1Mb OTP Serial Config PROM | 8-PDIP
MPN: EPC1PI8 β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $18.5 | $18.50 |
| 10 | $16.2 | $162.00 |
| 100 | $13.85 | $1,385.00 |
| 500 | $11.4 | $5,700.00 |
| 1,000 | $9.95 | $9,950.00 |
EPC1PI8 Overview
Background: A configuration PROM is a non-volatile serial memory that holds the FPGA's bitstream so that an SRAM-based FPGA can be reconfigured at every power-up. The hierarchy is: configuration PROM -> serial configuration memory -> non-volatile memory -> programmable logic support IC. Unlike SPI flash or parallel boot PROMs, configuration PROMs use a dedicated FPGA configuration protocol (FPP, PS, or AS modes) and are optimized for short bitstreams with deterministic configuration time. EPC1-series PROMs are typically paired with older Altera FPGAs that pre-date modern EPCQ/QSPI flash boot solutions.
Key features include 1 Mb of OTP storage, 8 MHz maximum DCLK frequency, a simple 4-wire serial interface (nCS, DCLK, DATA, OE), and dedicated FPGA-configuration timing. The device is one-time-programmable (not erasable), which suits production systems where the bitstream is finalized. EPC1PI8 supports both 3.3 V and 5 V VCC operation, allowing direct interface to 5 V-tolerant FPGA configuration pins.
The EPC1 architecture uses a serial shift-register programming model with internal charge-pump generated programming voltages. Configuration data is clocked out LSB-first, MSB-first on a per-Altera-FPGA basis, and OE/nCS provide frame-level handshaking. Because the part is OTP, no UV window or in-system erase is possible - it is intended as the lowest-cost permanent configuration storage.
Typical applications include legacy Altera/Intel FPGA configuration in industrial controllers, prototyping boards for Cyclone and APEX families, low-volume production systems, and as a second-source PROM in designs migrating from discontinued configuration devices. It is widely used on Altera/Intel development kits to demonstrate the configuration chain.
When designing with EPC1PI8, observe the VCC ramp time and follow the Altera FPGA configuration handshake sequence exactly. Because EPC1PI8 is OTP, plan for a small number of pre-programmed parts during development; sample/engineering units should be ordered with known-good bitstreams.
This page synthesizes distributor availability, lifecycle status, drop-in EPC1/EPC2 alternatives from the same Altera family, and practical design considerations not found in the original datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for EPC1PI8 β 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 EPC1PI8 (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Interface, Mounting Type, Memory Type, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPC1PC8
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$4.1 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC1PC8N
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$4.4 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC1PC8W
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$9.85 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC1PCB
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$9.6 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC1PC8/PI8
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$5.55 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC1PI8N
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$7.4 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC1P18N
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$7.45 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC1PI8 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Memory Type | OTP Configuration PROM (EPROM-based) |
| Memory Size | 1 Mbit |
| Programmable Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Interface | Serial (Altera FPGA configuration protocol) |
| Maximum Configuration Clock (DCLK) | 8 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (VCC) | 4.5 V to 5.5 V (5 V mode); 3.0 V to 3.6 V (3.3 V mode) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C |
| Package | 8-PDIP (0.300 inch, 7.62 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole (DIP) |
| Supported FPGA Families | ACEX 1K, APEX 20K, APEX II, Arria GX, Cyclone, Cyclone II, FLEX 10K, FLEX 6000, Mercury, Stratix, Stratix GX, Stratix II, Stratix II GX |
| Configuration Mode | Serial (PS mode) - Data, DCLK, nCS, OE/nCONFIG |
| Programming Method | External programmer + Altera BitBlaster / ByteBlaster |
| Pin Count | 8 |
EPC1PI8 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | DATA β Serial data output to FPGA DATA pin |
| Pin 2 | DCLK β Configuration clock input from FPGA |
| Pin 3 | VCC β Power supply (3.0-3.6 V or 4.5-5.5 V) |
| Pin 4 | OE β Output enable (active-low; tied to FPGA nCONFIG) |
| Pin 5 | GND β Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | nCE β Chip enable (active-low; tie LOW to enable) |
| Pin 7 | nCS β Chip select (active-low) |
| Pin 8 | VPP β Programming voltage (used during external programming only; tie to VCC in-system) |
Typical Applications
EPC1PI8 is suitable for 6 applications: Legacy Altera Cyclone FPGA Configuration, Altera APEX 20K Family Configuration Storage, Stratix & Stratix II Development Kit Boot ROM, FLEX 10K and FLEX 6000 Production Configuration, ACEX 1K Configuration in Compact Embedded Boards, Low-Volume Production and Second-Source Bitstream Storage.
Legacy Altera Cyclone FPGA Configuration
The EPC1PI8 stores the FPGA bitstream for legacy Altera Cyclone (EP1C3/EP1C4/EP1C12) and Cyclone II (EP2C5/EP2C8) devices in PS configuration mode. With 1 Mb of OTP storage and 8 MHz DCLK, it can comfortably hold the 0.4-0.8 Mbit bitstream typical of these families and complete configuration in under 100 ms at maximum clock. The 5 V VCC tolerance makes the EPC1PI8 ideal for older Cyclone boards that still route 5 V to the configuration header, eliminating the need for level shifters. Engineers targeting legacy Cyclone designs that must remain in production for years rely on EPC1PI8 inventory while planning migration to EPCQ flash.
Recommended
Altera APEX 20K Family Configuration Storage
The EPC1PI8 is specified to configure APEX 20K, APEX 20KC, APEX 20KE, and APEX II devices. APEX 20K parts typically require 0.6-1.0 Mbit of bitstream, fitting the EPC1PI8's 1 Mb capacity exactly. The EPC1PI8's 8 MHz DCLK meets APEX 20K's configuration timing requirement, and the 8-pin PDIP form factor is convenient for socketed prototyping where bitstreams may be swapped during bring-up. This combination remains in service for industrial motion-control and telecom line-card applications that were designed around APEX in the early 2000s.
Recommended
Stratix & Stratix II Development Kit Boot ROM
The EPC1PI8 appears on Altera Stratix and Stratix II reference/development kits to demonstrate the PS configuration chain before customers migrate to EPCS or EPCQ flash. Although Stratix GX and Stratix II GX bitstreams often exceed 1 Mbit (needing EPC4/EPC8 or EPCQ16), smaller Stratix EP1S10/EP1S25 device variants fit within 1 Mb. Engineers using these kits to learn the Altera configuration handshake use EPC1PI8 as the baseline reference part. The 8-pin PDIP also allows easy socket replacement during firmware experimentation.
Recommended
FLEX 10K and FLEX 6000 Production Configuration
FLEX 10K (EPF10K, EPF10KA, EPF10KE, EPF10KS) and FLEX 6000 (EPF6016, EPF6024) devices use configuration bitstreams under 0.5 Mbit, well within EPC1PI8's 1 Mb capacity. The EPC1PI8 is the recommended Altera configuration PROM for these older families and remains in production-line inventory for long-lifecycle industrial and military programs that built around FLEX 10K in the 1990s and 2000s. The 8 MHz DCLK easily satisfies FLEX configuration timing. Designers maintaining these systems rely on EPC1PI8's drop-in compatibility to avoid re-validating legacy boards.
Recommended
ACEX 1K Configuration in Compact Embedded Boards
ACEX 1K devices (EP1K10, EP1K30, EP1K50, EP1K100) ship bitstreams between 0.13 and 0.4 Mbit, fitting comfortably in the EPC1PI8's 1 Mb OTP memory. The 8-pin PDIP EPC1PI8 is widely used on ACEX 1K evaluation boards where the through-hole form factor simplifies socketed programming during early firmware bring-up. Industrial control modules built around ACEX 1K continue to use EPC1PI8 in production because of the part's long Altera legacy support and the ability to maintain pin-compatible second sources.
Recommended
Low-Volume Production and Second-Source Bitstream Storage
For low-volume production runs (typically <5000 units/year) of legacy Altera FPGA designs, the EPC1PI8's OTP architecture provides the lowest-cost permanent bitstream storage. Because the part cannot be erased, end-customer bitstreams are physically locked to the board, providing IP protection in environments where JTAG-based reprogramming would be a concern. Industrial, medical, and aerospace long-lifecycle programs use EPC1PI8 to ensure field-deployed systems cannot have their firmware modified without a chip replacement, satisfying regulatory tamper-resistance requirements.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPC1PI8 β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPC1PC8 | EPC1PC8N | EPC1PC8W | EPC1PCB | EPC1PC8/PI8 | EPC1PI8N | EPC1P18N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera |
| Package | 8-PDIP (0.300 in) | 8-PDIP (0.300 in) - same | 8-PDIP (0.300 in) - same | 8-PDIP (0.300 in) - same | 8-PDIP (0.300 in) - same | 8-PDIP (0.300 in) - same | 8-PDIP (0.300 in) - same | 8-PDIP (0.300 in) - same |
| Memory Type | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM |
| Memory Size | 1 Mbit | 1 Mbit | 1 Mbit | 1 Mbit | 1 Mbit | 1 Mbit | 1 Mbit | 1 Mbit |
| Supply Voltage | 3.0-3.6 V / 4.5-5.5 V | 3.0-3.6 V / 4.5-5.5 V | 3.0-3.6 V / 4.5-5.5 V | 3.0-3.6 V / 4.5-5.5 V | 3.0-3.6 V / 4.5-5.5 V | 3.0-3.6 V / 4.5-5.5 V | 3.0-3.6 V / 4.5-5.5 V | 3.0-3.6 V / 4.5-5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- Drop-in second-source availability within the EPC1 family (vs EPC1PC8)
- Lead-finish variants for RoHS/automotive requirements (vs EPC1PC8N)
- Higher-density migration path within the same package family (vs EPC1441PC8)
Design Notes
Decouple VCC (pin 3) with a 0.1 uF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the package and a bulk 10 uF tantalum or aluminum electrolytic at the board-level distribution node. The EPC1PI8 draws relatively low in-system current (DCLK-active, OE-Low) because the internal charge pumps are only active during external programming. Avoid daisy-chaining VCC with the FPGA supply because any glitch on VCC during power-up can corrupt the configuration handshake. Tie VPP (pin 8) directly to VCC in-system; VPP is only meaningful during external Altera BitBlaster programming.
Do not assume EPC1PI8 is interchangeable with EPCS1 or EPCQ SPI flash - the pinout, package, and configuration protocol differ. EPC1 uses Altera's legacy serial configuration protocol with OE/nCS/DCLK/DATA, while EPCS/EPCQ use standard SPI (SCK/SI/SO/CS) and require Quartus AS mode. Verify your FPGA's configuration mode (PS vs AS) before substituting. When migrating from EPC1 to EPCQ flash, you must also update the Quartus configuration settings and reroute the PCB because EPCQ is in 8-pin SOIC, not PDIP.
Keep the DCLK trace short (<50 mm) and route DATA adjacent to DCLK with ground guard traces between them and any switching signals. Even though EPC1PI8 is a slow 8 MHz part, FPGA configuration errors are notoriously sensitive to noise on DCLK because a single extra clock edge can shift the bitstream frame. Place a 0.1 uF cap on each EPC1PI8 VCC pin (only one VCC pin on this part, but multiple vias to a ground plane are recommended). For noisy industrial environments, add a series ferrite bead on VCC.
The EPC1PI8 is officially obsolete per Altera/Intel product lifecycle records. Authored design-ins should plan a migration path: (1) immediately qualify EPC1PC8 or EPC1PC8N as drop-in alternates for current production; (2) redesign new boards to use EPCS4SI8N or EPCQ4SI8N in 8-pin SOIC and update the FPGA configuration mode from PS to AS in Quartus. EPCS/EPCQ flash is reprogrammable in-system via JTAG or AS mode, which simplifies field updates but requires PCB rework.
Compliance Information
Compliance status was not present in the verified web data; [DATA_NEEDED] for RoHS, lead-free, and halogen-free fields. The EPC1PI8 predates formal RoHS documentation; modern lead-finish variants like EPC1PC8N are more likely to be RoHS-compliant.
