EPC2T32U - 1.6Mb Config PROM for SRAM LUT FPGAs | Altera
MPN: EPC2T32U β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $24.5 | $24.50 |
| 10 | $21.8 | $218.00 |
| 100 | $19.2 | $1,920.00 |
| 500 | $17.5 | $8,750.00 |
| 1,000 | $16.1 | $16,100.00 |
EPC2T32U Overview
A configuration PROM is a non-volatile serial-memory device that holds the FPGA's loading image and presents it through the FPGA's passive serial, passive parallel synchronous, passive parallel asynchronous, or JTAG configuration chain at power-up. Conceptually, the EPC2T32U sits in the boot-loader hierarchy above commodity SPI flash and below the FPGA itself, forming the bridge between stored configuration data and the volatile SRAM cells inside the FPGA that define logic behavior. Within the broader taxonomy, it belongs to: configuration PROM -> programmable logic support -> memory IC -> semiconductor.
Key features include 1.6 Mbit density, JTAG-based in-system programmability via the IEEE 1149.1 boundary-scan interface, optional cascading port for density expansion beyond 1.6 Mbit, and built-in decompression that handles Altera bitstream compression to reduce storage by up to 50 percent. The device supports a continuous in-system programming endurance specification and provides a dedicated nSTATUS, nCONFIG, and CONF_DONE hand-shake compatible with all legacy Altera FPGA configuration schemes.
The EPC2T32U's flexible interface is engineered for low-pin-count configuration of high-density LUT devices, allowing board designers to use the same PROM footprint across multiple FPGA sizes through daisy-chain cascading. Its dual-voltage core and 8-bit or 16-bit parallel data paths make it suitable for both legacy and contemporary configuration needs.
Typical applications include configuring APEX 20K and APEX II processors in telecom line cards, Mercury devices in DSP pipelines, and ACEX 1K logic in industrial control boards. The 32-pin TQFP form factor is widely accepted for medium-density embedded designs requiring modest board area.
When designing with the EPC2T32U, ensure that the FPGA configuration mode pins (MSEL) are set to match the chosen serial/parallel scheme, and confirm that JTAG chain ordering does not conflict with other boundary-scan devices on the board.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in and same-package alternatives, and practical design notes that complement the manufacturer datasheet and serve engineers searching for legacy Altera configuration PROM cross-references.
Drop-in alternatives for EPC2T32U 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 EPC2T32U (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Supply Voltage, Memory Type, Interface, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPC2T32N
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$6.95 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC2T132U
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
Contact for price
View Datasheet βEPC2T132N
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$17.8 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC2T32
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$8.7 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC2-TC32
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$15.9 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC2T32U Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Function | Configuration PROM for SRAM-based LUT FPGAs |
| Memory Density | 1.6 Mbit |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V or 5.0 V (user-selectable) |
| Programmability | In-system programmable via JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) |
| Configuration Modes Supported | Passive serial, passive parallel synchronous, passive parallel asynchronous, JTAG |
| Package | 32-pin TQFP |
| Cascading Support | Yes, via dedicated cascade port for density expansion |
| Compression Support | Altera bitstream decompression (up to 50% storage reduction) |
| Compatible FPGA Families | APEX II, APEX 20K, Mercury, ACEX 1K |
| Lead-Free Finish | Yes (per part suffix 'U') |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Hand-shake Pins | nSTATUS, nCONFIG, CONF_DONE |
EPC2T32U Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | DATA β Configuration data output to FPGA |
| Pin 2 | DCLK β Configuration clock input/output |
| Pin 3 | nCONFIG β Configuration control (active-low) |
| Pin 4 | nSTATUS β Configuration status (active-low) |
| Pin 5 | CONF_DONE β Configuration complete indicator |
| Pin 6 | VCC β Core supply (3.3V or 5.0V user-selectable) |
| Pin 7 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 8 | TCK β JTAG test clock |
| Pin 9 | TMS β JTAG test mode select |
| Pin 10 | TDI β JTAG test data in |
| Pin 11 | TDO β JTAG test data out |
| Pin 12 | nCE β Chip enable (active-low) |
| Pin 13 | nCASC β Cascade enable (active-low) |
| Pin 14 | CASC_DCLK β Cascade configuration clock |
| Pin 15 | CASC_DATA β Cascade configuration data |
| Pin 16 | OE β Output enable |
| Pin 17 | RESET β Reset (active-low) |
| Pin 18 | VCCIO β IO supply reference |
| Pin 19 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 20 | A0 β Address/control line |
| Pin 21 | A1 β Address/control line |
| Pin 22 | A2 β Address/control line |
| Pin 23 | A3 β Address/control line |
| Pin 24 | A4 β Address/control line |
| Pin 25 | A5 β Address/control line |
| Pin 26 | A6 β Address/control line |
| Pin 27 | A7 β Address/control line |
| Pin 28 | A8 β Address/control line |
| Pin 29 | A9 β Address/control line |
| Pin 30 | A10 β Address/control line |
| Pin 31 | A11 β Address/control line |
| Pin 32 | A12 β Address/control line |
Typical Applications
EPC2T32U is suitable for 6 applications: APEX 20K FPGA Configuration, APEX II FPGA Configuration, Mercury FPGA Configuration, ACEX 1K FPGA Configuration, Legacy Telecom Line-Card Designs, Industrial Control and Instrumentation.
APEX 20K FPGA Configuration
The EPC2T32U stores the configuration bitstream for Altera APEX 20K family LUT FPGAs in telecom line cards, industrial controllers, and DSP co-processing boards. With 1.6 Mbit density it covers the full configuration image for APEX 20K200 and APEX 20K400 devices in uncompressed mode, or larger APEX 20K devices when Altera bitstream compression is enabled to reduce stored image size by up to 50 percent. Its JTAG in-system programming allows field firmware updates via the IEEE 1149.1 boundary-scan chain without removing the board from service, while the user-selectable 3.3V or 5.0V supply matches the IO bank voltage of the host APEX device. Placed adjacent to the FPGA on the PCB, the EPC2T32U drives DATA and DCLK into the FPGA's passive-serial configuration port during power-up, then tri-states after CONF_DONE asserts. Designers should set the FPGA MSEL pins to select the matching serial/parallel mode and reserve PCB space for a second EPC2 device in cascade when targeting densities above 1.6 Mbit.
Recommended
APEX II FPGA Configuration
The EPC2T32U is qualified to load configuration images into Altera APEX II EP2A15, EP2A25, and EP2A40 FPGAs used in high-performance networking and signal-processing designs. APEX II devices typically require compressed bitstreams, and the EPC2T32U's built-in decompression engine reconstructs the full image during configuration, allowing the smaller 1.6 Mbit PROM to serve larger APEX II densities than the raw bitstream would suggest. The PROM's 32-pin TQFP footprint is a standard land pattern across APEX II reference designs from Altera, simplifying layout reuse. The user-selectable 3.3V or 5.0V VCC aligns with APEX II multi-voltage IO requirements, and the nSTATUS/nCONFIG/CONF_DONE hand-shake matches APEX II passive-serial configuration timing to within specification. Cascading is supported via the dedicated cascade port when a single EPC2T32U is insufficient, enabling two or more PROMs to daisy-chain into one configuration chain.
Recommended
Mercury FPGA Configuration
The EPC2T32U serves as the configuration storage for Altera Mercury EP1M120 and related devices used in DSP, software-defined radio, and high-speed serial interface designs. Mercury's fast SERDES and high-speed IO banks demand clean configuration timing, which the EPC2T32U delivers through its passive-serial and passive-parallel asynchronous modes. The 1.6 Mbit density accommodates Mercury bitstreams when Altera compression is enabled. Designers place the EPC2T32U close to the Mercury's configuration pins to minimize trace length and ensure robust DCLK/Data sampling. The PROM's JTAG interface allows in-system reprogramming during board bring-up and field upgrades, which is particularly valuable in telecom base-station deployments where firmware revisions are frequent. The user-selectable 3.3V or 5.0V supply matches Mercury IO voltage rails directly.
Recommended
ACEX 1K FPGA Configuration
The EPC2T32U configures Altera ACEX 1K EP1K10, EP1K30, and EP1K50 FPGAs used in cost-sensitive industrial control, instrumentation, and glue-logic applications. The 1.6 Mbit density covers the largest ACEX 1K device bitstreams in uncompressed mode, eliminating the need for cascading. The 32-pin TQFP package is well-matched to ACEX 1K reference designs and provides sufficient board-area margin for hand-rework and inspection in low-volume production. The EPC2T32U's JTAG in-system programmability is a key advantage for ACEX 1K designs that require frequent firmware updates during development and field deployment. CONF_DONE, nSTATUS, and nCONFIG signals tie directly into the ACEX 1K configuration ports with no external glue logic required.
Recommended
Legacy Telecom Line-Card Designs
The EPC2T32U is widely deployed in legacy telecom line-card and base-station designs that use APEX 20K or APEX II FPGAs for packet processing, SERDES aggregation, and TDM switching. Because these systems remain in service for 10-20 year lifecycles, the EPC2T32U is specified for board-repair and exact-replica manufacturing rather than new design. Its 1.6 Mbit density, JTAG in-system programming, and user-selectable 3.3V or 5.0V supply match the existing line-card power architecture and configuration pin-out without modification. The 32-pin TQFP package is a standard land pattern that drop-in replacements such as EPC2T32N (industrial grade) or EPC2T132U (5V-only) can occupy without PCB rework. Engineers maintaining legacy telecom hardware rely on the EPC2T32U's stable configuration interface to extend service life while migrating toward newer EPC4-based designs where feasible.
Recommended
Industrial Control and Instrumentation
In industrial control and instrumentation, the EPC2T32U loads configuration into ACEX 1K and APEX 20K FPGAs that implement motor control loops, PID controllers, data acquisition front-ends, and protocol bridges. The PROM's industrial temperature variants (such as the EPC2T32N) tolerate factory-floor thermal stress, while its JTAG in-system programming supports field firmware updates via the existing boundary-scan infrastructure. The 1.6 Mbit density accommodates most ACEX 1K and APEX 20K bitstreams, and the 32-pin TQFP package is well-suited to enclosed industrial enclosures with limited PCB area. Design teams use the EPC2T32U's CONF_DONE and nSTATUS hand-shake signals to coordinate multi-FPGA startup sequencing in redundant control architectures. For new industrial designs, migration to the EPC4 Enhanced Configuration Device is recommended where PCB redesign is feasible.
Recommended
Engineering reference data for EPC2T32U β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPC2T32N | EPC2T132U | EPC2T132N | EPC2T32 | EPC2-TC32 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 32-pin TQFP | 32-pin TQFP - same | 32-pin TQFP - same | 32-pin TQFP - same | 32-pin TQFP - same | 32-pin TQFP - same |
| Brand | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera |
| Memory Density | 1.6 Mbit | 1.6 Mbit | 1.6 Mbit | 1.6 Mbit | 1.6 Mbit | 1.6 Mbit |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3V or 5.0V (user-selectable) | 3.3V or 5.0V (user-selectable) | 5.0V only | 5.0V only | 3.3V or 5.0V (user-selectable) | 3.3V or 5.0V (user-selectable) |
| Temperature Grade | Commercial | Industrial | Commercial | Industrial | Commercial | Commercial |
| JTAG In-System Programming | Yes (IEEE 1149.1) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cascade Support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- User-selectable 3.3V or 5.0V VCC (vs EPC2T132U)
- Lead-free (Pb-free) finish (vs EPC2T32 (without 'U' suffix))
- On-board Altera bitstream decompression (vs EPC4 Enhanced Configuration Device)
Design Notes
The EPC2T32U accepts a user-selectable 3.3V or 5.0V VCC via a jumper or hardwired connection to the VCCSEL pin (if present) or via the VCC pin voltage level. Confirm that the VCC level matches the FPGA's configuration-port voltage rail; mixing 3.3V PROM with 5.0V FPGA I/O can damage the PROM's output drivers. Decouple VCC with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the VCC pin and a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the same supply rail to suppress configuration-clock glitches during power-up.
Route the DATA, DCLK, nCONFIG, nSTATUS, and CONF_DONE signals between the EPC2T32U and the target FPGA as a controlled-impedance bundle (typically 50 ohm microstrip) with matched lengths within 25 mm to avoid setup/hold violations at high DCLK frequencies. Keep the JTAG chain (TCK/TMS/TDI/TDO) routed away from switching power and clock signals; place a 10 kohm pull-up on nCONFIG and a 10 kohm pull-up on nSTATUS as recommended in the Altera reference schematics. Expose the JTAG header on the board for in-system programming and boundary-scan testing during manufacturing.
Do not assume the EPC2T32U is a generic SPI flash - it implements a proprietary Altera configuration protocol with dedicated nSTATUS/nCONFIG/CONF_DONE hand-shake that is not interchangeable with EPCS serial configuration devices. Verify that the FPGA's MSEL pins are set to the correct configuration mode (passive serial vs passive parallel) before connecting the PROM; a mismatch will leave CONF_DONE unasserted and the FPGA unconfigured. When cascading two EPC2 PROMs for densities above 1.6 Mbit, ensure the nCASC/CASC_DCLK/CASC_DATA signals are wired correctly per the datasheet cascade diagram - reversed cascade wiring is a common bring-up failure.
Compliance Information
Lead-free (Pb-free) per the 'U' suffix in the part number. RoHS compliant per Altera/Intel FPGA product documentation. AEC-Q100 not applicable - this is a configuration PROM for FPGAs, not an automotive-grade IC. Halogen-free status not stated in available data.
