EPC2TC32 - 1.6Mb ISP Configuration PROM for FPGAs | Altera
MPN: EPC2TC32 β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $22.5 | $22.50 |
| 10 | $20.25 | $202.50 |
| 100 | $18 | $1,800.00 |
| 500 | $16.2 | $8,100.00 |
| 1,000 | $14.5 | $14,500.00 |
EPC2TC32 Overview
A configuration PROM is a non-volatile memory device that holds the FPGA bitstream and reloads it on every power-up or reconfiguration event. SRAM-based LUT FPGAs lose their logic configuration when power is removed, so a companion PROM (or similar non-volatile source) is required to restore the bitstream at boot. Within the broader taxonomy, the EPC2TC32 sits in the configuration memory subclass of non-volatile memory ICs, which itself belongs to the larger memory IC category used in programmable logic designs.
Key features include 1.6 Mb of configuration storage, ISP capability through JTAG, a built-in oscillator that eliminates the need for an external configuration clock source, open-drain RDYnBUSY output for cascaded configurations, and a low-pin-count serial interface. The device supports daisy-chaining through the nCS and RDYnBUSY signals for systems that require larger configuration bitstreams than a single PROM can provide.
The EPC2TC32 architecture is built on a CMOS process with an internal charge pump for in-system programmability, and it interfaces directly to the Altera FPGAs' dedicated configuration pins (DCLK, DATA, nCONFIG, nSTATUS, CONF_DONE). This integration removes the need for external memory controllers or glue logic, simplifying board design. The 32-pin TQFP footprint is shared across the EPC2 family, allowing direct board reuse across EPC1, EPC2, EPC4, EPC8, and EPC16 variants with different memory densities.
Typical applications include Altera FPGA configuration bitstream storage, industrial control systems built on Cyclone or Cyclone II FPGAs, and any system that requires reliable cold-boot configuration of SRAM-based LUT devices. Designers should also pair this PROM with an Altera ByteBlaster or USB-Blaster for JTAG-based in-system programming during development and field updates.
Drop-in alternatives for EPC2TC32 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 EPC2TC32 (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Supported FPGA Families, Interface, Memory Type, Memory Size.
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EPC2TI32
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$7.4 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC2TI32N
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$9.85 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC2T132U
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View Datasheet βEPC2T132N
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$17.8 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC2TC32N
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$9.2 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC1441TC32N
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$1.45 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC2TC32 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Memory Size | 1.6 Mb |
| Device Type | In-System Programmable Configuration PROM |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V |
| Interface | Serial, JTAG, FPP, PS |
| Programmability | In-System Programmable (ISP) via JTAG |
| Package | 32-TQFP (7x7 mm) |
| Pin Count | 32 |
| 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 Modes | FPP, PS, JTAG |
| Internal Oscillator | Yes (DCLK generation) |
| Cascade Support | Yes (via nCS and RDYnBUSY) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Memory Technology | CMOS non-volatile |
EPC2TC32 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VCC β 3.3V supply voltage |
| Pin 2 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 3 | DATA β Configuration data output to FPGA |
| Pin 4 | DCLK β Configuration clock output to FPGA |
| Pin 5 | nCONFIG β Configuration control input from FPGA |
| Pin 6 | nSTATUS β Configuration status output to FPGA |
| Pin 7 | CONF_DONE β Configuration complete status |
| Pin 8 | RDYnBSY β Ready/Busy open-drain output for cascade |
| Pin 9 | nCS β Chip select input for cascade |
| Pin 10 | OE β Output enable |
| Pin 11 | nRESET β Reset input |
| Pin 12 | TCK β JTAG test clock |
| Pin 13 | TMS β JTAG test mode select |
| Pin 14 | TDI β JTAG test data in |
| Pin 15 | TDO β JTAG test data out |
| Pin 16 | MODE β Configuration mode select |
| Pin 17 | A0 β Address input bit 0 (FPP mode) |
| Pin 18 | A1 β Address input bit 1 (FPP mode) |
| Pin 19 | A2 β Address input bit 2 (FPP mode) |
| Pin 20 | A3 β Address input bit 3 (FPP mode) |
| Pin 21 | A4 β Address input bit 4 (FPP mode) |
| Pin 22 | A5 β Address input bit 5 (FPP mode) |
| Pin 23 | A6 β Address input bit 6 (FPP mode) |
| Pin 24 | A7 β Address input bit 7 (FPP mode) |
| Pin 25 | A8 β Address input bit 8 (FPP mode) |
| Pin 26 | A9 β Address input bit 9 (FPP mode) |
| Pin 27 | A10 β Address input bit 10 (FPP mode) |
| Pin 28 | A11 β Address input bit 11 (FPP mode) |
| Pin 29 | A12 β Address input bit 12 (FPP mode) |
| Pin 30 | A13 β Address input bit 13 (FPP mode) |
| Pin 31 | A14 β Address input bit 14 (FPP mode) |
| Pin 32 | A15 β Address input bit 15 (FPP mode) |
Typical Applications
EPC2TC32 is suitable for 6 applications: Altera Cyclone FPGA Configuration Bitstream Storage, Stratix FPGA Cold-Boot Configuration, Industrial Control and Factory Automation, Legacy Altera FPGA Design Maintenance, Test and Measurement Instrumentation, Communication and Networking Equipment.
Altera Cyclone FPGA Configuration Bitstream Storage
The EPC2TC32 is purpose-built to store the configuration bitstream for SRAM-based Altera Cyclone and Cyclone II FPGAs in industrial and commercial designs. Its 1.6 Mb density is sufficient for mid-density Cyclone bitstreams, while its JTAG ISP interface enables field updates via ByteBlaster or USB-Blaster. The 32-pin TQFP footprint allows the PROM to sit adjacent to the FPGA on the same PCB, with direct wiring to nCONFIG, nSTATUS, DCLK, DATA, and CONF_DONE. Engineers value the internal DCLK oscillator because it eliminates an external clock source for configuration. Compared to EPCS serial devices, the EPC2 parallel interface delivers faster configuration times, which is critical in systems requiring sub-second boot such as motor-control or test-instrument front-ends.
Recommended
Stratix FPGA Cold-Boot Configuration
The EPC2TC32 supports Stratix, Stratix GX, Stratix II, and Stratix II GX FPGAs in systems that need reliable cold-boot configuration from non-volatile storage. According to the Altera datasheet, the EPC2 family uses FPP and PS configuration modes with RDYnBUSY cascade signaling, allowing multiple PROMs to be daisy-chained for high-density Stratix bitstreams. The internal oscillator generates DCLK and the JTAG interface provides ISP for design iteration. Compared to flash-boot solutions, the EPC2TC32 is a single-chip solution that does not require an external memory controller, simplifying board design and BOM. In aerospace or industrial systems, the parallel interface also reduces configuration latency versus serial boot devices.
Recommended
Industrial Control and Factory Automation
In factory-automation and industrial-control platforms built on Altera ACEX 1K, APEX 20K, or FLEX 10K FPGAs, the EPC2TC32 provides reliable, deterministic boot configuration. The 32-TQFP package withstands standard SMT assembly and the industrial temperature variants (EPC2TI32) extend operation to harsh environments. Its JTAG ISP capability allows on-site firmware updates on production-line equipment without removing boards from enclosures, reducing maintenance downtime. Compared to host-processor boot schemes, using a dedicated PROM isolates the FPGA from host software failures, ensuring the deterministic control loop restarts cleanly after power cycles. The internal DCLK oscillator removes the need for an external clock during boot, reducing BOM cost for high-volume industrial designs.
Recommended
Legacy Altera FPGA Design Maintenance
The EPC2TC32 is widely used in long-lifecycle designs that maintain legacy Altera FPGA silicon such as FLEX 6000, APEX II, or Mercury devices. Because these older FPGAs are still deployed in fielded equipment, the EPC2TC32 provides a known-good configuration source that engineers can procure from distributor stock. Its pin-compatible footprint across the EPC1, EPC2, EPC4, and EPC16 families allows board-level density upgrades without layout rework. JTAG ISP enables secure field updates for systems that cannot easily be returned for service. Compared to redesigning around newer FPGA families, retaining the EPC2TC32 minimizes re-qualification cost for long-life industrial, defense, or aerospace programs.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Instrumentation
Test and measurement equipment built on Altera APEX 20K or Stratix FPGAs uses the EPC2TC32 to ensure deterministic, sub-second boot behavior on power-up. According to the Altera datasheet, the EPC2 parallel interface supports fast configuration times that minimize instrument warm-up latency. The JTAG ISP interface supports design iteration during development, while the open-drain RDYnBUSY output simplifies cascade designs for high-density test-instrument bitstreams. Compared to EPCS serial devices, the EPC2TC32's parallel data path provides faster throughput, which directly translates to shorter calibration and startup intervals in laboratory and production-line test equipment.
Recommended
Communication and Networking Equipment
Communication infrastructure using Altera Arria GX or Cyclone II FPGAs leverages the EPC2TC32 for parallel boot configuration with deterministic timing. The 1.6 Mb density supports typical Arria GX / Cyclone II bitstreams for protocol-bridging or line-card applications, while the JTAG ISP interface allows field firmware updates over the network management interface. Compared to flash-boot solutions, the EPC2TC32's dedicated configuration controller offloads boot tasks from the host CPU, freeing processor cycles for traffic-handling. The cascade support via nCS and RDYnBUSY allows additional PROMs to be added for higher-density FPGA families without changing the host board layout, extending platform reuse across product generations.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPC2TC32 β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPC2TI32 | EPC2TI32N | EPC2T132U | EPC2T132N | EPC2TC32N | EPC1441TC32N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 32-TQFP (7x7) | 32-TQFP (7x7) - same | 32-TQFP (7x7) - same | 32-TQFP (7x7) - same | 32-TQFP (7x7) - same | 32-TQFP (7x7) - same | 32-TQFP (7x7) - same |
| Brand | Altera | Altera - same | Altera - same | Altera - same | Altera - same | Altera - same | Altera - same |
| Memory Size | 1.6 Mb | 1.6 Mb | 1.6 Mb | 1.6 Mb | 1.6 Mb | 1.6 Mb | ~144 Kb |
| Temperature Grade | Commercial | Industrial | Industrial | Commercial | Industrial | Commercial | Commercial |
| ISP / JTAG | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V |
| Cascade Support | Yes (nCS + RDYnBSY) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
| Internal DCLK Oscillator | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- 1.6 Mb density in 32-TQFP (vs EPC1LC20)
- Internal DCLK oscillator (vs EPC1441TC32N)
- JTAG ISP across all 32-TQFP variants (vs EPC1PC8)
- Same-package drop-in with industrial-temperature option (vs EPC2TI32)
Design Notes
Route the EPC2TC32's DATA, DCLK, nCONFIG, nSTATUS, and CONF_DONE traces as short, matched-length signals to the target FPGA configuration pins. Place the EPC2TC32 within 50 mm of the FPGA to minimize skew on DCLK and preserve setup/hold margins during parallel configuration. Keep JTAG (TCK/TMS/TDI/TDO) traces away from switching power signals to reduce noise coupling during ISP programming.
Decouple the EPC2TC32's 3.3V VCC pin with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the pin, plus a bulk 10 uF tantalum or electrolytic capacitor on the same supply rail. According to the Altera datasheet, the EPC2's internal charge pump draws brief inrush currents during ISP operations; sufficient decoupling prevents VCC droops that can cause configuration failures or JTAG errors.
Do not confuse the EPC2TC32 (1.6 Mb density) with the EPC1LC20 (~1 Mb density). Both share the same 32-TQFP footprint, so they are pin-compatible, but the EPC1 has insufficient density for many modern Cyclone II and Stratix bitstreams. Verify the bitstream size of your target FPGA against the EPC2TC32's 1.6 Mb capacity before finalizing the BOM; if larger, use EPC4, EPC8, or EPC16 enhanced configuration devices.
The RDYnBSY pin is an open-drain output requiring an external 10 kohm pull-up resistor to VCC. According to the Altera datasheet, in cascaded configurations all RDYnBSY pins must share a single wired-AND bus with a common pull-up; failing to add the pull-up will result in unreliable cascade handshakes and configuration errors on the second PROM in the chain.
Compliance Information
RoHS, REACH, lead-free, and halogen-free compliance status were not provided in the verified web data; the TQFP package is generally accepted as lead-free by industry convention but explicit manufacturer declaration was not retrieved.
