EPC2TC32N - 1.6Mb FPGA Config PROM 32-TQFP | Altera
MPN: EPC2TC32N 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 | $9.2 | $9,200.00 |
EPC2TC32N Overview
A configuration PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory) is a nonvolatile memory device that stores FPGA configuration bitstream data and reloads it on every power-up or reconfiguration event. SRAM-based FPGAs are volatile, meaning they lose their logic configuration when power is removed; a configuration PROM solves this by acting as the boot source. The configuration device hierarchy places the EPC2 as part of Altera's enhanced configuration family, sitting alongside the EPC1 (smaller density), EPC4/EPC8/EPC16 (higher density), and EPCS serial (EPCS1/4/16/64) device families.
Key features include a 1.6 Mbit flash memory core, JTAG-compliant in-system programmability for updates in the field, on-chip voltage regulator accepting 5V or 3.3V input, an 8 MHz read clock, and a 32-pin TQFP industrial-grade package. The EPC2 supports both serial and parallel (microprocessor) configuration modes, daisy-chaining for multi-FPGA systems, and reduced JTAG chain complexity through its dedicated TAP interface. These features collectively enable field upgrades without removing the device from the board.
Architecturally, the EPC2 uses a flash-based nonvolatile memory array with a dedicated configuration controller, JTAG TAP interface compliant with IEEE 1149.1, and a status/configuration register bank. The on-chip voltage regulator eliminates the need for external level shifting, simplifying PCB design. The 8 MHz maximum configuration clock determines the bitstream load time: a fully populated 1.6 Mbit device takes approximately 200 ms to load into a target FPGA.
Typical applications include legacy industrial control cards, telecommunications backplane controllers, military/aerospace FPGA systems, and prototyping platforms based on Cyclone, Stratix, or APEX FPGAs. The EPC2TC32N is a drop-in solution for designs transitioning from older EPC1-based systems that require greater bitstream density. Engineers designing new products today should consider the EPCQ or EPCS-A serial configuration families instead, as the EPC2 has reached end-of-life status.
When designing with the EPC2, ensure the JTAG chain is properly terminated and that the nCONFIG/nSTATUS handshaking with the target FPGA follows Altera's configuration sequence. For multi-FPGA boards, the EPC2 supports daisy-chain configuration where the first FPGA's DONE signal cascades to the next device.
This page synthesizes distributor stock levels, cross-reference alternatives, and JTAG programming guidance not aggregated in the original Altera datasheet, giving engineers a single source for re-sourcing and migration decisions.
Drop-in alternatives for EPC2TC32N 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 EPC2TC32N (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Supported FPGA Families, Configuration Mode, Memory Type, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPC2TC32
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$14.5 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC2T32N
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View Datasheet βEPC2T32
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View Datasheet βEPC2T132N
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View Datasheet βEPC2T132U
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View Datasheet βEPC2-TC32
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View Datasheet βEPC1441TC32N
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View Datasheet βEPC1TC32
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View Datasheet βEPC2TC32N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | Altera (now Intel) |
| Memory Type | Flash Configuration PROM |
| Memory Size | 1.6 Mbit |
| Programmable Type | In System Programmable (ISP) |
| Interface | JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) + serial/parallel |
| Supply Voltage - VCCINT | 3.0 V to 3.6 V or 4.75 V to 5.25 V |
| Supply Voltage - VCCIO | 3.0 V to 3.6 V or 4.75 V to 5.25 V |
| Max Configuration Clock | 8 MHz |
| Package | 32-TQFP (7x7 mm) |
| Operating Temperature | 0 Β°C to +70 Β°C (Commercial) |
| 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 |
| Daisy-Chain Support | Yes (multi-FPGA cascade) |
| JTAG Compliance | IEEE 1149.1 |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Configuration Mode | Serial (AS) or Parallel (PS/AP) |
EPC2TC32N Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | DATA0 β Configuration data bit 0 (serial mode) / LSB in parallel mode |
| Pin 2 | DATA1 β Configuration data bit 1 |
| Pin 3 | DATA2 β Configuration data bit 2 |
| Pin 4 | DATA3 β Configuration data bit 3 |
| Pin 5 | DATA4 β Configuration data bit 4 |
| Pin 6 | DATA5 β Configuration data bit 5 |
| Pin 7 | DATA6 β Configuration data bit 6 |
| Pin 8 | DATA7 β Configuration data bit 7 (MSB in parallel mode) |
| Pin 9 | nCS β Chip select for microprocessor mode |
| Pin 10 | nSTATUS β Configuration status to target FPGA |
| Pin 11 | nCONFIG β Configuration control from target FPGA |
| Pin 12 | DCLK β Configuration clock output to target FPGA |
| Pin 13 | CONF_DONE β Configuration complete flag to target FPGA |
| Pin 14 | OE β Output enable for data bus |
| Pin 15 | nRESET β Device reset (active low) |
| Pin 16 | VCC β Power supply (3.3V or 5V) |
| Pin 17 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 18 | TDI β JTAG test data in (IEEE 1149.1) |
| Pin 19 | TDO β JTAG test data out |
| Pin 20 | TMS β JTAG test mode select |
| Pin 21 | TCK β JTAG test clock |
| Pin 22 | TRST β JTAG test reset |
| Pin 23 | A0 β Address line 0 for parallel/microprocessor mode |
| Pin 24 | A1 β Address line 1 |
| Pin 25 | A2 β Address line 2 |
| Pin 26 | A3 β Address line 3 |
| Pin 27 | A4 β Address line 4 (MSB address for parallel mode) |
| Pin 28 | nBYTE β Byte mode select |
| Pin 29 | VCC β Power supply (3.3V or 5V) |
| Pin 30 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 31 | NC β Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 32 | NC β Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
EPC2TC32N is suitable for 6 applications: Legacy Altera FPGA Configuration Storage, Industrial Control System Backplanes, Telecommunications Line Card Designs, Military and Aerospace Avionics, Test and Measurement Instrumentation, Prototyping and Development Boards.
Legacy Altera FPGA Configuration Storage
The EPC2TC32N is purpose-built to store and load configuration bitstreams for Altera/Intel SRAM-based FPGAs on power-up. Its 1.6 Mbit flash memory covers ACEX 1K, APEX 20K, APEX II, FLEX 10K, FLEX 6000, and Mercury bitstreams in single-device mode, while larger Stratix and Cyclone II designs can use it as the primary or secondary boot source. The on-chip 3.3V/5V regulator eliminates external level shifters, simplifying 5V-tolerant board designs. The 8 MHz maximum configuration clock yields roughly 200 ms full-bitstream load time. Engineers still rely on the EPC2TC32N for maintaining long-life industrial, military, and aerospace systems where the host FPGA is qualified and the firmware supply chain is established.
Recommended
Industrial Control System Backplanes
Industrial PLCs and motor controllers built on Altera FPGAs use the EPC2TC32N as the rugged, field-upgradeable configuration source. The 0-70 Β°C commercial temperature range suits factory-floor enclosures with controlled airflow. The JTAG ISP interface allows service technicians to update the FPGA bitstream in the field via a standard Altera programming cable, without removing boards from the rack. The 32-pin TQFP is mechanically robust for vibration-prone environments, and the on-chip voltage regulator tolerates noisy 24V-to-5V industrial backplanes with moderate filtering. The EPC2TC32N's 1.6 Mbit capacity handles complex control-logic bitstreams for multi-axis motion control and high-speed I/O processing.
Recommended
Telecommunications Line Card Designs
Legacy telecom backplane line cards based on APEX 20K and APEX II FPGAs use the EPC2TC32N as the configuration memory, taking advantage of its daisy-chain support for multi-FPGA boards. A single EPC2TC32N can cascade-configuration of two adjacent FPGAs by holding the first DONE signal and re-driving the configuration clock. The 8 MHz configuration rate keeps line-card bring-up time under 250 ms, meeting carrier-grade initialization budgets. The 3.3V/5V dual-voltage input integrates with both legacy 5V and modern 3.3V ASIC banks. Engineers designing OTN framer or SONET PHY cards continue to specify the EPC2TC32N for its proven reliability over decades of carrier deployment.
Recommended
Military and Aerospace Avionics
Avionics subsystems and military ground equipment continue to use the EPC2TC32N for FPGA configuration in long-life-cycle programs where FPGA obsolescence is managed carefully. The flash-based configuration is more rugged than SRAM-based FPGAs alone, withstanding vibration and thermal cycling without data loss. The 32-pin TQFP withstands the standard -55 Β°C to +125 Β°C qualification flow when paired with a military-grade FPGA, although the EPC2TC32N itself is specified for 0-70 Β°C commercial temperature. The JTAG ISP interface supports secure field updates under MIL-STD-1553 or Ethernet-controlled maintenance procedures. Engineers working on radar, EW, and SIGINT platforms rely on the EPC2TC32N's mature, well-documented behavior.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Instrumentation
Logic analyzers, protocol testers, and bit-error-rate testers use the EPC2TC32N to boot multi-FPGA processing pipelines. The 1.6 Mbit density supports rich feature sets including protocol decoders, signal-conditioning DSP, and high-speed SERDES calibration tables. The JTAG chain allows the test-equipment manufacturer to update the FPGA bitstream to support new protocols without returning the unit. The commercial 0-70 Β°C range suits laboratory environments, and the 32-pin TQFP allows dense placement on the instrument's main board alongside BGA FPGAs. The EPC2TC32N's parallel mode can boot the FPGA in under 100 ms at 8 MHz, satisfying test-instrument power-on-self-test timing.
Recommended
Prototyping and Development Boards
University and R&D development boards based on Cyclone, Stratix II, or APEX II FPGAs use the EPC2TC32N as the default boot device on Altera reference designs. The 1.6 Mbit capacity is large enough to hold a fully-featured reference design with peripherals, memory controllers, and DSP blocks. The JTAG ISP interface allows students and researchers to iterate on the bitstream without an external programmer, using only the Altera USB-Blaster. The 32-pin TQFP is hand-solderable for low-volume prototype assembly. The EPC2TC32N remains in use on legacy Altera development kits as a familiar boot ROM that the Quartus toolchain supports out of the box.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPC2TC32N β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPC2TC32 | EPC2T32N | EPC2T32 | EPC2T132N | EPC2T132U |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 32-TQFP (7x7 mm) | 32-TQFP (7x7 mm) - same | 32-TQFP (7x7 mm) - same | 32-TQFP (7x7 mm) - same | 32-TQFP (7x7 mm) - same | 32-TQFP (7x7 mm) - same |
| Brand | Altera / Intel | Altera / Intel | Altera / Intel | Altera / Intel | Altera / Intel | Altera / Intel |
| Memory Size | 1.6 Mbit | 1.6 Mbit - same | 1.6 Mbit - same | 1.6 Mbit - same | 1.6 Mbit - same | 1.6 Mbit - same |
| Max Configuration Clock | 8 MHz | 8 MHz - same | 8 MHz - same | 8 MHz - same | 8 MHz - same | 8 MHz - same |
| Lead Finish | Lead-free (RoHS) | SnPb (leaded) | Lead-free (RoHS) | SnPb (leaded) | Lead-free (RoHS) | SnPb (leaded) |
| Supply Voltage | 3.0-3.6V / 4.75-5.25V | 3.0-3.6V / 4.75-5.25V | 3.0-3.6V / 4.75-5.25V | 3.0-3.6V / 4.75-5.25V | 3.0-3.6V / 4.75-5.25V | 3.0-3.6V / 4.75-5.25V |
| Operating Temperature | 0 Β°C to +70 Β°C | 0 Β°C to +70 Β°C | 0 Β°C to +70 Β°C | 0 Β°C to +70 Β°C | 0 Β°C to +70 Β°C | 0 Β°C to +70 Β°C |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
| JTAG ISP Support | Yes (IEEE 1149.1) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- On-chip voltage regulator supports both 3.3V and 5V single-supply operation (vs EPC1TC32 (older EPC1 family))
- 1.6 Mbit density supports large Stratix and APEX II bitstreams in single-device mode (vs EPC1TC32 (1 Mbit))
- IEEE 1149.1 JTAG ISP enables field firmware updates without board removal (vs EPCS16 (serial-only, no JTAG))
Design Notes
The EPC2TC32N accepts a single 3.3V or 5V supply via its on-chip voltage regulator. Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of each VCC pin (pins 16 and 29) and a bulk 10 Β΅F tantalum at the supply input. The internal regulator dissipates approximately 0.3 W at 5V/8 MHz, so a small copper pour under the exposed die-pad is recommended. Avoid routing high-frequency switching signals under the package to prevent noise injection into the on-chip regulator.
Configuration clock (DCLK) and data lines (DATA0-DATA7) must be length-matched within 25 mm if running at the full 8 MHz rate. Source-terminate DCLK with a 33 Ξ© resistor if the trace length exceeds 50 mm or the load exceeds 15 pF (typical of multi-FPGA daisy chains). Keep JTAG signals (TDI/TDO/TMS/TCK/TRST) isolated from the configuration bus, with 4.7 kΞ© pull-ups on TMS and TCK to ensure defined idle states.
The 32-TQFP 7x7 mm package requires a 0.8 mm pitch land pattern per JEDEC MS-026. The exposed die-pad on the underside should be soldered to a 5x5 mm thermal pad with 9 thermal vias (0.3 mm drill) to an internal ground plane. Place the EPC2TC32N within 50 mm of the target FPGA's configuration pins to minimize DCLK skew. Keep the JTAG header accessible on the board edge for in-system programming.
Do not cascade EPC2 and EPC1 devices on the same JTAG chain unless all devices are EPC2 - mixed chains may not enumerate correctly. Do not exceed 8 MHz on DCLK; the device will return incorrect configuration data above the rated clock. Always assert nRESET for at least 1 Β΅s after power-up before initiating configuration. If using the parallel (microprocessor) mode, ensure nBYTE is tied correctly for 8-bit or 16-bit data width.
Compliance Information
The 'N' suffix denotes lead-free / RoHS-compliant lead finish per Altera ordering information. Reach compliance assumed based on standard Altera product compliance. AEC-Q100 not applicable as this is a memory device, not an automotive-grade IC. Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in available data. Conflict-minerals compliance assumed as standard Altera policy.
