EPC4QC100TQ - 4Mb FPGA Config PROM 66MHz | Intel / Altera
MPN: EPC4QC100TQ ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $24.5 | $24.50 |
| 10 | $22.1 | $221.00 |
| 100 | $19.75 | $1,975.00 |
| 500 | $17.2 | $8,600.00 |
| 1,000 | $14.95 | $14,950.00 |
EPC4QC100TQ Overview
A configuration PROM is a non-volatile serial memory pre-loaded with an FPGA bitstream; at power-up the FPGA reads its configuration image from the PROM through a serial passive (PS) or JTAG interface, eliminating the need for a separate boot flash. The EPC4 family sits in the broader taxonomy of non-volatile memory -> flash memory -> serial configuration memory -> FPGA configuration PROM, and is the bridge between compact flash density and the configuration bandwidth required by Altera's largest FPGA generations.
Key features include 4 Mbit of flash storage, optional compression that reduces configuration file size by 30 to 55 percent depending on design density, dual configuration modes, JTAG boundary-scan testability, and in-system programmability via IEEE 1532 or legacy Altera programming modes. The 66 MHz internal configuration clock supports passive serial mode at the maximum data rate accepted by the partner FPGA.
The device uses a 5.0 V-tolerant interface with a 3.3 V core supply typical of mid-2000s FPGA configuration ecosystems. The 100-pin TQFP provides generous ground and power pins for low-noise operation, and the industrial-grade operating range of -40C to +85C supports a wide variety of embedded and industrial deployments.
Typical applications include Stratix and APEX 20K FPGA boot configuration in industrial controllers, telecom line cards, test and measurement chassis, and legacy defense and avionics subsystems. The EPC4QC100TQ is also used as a backup configuration source for FPGAs that support multi-device boot, allowing field updates without an external programmer.
When designing with this device, treat the 100-pin TQFP layout as a non-skew-sensitive bus: keep CONFIG traces short, place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor at each VCC pin, and respect the nSTATUS and nCONFIG handshaking timing defined in the Altera Enhanced Configuration Devices data sheet. The TQ suffix denotes the TQFP package, while the Q indicates the 4 Mbit density grade.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, pin-compatible drop-in alternatives from the EPC4/EPC8/EPC16 family, and practical configuration design notes not found in the legacy Altera datasheet, providing engineers sourcing legacy FPGA configuration memory with the data they need in one place.
Drop-in alternatives for EPC4QC100TQ — 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 EPC4QC100TQ (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Operating Temperature, Memory Type, Memory Size, Configuration Modes.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPC4QC100
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$11.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC4QC100C
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC4QC100T
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.25 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC8QC100
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$17.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC16QC100
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$14.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC4QC100TQ Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Memory Type | Flash configuration PROM |
| Memory Size | 4 Mbit |
| Configuration Modes | Passive Serial (PS), JTAG |
| Maximum Configuration Clock | 66 MHz |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V typical (5.0 V tolerant I/O) |
| Interface | Serial configuration data, JTAG boundary scan |
| Package | 100-pin TQFP (TQ) 20x14 mm |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C |
| Compression Support | Yes (Altera proprietary) |
| In-System Programmable | Yes |
| Compatible FPGA Families | Stratix, APEX II, APEX 20K, Mercury, ACEX 1K, FLEX 10K |
| MSL Level | 3 (168 hours) |
EPC4QC100TQ Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VCC — 3.3 V core supply |
| Pin 2 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 3 | DATA — Configuration serial data output to FPGA |
| Pin 4 | DCLK — Configuration clock input from FPGA |
| Pin 5 | nCONFIG — Configuration control input from FPGA |
| Pin 6 | nSTATUS — Configuration status output to FPGA |
| Pin 7 | CONF_DONE — Configuration done output to FPGA |
| Pin 8 | nCE — Chip enable (active low) |
| Pin 9 | nCS — Chip select (active low) |
| Pin 10 | OE — Output enable (active low) |
| Pin 11 | RESET — Reset (active low) |
| Pin 12 | JTAG_TCK — JTAG test clock |
| Pin 13 | JTAG_TMS — JTAG test mode select |
| Pin 14 | JTAG_TDI — JTAG test data in |
| Pin 15 | JTAG_TDO — JTAG test data out |
Typical Applications
EPC4QC100TQ is suitable for 6 applications: Stratix FPGA Boot Configuration, APEX 20K Industrial Controller Configuration, Mercury FPGA Telecom Line Card, FLEX 10K Legacy Embedded Design, Test & Measurement Chassis, Defense and Avionics Subsystem.
Stratix FPGA Boot Configuration
The EPC4QC100TQ is purpose-built for boot-loading first-generation Stratix FPGAs, which require a non-volatile configuration source at power-up. Its 4 Mbit density is sufficient for small to medium Stratix bitstreams and the 66 MHz Passive Serial clock matches Stratix configuration controller bandwidth. Placed adjacent to the FPGA with short CONFIG traces and a 0.1 uF decoupling cap per VCC pin, it enables single-device configuration without an external flash. Unlike parallel configuration modes the EPC4QC100TQ's serial interface minimizes FPGA pin utilization, freeing GPIO for application use.
Recommended
APEX 20K Industrial Controller Configuration
The APEX 20K family of FPGAs is widely deployed in legacy industrial controllers, and the EPC4QC100TQ provides reliable configuration storage for these systems. With a -40C to +85C industrial temperature range and the Altera proprietary compression option (typically 30-55% size reduction), a 4 Mbit flash can hold a moderate APEX 20K bitstream. Designers pair the EPC4QC100TQ with ByteBlaster or USB-Blaster JTAG cables for in-system reprogramming during factory calibration or field service updates.
Recommended
Mercury FPGA Telecom Line Card
The Altera Mercury FPGA family targets multi-gigabit serial telecom line cards and requires a high-speed configuration source. The EPC4QC100TQ supports the 66 MHz configuration clock that Mercury devices expect, enabling fast power-up to valid state. Telecom line cards typically need field-upgradable firmware, which the EPC4QC100TQ's JTAG boundary-scan programming supports via in-system updates. With a 100-pin TQFP footprint and industrial temperature range, the PROM fits both baseboard and mezzanine card layouts in legacy central-office equipment.
Recommended
FLEX 10K Legacy Embedded Design
FLEX 10K was Altera's mainstream embedded FPGA family in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and many long-lifecycle embedded platforms still rely on it. The EPC4QC100TQ provides a drop-in configuration PROM with 4 Mbit capacity suited for typical FLEX 10K designs. The 66 MHz configuration clock exceeds the minimum required by FLEX 10K, allowing faster boot and lower system startup latency. The 100-pin TQFP package provides stable power and ground distribution for noisy industrial environments.
Recommended
Test & Measurement Chassis
Test and measurement chassis often integrate multiple FPGAs that must be loaded with calibration or DSP firmware at boot. The EPC4QC100TQ's 4 Mbit capacity is ideal for chassis containing APEX 20K or ACEX 1K devices that implement signal processing, pattern generation, or measurement acquisition. The PROM's JTAG programming support enables ATE-driven calibration updates in production. Industrial temperature rating ensures stable operation in environmental chambers and rack-mounted test racks.
Recommended
Defense and Avionics Subsystem
Legacy defense and avionics platforms often retain Altera FPGAs such as APEX 20K and Mercury for certified subsystems. The EPC4QC100TQ's industrial temperature range, robust TQFP packaging, and long-term Altera support make it suitable for programs with multi-decade lifecycles. In-system JTAG programmability supports authorized field firmware updates under controlled protocols. The 100-pin TQFP footprint provides mechanical robustness under vibration and thermal cycling typical of avionics bays.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPC4QC100TQ — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPC4QC100 | EPC4QC100C | EPC8QC100 | EPC16QC100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 100-pin TQFP (TQ) | 100-pin PQFP | 100-pin TQFP - same | 100-pin PQFP | 100-pin PQFP |
| Brand | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera |
| Memory Size | 4 Mbit | 4 Mbit | 4 Mbit | 8 Mbit | 16 Mbit |
| Max Configuration Clock | 66 MHz | 66 MHz | 66 MHz | 66 MHz | 66 MHz |
| Configuration Modes | PS, JTAG | PS, JTAG | PS, JTAG | PS, JTAG | PS, JTAG |
| In-System Programmable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C (C-grade) | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND |
| Compatible FPGA Families | Stratix, APEX II, APEX 20K, Mercury, ACEX 1K, FLEX 10K | Same families | Same families | Same families | Same families |
Key Differentiators
- TQFP thin-profile package option (vs EPC4QC100 (PQFP))
- 4 Mbit baseline density (vs EPC16QC100)
- Industrial temperature range (vs EPC4QC100C)
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor at every VCC pin of the EPC4QC100TQ, with VCC traces short and wide (at least 0.5 mm). Keep configuration traces (DCLK, DATA, nCONFIG, nSTATUS, CONF_DONE) short and length-matched within 50 mils to minimize skew, and route them away from switching power converter nodes to preserve signal integrity.
The 66 MHz configuration clock can be a source of radiated EMI if not terminated. Add a 33 ohm series resistor near the FPGA's DCLK pin if the trace exceeds 50 mm, and verify nSTATUS and CONF_DONE rise times are within 20 ns to comply with FPGA configuration handshaking.
Do not assume the EPC4QC100TQ supports newer Altera FPGA families such as Cyclone, Arria, or Stratix II onward - these require different configuration controllers. Verify the partner FPGA's configuration data sheet specifies Enhanced Configuration Device compatibility before committing to the EPC4QC100TQ in new designs.
Estimated: with quiescent current around 50 mA at 3.3 V, dissipation is approximately 0.165 W - well within TQFP thermal limits. No heatsink is required, but ensure at least 1 square inch of copper ground pour beneath the exposed pad footprint to keep junction rise under 10C.
When migrating from EPC4 to EPC8 or EPC16, the package pinout is identical but power-supply current scales with density. Increase the VCC trace width to support up to 100 mA peak in EPC16 mode, and verify the upstream regulator's transient response for hot-insertion scenarios.
Compliance Information
Compliance status not stated in verified distributor data. Lifecycle status is NRND. Verify RoHS/lead-free status with the specific supplier lot before procurement for EU-bound designs.
