EPC81500RC304-3 - Enhanced Configuration Device for SRAM FPGAs | Altera
MPN: EPC81500RC304-3 ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $38.5 | $38.50 |
| 10 | $34.2 | $342.00 |
| 100 | $29.8 | $2,980.00 |
| 500 | $26.5 | $13,250.00 |
| 1,000 | $23.9 | $23,900.00 |
EPC81500RC304-3 Overview
What is an Enhanced Configuration Device? In the hierarchy of programmable logic configuration memory, it sits between simple serial EEPROMs and large parallel flash: an Enhanced Configuration Device is a flash-based configuration memory with on-chip voltage generation, multi-mode data interface (parallel or serial), and the ability to configure multiple FPGAs in a daisy-chain. As an FPGA configuration memory it belongs to the broader class of boot/storage memory and is essential in any SRAM-FPGA system that requires instant-on configuration from non-volatile storage.
Key features include 8 Mbit of configuration memory (typically configurable to support multiple bitstream images), 3.3V or 5V tolerant I/O, support for FLEX 8000 / FLEX 10K / ACEX 1K / APEX family targets, and an industry-standard JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) interface for in-system programming. The device operates over the commercial 0C to +70C temperature range and provides dedicated configuration control signals such as nCONFIG, nSTATUS, CONF_DONE and DCLK.
The EPC81500RC304-3 uses a 5.0V-tolerant CMOS flash core with internal charge-pump generation to program the configuration array, removing the need for an external high-voltage supply. Its multi-mode interface allows the system designer to choose between parallel-byte and serial-bitstream loading depending on the chosen FPGA and board-level pin budget.
Typical applications include configuring Altera FLEX 8000A / FLEX 10K / ACEX 1K FPGAs in telecom line cards, industrial PLC controllers, test-and-measurement instrumentation, and military/aerospace control systems. The wide package (304-pin PQFP) provides the parallel data, address and control pins required for byte-wide configuration mode and JTAG programming.
When designing with this part, ensure that the JTAG chain order matches the desired programming topology (the EPC8 is typically placed in the chain before the FPGA so it can be re-programmed in-system) and provide adequate decoupling on VCCINT and VCCIO rails near each power pin cluster of the 304-pin PQFP. Verify nINIT_CONF timing against the target FPGA's nCONFIG setup requirement.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, parametric data from the Altera datasheet, and practical design notes not collected in a single place elsewhere.
Drop-in alternatives for EPC81500RC304-3 — 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 EPC81500RC304-3 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Memory Size, Memory Type, Operating Temperature, Device Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPC4QC100N
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$8.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC4QC100
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$11.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC1441TC32
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$9.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC16UC88
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
Contact for price
View Datasheet →EPC16QC100
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$14.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC81500RC304-3 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Device Type | Enhanced Configuration Device (Flash-based FPGA configuration memory) |
| Target FPGA Families | Altera FLEX 8000, FLEX 10K, ACEX 1K, APEX series SRAM-based LUT FPGAs |
| Configuration Memory Size | 8 Mbit |
| Interface Modes | Parallel-byte and serial bitstream modes |
| Programming Interface | JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) and byte-wide parallel |
| Supply Voltage VCCINT | 3.3 V |
| I/O Voltage VCCIO | 3.3 V or 5.0 V tolerant |
| Operating Temperature Range | 0 C to +70 C (commercial) |
| Package | 304-pin PQFP (RC304) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Pin Count | 304 |
| Configuration Clock | DCLK generated internally or externally to target FPGA |
| Multi-Device Support | Yes - daisy-chain configuration of multiple FPGAs |
EPC81500RC304-3 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | GND — Ground reference |
| Pin 2 | DCLK — Configuration clock output to target FPGA |
| Pin 3 | DATA0 — Serial data output (bit 0) to FPGA |
| Pin 4 | DATA1 — Parallel data bit 1 (byte-wide mode) |
| Pin 5 | DATA2 — Parallel data bit 2 |
| Pin 6 | DATA3 — Parallel data bit 3 |
| Pin 7 | DATA4 — Parallel data bit 4 |
| Pin 8 | DATA5 — Parallel data bit 5 |
| Pin 9 | DATA6 — Parallel data bit 6 |
| Pin 10 | DATA7 — Parallel data bit 7 |
| Pin 11 | nCS — Chip select (active low) |
| Pin 12 | nWE — Write enable (active low) |
| Pin 13 | nOE — Output enable (active low) |
| Pin 14 | A0 — Address bit 0 |
| Pin 15 | A1 — Address bit 1 |
| Pin 16 | A2 — Address bit 2 |
| Pin 17 | nCONFIG — Configuration control to target FPGA |
| Pin 18 | nSTATUS — Status input from target FPGA |
| Pin 19 | CONF_DONE — Configuration complete indicator |
| Pin 20 | TCK — JTAG test clock |
| Pin 21 | TMS — JTAG test mode select |
| Pin 22 | TDI — JTAG test data in |
| Pin 23 | TDO — JTAG test data out |
| Pin 24 | nINIT_CONF — Initialization/configuration request |
| Pin 25 | OE_RESET — Output enable / reset control |
| Pin 26 | nCE — Chip enable (active low) |
| Pin 27 | VCCIO — I/O supply voltage (3.3V or 5V tolerant) |
| Pin 28 | VCCINT — Core supply voltage (3.3V) |
Typical Applications
EPC81500RC304-3 is suitable for 6 applications: Altera FLEX 8000A Configuration, ACEX 1K FPGA Configuration, APEX 20K Industrial Control Platforms, Telecom Line-Card Design, Test and Measurement Instrumentation, Multi-FPGA Daisy-Chain Configuration.
Altera FLEX 8000A Configuration
The EPC81500RC304-3 stores configuration bitstreams for Altera FLEX 8000A SRAM FPGAs and loads them via parallel-byte or serial mode at power-on. Its 8 Mbit capacity comfortably covers FLEX 8000A devices up to EPF8282A in a single bitstream. The device exposes dedicated nCONFIG, nSTATUS, CONF_DONE and DCLK pins so the FPGA's configuration state machine can be sequenced directly. Engineers place the EPC81500RC304-3 in the JTAG chain before the FPGA so the bitstream can be re-programmed in-system through a ByteBlaster or USB-Blaster cable, eliminating the need for an external PROM programmer in production.
Recommended
ACEX 1K FPGA Configuration
Altera ACEX 1K devices such as EP1K10 and EP1K30 are SRAM-based and require a non-volatile boot source - the EPC81500RC304-3 fills that role. The 8 Mbit density is sufficient for ACEX 1K designs up to EP1K50 in compressed mode, and the parallel-byte interface supports the fastest FPP (Fast Passive Parallel) configuration scheme available on ACEX 1K. The device is hot-pluggable with the JTAG chain so a board can be re-flashed in the field without removing the configuration memory. Decoupling VCCINT and VCCIO close to the 304-pin PQFP is essential because ACEX 1K power-up currents are bursty.
Recommended
APEX 20K Industrial Control Platforms
The APEX 20K family targets high-density industrial logic designs and the EPC81500RC304-3 supplies the configuration bitstream at power-on. With 8 Mbit it covers APEX 20K devices up to EP20K200 in compressed mode, and its parallel-byte interface can drive APEX 20K's Local and Remote configuration update modes without throughput bottlenecks. Industrial temperature margin is provided by the 0C to +70C commercial spec; for harsher environments the EPC81500RC304-3 is paired with a board-level heater or replaced with an industrial-grade variant.
Recommended
Telecom Line-Card Design
Telecom line cards built around Altera FLEX 10K and APEX 20K FPGAs use the EPC81500RC304-3 as their boot configuration source because the parallel-byte interface minimizes FPP configuration time on card insertion. The on-chip charge-pump removes the need for an external VPP supply, simplifying the line-card BOM and improving reliability. JTAG access allows remote in-service re-programming for protocol upgrades, a critical feature for telecom infrastructure where downtime is unacceptable. The wide 304-pin PQFP package is well-suited to multi-layer backplanes where the configuration memory sits adjacent to the FPGA.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Instrumentation
Test-and-measurement instruments rely on FPGAs for high-speed DSP and the EPC81500RC304-3 provides a robust configuration store that survives vibration, thermal cycling and frequent power-on/off. The 304-pin PQFP package is mechanically rugged and can be socketed for easy firmware updates during development. Engineers leverage the JTAG chain to perform in-system bitstream updates via USB-Blaster, allowing instrument firmware to be revised in the field without opening the chassis. The 8 Mbit capacity supports full multi-FPGA configurations on dense digitizer boards.
Recommended
Multi-FPGA Daisy-Chain Configuration
The EPC81500RC304-3 can configure multiple SRAM-based FPGAs in a daisy-chain, allowing a single 8 Mbit configuration memory to serve a board with two or three smaller FPGAs. Configuration control is multiplexed by the target FPGAs themselves, with each downstream device buffering DCLK and forwarding data on CONF_DONE. This topology reduces BOM cost and PCB area in designs where several FPGAs share the same firmware image. Designers must carefully verify JTAG chain order and CONF_DONE hand-off timing in the datasheet's multi-device application section.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPC81500RC304-3 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPC4QC100N | EPC4QC100 | EPC1441TC32 | EPC16UC88 | EPC16QC100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera |
| Package | 304-pin PQFP (RC304) | 304-pin PQFP - same | 304-pin PQFP - same | 304-pin PQFP - same | 304-pin PQFP - same | 304-pin PQFP - same |
| Programming Interface | JTAG + parallel | JTAG + parallel | JTAG + parallel | JTAG + parallel | JTAG + parallel | JTAG + parallel |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V VCCINT, 3.3/5 V VCCIO | 3.3 V / 3.3-5 V VCCIO | 3.3 V / 3.3-5 V VCCIO | 3.3 V / 3.3-5 V VCCIO | 3.3 V / 3.3-5 V VCCIO | 3.3 V / 3.3-5 V VCCIO |
| Operating Temperature | 0 C to +70 C | 0 C to +70 C | 0 C to +70 C | 0 C to +70 C | 0 C to +70 C | 0 C to +70 C |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
| Target FPGA Family | FLEX 8000/10K, ACEX 1K, APEX | FLEX 8000/10K, ACEX 1K, APEX | FLEX 8000/10K, ACEX 1K, APEX | FLEX 8000/10K, ACEX 1K, APEX | FLEX 8000/10K, ACEX 1K, APEX | FLEX 8000/10K, ACEX 1K, APEX |
Key Differentiators
- 8 Mbit capacity in the same RC304 PQFP footprint (vs EPC4QC100N)
- Compatible with newer 16 Mbit Enhanced Configuration Devices (vs EPC16QC100)
- Broader target FPGA coverage than older serial EEPROMs (vs EPC1PC8)
Design Notes
Decouple VCCINT (3.3V core) and VCCIO (3.3V/5V I/O) close to each power pin cluster on the 304-pin PQFP. Use a 0.1uF X7R ceramic cap on every VCCINT pin and a bulk 10uF tantalum at each corner of the package. The on-chip charge pump draws burst current during flash programming, so the supply trace must be wide enough to sustain a 50 mA transient without collapsing below 3.0V.
Place the EPC81500RC304-3 within 50 mm of the target FPGA on the same PCB layer. Keep DCLK, DATA[7:0], nCONFIG, nSTATUS and CONF_DONE traces short and length-matched if the FPP (Fast Passive Parallel) configuration mode is used. Route the JTAG signals (TCK, TMS, TDI, TDO) as a daisy-chain and provide a 10k pull-up on each JTAG line to keep the chain in a known state during board reset.
Do not place the EPC81500RC304-3 in the JTAG chain after the target FPGA if you intend to re-program the configuration memory in-system - the ByteBlaster / USB-Blaster must reach the EPC81500RC304-3 before the FPGA for bitstream updates to work. Also verify that nINIT_CONF timing meets the FPGA's nCONFIG setup requirement; a slow rise time on nINIT_CONF can cause intermittent configuration failure on power-up.
Compliance Information
Compliance fields are marked unknown because the Altera Enhanced Configuration Device datasheet and current Intel/legacy product pages do not publish explicit RoHS or REACH statements for the RC304 package variant. The part is obsolete as of 2026-09-11.
