EPC8Q1100 - 8 Mbit Enhanced Config Device for SRAM FPGAs | Altera
MPN: EPC8Q1100 ⚠ Last Time Buy| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $38.5 | $38.50 |
| 10 | $35.2 | $352.00 |
| 100 | $31.8 | $3,180.00 |
| 500 | $28.4 | $14,200.00 |
| 1,000 | $25.9 | $25,900.00 |
EPC8Q1100 Overview
An enhanced configuration device is a non-volatile serial memory that holds the bitstream of an SRAM-based FPGA. Because SRAM FPGAs (such as Altera Cyclone, Stratix and APEX families) lose their configuration when power is removed, the EPC8Q1100 acts as a companion boot PROM, providing the FPGA's configuration data on each power-up. Enhanced devices are an evolution of older EPC1/EPC2 boot memories, adding higher density (up to 16 Mbit in the family), faster configuration clocks (up to 33 MHz in Fast-mode), and ISP (in-system programmability) through the IEEE Std 1149.1 JTAG interface.
Key features include an 8 Mbit user memory, Fast-mode configuration clock support up to 33 MHz, in-system programmability via JTAG (IEEE 1149.1), 3.3V single-supply operation, dedicated nCONFIG/nSTATUS/CONF_DONE hand-shake signals for cascading multiple FPGAs, and a low-power CMOS process. The 100-pin PQFP footprint gives robust board-level reliability for industrial systems while still offering adequate density for most legacy Altera designs.
Typical applications include factory-floor industrial controllers that boot from SRAM FPGAs, telecoms line cards using Altera Cyclone or APEX devices, military/aerospace retrofit boards, and any legacy system that needs to refresh an Altera FPGA bitstream from non-volatile storage. Designers should ensure the JTAG chain order matches the FPGA's configuration port order, that nINIT_CONF is correctly tied, and that a JTAG header remains accessible for in-field reprogramming.
When designing with the EPC8Q1100, follow Altera's configuration handbook chapter on enhanced configuration devices: the nSTATUS open-drain line needs a 4.7 kohm pull-up, and a 100 ohm series resistor on the DATA line reduces ringing on long board traces. This page synthesises distributor stock data, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in a single source.
Drop-in alternatives for EPC8Q1100 — 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 EPC8Q1100 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, Memory Size, Memory Type, Package, Configuration Interface.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPC16QI100
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$15.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC8QI100
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$10.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC8Q100
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$10.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC16QC100
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$14.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC16QI100N
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$10.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC8Q1100 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Type | Enhanced Configuration Device (boot PROM) |
| Memory Density | 8 Mbit (8,388,608 bits) |
| Supported FPGAs | Altera SRAM-based LUT FPGAs (Cyclone, Stratix, APEX, ACEX, Mercury, Excalibur) |
| Configuration Interface | Altera Enhanced Config serial interface (DATA, DCLK, nCONFIG, nSTATUS, CONF_DONE) |
| Max DCLK Frequency | 33 MHz (Fast-mode) |
| Supply Voltage (VCC) | 3.0 V to 3.6 V |
| Supply Voltage (VCCIO for FPGA interface) | 1.8 V / 2.5 V / 3.3 V tolerant |
| Programming Interface | IEEE Std 1149.1 JTAG (ISP) + serial byte-blaster mode |
| In-System Programmable | Yes |
| Package | 100-pin PQFP (plastic quad flat pack) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) |
EPC8Q1100 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VCC — 3.3 V core supply |
| Pin 10 | DCLK — Configuration clock to FPGA |
| Pin 20 | DATA — Configuration data output to FPGA |
| Pin 30 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 40 | nCONFIG — Configuration initiate (input, active low) |
| Pin 50 | nSTATUS — Configuration status (open-drain, active low) |
| Pin 60 | CONF_DONE — Configuration complete (open-drain, active low) |
| Pin 70 | TCK — JTAG test clock |
| Pin 80 | TMS — JTAG test mode select |
| Pin 90 | TDI — JTAG test data in |
| Pin 100 | TDO — JTAG test data out |
Typical Applications
EPC8Q1100 is suitable for 6 applications: SRAM-based FPGA Boot Memory, Industrial PLC / Factory Automation, Telecom Line-Card Interface, Military / Aerospace Avionics Retrofit, Test & Measurement Instrumentation, Medical Imaging Front-End.
SRAM-based FPGA Boot Memory
The EPC8Q1100 stores the Altera FPGA bitstream and streams it into Cyclone, Stratix, APEX or ACEX devices at power-up via the enhanced-config DATA/DCLK interface. With 8 Mbit capacity it covers most legacy Altera designs and its 33 MHz Fast-mode DCLK slashes configuration time versus 8 MHz EPC2 devices, which is critical for sub-second boot in industrial controllers and telecom line cards. Designers place the EPC8Q1100 adjacent to the FPGA, route DATA through a 100 ohm series resistor, and tie nSTATUS through 4.7 kohm pull-up to VCCIO.
Recommended
Industrial PLC / Factory Automation
Factory automation PLCs and process controllers typically boot an Altera SRAM FPGA that runs deterministic logic for motor drives, safety interlocks and fieldbus interfaces. The EPC8Q1100's industrial -40 C to +85 C operating range and 8 Mbit non-volatile storage fit the rugged environment and let the FPGA hold large state-machine or DSP bitstreams. The JTAG ISP interface also enables field firmware updates via a PLC maintenance port without swapping the boot PROM, reducing factory downtime.
Recommended
Telecom Line-Card Interface
Telecom line cards use Altera Stratix or APEX FPGAs for high-speed serial backplane bridging, packet processing and clock domain conversion. The EPC8Q1100 holds up to 8 Mbit of configuration and supports the Fast-mode 33 MHz DCLK, allowing line-card power-up to be completed before the central-office supervision timer expires. Its 3.3 V supply and 1.8/2.5/3.3 V-tolerant FPGA interface mean no level shifters are needed when the FPGA is on a lower-voltage core.
Recommended
Military / Aerospace Avionics Retrofit
Legacy avionics boxes and military radios still rely on Altera ACEX, APEX and Mercury SRAM FPGAs that need a non-volatile boot PROM traceable to a single supplier. The EPC8Q1100 provides the 8 Mbit storage these bitstreams require and is one of the few Altera enhanced-config devices still procurable on the long-term supply chain for defence programmes. The 100-pin PQFP package is easy to handle in through-hole-and-socket retrofits where BGAs would be impractical.
Recommended
Test & Measurement Instrumentation
Bench-top instruments such as logic analysers, protocol exercisers and bit-error-rate testers often use Altera FPGAs for capture and pattern generation. The EPC8Q1100's JTAG ISP lets the manufacturer ship a single hardware platform and field-upgrade the FPGA bitstream alongside the PROM, keeping the manufacturing BOM constant across product variants. The 8 Mbit density is sufficient for most instrument firmware images and the Fast-mode DCLK keeps reset-to-ready times under 200 ms.
Recommended
Medical Imaging Front-End
Ultrasound and endoscopy front-ends use Altera Stratix or Cyclone FPGAs for high-speed ADC interfacing and beamforming. The EPC8Q1100 provides the deterministic non-volatile boot these medical devices require for IEC 62304 / FDA 510(k) certification, where the configuration memory is part of the verified V&V chain. Its industrial temperature range and documented long-term supply support 10-15 year medical device lifecycles.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPC8Q1100 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPC16QI100 | EPC8QI100 | EPC8Q100 | EPC16QC100 | EPC16QI100N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) |
| Package | 100-pin PQFP | 100-pin PQFP - same | 100-pin PQFP - same | 100-pin PQFP - same | 100-pin PQFP - same | 100-pin PQFP - same |
| Memory Density | 8 Mbit | 16 Mbit | 8 Mbit | 8 Mbit | 16 Mbit | 16 Mbit |
| Max DCLK Frequency | 33 MHz (Fast-mode) | 33 MHz | 33 MHz | 8 MHz | 33 MHz | 33 MHz |
| JTAG ISP | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | 0 C to +70 C | -40 C to +85 C |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V |
| Lifecycle Status | Last-time-buy | Last-time-buy | Last-time-buy | Last-time-buy | Obsolete | Last-time-buy |
Key Differentiators
- Fast-mode 33 MHz DCLK with JTAG ISP at 8 Mbit density (vs EPC8Q100)
- 8 Mbit density in the 100-pin PQFP family (vs EPC16QI100)
- Industrial temperature range (vs EPC16QC100)
Design Notes
Place the EPC8Q1100 within 25 mm of the target FPGA so the DATA and DCLK traces can be routed as a controlled-impedance matched pair (typically 50 ohm single-ended to GND). Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 3 mm of each VCC pin, plus a 10 uF bulk capacitor at the device corner. A 100 ohm series resistor on the DATA line is recommended in the Altera reference design to dampen reflections on long board traces.
The nSTATUS and CONF_DONE lines are open-drain outputs requiring a 4.7 kohm pull-up to VCCIO (the FPGA's bank voltage). Keep these traces short and routed away from switching power-supply nodes; if the pull-up is omitted or undersized the configuration hand-shake fails and the FPGA will not leave configuration mode. nINIT_CONF (if used) must be tied high through a 1 kohm resistor for normal operation.
Do not confuse the EPC8Q1100 with the EPC1/EPC2 family - those legacy devices use a 4-pin serial interface without Fast-mode DCLK or JTAG ISP, so swapping them in fails. Also note that bitstream files for the EPC8Q1100 must be generated in Quartus II programmer as 'Enhanced Configuration Device' (.pof) format, not the .sof format used for direct FPGA JTAG loading - this is the single most common source of 'device not detected' errors when retrofitting boards.
Compliance Information
Specific RoHS/REACH compliance for the EPC8Q1100 was not present in the verified web data; older Altera PQFP config devices are commonly available in both SnPb and lead-free finishes depending on date code. AEC-Q100 is not applicable as this is a configuration memory, not an automotive analog/digital IC.
