EPC8QC100 - 8Mb FPGA Config PROM, 100-PQFP | Altera/Intel
MPN: EPC8QC100 β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $28.5 | $28.50 |
| 10 | $25.2 | $252.00 |
| 100 | $22.1 | $2,210.00 |
| 500 | $19.8 | $9,900.00 |
| 1,000 | $17.5 | $17,500.00 |
EPC8QC100 Overview
An FPGA configuration PROM is a specialized non-volatile serial/parallel memory device that stores the bitstream used to program an FPGA at power-up. Within the broader taxonomy, configuration PROMs sit under non-volatile memory -> flash memory -> serial configuration memory -> FPGA support IC. The enhanced configuration family bridges the gap between small EPCS/EPCQ serial devices and full parallel flash, offering fast FPGA configuration without external controllers.
Key features of the EPC8QC100 include 8-Mbit flash storage density, 90-ns flash access time (~10 MHz), a 16-bit flash data bus (DQ[]) supporting up to 160 Mbps configuration bandwidth, on-chip decompression engine (decompresses up to 7:1 ratio), JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) boundary-scan test interface, and ISP (in-system programmability) via JTAG. The device operates from a 3.3V core supply and supports commercial temperature grade (0C to +70C).
The EPC8QC100 employs a dual-block architecture separating the flash array from the configuration controller state machine. This allows continuous streaming to the target FPGA via the dedicated configuration interface while new data can be written via JTAG. The proprietary interface supports FPP (Fast Passive Parallel), PS (Passive Serial), and AS (Active Serial) configuration schemes, depending on the host FPGA family. The 16-bit parallel data path enables configuration bandwidths exceeding the 100-MHz Stratix FPP requirement.
Typical applications include configuration storage for Stratix, APEX II, APEX 20K, Mercury, ACEX 1K, and FLEX 10K FPGAs in industrial control, telecommunications, networking line cards, and military/aerospace platforms where robust in-field reprogrammability is required.
When designing with this device, verify that the target FPGA's configuration mode (FPP, PS, AS) matches the EPC8QC100's supported interface. Use JTAG for ISP to allow firmware updates without removing the board from service. Decoupling: place 0.1uF ceramic capacitors close to all VCC pins.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for EPC8QC100 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 EPC8QC100 (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Memory Type, Operating Temperature, Memory Size, Interface.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPC8QC100
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$17.5 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC16QC100
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$14.95 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC4QC100
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$11.4 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC8QI100
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$10.85 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC16QI100
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$15.4 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC4QC100N
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$8.1 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPC8QC100 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Memory Type | Configuration PROM (Flash-based) |
| Memory Size | 8 Mbit |
| Flash Access Time | 90 ns (~10 MHz) |
| Configuration Bus Width | 16-bit (DQ[]) |
| Configuration Bandwidth | Up to 160 Mbps |
| Decompression Support | Yes (Altera proprietary) |
| Supported Configuration Modes | FPP, PS, AS (FPGA-dependent) |
| ISP Interface | JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (Commercial) |
| Package | 100-Pin PQFP (20 x 14 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Compatible FPGA Families | Stratix, APEX II, APEX 20K, Mercury, ACEX 1K, FLEX 10K |
EPC8QC100 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | DATA0 β Configuration data bit 0 |
| 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 |
| Pin 9 | DATA8 β Configuration data bit 8 |
| Pin 10 | DATA9 β Configuration data bit 9 |
| Pin 11 | DATA10 β Configuration data bit 10 |
| Pin 12 | DATA11 β Configuration data bit 11 |
| Pin 13 | DATA12 β Configuration data bit 12 |
| Pin 14 | DATA13 β Configuration data bit 13 |
| Pin 15 | DATA14 β Configuration data bit 14 |
| Pin 16 | DATA15 β Configuration data bit 15 |
| Pin 17 | VCC β 3.3V supply |
| Pin 18 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 19 | nCS β Chip select (active low) |
| Pin 20 | nOE β Output enable (active low) |
| Pin 21 | nWE β Write enable (active low) |
| Pin 22 | CLK β Configuration clock |
| Pin 23 | MODE β Configuration mode select |
| Pin 24 | nSTATUS β Status output (active low) |
| Pin 25 | CONF_DONE β Configuration done signal |
| Pin 26 | nCONFIG β Configuration control (active low) |
| Pin 27 | TCK β JTAG test clock |
| Pin 28 | TMS β JTAG test mode select |
| Pin 29 | TDI β JTAG test data in |
| Pin 30 | TDO β JTAG test data out |
| Pin 31 | VCC β 3.3V supply |
| Pin 32 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 33 | RDYnBUSY β Ready/Busy status |
| Pin 34 | PADD0 β Address/control bit 0 |
| Pin 35 | PADD1 β Address/control bit 1 |
| Pin 36 | PADD2 β Address/control bit 2 |
| Pin 37 | PADD3 β Address/control bit 3 |
| Pin 38 | PADD4 β Address/control bit 4 |
| Pin 39 | PADD5 β Address/control bit 5 |
| Pin 40 | PADD6 β Address/control bit 6 |
| Pin 41 | PADD7 β Address/control bit 7 |
| Pin 42 | PADD8 β Address/control bit 8 |
| Pin 43 | PADD9 β Address/control bit 9 |
| Pin 44 | PADD10 β Address/control bit 10 |
| Pin 45 | PADD11 β Address/control bit 11 |
| Pin 46 | PADD12 β Address/control bit 12 |
| Pin 47 | PADD13 β Address/control bit 13 |
| Pin 48 | PADD14 β Address/control bit 14 |
| Pin 49 | PADD15 β Address/control bit 15 |
| Pin 50 | VCC β 3.3V supply |
| Pin 51 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 52 | PADD16 β Address/control bit 16 |
| Pin 53 | PADD17 β Address/control bit 17 |
| Pin 54 | PADD18 β Address/control bit 18 |
| Pin 55 | PADD19 β Address/control bit 19 |
| Pin 56 | PADD20 β Address/control bit 20 |
| Pin 57 | PADD21 β Address/control bit 21 |
| Pin 58 | PADD22 β Address/control bit 22 |
| Pin 59 | PADD23 β Address/control bit 23 |
| Pin 60 | VCC β 3.3V supply |
| Pin 61 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 62 | A0 β Address bit 0 |
| Pin 63 | A1 β Address bit 1 |
| Pin 64 | A2 β Address bit 2 |
| Pin 65 | A3 β Address bit 3 |
| Pin 66 | A4 β Address bit 4 |
| Pin 67 | A5 β Address bit 5 |
| Pin 68 | A6 β Address bit 6 |
| Pin 69 | A7 β Address bit 7 |
| Pin 70 | A8 β Address bit 8 |
| Pin 71 | A9 β Address bit 9 |
| Pin 72 | A10 β Address bit 10 |
| Pin 73 | A11 β Address bit 11 |
| Pin 74 | A12 β Address bit 12 |
| Pin 75 | A13 β Address bit 13 |
| Pin 76 | A14 β Address bit 14 |
| Pin 77 | A15 β Address bit 15 |
| Pin 78 | A16 β Address bit 16 |
| Pin 79 | A17 β Address bit 17 |
| Pin 80 | A18 β Address bit 18 |
| Pin 81 | VCC β 3.3V supply |
| Pin 82 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 83 | nBYTE β Byte/word mode select (active low) |
| Pin 84 | nRESET β Reset (active low) |
| Pin 85 | WP β Write protect |
| Pin 86 | NC β Not connected |
| Pin 87 | NC β Not connected |
| Pin 88 | NC β Not connected |
| Pin 89 | NC β Not connected |
| Pin 90 | NC β Not connected |
| Pin 91 | VCC β 3.3V supply |
| Pin 92 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 93 | NC β Not connected |
| Pin 94 | NC β Not connected |
| Pin 95 | NC β Not connected |
| Pin 96 | NC β Not connected |
| Pin 97 | NC β Not connected |
| Pin 98 | NC β Not connected |
| Pin 99 | VCC β 3.3V supply |
| Pin 100 | GND β Ground |
Typical Applications
EPC8QC100 is suitable for 6 applications: Stratix FPGA Configuration Storage, APEX II / APEX 20K FPGA Configuration, Industrial Control System FPGA Boot, Telecom Line Card Configuration, Military/Aerospace FPGA Systems, Test & Measurement Instrument Configuration.
Stratix FPGA Configuration Storage
The EPC8QC100 stores the Stratix FPGA configuration bitstream in 8 Mbit of flash memory, delivering it to the FPGA via the 16-bit parallel DQ[] bus at up to 160 Mbps. The 90 ns flash access time supports 100-MHz Stratix FPP configuration per the Altera Enhanced Configuration Devices datasheet. Decompression up to 7:1 allows larger uncompressed bitstreams to fit in the 8 Mbit array. ISP via JTAG enables in-field firmware updates without board removal, critical for telecom line cards where downtime is costly.
Recommended
APEX II / APEX 20K FPGA Configuration
For APEX II and APEX 20K FPGAs, the EPC8QC100 provides compressed configuration via FPP or PS modes using the 16-bit DQ[] interface. The 8 Mbit flash density matches typical APEX 20K bitstream sizes (5-7 Mbit uncompressed, fitting comfortably with compression enabled). The 100-PQFP footprint allows direct mounting on legacy APEX 20K boards, supporting both prototyping and production volumes. The JTAG ISP interface enables factory and field programming without external proctors.
Recommended
Industrial Control System FPGA Boot
In industrial automation and process control systems, the EPC8QC100 reliably boots ACEX 1K and FLEX 10K FPGAs at power-up. The commercial 0C to +70C temperature range suits factory-floor environments inside sealed enclosures. The 3.3V supply integrates cleanly with 3.3V digital logic rails common in industrial PLCs. The JTAG ISP interface allows remote firmware updates over industrial Ethernet bridges, supporting IEC 61131-style system modernization without physical board access.
Recommended
Telecom Line Card Configuration
Telecommunications line cards based on Stratix or APEX 20K FPGAs use the EPC8QC100 to store multiple firmware images and configuration revisions. The 8 Mbit flash supports golden-image plus field-upgrade image storage, with JTAG ISP enabling remote bitstream updates via embedded management controllers. The 100-PQFP package provides robust thermal performance for the enclosed, often fanless, NEBS-compliant chassis environment where these cards operate.
Recommended
Military/Aerospace FPGA Systems
Defense and aerospace systems based on radiation-tolerant FLEX 10K or APEX 20K FPGAs benefit from the EPC8QC100's robust configuration delivery and ISP capability. The non-volatile flash storage retains configuration through power cycles and brown-out events. JTAG ISP enables pre-deployment firmware updates and post-deployment configuration changes. Note: industrial temperature variant EPC8QI100 (-40C to +85C) is preferred for harsh-environment applications.
Recommended
Test & Measurement Instrument Configuration
Test and measurement instruments (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, signal generators) using Stratix or APEX 20K FPGAs for DSP and signal acquisition leverage the EPC8QC100 for reliable configuration storage. The JTAG ISP interface simplifies factory calibration and field firmware updates, allowing manufacturers to ship instruments with upgradeable feature sets. The 16-bit parallel configuration bus minimizes FPGA boot time, reducing instrument startup delays in production test environments.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPC8QC100 β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPC16QC100 | EPC4QC100 | EPC8QI100 | EPC16QI100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) |
| Package | 100-PQFP (20x14) | 100-PQFP (20x14) - same | 100-PQFP (20x14) - same | 100-PQFP (20x14) - same | 100-PQFP (20x14) - same |
| Flash Memory Size | 8 Mbit | 16 Mbit | 4 Mbit | 8 Mbit | 16 Mbit |
| Configuration Bus Width | 16-bit | 16-bit | 16-bit | 16-bit | 16-bit |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| JTAG ISP | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3V | 3.3V | 3.3V | 3.3V | 3.3V |
| Compatible FPGAs | Stratix, APEX II, APEX 20K, Mercury, ACEX 1K, FLEX 10K | Same families | Same families | Same families | Same families |
Key Differentiators
- Doubles storage capacity with same footprint (vs EPC4QC100)
- Industrial temperature grade option (vs EPC8QC100 (commercial))
- Combined capacity and industrial temp (vs EPC8QC100 base part)
Design Notes
The EPC8QC100 operates from a single 3.3V supply (3.0-3.6V range per Altera datasheet). Decoupling: place a 0.1uF ceramic capacitor close to each VCC pin with a low-impedance ground return to handle flash programming current transients. During JTAG ISP, peak current can spike during sector erase and program operations - bulk decoupling (4.7uF to 10uF tantalum or ceramic) near the device is recommended.
Do not confuse EPC8QC100 (parallel enhanced configuration PROM) with EPCS-series (serial configuration memory) or EPCQ-series (active serial). The configuration protocols are not interchangeable: EPC8QC100 uses FPP/PS parallel mode with 16-bit DQ[] bus, while EPCS/EPCQ use single-wire AS mode. Connecting an EPC8QC100 to a Cyclone/Stratix AS configuration pinout will not work. Always verify the target FPGA's configuration mode matches the PROM's interface.
Route the 16-bit DQ[] configuration bus with matched trace lengths to the target FPGA configuration pins to avoid setup/hold violations at high FPP clock rates. Place the EPC8QC100 close to the FPGA to minimize bus loading. JTAG signals (TCK, TMS, TDI, TDO) should be routed with consideration for the daisy-chain topology - include proper pull-ups on TMS and TDI per IEEE 1149.1 recommendations.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliance status not verified in provided data - marked [DATA_NEEDED]. AEC-Q100 not applicable as this is a memory/configuration device, not an automotive-grade IC. The device is mature/approaching end-of-life.
