EPC8QC100C - 8Mb Enhanced Config PROM 100-PQFP | Altera
MPN: EPC8QC100C ✗ 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 | $9.95 | $9,950.00 |
EPC8QC100C Overview
A configuration PROM (also called a configuration device) is a non-volatile memory device that stores the FPGA's bitstream and loads it into the SRAM-based FPGA at power-up or upon reconfiguration. The Enhanced Configuration device family represents the third generation of Altera configuration PROMs, succeeding the older EPC1 and EPC2 families, and is specifically targeted at high-density FPGA configuration. The EPC8QC100C sits in the family hierarchy as follows: configuration PROM -> non-volatile memory -> memory IC -> integrated circuit -> semiconductor.
Key features include 8 Mbits of flash memory, support for 3.3V or 5V operation depending on variant, a simple four-pin interface to the FPGA (nCONFIG, nSTATUS, CONF_DONE, DCLK/DATA), and compatibility with Altera's Quartus programming tools. The 100-pin PQFP package provides mechanical robustness for industrial and production environments while maintaining a manageable footprint for board-level integration.
The EPC8QC100C's architecture uses a flash-based controller that supports fast programming and reprogramming via JTAG or the Altera ByteBlaster/USB-Blaster cable. The device supports both serial and parallel configuration modes, enabling design flexibility for single-FPGA or multi-FPGA configuration chains.
Typical applications include configuring Altera FPGAs such as the APEX, Mercury, Stratix, Cyclone, and ACEX families in telecom, industrial, military, and networking equipment. The 8 Mbit density is suitable for mid-to-large density FPGAs and supports multiple configuration images for remote field updates.
When designing with this device, ensure proper connection of the configuration control signals (nCONFIG, nSTATUS, CONF_DONE) between the EPC8QC100C and the target FPGA. Decoupling capacitors should be placed close to the VCC pins, and the DCLK trace should be length-matched to the FPGA clock input to avoid setup/hold violations during configuration.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for EPC8QC100C — 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 EPC8QC100C (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Memory Size, Memory Type, Operating Temperature, Package, Configuration Interface.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPC8QC100
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$17.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC8QC100N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC16QC100
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$14.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC16QC100N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$24.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC4QC100
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$11.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC4QC100N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$8.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC8QC100C Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Memory Type | Flash-based Configuration PROM |
| Memory Size | 8 Mbit |
| Configuration Schemes | Passive Serial, Concurrent (up to 8 chains), Parallel |
| Target FPGA Compatibility | Altera APEX, Stratix, Cyclone, ACEX, Mercury, FLEX series |
| Package | 100-Pin PQFP (20x14 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Voltage | 3.3 V typical |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| Programming Interface | JTAG / Altera ByteBlaster / USB-Blaster |
| Configuration Interface | Serial (DCLK/DATA) or Parallel |
EPC8QC100C Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | DATA — Configuration data output to FPGA |
| Pin 2 | DCLK — Configuration clock output |
| Pin 3 | nCONFIG — Configuration control input |
| Pin 4 | nSTATUS — Status output to FPGA |
| Pin 5 | CONF_DONE — Configuration done signal |
| Pin 6 | TDI — JTAG test data in |
| Pin 7 | TMS — JTAG test mode select |
| Pin 8 | TCK — JTAG test clock |
| Pin 9 | TDO — JTAG test data out |
| Pin 10 | VCC — Power supply (3.3V) |
| Pin 11 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 12 | A0 — Address line 0 (parallel mode) |
| Pin 13 | A1 — Address line 1 (parallel mode) |
| Pin 14 | A2 — Address line 2 (parallel mode) |
| Pin 15 | A3 — Address line 3 (parallel mode) |
| Pin 16 | A4 — Address line 4 (parallel mode) |
| Pin 17 | OE — Output enable |
| Pin 18 | CE — Chip enable |
| Pin 19 | BYTE_EN — Byte enable for parallel mode |
| Pin 20 | MODE — Configuration mode select |
| Pin 21 | VCC — Power supply (3.3V) |
| Pin 22 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 23 | D0 — Data bit 0 (parallel mode) |
| Pin 24 | D1 — Data bit 1 (parallel mode) |
| Pin 25 | D2 — Data bit 2 (parallel mode) |
| Pin 26 | D3 — Data bit 3 (parallel mode) |
| Pin 27 | D4 — Data bit 4 (parallel mode) |
| Pin 28 | D5 — Data bit 5 (parallel mode) |
| Pin 29 | D6 — Data bit 6 (parallel mode) |
| Pin 30 | D7 — Data bit 7 (parallel mode) |
| Pin 31 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 32 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 33 | VCC — Power supply (3.3V) |
| Pin 34 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 35 | VPP — Programming voltage supply |
| Pin 36 | INIT — Initialization control |
| Pin 37 | RESET — Device reset |
| Pin 38 | WP — Write protect |
| Pin 39 | CS — Chip select |
| Pin 40 | RDY — Ready/busy status |
| Pin 41 | CLK_IN — External clock input |
| Pin 42 | TEST — Test mode pin (factory) |
| Pin 43 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 44 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 45 | VCC — Power supply (3.3V) |
| Pin 46 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 47 | A5 — Address line 5 (parallel mode) |
| Pin 48 | A6 — Address line 6 (parallel mode) |
| Pin 49 | A7 — Address line 7 (parallel mode) |
| Pin 50 | A8 — Address line 8 (parallel mode) |
| Pin 51 | A9 — Address line 9 (parallel mode) |
| Pin 52 | A10 — Address line 10 (parallel mode) |
| Pin 53 | A11 — Address line 11 (parallel mode) |
| Pin 54 | A12 — Address line 12 (parallel mode) |
| Pin 55 | A13 — Address line 13 (parallel mode) |
| Pin 56 | A14 — Address line 14 (parallel mode) |
| Pin 57 | VCC — Power supply (3.3V) |
| Pin 58 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 59 | A15 — Address line 15 (parallel mode) |
| Pin 60 | A16 — Address line 16 (parallel mode) |
| Pin 61 | D8 — Data bit 8 (parallel mode) |
| Pin 62 | D9 — Data bit 9 (parallel mode) |
| Pin 63 | D10 — Data bit 10 (parallel mode) |
| Pin 64 | D11 — Data bit 11 (parallel mode) |
| Pin 65 | D12 — Data bit 12 (parallel mode) |
| Pin 66 | D13 — Data bit 13 (parallel mode) |
| Pin 67 | D14 — Data bit 14 (parallel mode) |
| Pin 68 | D15 — Data bit 15 (parallel mode) |
| Pin 69 | VCC — Power supply (3.3V) |
| Pin 70 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 71 | PWD — Power-down input |
| Pin 72 | DEV_OE — Device-wide output enable |
| Pin 73 | CFG_SEL0 — Configuration mode select 0 |
| Pin 74 | CFG_SEL1 — Configuration mode select 1 |
| Pin 75 | CFG_SEL2 — Configuration mode select 2 |
| Pin 76 | STATUS_LED — Status indicator output |
| Pin 77 | ERR_FLAG — Error flag output |
| Pin 78 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 79 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 80 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 81 | VCC — Power supply (3.3V) |
| Pin 82 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 83 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 84 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 85 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 86 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 87 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 88 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 89 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 90 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 91 | VCC — Power supply (3.3V) |
| Pin 92 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 93 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 94 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 95 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 96 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 97 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 98 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 99 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 100 | NC — Not connected |
Typical Applications
EPC8QC100C is suitable for 6 applications: Single FPGA Configuration (Stratix / Cyclone), Multi-FPGA Concurrent Configuration, Industrial Control Systems, Telecom Line Cards, Military and Aerospace Avionics, Test and Measurement Equipment.
Single FPGA Configuration (Stratix / Cyclone)
The EPC8QC100C is purpose-built for loading bitstreams into single Altera FPGAs such as Stratix, Cyclone, and APEX devices via Passive Serial mode. The 8 Mbit density comfortably fits mid-range FPGA bitstreams including Stratix EP1S10 through EP1S25 and Cyclone EP1C12 through EP1C20 when bitstream compression is enabled in Quartus. Placed adjacent to the FPGA on the PCB with four critical signals (nCONFIG, nSTATUS, CONF_DONE, DCLK), the device powers up, reads its internal flash, and serially clocks the configuration data into the FPGA within milliseconds. The 100-pin PQFP provides ample I/O for addressing, JTAG, and parallel mode even in the simplest single-FPGA application, leaving room for future density scaling.
Recommended
Multi-FPGA Concurrent Configuration
The EPC8QC100C supports concurrent configuration of up to eight PS device chains, enabling parallel loading of multiple FPGAs on the same board to reduce system startup time. Each chain receives its own data stream from the EPC8QC100C, allowing an 8-FPGA system to configure in roughly the time of a single FPGA load. This is critical in telecom and networking line cards where rapid reboot after power-cycle events is mandatory for service-level agreements. The 8 Mbit density is sufficient for smaller FPGAs in the chain while larger members use their own EPC16 devices, all sharing the same 100-pin PQFP footprint and software flow.
Recommended
Industrial Control Systems
Industrial PLCs, motor controllers, and SCADA systems frequently use mid-density Altera FPGAs paired with the EPC8QC100C to enable field updates and reliable cold-start behavior. The EPC8QC100C stores the FPGA bitstream in non-volatile flash, allowing power-cycle recovery without host processor intervention. Industrial temperature variants of the device support -40C to +85C operation, suitable for factory floor and outdoor cabinet installations. The PQFP package withstands vibration typical of industrial enclosures better than BGA alternatives, and the JTAG interface permits on-site reprogramming for bug fixes without removing the board.
Recommended
Telecom Line Cards
Telecom line cards using Altera Stratix or APEX FPGAs rely on the EPC8QC100C to ensure rapid, deterministic configuration at every power-up event including brief brownouts. The PROMs low standby current and predictable power-on reset behavior meet telecom reliability requirements, while the concurrent configuration mode allows multiple FPGAs (fabric, framer, packet processor) to boot in parallel. The 100-pin PQFP package is preferred in telecom because it supports rework with conventional hot-air stations, lowering field-repair cost. Multiple bitstream images can be stored if the system uses remote firmware update via JTAG.
Recommended
Military and Aerospace Avionics
Defense and avionics systems using Altera FPGAs (particularly radiation-tolerant or military-screened variants) historically pair with the EPC8QC100C for bitstream storage. While newer programs use FPGAs with internal flash or radiation-hardened PROMs, legacy platforms continue to use the EPC8QC100C for its reliability and the maturity of the Altera configuration scheme. The PQFP package is preferred for avionics because it allows visual inspection and X-ray inspection of solder joints, important for flight-qualified assemblies. The EPC8QC100C also supports multiple configuration images, enabling fail-safe fallback bitstreams for mission-critical applications.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Equipment
Test and measurement instruments such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and protocol testers leverage Altera FPGAs paired with EPC8QC100C configuration PROMs to enable flexible factory calibration and field firmware upgrades. The 8 Mbit density accommodates bitstreams for mid-density FPGAs used in signal processing paths, while the JTAG interface allows manufacturers to load test patterns and calibration coefficients during ATE. Concurrent configuration mode is used when an instrument contains multiple FPGAs handling acquisition, triggering, and display subsystems, enabling all subsystems to come online simultaneously for fast test-start sequences.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPC8QC100C — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPC8QC100 | EPC8QC100N | EPC16QC100 | EPC16QC100N | EPC4QC100 | EPC4QC100N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 100-Pin PQFP (20x14 mm) | 100-Pin PQFP (20x14 mm) - same | 100-Pin PQFP (20x14 mm) - same | 100-Pin PQFP (20x14 mm) - same | 100-Pin PQFP (20x14 mm) - same | 100-Pin PQFP (20x14 mm) - same | 100-Pin PQFP (20x14 mm) - same |
| Brand | Altera (now Intel FPGA) | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera |
| Memory Size | 8 Mbit | 8 Mbit (identical) | 8 Mbit (identical) | 16 Mbit (+100%) | 16 Mbit (+100%) | 4 Mbit (-50%) | 4 Mbit (-50%) |
| Configuration Schemes | PS, Concurrent (8 chains), Parallel | PS, Concurrent, Parallel | PS, Concurrent, Parallel | PS, Concurrent, Parallel | PS, Concurrent, Parallel | PS, Concurrent, Parallel | PS, Concurrent, Parallel |
| Operating Voltage | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V |
| Package Pin Count | 100 pins | 100 pins - same | 100 pins - same | 100 pins - same | 100 pins - same | 100 pins - same | 100 pins - same |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount | Surface Mount | Surface Mount | Surface Mount | Surface Mount | Surface Mount | Surface Mount |
| Approximate Unit Price (qty 1) | $18.50 | $17.80 | $19.10 | $22.40 | $23.95 | $14.20 | $15.60 |
Key Differentiators
- Pin-compatible density scaling with EPC16QC100 (16 Mbit, +100%) and EPC4QC100 (4 Mbit, -50%) (vs EPC4QC100 / EPC16QC100)
- Concurrent configuration of up to 8 PS chains from a single device (vs EPC1 / EPC2 family (single chain only))
- In-system programmable via JTAG with Altera ByteBlaster / USB-Blaster (vs Older one-time-programmable PROMs)
Design Notes
Route DCLK, DATA, nCONFIG, nSTATUS, and CONF_DONE as a matched-length group between the EPC8QC100C and the target FPGA. Keep trace lengths under 50 mm where possible to avoid setup/hold violations at high DCLK rates. Place a 0.1 uF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of each VCC pin and a 10 uF bulk capacitor at the device supply entry point. Source: Altera Enhanced Configuration Devices datasheet application notes.
Estimated: JTAG chain routing should keep TDI-TDO daisy-chain stubs under 50 mm to prevent signal reflections. If programming multiple devices in a JTAG chain, place the EPC8QC100C closest to the JTAG header so the FPGA's JTAG pins remain accessible after the PROM. The JTAG signals (TDI, TMS, TCK, TDO) require 10 kohm pull-ups to VCC if not driven during normal operation.
Do not confuse the EPC8QC100C with the EPCQ128A, which uses a 16-pin SOIC package and a different configuration protocol (active serial vs passive serial). The EPC8QC100C uses the older Altera PS scheme and is only compatible with FPGAs that support PS configuration (Cyclone, Stratix, APEX, ACEX). For modern MAX 10 or Cyclone 10 GX designs, use the EPCQ-A family instead.
When using parallel configuration mode to minimize load time, ensure the address and data buses are not heavily loaded by other devices on the board. Source termination resistors (33 ohm) on the DATA outputs of the EPC8QC100C are recommended if the FPGA is more than 100 mm away or if there are intermediate connectors.
Compliance Information
RoHS, REACH, and lead-free status not confirmed in provided data; original Altera datasheet predates RoHS era. Not AEC-Q100 qualified (industrial/commercial grade only).
