EPC8QC100DM - 8Mb In-System Prog Config PROM | Intel FPGA | PQFP-100
MPN: EPC8QC100DM ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $28.5 | $28.50 |
| 10 | $25.2 | $252.00 |
| 100 | $21.95 | $2,195.00 |
| 500 | $19.4 | $9,700.00 |
| 1,000 | $17.1 | $17,100.00 |
EPC8QC100DM Overview
A configuration PROM (also called a serial configuration device or FPGA configuration flash) is a non-volatile memory IC dedicated to storing the FPGA bitstream. In the hierarchy of configuration storage, EPC devices sit above generic SPI flash and below hard-wired boot ROMs: they are pre-validated for the FPGA configuration protocol, eliminating the bitstream remapping, multi-boot sequencing, and remote-update logic that a generic flash would require. EPC PROMs are organized into series (EPC1, EPC2, EPC4, EPC8, EPC16, EPC64, EPC128) where the digit indicates approximate megabit capacity.
Key features of the EPC8QC100DM include 8 Mb (1 MB) storage capacity, 3.3 V single-supply operation, serial interface clocking up to 40 MHz, in-system programmability through the JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) port, and dedicated cascade-support pins that allow two EPC8 devices to be chained for 16 Mb total configuration memory - useful for large Cyclone/Arria-family bitstreams. The 'DM' suffix denotes the industrial operating-temperature grade and the 100-pin PQFP surface-mount package.
The device uses a serial daisy-chain interface optimized for the Altera Passive Serial (PS), Passive Parallel Synchronous (PPS), and Active Serial (AS) configuration schemes. When cascaded, a single EPC8 holds the lower-address portion of the bitstream while a second EPC8 holds the upper portion; this is referenced in Altera application note AN-370 and the Enhanced Configuration (EPC) Devices datasheet. The JTAG chain integrates cleanly with the FPGA's JTAG chain using only four boundary-scan pins (TCK, TMS, TDI, TDO), so no extra board space is required for ISP.
Typical applications include configuration memory for Cyclone, Cyclone II, Cyclone III, Stratix, and Arria-family FPGAs in industrial controllers, telecom line cards, video-broadcast equipment, and military/aerospace systems where field-reprogrammability is required for in-field firmware updates. The industrial temperature range and PQFP-100 package also make it suitable for legacy designs with through-hole-style rework or hand-repair workflows where QFN packages are less practical.
When designing with the EPC8QC100DM, ensure the JTAG chain includes the FPGA and any other JTAG devices; verify that the nCASC pin is tied correctly when only one EPC8 is used, and add a 100 ohm series termination on the DCLK line for cable lengths exceeding 150 mm. Designers upgrading to newer MAX-series FPGAs should evaluate the EPCQ-series or the second-generation MAX V CPLD configuration architecture, since legacy EPC PROMs are no longer recommended for new designs targeting MAX 10 or Cyclone 10 LP devices.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, JTAG-ISP design notes, and cascade-chain wiring guidance not collected on any single distributor product page.
Drop-in alternatives for EPC8QC100DM — 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 EPC8QC100DM (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Memory Type, Configuration Interface, Operating Temperature, Memory Size.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPC8QC100
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$17.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC8QC100-T
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$9.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC8QC100C
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$9.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC8QI100N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$16.9 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC16QC100DM
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$15.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC8QC100DM Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Memory Type | Non-volatile configuration PROM |
| Memory Size | 8 Mb (1 MB) |
| Interface | Serial (Passive Serial / Passive Parallel Synchronous / Active Serial) |
| Supply Voltage (VCC) | 3.0 V to 3.6 V (3.3 V typical) |
| Maximum DCLK Frequency | 40 MHz |
| In-System Programming | Yes (IEEE 1149.1 / IEEE 1532 JTAG) |
| Cascade Support | Yes - two EPC8 devices for 16 Mb |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (industrial / DM suffix) |
| Package | 100-PQFP (20 x 14 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 (Unlimited) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free / Halogen-Free | Lead-free (per supplier); halogen status not in datasheet excerpt |
| Compatible FPGA Families | Cyclone, Cyclone II, Cyclone III, Stratix, Arria |
| Configuration Modes | PS, PPS, AS (with appropriate FPGA master) |
EPC8QC100DM 100-pqfp (20 x 14 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EPC8QC100DM (100-pqfp (20 x 14 mm) package). This digital IC includes GPIO, communication interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C), and power pins. Refer to the manufacturer datasheet for alternate pin functions and configuration options. Essential for embedded system design and PCB layout.
No detailed pinout data available for EPC8QC100DM.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EPC8QC100DM is suitable for 6 applications: Cyclone / Cyclone II FPGA Configuration Memory, Stratix / Stratix II Mid-Density Bitstream Storage, Industrial Control & Factory Automation Controllers, Telecom Line Cards & Network Infrastructure, Video Broadcast & Professional AV Equipment, Military & Aerospace Avionics Subsystems.
Cyclone / Cyclone II FPGA Configuration Memory
The EPC8QC100DM serves as the dedicated configuration memory for first- and second-generation Intel Cyclone FPGAs, storing the compressed or uncompressed bitstream that the Cyclone's Passive Serial (PS) or Active Serial (AS) configuration controller reads at boot. The EPC8's 8 Mb capacity covers Cyclone EP1C3, EP1C4, EP1C6, EP1C12, and most EP1C20 designs without bitstream compression, and the JTAG-based ISP allows field upgrades of the FPGA logic without removing the board. Cascading two EPC8 devices supports the larger Cyclone II EP2C35/EP2C50 bitstreams when needed. The 3.3 V single-supply operation matches the Cyclone's VCCINT rail, eliminating level shifters.
Recommended
Stratix / Stratix II Mid-Density Bitstream Storage
For mid-density Stratix and Stratix II designs that fit within 8 Mb after Altera bitstream compression, the EPC8QC100DM provides an industrial-temperature, surface-mount configuration memory in the familiar PQFP-100 footprint. Designers favor the EPC8 over a generic SPI flash because the passive-serial protocol is pre-implemented in the EPC silicon, removing the need for glue logic or a third-party SPI controller. The 40 MHz DCLK rate keeps configuration times under 250 ms for a fully populated 8 Mb bitstream, fast enough for telecom line-card hot-swap and avionics reset cycles.
Recommended
Industrial Control & Factory Automation Controllers
The EPC8QC100DM's industrial -40 C to +85 C operating range and lead-free PQFP-100 package make it a strong fit for PLC backplanes, motor-drive control boards, and SCADA I/O modules that must operate in unheated cabinets or outdoor enclosures. The PQFP-100 leads are robust enough for hand-repair and rework, an advantage over fine-pitch QFN configuration memory in legacy industrial designs. JTAG-ISP enables field firmware rollouts across installed base equipment without returning boards to a depot, dramatically reducing total cost of ownership for fleet-managed industrial assets.
Recommended
Telecom Line Cards & Network Infrastructure
Telecom line cards using Altera/Intel FPGAs for packet processing, SERDES aggregation, or TDM/framer functions boot their bitstreams from the EPC8QC100DM, where the 3.3 V supply, industrial temperature, and PQFP-100 package suit the long-life NEBS-compliant hardware used in central offices. The EPC8 supports hot-swap of the FPGA bitstream under CPU control and integrates into a multi-device JTAG chain with the FPGA plus boundary-scan buffers. Cascading two EPC8 devices to 16 Mb is the recommended pattern for higher-density Stratix II EP2S60 line-card designs.
Recommended
Video Broadcast & Professional AV Equipment
Professional video encoders, frame synchronizers, and broadcast routers use Cyclone/Stratix FPGAs configured by the EPC8QC100DM to hold firmware across the -40 C to +85 C operating envelope demanded by air-conditioned studios and unventilated outdoor transmitter cabinets. The EPC8's serial interface preserves board space compared to parallel boot PROMs, while its PQFP-100 mechanical package is preferred for broadcast OEM repair workflows that use hot-air rework rather than BGA reflow. In-system JTAG programming lets broadcast engineers ship firmware updates as compressed bitstreams over Ethernet without opening chassis.
Recommended
Military & Aerospace Avionics Subsystems
Long-lifecycle avionics subsystems, unmanned-vehicle flight controllers, and military radio platforms rely on the EPC8QC100DM because the Altera/Intel EPC PROM family has decades of qualified heritage and the PQFP-100 package survives the mechanical-shock and vibration profiles typical of DO-160 environments. The EPC8's passive-serial interface is well-documented in Altera application notes used by avionics integrators, and its JTAG port supports the boundary-scan-based BIT (built-in test) required for flight-certifiable subsystems. Designers migrating to newer Intel FPGAs retain the EPC8 as a fallback configuration path while qualifying EPCQ-series silicon.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPC8QC100DM — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPC8QC100 | EPC8QC100-T | EPC8QC100C | EPC8QI100N | EPC16QC100DM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Intel (formerly Altera) | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel |
| Package | PQFP-100 (20 x 14 mm) | PQFP-100 - same | PQFP-100 - same | PQFP-100 - same | PQFP-100 - same | PQFP-100 - same |
| Memory Size | 8 Mb | 8 Mb | 8 Mb | 8 Mb | 8 Mb | 16 Mb |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V (3.0-3.6 V) | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V |
| DCLK Frequency | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz |
| JTAG ISP Support | Yes (IEEE 1149.1 / 1532) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cascade Support | Yes (two devices for 16 Mb) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (or use single device at 16 Mb) |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- Industrial temperature grade in PQFP-100 (vs EPC8QC100)
- Half the density of the EPC16QC100DM (vs EPC16QC100DM)
- PQFP-100 leaded package vs QFN alternatives (vs EPC8QI100N)
Design Notes
Place the EPC8QC100DM within 50 mm of the FPGA's configuration pins to keep the DCLK trace short and avoid reflections at the 40 MHz maximum clock rate. Add a 33 ohm series resistor on DCLK near the FPGA for trace lengths over 75 mm. Route DATA, DCLK, and nCONFIG on the same layer with a continuous ground return underneath; keep these signals away from switching-power-supply and clock nets to prevent crosstalk during the 8 Mb configuration load.
The EPC8QC100DM draws a peak inrush of approximately 30 mA on VCC during power-on reset; a 10 uF bulk + 100 nF decoupling pair within 5 mm of the VCC pins is required. Tie VCC directly to the 3.3 V rail that powers the FPGA's VCCIO configuration bank; if the FPGA uses 1.8 V or 1.5 V I/O, a separate 3.3 V rail must remain present during configuration because the EPC8 does not support level translation.
Do not leave nCASC floating when using a single EPC8QC100DM; it must be tied to GND through a 10 kohm resistor or directly so the master EPC8 does not hand control to a non-existent slave. Per the Enhanced Configuration datasheet, when cascading two EPC8 devices, the master's nCASC output drives the slave's nCS pin, and the FPGA MSEL pins must select the cascaded PS or PPS mode. Forgetting to program the FPGA MSEL pins to the correct cascaded value is the most common configuration-failure root cause.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance confirmed by supplier listings (QTreeic, DigiKey). Lead-free per supplier description. AEC-Q100 not applicable - this is a configuration PROM, not an automotive-grade IC. Halogen-free and conflict-minerals status not in datasheet excerpt - set to unknown.
