EPC8QC100T - 8Mb Enhanced Configuration PROM, 100-PQFP | Intel (Altera)
MPN: EPC8QC100T ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $18.5 | $18.50 |
| 10 | $16.8 | $168.00 |
| 100 | $14.9 | $1,490.00 |
| 500 | $13.4 | $6,700.00 |
| 1,000 | $12.1 | $12,100.00 |
EPC8QC100T Overview
What is an enhanced configuration device? It is a non-volatile flash memory with a built-in configuration controller that automatically loads the bitstream into a companion FPGA at power-up, replacing older discrete EPROM plus microcontroller solutions. The EPC8 family sits in the Altera configuration-PROM hierarchy alongside EPC4 (4 Mbit) and EPC16 (16 Mbit), forming a scalable storage tier for FPGA configuration.
Key features of the EPC8QC100T include data compression that increases effective storage density, fast parallel configuration with a dedicated controller, and built-in JTAG support for in-system programming and verification. The device operates from a single 3.3 V supply and supports cascadable configuration for multi-device FPGA chains.
The architecture combines a flash memory array, a configuration controller, JTAG interface logic, and an FPGA configuration interface. The controller reads bitstream data from flash on FPGA nCONFIG assertion and serializes it onto the FPGA configuration bus using Altera's proprietary protocol, eliminating the need for external CPLD or microcontroller glue logic.
Typical applications include booting Altera Stratix, APEX 20K, ACEX 1K, and FLEX 10K FPGAs in telecommunications infrastructure, industrial control systems, test and measurement equipment, and prototyping boards. The 'T' suffix denotes Tape and Reel packaging for high-volume SMT assembly.
When designing with the EPC8QC100T, route the FPGA configuration bus (DCLK, DATA0, nCONFIG, nSTATUS, CONF_DONE) with controlled impedance and length matching to the target FPGA. Connect nINIT_CONF only when required and ensure nCE/nCS cascade logic is correct for multi-PROM chains.
This page synthesizes distributor availability, drop-in alternatives, and design notes that complement the manufacturer datasheet with engineering decision support not present on stock pages.
Drop-in alternatives for EPC8QC100T — 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 EPC8QC100T (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Memory Type, Operating Temperature, Memory Size, 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 →EPC8QC100C
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC8QC100DM
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$17.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC16QC100T
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$17.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC16QC100N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$24.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC8QC100T Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Memory Type | Flash configuration PROM |
| Memory Size | 8 Mbit |
| Configuration Interface | Altera FPGA proprietary parallel |
| Programming Interface | IEEE 1149.1 (JTAG) in-system programmable |
| Data Compression | Yes (increases effective density) |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V |
| Supported FPGAs | Stratix, APEX II, APEX 20K, Mercury, ACEX 1K, FLEX 10K |
| Package | PQFP-100 (20x14 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Cascade Support | Yes (multi-device chains) |
EPC8QC100T pqfp-100 (20x14 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EPC8QC100T (pqfp-100 (20x14 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 EPC8QC100T.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EPC8QC100T is suitable for 8 applications: Altera Stratix FPGA Boot Configuration, APEX 20K / APEX II FPGA Configuration, ACEX 1K and FLEX 10K Series FPGA Boot, Telecommunications Infrastructure Equipment, Industrial Control and Factory Automation, Test and Measurement Instrumentation, Aerospace and Defense Legacy Systems, FPGA Development Boards and Prototyping.
Altera Stratix FPGA Boot Configuration
The EPC8QC100T stores the Stratix FPGA bitstream in 8 Mbit of onboard flash and serially streams it to the Stratix device at power-up via DCLK and DATA0, replacing legacy EPROM-plus-microcontroller solutions. With built-in compression, the effective bitstream capacity is roughly 16 Mbit typical, sufficient for many Stratix EP1S10/S25 designs. The 3.3 V single-supply rail matches Stratix I/O, eliminating level-shifters. The JTAG interface enables production-line programming and field updates without removing the board from service.
Recommended
APEX 20K / APEX II FPGA Configuration
The EPC8QC100T is the canonical configuration PROM for Altera APEX 20K and APEX II families, providing up to 8 Mbit of raw bitstream storage that supports most APEX designs including EP20K200E, EP20K400E, and APEX II EP2A15/EP2A25 devices. Compression typically doubles effective density, so a single EPC8 handles APEX 20K designs that would otherwise need an external configuration controller. The dedicated configuration controller offloads the host CPU entirely, freeing the application processor to begin work after nCONFIG assertion.
Recommended
ACEX 1K and FLEX 10K Series FPGA Boot
Smaller ACEX 1K and FLEX 10K devices such as EP1K10, EP1K30, EPF10K30E, and EPF10K50 typically fit within the EPC8QC100T's 8 Mbit raw capacity, especially with compression enabled. The single 3.3 V supply matches the I/O rails of these legacy FPGAs, simplifying board design. The 100-pin PQFP footprint is large enough to lay out manually on 4-layer boards, making this combination well-suited to legacy industrial control and telecom designs that still require Altera MAX+Plus II or Quartus bitstreams.
Recommended
Telecommunications Infrastructure Equipment
The EPC8QC100T is widely deployed in mid-2000s telecom line cards, base-station controllers, and DSLAM backplanes where Altera APEX 20K and ACEX 1K FPGAs perform protocol bridging, TDM switching, or forward-error correction. The PROM's industrial temperature tolerance and surface-mount PQFP-100 package suit thermally constrained rack-mount designs. JTAG in-system programming enables remote firmware upgrades via boundary-scan access on assembled boards, critical for telecom service continuity.
Recommended
Industrial Control and Factory Automation
Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), motor drives, and human-machine interface (HMI) panels frequently pair Altera ACEX 1K or FLEX 10K FPGAs with the EPC8QC100T for deterministic boot behavior. The PROM's cascade support enables multi-FPGA configurations on a single backplane, where several FPGAs share a daisy-chained PROM chain. Compression increases effective bitstream density so a single EPC8 can serve designs that would otherwise require a larger and more expensive EPC16.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Instrumentation
Logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, and protocol analyzers built on Altera FPGAs benefit from the EPC8QC100T's fast parallel configuration that minimizes boot delay at instrument power-up. The flash-based storage allows end customers to load custom bitstreams via JTAG to repurpose the instrument, a common workflow in field-deployed test equipment. The PQFP-100 package is easily hand-solderable for prototype builds, while Tape and Reel packaging supports high-volume manufacturing of production test gear.
Recommended
Aerospace and Defense Legacy Systems
Defense programs that standardized on Altera APEX 20K and ACEX 1K FPGAs in the 2000s continue to use the EPC8QC100T for configuration storage in radar, avionics, and electronic-warfare subsystems. The flash-based non-volatile storage avoids the radiation sensitivity of SRAM-based FPGAs during power-down, simplifying data-integrity requirements. Some part variants (e.g. EPC8QC100DM with dry-pack packaging) are specified for harsh-environment programs requiring extended qualification.
Recommended
FPGA Development Boards and Prototyping
Academic and R&D FPGA development boards frequently pair Altera ACEX 1K, FLEX 10K, and APEX 20K devices with the EPC8QC100T to provide reproducible boot behavior independent of host configuration. The PROM's standard PQFP-100 footprint is easy to integrate on 4-layer prototype boards, and JTAG programming allows students and engineers to iterate on bitstreams without swapping chips. Multi-FPGA cascade support enables experiments with daisy-chained configuration on training hardware.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPC8QC100T — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPC8QC100 | EPC8QC100N | EPC8QC100C | EPC8QC100DM | EPC16QC100T | EPC16QC100N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) |
| Package | PQFP-100 (20x14 mm) | PQFP-100 (20x14 mm) - same | PQFP-100 (20x14 mm) - same | PQFP-100 (20x14 mm) - same | PQFP-100 (20x14 mm) - same | PQFP-100 (20x14 mm) - same | PQFP-100 (20x14 mm) - same |
| Memory Size | 8 Mbit | 8 Mbit | 8 Mbit | 8 Mbit | 8 Mbit | 16 Mbit (+100%) | 16 Mbit (+100%) |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V |
| Programming Interface | JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) | JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) | JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) | JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) | JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) | JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) | JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) |
| Supported FPGAs | Stratix, APEX II, APEX 20K, Mercury, ACEX 1K, FLEX 10K | Same family support | Same family support | Same family support | Same family support | Same family support | Same family support |
| Cascade Support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Data Compression | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Packaging Variant | Tape & Reel | Tray | Tray, Pb-free | Commercial temp, Tray | Dry-pack, Tray | Tape & Reel | Tray, Pb-free |
Key Differentiators
- Tape and Reel packaging for SMT assembly (vs EPC8QC100)
- 8 Mbit capacity with built-in compression (vs EPC4QC100T)
- Backward-compatible upgrade path to higher density (vs EPC16QC100T)
Design Notes
Route the FPGA configuration bus (DCLK, DATA0, nCONFIG, nSTATUS, CONF_DONE) between the EPC8QC100T and the target FPGA with controlled impedance and matched trace lengths. According to the manufacturer datasheet, a 50-ohm characteristic impedance on these signals reduces reflections and prevents configuration failures. Keep the nCE/nCS cascade signals away from switching power-supply nodes to avoid spurious chip-selection glitches at boot.
Place a 0.1 microfarad decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the EPC8QC100T VCC pin, with a 10 microfarad bulk capacitor near the device. The PROM draws configuration current only during FPGA boot, so transient response on the 3.3 V rail matters. Adding a ferrite bead in series with the 3.3 V supply reduces noise coupling from adjacent switching regulators that could disrupt the configuration controller.
Do not connect nINIT_CONF unless multi-device cascade mode is required - tying it high via a pull-up resistor is the default safe configuration. Ensure the FPGA nSTATUS line can pull the PROM's OE/control inputs correctly; incorrect pull-up values can cause intermittent configuration failures at cold-boot. When migrating designs to EPC16QC100T, verify that the larger 16-Mbit image does not exceed the FPGA's maximum bitstream length specification.
Estimated: the PQFP-100 package with 0.65 mm pitch requires careful fanout - typical 4-layer stackup with 4-mil traces and 8-mil spaces allows escape routing on a single inner layer. Per the manufacturer datasheet, copper-pour thermal relief around the PQFP body improves solder joint reliability during reflow. Maintain at least 0.5 mm clearance between PROM pins and adjacent switching-converter nodes to minimize radiated noise coupling into the JTAG boundary-scan logic.
Compliance Information
Compliance data not explicitly stated in the verified sources. Request latest RoHS/REACH declaration from Intel/Altera distributor FAE before production. AEC-Q100 not applicable - this is a logic/FPGA-configuration device, not an automotive analog IC.
