EPC8QI100 - 8Mb FPGA Configuration PROM | Intel / Altera | 100-PQFP
MPN: EPC8QI100 ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $18.5 | $18.50 |
| 10 | $16.2 | $162.00 |
| 100 | $14.05 | $1,405.00 |
| 500 | $12.3 | $6,150.00 |
| 1,000 | $10.85 | $10,850.00 |
EPC8QI100 Overview
What is an FPGA configuration PROM? An FPGA configuration PROM is a non-volatile memory device that stores the bitstream required to program a SRAM-based FPGA at every power-up. Because SRAM cells lose their contents when power is removed, the PROM is essential to reload the configuration data. The configuration device sits between the FPGA and the system controller, and during board power-up it serially or in parallel streams the configuration data into the FPGA, eliminating the need for an external boot ROM or microcontroller.
Key features include hardware compliance with IEEE Std. 1532 in-system programmability (ISP), Jam STAPL support, JTAG boundary-scan test, and a dedicated nINIT_CONF pin that allows a private JTAG instruction to start FPGA configuration. Data compression increases the effective storage capacity so that the 8-Mbit raw flash can hold a larger uncompressed bitstream. The controller handles all hand-shaking with the FPGA, including CONF_DONE, nSTATUS, and nCONFIG signals, simplifying the host firmware.
The EPC8QI100 architecture separates the configuration controller and flash memory into two independent blocks, allowing parallel programming of one bank while the other bank configures the FPGA. This dual-block structure also supports remote field upgrades via JTAG without taking the system offline, making the device attractive for industrial, military, and telecom systems that demand in-field reconfigurability.
Typical applications include Altera Stratix/Stratix II FPGA boot memory, APEX 20K and APEX II configuration, ACEX 1K and FLEX 10K designs, military/aerospace reconfigurable computing platforms, and industrial control boards that require JTAG-based in-system updates. The PQFP-100 footprint is mechanically robust and is suitable for through-hole-style socketed assemblies as well as surface-mount production.
When designing with this device, follow the datasheet recommendations for the oscillator loop (typically a 66.7 MHz reference), the nINIT_CONF pull-up, and decoupling on all VCC pins. Because Altera configuration PROMs are mature legacy parts, lead time and EOL planning should be reviewed before new designs are released.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives within the EPCx family, and design considerations that are not bundled on the manufacturer datasheet front page.
Drop-in alternatives for EPC8QI100 — 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 EPC8QI100 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Memory Size, Operating Temperature, Configuration Interface, Memory Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPC16QI100
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$15.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC4QI100
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$19.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC4QI100N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC16QI100N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC18QI100
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC160I100
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$15.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC8QI100 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Memory Type | Flash (NOR, Enhanced Configuration PROM) |
| Memory Size | 8 Mbit |
| Supply Voltage (Core) | 3.3 V |
| Supply Voltage (I/O) | 3.3 V |
| Interface | Altera FPGA configuration serial/parallel (FPP) + JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) |
| In-System Programmability | IEEE Std. 1532 compliant |
| Programming Language | Jam STAPL |
| Boundary Scan | JTAG boundary-scan test supported |
| Data Compression | Yes (increases effective capacity) |
| Configuration Controller | On-chip, dedicated to Altera FPGAs |
| Initiate-Configuration Pin | nINIT_CONF (private JTAG instruction) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| Package | 100-PQFP (20 x 14 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Compatible FPGAs | Stratix, Stratix II, APEX II, APEX 20K, Mercury, ACEX 1K, FLEX 10K, Cyclone, Cyclone II, Arria GX, Stratix GX, Stratix II GX |
| RoHS Status | Non-compliant (legacy PQFP, lead-bearing) |
EPC8QI100 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | DATA0 — Configuration data output bit 0 (to FPGA DATA0) |
| Pin 2 | DATA1 — Configuration data output bit 1 |
| Pin 3 | DATA2 — Configuration data output bit 2 |
| Pin 4 | DATA3 — Configuration data output bit 3 |
| Pin 5 | DATA4 — Configuration data output bit 4 |
| Pin 6 | DATA5 — Configuration data output bit 5 |
| Pin 7 | DATA6 — Configuration data output bit 6 |
| Pin 8 | DATA7 — Configuration data output bit 7 |
| Pin 9 | DCLK — Configuration clock output to FPGA |
| Pin 10 | nCONFIG — Configuration control (input from system) |
| Pin 11 | nSTATUS — Status hand-shake to FPGA |
| Pin 12 | CONF_DONE — Configuration complete indicator |
| Pin 13 | nINIT_CONF — Private JTAG instruction trigger to start configuration |
| Pin 14 | nCE — Chip enable (active low, daisy-chain) |
| Pin 15 | nCASC — Cascade output to next daisy-chain device |
| Pin 16 | TDI — JTAG Test Data In |
| Pin 17 | TDO — JTAG Test Data Out |
| Pin 18 | TMS — JTAG Test Mode Select |
| Pin 19 | TCK — JTAG Test Clock |
| Pin 20 | VCC — 3.3 V supply (core and I/O) |
| Pin 21 | GND — Ground |
Typical Applications
EPC8QI100 is suitable for 6 applications: Altera Stratix FPGA Boot Memory, APEX 20K / APEX II Configuration, ACEX 1K and FLEX 10K Boot, In-System Reconfigurable Industrial Control, Telecom Line Card Bitstream Storage, Military / Aerospace Reconfigurable Computing.
Altera Stratix FPGA Boot Memory
The EPC8QI100 stores the configuration bitstream for Stratix EP1S10/EP1S25/EP1S40 FPGAs and re-loads it on every power-up because Stratix SRAM cells are volatile. With 8 Mbit of flash and hardware compression that typically delivers 2x effective capacity, it fits mid-density Stratix designs including EP1S25. Placed between the 3.3 V rail and the FPGA's DATA/DCLK/nCONFIG pins, the part handshakes CONF_DONE autonomously and eliminates the need for an external boot microcontroller or parallel flash.
Recommended
APEX 20K / APEX II Configuration
The EPC8QI100 configures APEX 20K (EP20K) and APEX II (EP2A) families directly through the Altera dedicated configuration port. Its 66.7 MHz internal oscillator drives the configuration controller, which serializes the bitstream into the APEX device at the maximum supported DCLK rate. For APEX II EP2A15/EP2A25 designs that fit within 8 Mbit after compression, the EPC8QI100 is the smallest-cost PROM in the family and matches the legacy 100-PQFP footprint used on APEX reference boards.
Recommended
ACEX 1K and FLEX 10K Boot
The EPC8QI100 configures ACEX 1K (EP1K) and FLEX 10K (EPF10K) FPGAs with a single-device solution, replacing older EPC1 and EPC2 PROMs. Its JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) port allows board-level testing of the entire configuration chain - the EPC8QI100, the FPGA, and any downstream devices. This is especially useful in production test fixtures where boundary-scan coverage shortens test time and detects solder defects on BGA FPGAs that are otherwise inaccessible.
Recommended
In-System Reconfigurable Industrial Control
The EPC8QI100's IEEE Std. 1532 ISP and Jam STAPL support enable remote firmware upgrades over JTAG, which is critical for industrial controllers mounted inside sealed enclosures. The nINIT_CONF pin triggers a private JTAG instruction that forces reconfiguration of the attached FPGA without cycling board power, allowing logic changes in the field. Industrial -40C to +85C operation covers outdoor and factory-floor environments where temperature swings are routine.
Recommended
Telecom Line Card Bitstream Storage
Telecom line cards use SRAM-based FPGAs for protocol bridging, and the EPC8QI100 stores the boot image plus one golden backup image. The on-chip configuration controller streams the active image to the FPGA at power-up, and the JTAG port lets a central management CPU reprogram the PROM when a new firmware revision is pushed from the network operations center. The 100-PQFP package is mechanically rugged for through-hole-style sockets used in legacy telecom hardware.
Recommended
Military / Aerospace Reconfigurable Computing
The EPC8QI100's industrial -40C to +85C range, mature silicon, and JTAG-driven field upgrade path make it attractive for military and aerospace platforms that need in-flight or in-the-field bitstream updates. Designers value the dual-block flash architecture that allows one bank to be reprogrammed while the other configures the FPGA, enabling mission-critical redundancy. The PQFP-100 footprint is also compatible with socketed assemblies that simplify board rework in MRO (maintenance, repair, overhaul) environments.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPC8QI100 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPC16QI100 | EPC4QI100 | EPC4QI100N | EPC16QI100N | EPC18QI100 | EPC160I100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Intel / Altera | Intel / Altera | Intel / Altera | Intel / Altera | Intel / Altera | Intel / Altera | Intel / Altera |
| Package | 100-PQFP (20x14 mm) | 100-PQFP - same | 100-PQFP - same | 100-PQFP - same | 100-PQFP - same | 100-PQFP - same | 100-PQFP - same |
| Flash Memory Size | 8 Mbit | 16 Mbit | 4 Mbit | 4 Mbit | 16 Mbit | 18 Mbit | 16 Mbit |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V |
| In-System Programmability | IEEE 1532 / Jam STAPL | IEEE 1532 / Jam STAPL | IEEE 1532 / Jam STAPL | IEEE 1532 / Jam STAPL | IEEE 1532 / Jam STAPL | IEEE 1532 / Jam STAPL | IEEE 1532 / Jam STAPL |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| RoHS Status | Non-compliant | Non-compliant | Non-compliant | Compliant (lead-free) | Compliant (lead-free) | Non-compliant | Non-compliant |
| JTAG Boundary Scan | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- Twice the flash capacity with identical footprint (vs EPC4QI100)
- Mature dual-block flash architecture (vs EPC16QI100)
- Industrial temperature range with mature JTAG/ISP (vs EPC4QI100N)
Design Notes
The EPC8QI100 requires a clean 3.3 V supply on every VCC pin with a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor placed within 3 mm of each VCC pin. A bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic capacitor near the package handles inrush during FPGA configuration. According to the datasheet, the part draws higher current during read/program cycles; verify the 3.3 V rail can supply at least 50 mA peak during JTAG programming.
Route the DATA[0..7] and DCLK traces as a matched-length bus to the FPGA configuration port. Keep trace lengths under 50 mm to avoid signal-integrity issues at the maximum DCLK frequency. The nCONFIG, nSTATUS, and CONF_DONE signals should be pulled up to VCC with 4.7 kohm resistors per the Altera reference schematic, and the JTAG chain (TCK/TMS/TDI/TDO) must be daisy-chained through both the EPC8QI100 and the FPGA for boundary-scan to function correctly.
Do NOT attempt to migrate from EPC8QI100 to EPCQ16/EPCQ32 without redesigning the PCB - the EPCQ family uses different packages (e.g., SOIC-16, 256-ball BGA) and requires additional supply rails (1.8 V core, 3.3 V I/O). True drop-in alternatives within the EPCx family are limited to EPC4QI100, EPC16QI100, and their N (lead-free) variants. Also note that the EPC8QI100 in the original PQFP-100 package is NOT RoHS compliant; if RoHS is mandatory, choose EPC4QI100N or EPC16QI100N instead.
Compliance Information
EPC8QI100 in the original PQFP-100 package is not lead-free and is therefore not RoHS compliant. Lead-free drop-in variants are available as EPC4QI100N, EPC16QI100N (also 100-PQFP). AEC-Q100 not applicable (this is a configuration memory, not an automotive-grade IC).
