EPC8QI100N - 8Mb In-System Programmable Config PROM | Altera | FPGA
MPN: EPC8QI100N ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $28.5 | $28.50 |
| 10 | $25.2 | $252.00 |
| 100 | $21.4 | $2,140.00 |
| 500 | $18.85 | $9,425.00 |
| 1,000 | $16.9 | $16,900.00 |
EPC8QI100N Overview
A configuration PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory) is a specialized non-volatile memory IC that holds the FPGA's bitstream so that an SRAM-based FPGA can be configured on every power-up. Configuration PROMs sit in the broader hierarchy of non-volatile memory -> serial flash -> FPGA configuration memory, and they replace the older EPROM/byte-wide configuration scheme with a compact serial interface. Altera's EPC family specifically targets the configuration channel of SRAM-based FPGAs such as Cyclone, Cyclone II, Stratix, Stratix II, APEX 20K, APEX II, ACEX 1K, FLEX 10K, FLEX 6000, Mercury, Arria GX, and the Stratix GX series, providing dedicated multi-device daisy-chaining and on-chip decompression support.
Key features of the EPC8QI100N include 8,388,608 bits (8 Mbit) of Flash storage organized as a serial configuration stream, in-system programmability via the IEEE 1149.1 JTAG interface, on-chip decompression engine that reduces the bitstream storage footprint by approximately 35 %, dedicated nSTATUS / CONF_DONE / nCONFIG hand-shaking pins for Altera FPGAs, and support for cascading multiple EPC devices to configure larger FPGAs that exceed a single 8 Mbit density window. Industrial temperature grade and lead-free / RoHS-compliant packaging make it suitable for embedded and industrial designs.
The EPC8QI100N communicates over a four-wire Altera serial configuration interface (DATA, DCLK, nCS, nINIT_CONF) that is native to the supported FPGA families, eliminating glue logic. The on-chip decompression uses the Altera-specific compression algorithm, allowing the user to store a compressed bitstream and reconstruct it on the fly during configuration. The 50 MHz maximum DCLK allows fast configuration of high-density FPGAs, while the JTAG-based ISP lets designers re-program the configuration stream on assembled boards without removing the device.
Typical applications include stand-alone configuration storage for Cyclone and Cyclone II FPGAs in industrial control boards, multi-PROM daisy-chains for high-density Stratix / Stratix II designs, in-system field-upgradable bitstream storage, low-volume production configurations where on-board reprogrammability is needed, and legacy Altera FPGA designs that require a single-chip serial boot source rather than a parallel flash. The device is pin-compatible with the EPC16QI100N family for designs that may grow in bitstream size.
When designing with the EPC8QI100N, ensure the JTAG chain order is correct when sharing the bus with the FPGA, and place a 0.1 µF decoupling capacitor close to the VCC pin with a 10 µF bulk capacitor on the supply rail. The EPC8 supports up to 33 MHz configuration from a 33 MHz oscillator; for 50 MHz operation, verify the FPGA's supported configuration clock frequency before selecting this part.
Drop-in alternatives for EPC8QI100N — 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 EPC8QI100N (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Memory Type, Operating Temperature, Memory Size, Package, Compatible FPGA Families.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPC8QI100
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC8QC100N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC8QC100
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$17.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC16QI100N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC4QI100N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC8QI100N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | Altera (Intel) |
| Part Family | EPC8 (Enhanced Configuration) |
| Device Type | Configuration PROM for SRAM-based FPGAs |
| Memory Size | 8 Mbit (8,388,608 bits) |
| Programmable Type | In System Programmable (Flash) |
| Configuration Interface | Altera serial (4-wire: DATA, DCLK, nCS, nINIT_CONF) |
| Maximum Configuration Clock | 50 MHz |
| On-Chip Decompression | Yes (Altera compression algorithm) |
| Supply Voltage (VCC) | 3.0 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) |
| Package | 100-PQFP / 100-BQFP (20 x 14 mm) |
| Pin Count | 100 |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Lead-Free / RoHS | Yes (per distributor listings) |
| JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) ISP | Supported |
| Multi-Device Daisy-Chain | Supported |
| Target FPGA Families | ACEX 1K, APEX 20K, APEX II, Arria GX, Cyclone, Cyclone II, FLEX 10K, FLEX 6000, Mercury, Stratix, Stratix GX, Stratix II, Stratix II GX |
| Packaging | Tray |
EPC8QI100N Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | DATA — Serial configuration data output to FPGA |
| Pin 2 | DCLK — Configuration clock input from FPGA |
| Pin 3 | nCS — Chip select (active low) from FPGA |
| Pin 4 | nINIT_CONF — Initiate configuration / daisy-chain enable |
| Pin 5 | nSTATUS — Status output to FPGA |
| Pin 6 | CONF_DONE — Configuration done status output |
| Pin 7 | TDI — JTAG test data in |
| Pin 8 | TDO — JTAG test data out |
| Pin 9 | TMS — JTAG test mode select |
| Pin 10 | TCK — JTAG test clock |
| Pin 11 | VCC — Supply voltage (3.0 - 3.6 V) |
| Pin 12 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 13 | nCONFIG — Configuration control from system |
| Pin 14 | OE — Output enable for DATA driver |
| Pin 15 | VCC — Supply voltage (3.0 - 3.6 V) |
| Pin 16 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 17 | A1 — Address / mode select line 1 (device ID for daisy chain) |
| Pin 18 | A2 — Address / mode select line 2 (device ID for daisy chain) |
| Pin 19 | A3 — Address / mode select line 3 (device ID for daisy chain) |
| Pin 20 | A4 — Address / mode select line 4 (device ID for daisy chain) |
| Pin 21 | VCC — Supply voltage (3.0 - 3.6 V) |
| Pin 22 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 23 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 24 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 25 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 26 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 27 | VCC — Supply voltage (3.0 - 3.6 V) |
| Pin 28 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 29 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 30 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 31 | VCC — Supply voltage (3.0 - 3.6 V) |
| Pin 32 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 33 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 34 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 35 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 36 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 37 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 38 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 39 | VCC — Supply voltage (3.0 - 3.6 V) |
| Pin 40 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 41 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 42 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 43 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 44 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 45 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 46 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 47 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 48 | VCC — Supply voltage (3.0 - 3.6 V) |
| Pin 49 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 50 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 51 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 52 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 53 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 54 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 55 | VCC — Supply voltage (3.0 - 3.6 V) |
| Pin 56 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 57 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 58 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 59 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 60 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 61 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 62 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 63 | VCC — Supply voltage (3.0 - 3.6 V) |
| Pin 64 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 65 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 66 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 67 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 68 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 69 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 70 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 71 | VCC — Supply voltage (3.0 - 3.6 V) |
| Pin 72 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 73 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 74 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 75 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 76 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 77 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 78 | VCC — Supply voltage (3.0 - 3.6 V) |
| Pin 79 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 80 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 81 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 82 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 83 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 84 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 85 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 86 | VCC — Supply voltage (3.0 - 3.6 V) |
| Pin 87 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 88 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 89 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 90 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 91 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 92 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 93 | VCC — Supply voltage (3.0 - 3.6 V) |
| Pin 94 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 95 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 96 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 97 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 98 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 99 | VCC — Supply voltage (3.0 - 3.6 V) |
| Pin 100 | GND — Ground |
Typical Applications
EPC8QI100N is suitable for 6 applications: Stand-Alone Cyclone / Cyclone II FPGA Configuration, Stratix / Stratix II Multi-PROM Daisy-Chain, In-System Field-Upgradable Bitstream Storage, ACEX 1K / APEX 20K / FLEX 10K Legacy Configuration, Arria GX / Stratix GX Configuration Source, Low-Volume Production with On-Board Reprogrammability.
Stand-Alone Cyclone / Cyclone II FPGA Configuration
The EPC8QI100N's 8 Mbit Flash capacity and 50 MHz DCLK serial configuration bus make it the canonical boot source for Cyclone and Cyclone II SRAM-based FPGAs in industrial control boards. With on-chip Altera-compression decompression the 8 Mbit raw storage typically holds a bitstream 35% larger than uncompressed, covering most Cyclone II EP2C5 through EP2C35 designs. Placed adjacent to the FPGA with shared JTAG for ISP, it eliminates parallel boot flash and BOM cost while supporting field updates.
Recommended
Stratix / Stratix II Multi-PROM Daisy-Chain
For high-density Stratix and Stratix II FPGAs whose compressed bitstreams exceed 8 Mbit, multiple EPC8QI100N devices can be daisy-chained through the nCS / nINIT_CONF pins to stream a contiguous bitstream from up to four devices. At 50 MHz DCLK each EPC8 contributes 8 Mbit, so two daisy-chained EPC8QI100Ns typically configure EP1S25 / EP2S30 designs. The shared 100-pin PQFP footprint means PCB layout is reused across single, dual, and quad EPC8 chains.
Recommended
In-System Field-Upgradable Bitstream Storage
The EPC8QI100N's IEEE 1149.1 JTAG ISP interface lets engineers re-flash the configuration bitstream on a fully assembled board through the JTAG header, without removing the device or using a separate programmer. This makes it ideal for industrial customers that ship firmware updates years after deployment, since the 8 Mbit storage can hold several compressed bitstream revisions with A/B fallback. Operating from -40 °C to +85 °C and a single 3.3 V supply, it suits factory-floor controllers.
Recommended
ACEX 1K / APEX 20K / FLEX 10K Legacy Configuration
The EPC8QI100N explicitly supports older Altera FPGA families - ACEX 1K, APEX 20K, APEX II, FLEX 10K, FLEX 6000, and Mercury - per the official datasheet. This makes it the drop-in configuration source when maintaining or reproducing legacy Altera designs where the FPGA bitstream is small but the original EPROM or byte-wide flash is obsolete. The same JTAG ISP workflow works on these older families, simplifying field service.
Recommended
Arria GX / Stratix GX Configuration Source
The Arria GX and Stratix GX transceiver FPGAs are listed as supported targets in the EPC8 datasheet, and the EPC8QI100N provides their configuration bitstream over the same 4-wire serial bus at 50 MHz DCLK. For transceiver-based designs where deterministic fast boot matters, the EPC8QI100N's 50 MHz upper clock limit minimizes the time-to-active window. The 100-pin PQFP package also gives ample ground pins for the noise-sensitive GX transceiver rails.
Recommended
Low-Volume Production with On-Board Reprogrammability
Low-volume and prototype production runs benefit from EPC8QI100N's combination of single-chip serial boot and JTAG ISP, since one configuration source can serve an entire product family of bitstreams. Designers store multiple compressed bitstreams in the 8 Mbit Flash, select between them via nINIT_CONF handshaking at power-up, and re-flash any version through JTAG without opening the enclosure. The 3.0-3.6 V supply aligns with most 3.3 V FPGA rails, removing extra LDO stages.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPC8QI100N — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPC8QI100 | EPC8QC100N | EPC8QC100 | EPC16QI100N | EPC4QI100N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 100-PQFP (20 x 14 mm) | 100-PQFP - same | 100-PQFP - same | 100-PQFP - same | 100-PQFP - same | 100-PQFP - same |
| Brand | Altera (Intel) | Altera - same | Altera - same | Altera - same | Altera - same | Altera - same |
| Memory Size | 8 Mbit | 8 Mbit | 8 Mbit | 8 Mbit | 16 Mbit (+100%) | 4 Mbit (-50%) |
| Configuration Clock | 50 MHz | 50 MHz | 50 MHz | 50 MHz | 50 MHz | 50 MHz |
| Supply Voltage | 3.0 V to 3.6 V | 3.0 V to 3.6 V | 3.0 V to 3.6 V | 3.0 V to 3.6 V | 3.0 V to 3.6 V | 3.0 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C |
| On-Chip Decompression | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | NRND | Active | Active | NRND | NRND |
| JTAG ISP | Yes (IEEE 1149.1) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-Device Daisy-Chain | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- Largest 8 Mbit density in the EPC family at the 100-PQFP node (vs EPC4QI100N)
- Active 8 Mbit drop-in upgrade available on identical footprint (vs EPC8QC100N)
- On-chip Altera compression decompression engine (vs EPC16QI100N (16 Mbit, double density))
Design Notes
Decouple the EPC8QI100N's VCC pins (there are nine VCC pads spread around the 100-pin PQFP body, paired with nine GND pads) with a 0.1 µF ceramic capacitor placed within 3 mm of each VCC pin and a shared 10 µF bulk capacitor on the supply rail. The 3.0 V to 3.6 V supply typically shares a 3.3 V LDO with the target FPGA; if the FPGA I/O bank is 2.5 V or 1.8 V, place a dedicated 3.3 V LDO for the EPC8QI100N to avoid level-shifting the DCLK and DATA signals. Keep the EPC8 supply turn-on within the FPGA's VCCINT ramp window to guarantee clean configuration startup.
Route the 4-wire serial configuration bus (DATA, DCLK, nCS, nINIT_CONF) as short, impedance-matched traces - keep DCLK and DATA matched within 1 cm to minimize skew that could cause the FPGA to sample an unstable bit. Place the EPC8QI100N within 5 cm of the FPGA's configuration pins to avoid signal-integrity issues at 50 MHz DCLK. Place the 0.1 µF and 10 µF capacitors on the same side of the PCB as the device, with the smallest cap nearest the VCC pin. For multi-device daisy chains, route the EPC-to-EPC signals on inner layers to keep board area compact.
Three common pitfalls when designing with EPC8QI100N: (1) Do not assume the EPC8QI100N is active - it is NRND per the Altera lifecycle notice, so new designs should choose the active EPC8QC100N or EPC8QC100 on the same 100-pin PQFP footprint. (2) For bitstreams that grow beyond 8 Mbit compressed, plan a daisy-chain or migrate to the EPC16QI100N family early - retrofitting later requires a different part number and possibly a different PCB land pattern. (3) Do not share the JTAG chain order incorrectly - place the EPC8QI100N's TDI/TDO between the FPGA and the JTAG header so ISP can reach the configuration PROM without disrupting the FPGA's JTAG access. Verify the JTAG chain by issuing an IDCODE readback before any ISP operation.
Compliance Information
RoHS / lead-free confirmed by distributor listings (Heisener, DigiKey, Mouser) and the Altera datasheet. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - configuration PROMs are not automotive-qualified devices.
