EPC8QI100T - 8Mb Enhanced Config PROM 100-PQFP | Intel / Altera
MPN: EPC8QI100T ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $38.5 | $38.50 |
| 10 | $35.2 | $352.00 |
| 100 | $30.95 | $3,095.00 |
| 500 | $27.4 | $13,700.00 |
| 1,000 | $24.1 | $24,100.00 |
EPC8QI100T Overview
A configuration PROM is a non-volatile serial flash device whose sole purpose is to store one or more FPGA bitstreams and stream them into an FPGA at power-up via the Altera serial configuration protocol (typically FPP x8, AS, or PS modes). Enhanced configuration devices integrate a dedicated controller with the flash array, supporting features such as on-chip decompression, multi-device configuration (up to 16 FPGAs daisy-chained), and unused-flash user-accessible storage for PLDs or Nios processors.
Key differentiating features include 8 Mb storage, 50 MHz maximum configuration clock, on-chip data compression that effectively multiplies usable capacity, support for Altera's serial configuration modes (Passive Serial, Active Serial, Fast Passive Parallel), and a 100-pin PQFP package compatible with the legacy EPC2/EPC4/EPC8 footprint. Compared with EPC16 (16 Mb) and EPC4 (4 Mb), the EPC8 sits in the middle of the Enhanced Configuration Device family and targets mid-density FPGA bitstreams including Cyclone II/III and early Stratix.
Architecturally the EPC8QI100T combines a flash array with a hardwired controller that handles serial protocol timing, CRC checking, compression decompression, and optional in-system programmability via IEEE 1532 JTAG. The 'T' suffix denotes the tape-and-reel shipping option and does not change electrical specifications.
Typical applications include factory programming stations, board-level FPGA configuration for industrial controllers, prototyping platforms using Cyclone II/III development kits, and any system where a small, self-contained non-volatile boot source is required for an SRAM-based FPGA. The device is also used as general-purpose user flash when the FPGA is fully configured, providing 8 Mb of additional non-volatile storage accessible through the same interface.
When designing with the EPC8QI100T, ensure decoupling follows the datasheet recommendations (typically 0.1 uF + bulk capacitors placed close to VCC pins) and that JTAG chain termination conforms to IEEE 1532 if in-system programming is required. Verify that the configuration clock frequency does not exceed 50 MHz and that nSTATUS, nCONFIG, and CONF_DONE pull-ups match the selected Altera FPGA reference design.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, giving engineers a single authoritative reference for the EPC8QI100T.
Drop-in alternatives for EPC8QI100T — 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 EPC8QI100T (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Memory Size, Operating Temperature, Package, Memory Type, Configuration Interface.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPC8QI100
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC8QI100N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$16.9 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC8QC100
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$17.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC8QC100N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC8QC100T
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$12.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC16QI100T
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC16QI100
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$15.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPC8QI100T Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Memory Type | Non-volatile Flash Configuration PROM |
| Memory Size | 8 Mb (1 MB) |
| Configuration Interface | Serial (PS / AS / FPP) Altera protocol |
| Maximum Configuration Clock | 50 MHz |
| On-chip Compression | Yes |
| Multi-device Daisy Chain Support | Up to 16 FPGAs |
| In-system Programmability | IEEE 1532 JTAG |
| User-accessible Flash | Yes (after configuration) |
| Operating Voltage | 3.3 V (core) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Package | 100-pin PQFP (20 x 14 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Lead-free / RoHS | Compliant per product page |
| Shipping Format | Tape and Reel ('T' suffix) |
| Compatible FPGA Families | Altera Cyclone, Stratix, APEX, Mercury |
EPC8QI100T 100-pin pqfp (20 x 14 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EPC8QI100T (100-pin 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 EPC8QI100T.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EPC8QI100T is suitable for 6 applications: Altera Cyclone FPGA Configuration, Stratix II Mid-Density Boot Memory, Industrial Controller Board Bring-up, Development Kit Reference Designs, Legacy System Sustainment / Last-Time-Buy, Multi-FPGA Daisy-Chain Configuration.
Altera Cyclone FPGA Configuration
The EPC8QI100T was designed specifically as the boot configuration source for Altera Cyclone-series SRAM-based FPGAs in industrial and embedded applications. Its 8 Mb flash capacity comfortably holds compressed bitstreams for Cyclone I, II, and III devices up to the EP3C40 density, and the on-chip decompression feature effectively multiplies the usable capacity. Placed on the same PCB as the target Cyclone, the EPC8QI100T streams configuration data via Passive Serial mode at up to 50 MHz, achieving sub-100 ms configuration times for typical designs. The 100-pin PQFP package is hand-solderable for prototype rework, making it well suited to engineering builds and low-volume production lines that still maintain legacy Altera toolchains.
Recommended
Stratix II Mid-Density Boot Memory
For Stratix II designs whose compressed bitstreams fit within 8 Mb, the EPC8QI100T serves as a reliable non-volatile boot source in telecom and signal-processing boards. Its 50 MHz configuration clock and IEEE 1532 JTAG support enable fast factory programming plus field updates without board removal. Compared with EPC16 (16 Mb), the EPC8 is the right fit when cost matters more than storage headroom and the bitstream is well-compressed. The industrial -40 C to +85 C temperature range supports outdoor telecom cabinets and factory-floor equipment, and the 100-pin PQFP footprint allows drop-in migration to the larger EPC16 family if designs later grow in density.
Recommended
Industrial Controller Board Bring-up
In industrial PLC, motor-drive, and process-control boards the EPC8QI100T provides self-contained FPGA boot memory with no external components beyond decoupling capacitors. Its on-chip controller handles serial protocol timing, CRC validation, and bitstream decompression automatically, simplifying firmware bring-up and reducing BOM count on the carrier board. The non-volatile storage also acts as a small user-data area accessible by the configured FPGA, useful for storing calibration coefficients, serial numbers, and OEM configuration profiles. The obsolete status of the part should be considered for new designs; existing platforms continue to use it via last-time-buy inventory until redesign or migration to EPCQ-A series.
Recommended
Development Kit Reference Designs
The EPC8QI100T appears as the reference configuration memory on multiple Altera Cyclone and Stratix development kits, making it the de-facto boot device for engineers porting those reference designs to custom hardware. Its 100-pin PQFP footprint and well-documented timing diagrams allow direct reuse of the Altera evaluation board schematics, accelerating time-to-prototype. Engineers using the Quartus II programmer can target the EPC8QI100T directly via JTAG using .pof files generated by the toolchain, with no software migration required. This makes it a strong choice for university labs and engineering teams that maintain stable Cyclone toolchains on legacy design files.
Recommended
Legacy System Sustainment / Last-Time-Buy
Long-lifecycle products in aerospace, defense, medical instrumentation, and railway signaling often require sustaining production for 10-20 years. The EPC8QI100T, despite its obsolete status, remains a critical component for sustaining fielded systems that were designed around Altera Cyclone and Stratix FPGAs. Engineers responsible for last-time-buy planning should order multi-year inventory based on production forecasts, perform incoming electrical test on each reel to mitigate counterfeit risk, and consider designing adapter boards that accept the newer EPCQ-L family as a future-proof migration path. The 100-pin PQFP package has been a stable Altera footprint for two decades, simplifying second-source qualification.
Recommended
Multi-FPGA Daisy-Chain Configuration
The EPC8QI100T supports daisy-chain configuration of up to 16 Altera FPGAs from a single serial configuration PROM, making it ideal for high-channel-count signal-processing or test-and-measurement chassis. Each downstream FPGA in the chain forwards configuration data to the next, with the EPC8QI100T acting as the master storage source. Although 8 Mb is shared across all target FPGAs, on-chip compression and per-FPGA partial-configuration features allow efficient packing of multiple smaller bitstreams. The 50 MHz DCLK is divided down for downstream FPGAs, preserving signal integrity across long PCB traces typical of multi-FPGA backplanes.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPC8QI100T — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPC8QI100 | EPC8QI100N | EPC8QC100 | EPC8QC100T | EPC16QI100T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 100-pin PQFP (20x14 mm) | 100-pin PQFP (20x14) - same | 100-pin PQFP (20x14) - same | 100-pin PQFP (20x14) - same | 100-pin PQFP (20x14) - same | 100-pin PQFP (20x14) - same |
| Brand | Intel (formerly Altera) | Intel / Altera | Intel / Altera | Intel / Altera | Intel / Altera | Intel / Altera |
| Memory Capacity | 8 Mb | 8 Mb | 8 Mb | 8 Mb | 8 Mb | 16 Mb |
| Configuration Clock | 50 MHz max | 50 MHz | 50 MHz | 50 MHz | 50 MHz | 50 MHz |
| On-chip Compression | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lead-free / Pb-free | RoHS compliant | Standard (SnPb) | Pb-free (N suffix) | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Shipping Format | Tape & Reel | Tray | Tray | Tray | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel |
| Lifecycle Status (2026-09-11) | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- Mid-density 8 Mb Enhanced Configuration device with on-chip compression (vs EPC4QI100N (4 Mb Enhanced Configuration PROM))
- Forward-compatible footprint with 16 Mb upgrade path (vs EPC16QI100T (16 Mb))
- Tape-and-reel shipping for high-volume SMT assembly (vs EPC8QI100 (tray variant))
Design Notes
Decouple VCC pins with 0.1 uF ceramic capacitors placed within 3 mm of each supply pin, plus a single 10 uF bulk tantalum or ceramic capacitor at the board edge. The EPC8QI100T core operates from 3.3 V; verify that the FPGA's VCCIO configuration bank matches the PROM's I/O voltage before PCB layout. During in-system programming via JTAG, peak current can rise by 10-15 mA; ensure the regulator has adequate headroom.
Route the DCLK and DATA0 traces as a matched-length differential pair (within 2 mm) and keep trace length under 75 mm to preserve signal integrity at 50 MHz. Add a 33 ohm series damping resistor near the FPGA's DCLK input pin if the PCB trace exceeds 50 mm. Place the EPC8QI100T within 25 mm of the target FPGA to minimize reflection and ringing. For multi-FPGA daisy chains, terminate DCLK at the last downstream device with a 33 ohm pull-up to VCCIO.
Do not confuse the EPC8QI100T (8 Mb) with the EPC16QI100T (16 Mb) when ordering - the part markings look similar and a wrong-order cost is significant given obsolete status. Always verify the top-side package marking against the datasheet's ordering information table before soldering, and maintain date-code records for counterfeit mitigation. If migrating an existing design from EPC4 (4 Mb) to EPC8, confirm the FPGA bitstream fits the larger device and update the Quartus .pof file accordingly.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Altera product page. Standard SnPb lead finish (not lead-free); choose EPC8QI100N for Pb-free assembly. REACH and conflict-mineral declarations not located in verified data; consult Intel product compliance portal for current statements.
