EPF10K10LC84-4 - FLEX 10K FPGA, 10K Gates, 84-PLCC | Intel / Altera
MPN: EPF10K10LC84-4 β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $45.69 | $45.69 |
| 10 | $42.1 | $421.00 |
| 100 | $38.55 | $3,855.00 |
| 500 | $34.2 | $17,100.00 |
| 1,000 | $30.85 | $30,850.00 |
EPF10K10LC84-4 Overview
A Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a programmable logic device containing an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs), programmable interconnects, and I/O cells that the designer configures after manufacture. The FLEX 10K family pioneered the embedded array block (EAB) architecture, allowing megafunctions such as RAM, ROM, and DSP multipliers to be mapped into dedicated silicon. This hierarchical structure (FPGA -> programmable logic device -> logic IC -> integrated circuit) makes FLEX 10K devices suitable for System-on-a-Programmable-Chip (SOPC) integration in glue logic, bus interfacing, and small state-machine applications.
The EPF10K10LC84-4 offers 72 logic array blocks (LABs), 59 usable user I/Os, and 6,144 RAM bits distributed across EABs. It is fabricated on a 0.42 um CMOS process and supports in-system programmability via the IEEE 1149.1 JTAG boundary-scan interface. The device is offered in a commercial 0C to 70C temperature grade and is footprint-compatible with the rest of the FLEX 10K PLCC-84 family, enabling migration to higher-density variants such as EPF10K30 and EPF10K50 without PCB rework.
Designers choose the EPF10K10LC84-4 for low-to-moderate complexity designs where non-volatile SRAM-based configuration, JTAG ISP, and a familiar Quartus/MAX+PLUS II toolchain are required. It is widely deployed in industrial control boards, legacy telecom interfaces, and educational platforms where the 84-PLCC through-hole-friendly footprint simplifies prototyping and rework compared with BGA-only contemporaries.
When designing, observe 5V VCCIO tolerance and provide proper decoupling (100 nF + 10 uF) near each supply pin. Configuration data must be loaded from a serial EPROM or JTAG at power-up. Note that the FLEX 10K family is mature; lead time and pricing should be confirmed at the time of order.
This page consolidates distributor inventory, drop-in compatible alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the original FLEX 10K datasheet, making sourcing and second-source decisions faster for procurement engineers.
Drop-in alternatives for EPF10K10LC84-4 β 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 EPF10K10LC84-4 (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Mounting Type, Package, Operating Temperature, Configuration Method, Process Technology.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPF10K10LC84-3
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$41.3 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPF10K10LC84-4N
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$18.3 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPF10K10LC84-4 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | FLEX 10K |
| Series | FLEX-10K |
| Typical Gates | 10,000 |
| Logic Elements / Cells | 576 |
| Logic Array Blocks (LABs) | 72 |
| User I/Os | 59 |
| Total RAM Bits | 6,144 |
| Operating Frequency (max) | 125 MHz |
| Speed Grade | -4 |
| Core Supply Voltage | 5 V |
| Process Technology | 0.42 um CMOS |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to 70C (Commercial) |
| Package | 84-PLCC (J-Lead, 84-LCC) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (J-Lead PLCC) |
| Programming Interface | JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) / Serial EPROM |
| RoHS Status | unknown |
EPF10K10LC84-4 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | TDI β JTAG Test Data In |
| Pin 2 | TMS β JTAG Test Mode Select |
| Pin 3 | TCK β JTAG Test Clock |
| Pin 4 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 5 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 6 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 7 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 8 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 9 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 10 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 11 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 12 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 13 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 14 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 15 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 16 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 17 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 18 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 19 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 20 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 21 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 22 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 23 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 24 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 25 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 26 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 27 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 28 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 29 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 30 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 31 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 32 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 33 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 34 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 35 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 36 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 37 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 38 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 39 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 40 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 41 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 42 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 43 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 44 | VCC β 5V supply |
| Pin 45 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 46 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 47 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 48 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 49 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 50 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 51 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 52 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 53 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 54 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 55 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 56 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 57 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 58 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 59 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 60 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 61 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 62 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 63 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 64 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 65 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 66 | DATA0 β Configuration data input |
| Pin 67 | nCONFIG β Configuration start (active low) |
| Pin 68 | nSTATUS β Configuration status (active low) |
| Pin 69 | CONF_DONE β Configuration complete |
| Pin 70 | DCLK β Configuration clock |
| Pin 71 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 72 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 73 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 74 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 75 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 76 | VCC β 5V supply |
| Pin 77 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 78 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 79 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 80 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 81 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 82 | I/O β User I/O |
| Pin 83 | TDO β JTAG Test Data Out |
| Pin 84 | VCC β 5V supply |
Typical Applications
EPF10K10LC84-4 is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Glue Logic Consolidation, Legacy Telecom Interface Bridge, Educational FPGA Trainer Board, VME/PCI Bus Bridge Controller, Motor Control PWM and Encoder Interface, Avionics Databus Test Equipment (Legacy).
Industrial Glue Logic Consolidation
The EPF10K10LC84-4's 576 logic elements and 59 user I/Os let it absorb dozens of 74-series TTL/CMOS glue-logic chips into a single reprogrammable device on legacy industrial PLC backplanes. The 5V tolerant I/O banks interface directly with 5V peripherals, eliminating level shifters, while the 84-PLCC J-lead package accepts socketed prototyping for fast design iteration. Designers typically replace address decode PALs, bus arbiters, and watchdog counters with one FLEX 10K, reducing board area by 40-60% versus discrete logic. JTAG in-system programmability enables field firmware updates without removing the part from the socketed PLCC carrier.
Recommended
Legacy Telecom Interface Bridge
Telecom line cards built in the late 1990s frequently pair the EPF10K10LC84-4 with a T1/E1 framer and a microcontroller to bridge proprietary backplane protocols to standard serial interfaces. The embedded array block (EAB) provides 6,144 bits of single-port or dual-port RAM for small FIFO buffers (typically 256x24 or 512x12), while the 125 MHz internal performance sustains bit-rate conversion up to E1 (2.048 Mbps) without external FIFOs. The commercial 0-70C temperature range is adequate for indoor central-office equipment where ambient is tightly controlled.
Recommended
Educational FPGA Trainer Board
University digital-design laboratories continue to use the EPF10K10LC84-4 on trainer boards because the through-hole-friendly 84-PLCC J-lead package can be socketed, allowing students to swap parts and recover from wiring mistakes without reworking fine-pitch BGAs. Quartus II Web Edition (free) supports the device, and example designs ranging from 4-bit ALUs to VGA controllers fit comfortably in 576 LEs. The 5V supply also matches legacy lab power rails, removing the need for onboard regulators that complicate lab safety approvals.
Recommended
VME/PCI Bus Bridge Controller
On older VMEbus and PCI add-in cards, the EPF10K10LC84-4 implements the bus-bridge state machine, address decoder, and interrupt controller between the local DSP or microcontroller and the backplane. Its 72 LABs provide enough logic for a 32-bit address decoder with 8 chip-select windows, while the 59 user I/Os cover the bus arbitration and handshake pins without multiplexing. Designers favor this part over CPLDs of similar density because the embedded RAM blocks simplify implementation of posted-write buffers and read-prefetch FIFOs.
Recommended
Motor Control PWM and Encoder Interface
Stepper and servo motor control boards use the EPF10K10LC84-4 to generate multi-channel PWM waveforms (typically 6 channels at 20 kHz) while simultaneously decoding quadrature encoder inputs (up to 3 axes). The EAB-based dual-port RAM stores the latest commanded position and measured position for each axis, accessible from an external DSP via a parallel port. The 125 MHz system clock gives 6.25 ns resolution for PWM duty cycle adjustment - more than adequate for 16-bit PWM at 20 kHz switching frequency.
Recommended
Avionics Databus Test Equipment (Legacy)
ARINC 429 and MIL-STD-1553 test sets built around 2005 still rely on the EPF10K10LC84-4 to encode/decode the bipolar databus protocols, generate timing-compliant bit patterns, and capture bus traffic for analysis. The 5V I/O banks interface directly to legacy line drivers without external level translation, and the 84-PLCC J-lead package withstands the mechanical vibration profiles of bench-test and line-replaceable-unit environments better than fine-pitch BGA alternatives. Although new designs use Cyclone IV or modern FPGAs, thousands of deployed test sets continue to require this part for repair and sustainment.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPF10K10LC84-4 β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPF10K10LC84-3 | EPF10K10LC84-4N |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Intel / Altera | Intel / Altera | Intel / Altera |
| Package | 84-PLCC (J-Lead) | 84-PLCC (J-Lead) - same | 84-PLCC (J-Lead) - same |
| Speed Grade | -4 | -3 (15-20% faster) | -4 (same) |
| Logic Elements | 576 | 576 | 576 |
| Typical Gates | 10,000 | 10,000 | 10,000 |
| User I/Os | 59 | 59 | 59 |
| Core Voltage | 5 V | 5 V | 5 V |
| RoHS Compliant | Unknown (legacy process) | Unknown (legacy process) | Yes (lead-free) |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | NRND | NRND |
Key Differentiators
- Socket-friendly J-lead PLCC package for field-replaceable legacy designs (vs EPF10K10QI208-4 (208-pin PQFP))
- Lower-cost option than -3 speed grade with same logic density (vs EPF10K10LC84-3)
- Mature, well-documented architecture with abundant legacy design IP (vs Modern Cyclone IV EP4CE6 (QFN-144))
Design Notes
The EPF10K10LC84-4 requires a stable 5V +/-5% supply on VCCINT and VCCIO pins. Place one 100 nF X7R ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of every VCC pin, plus one 10 uF tantalum or aluminum polymer bulk capacitor near the package. During configuration, I/O pins are tri-stated and may draw additional inrush current; ensure the upstream regulator can supply at least 500 mA peak. Estimated: ICC at 125 MHz with 50% toggle is approximately 200-300 mA per the FLEX 10K datasheet power calculator.
The 84-PLCC J-lead package has a 1.27 mm pin pitch and supports both socketed (through-hole socket) and surface-mount assembly. For socketed designs, use a machined-pin PLCC socket (e.g., 3M 84-8418-0503) to allow field replacement. Keep JTAG traces (TDI, TDO, TMS, TCK) short (<50 mm) and route them as a daisy chain if multiple JTAG devices are present. Add 4.7 kohm pull-ups on nCONFIG, nSTATUS, and CONF_DONE per FLEX 10K design guidelines.
Do not attempt to program the EPF10K10LC84-4 with Quartus Prime Standard/Pro editions newer than 18.1 - those releases removed support for legacy FLEX devices. Use Quartus II Web Edition 9.0sp2 or MAX+PLUS II 10.23 baseline. Ensure configuration data is loaded from a compatible EPC1, EPC2, or EPC16 configuration PROM (or directly via JTAG) within 100 ms of VCC reaching 4.5V, otherwise the device enters user-mode I/O tri-state which can cause bus contention on shared lines.
Compliance Information
Original EPF10K10LC84-4 was built on a 0.42 um CMOS process before RoHS enforcement; compliance status not explicitly stated in available datasheet. The -4N variant (DigiKey 1084762) is the lead-free/RoHS equivalent in the same package. AEC-Q100 not applicable (commercial-grade FPGA, not automotive-qualified).
