EPF10K10QI208-4 - FLEX 10K FPGA, 10K Gates, 208-PQFP | Intel / Altera
MPN: EPF10K10QI208-4 ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $65 | $65.00 |
| 10 | $58.5 | $585.00 |
| 100 | $52 | $5,200.00 |
| 500 | $47.25 | $23,625.00 |
| 1,000 | $42.8 | $42,800.00 |
EPF10K10QI208-4 Overview
A Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a semiconductor integrated circuit that can be electrically programmed after manufacture to implement arbitrary digital logic functions, combining the integration density of an ASIC with the design flexibility of programmable logic. The FLEX 10K family was the industry’s first device family to embed an array block (EAB / Embedded Array Block) alongside the logic array, enabling System-on-a-Programmable-Chip (SOPC) integration of megafunctions such as RAM, ROM, FIFO, and multiplier blocks together with general-purpose logic. The FLEX 10K sits within the broader taxonomy of programmable logic devices (PLD) -> CPLD -> FPGA -> SRAM-based FPGA.
Key features of the EPF10K10QI208-4 include 72 LABs and 134 user I/Os supporting distributed interconnect, an industrial operating temperature grade (I-suffix), and a 5 V core supply voltage with 3.3 V capable I/O operation per the FLEX 10K datasheet family. The '-4' speed grade denotes the standard speed bin within the FLEX 10K family. The PQFP-208 surface-mount package provides gull-wing leads suitable for conventional reflow soldering and standard PCB assembly lines.
The FLEX 10K architecture combines a fine-grained logic fabric with embedded array blocks (EABs) used for implementing memory and complex arithmetic functions. Each LAB contains multiple Logic Elements (LEs), each comprising a 4-input LUT, a programmable flip-flop, and dedicated carry and cascade chains that accelerate arithmetic and wide fan-in functions. The interconnect hierarchy includes row and column FastTrack Interconnect lines that span the entire device, providing predictable timing and high utilization. MultiVolt I/O supports interfacing with both 5 V and 3.3 V peripherals without external level shifters.
Typical applications include glue-logic replacement in industrial control, telecommunications backplane interfacing, DSP co-processing and custom coprocessor design, prototype ASIC validation, and legacy parallel-bus bridging. Designers frequently use FLEX 10K devices in industrial and factory-automation systems because of the long-term availability of the family and the industrial temperature grade of the 'I' part. In telecommunications, the device is well-suited to low-density channelized interface adaptation and protocol conversion tasks. In ASIC prototyping, FLEX 10K parts are still referenced in many legacy designs that have been maintained for years.
When designing with this device, ensure that the JTAG chain and configuration EEPROM (typically an EPC2 or EPC1) match the FLEX 10K configuration scheme (PS or JTAG), and respect the 5 V supply ramp timing to avoid in-rush current issues. The PQFP-208 footprint is large by modern standards, so allow adequate board area and consider migration to a TQFP-144 or BGA-packaged FLEX 10K variant where board density is constrained.
This page synthesizes distributor inventory, drop-in same-package alternatives from the FLEX 10K family, and practical design notes for engineers maintaining or sourcing legacy Altera FPGA designs.
Drop-in alternatives for EPF10K10QI208-4 — 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 EPF10K10QI208-4 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Process Technology, Supply Voltage, Family, Speed Grade.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPF10K10QI208-4N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$28.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF10K10QC208-4
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$18.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF10K10QC208-3
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$45.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF10K10QC208-4N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$16.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF10K10AQC208-3N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$49.9 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF10K10QI208-4 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Series | FLEX 10K |
| Family | FLEX 10K (SRAM-based FPGA with Embedded Array Blocks) |
| Manufacturer | Intel (formerly Altera) |
| Typical Gates | 10,000 gates |
| Logic Elements (LEs) | 576 |
| Logic Array Blocks (LABs) | 72 |
| Embedded Array Blocks (EABs) | 3 |
| Maximum User I/Os | 134 |
| Total RAM Bits | 6144 bits |
| Number of Logic Cells | 134 |
| Propagation Delay | 0.6 ns |
| Process Technology | CMOS, SRAM-based |
| Supply Voltage | 5 V (3.3 V MultiVolt I/O) |
| Operating Temperature Grade | Industrial (I-suffix) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +85C (per industrial-grade FLEX 10K family) |
| Package | 208-pin PQFP / BFQFP (Plastic Quad Flat Pack, gull-wing) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Speed Grade | -4 (standard speed bin) |
| Configuration Method | Passive Serial (PS) or JTAG |
| Configuration Companion | EPC2 / EPC1 configuration PROM |
| MSL Level | 3 (168 hours) |
EPF10K10QI208-4 208-pin pqfp / bfqfp (plastic quad flat pack, gull-wing) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EPF10K10QI208-4 (208-pin pqfp / bfqfp (plastic quad flat pack, gull-wing) 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 EPF10K10QI208-4.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EPF10K10QI208-4 is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Glue Logic, Telecom Backplane Interface Adaptation, DSP Co-Processor / Custom Arithmetic Accelerator, ASIC Prototype and Logic Validation, Legacy Parallel-Bus Bridging, Test and Measurement Instrumentation.
Industrial Control Glue Logic
The EPF10K10QI208-4 fits industrial control glue-logic designs because it provides 576 logic elements and 134 user I/Os in a 208-pin PQFP package rated for -40C to +85C industrial operation. In a typical PLC backplane or motor-drive controller, the FPGA bridges parallel sensor buses, implements custom timing generators, and provides deterministic glue logic between microcontrollers and discrete I/O. The FLEX 10K's 0.6 ns propagation delay enables sub-microsecond response for high-speed interlocks. Industrial customers value the long-term availability of the part number in qualified BOMs, even though the family is officially obsolete.
Recommended
Telecom Backplane Interface Adaptation
The EPF10K10QI208-4 is well-suited to telecom backplane interface adaptation tasks because the 134 I/Os and 5 V MultiVolt-tolerant inputs can drive long backplane traces directly. Designers use the device to implement channelized framers, T1/E1 or HDSL interface adaptation, and protocol conversion between legacy serial buses. The 3 Embedded Array Blocks (EABs) provide 6 Kbits of dual-port RAM for small FIFO/elastic-store buffering. Industrial temperature operation supports deployment in central-office and outside-plant cabinets where temperature swings exceed commercial-grade limits.
Recommended
DSP Co-Processor / Custom Arithmetic Accelerator
The EPF10K10QI208-4 serves as a custom DSP co-processor in legacy signal-processing systems by exploiting the Embedded Array Blocks as fast multiplier/accumulator primitives. The carry and cascade chains in each Logic Element implement arithmetic at clock rates above 50 MHz, enabling FIR filter and FFT butterfly co-processing alongside a host DSP. The 208-pin PQFP provides enough I/Os to support 16-bit parallel data buses plus address and control signals to a host processor. The 0.6 ns propagation delay supports pipelined arithmetic at high clock rates for IF and baseband signal processing in legacy radio systems.
Recommended
ASIC Prototype and Logic Validation
Engineers use the EPF10K10QI208-4 as an ASIC prototype platform for validating gate-level logic before committing to a mask revision. With 576 logic elements and 6144 bits of RAM, the device fits medium-complexity gate-array-equivalent designs running at full system speed. The PQFP-208 package is convenient for through-hole or socket-based evaluation boards, and the JTAG interface supports in-system programming for iterative logic debugging. Although newer Cyclone devices offer higher density, the FLEX 10K remains in use in long-lived validation programs and university laboratories where the original design files reference this exact part.
Recommended
Legacy Parallel-Bus Bridging
The EPF10K10QI208-4 bridges legacy parallel buses such as ISA, VME, or Motorola 68000-family interfaces to modern peripherals. The 134 user I/Os can be partitioned into separate bus ports with arbitrary width, and the Logic Array Blocks implement state machines for handshaking, address decoding, and interrupt handling. Industrial temperature rating supports deployment in factory-automation and military systems where these legacy buses remain in use. The 208-pin PQFP footprint is large by modern standards but remains compatible with existing VME cards and backplanes already qualified in the field.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Instrumentation
The EPF10K10QI208-4 fits bench-top test and measurement instruments that require custom waveform generation, timing pattern synthesis, or protocol analysis. The 0.6 ns propagation delay supports precise pulse generation and capture, while the EABs implement high-speed pattern FIFOs. The 134 I/Os handle parallel stimulus/response buses for production ATE fixtures. Industrial temperature operation allows deployment in environmental-chamber testing without thermal derating. Designers appreciate the determinism of the FLEX 10K interconnect, which provides predictable timing closure for test-pattern edges that must be accurate to within a few nanoseconds.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPF10K10QI208-4 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPF10K10QI208-4N | EPF10K10QC208-4 | EPF10K10QC208-3 | EPF10K10QC208-4N | EPF10K10AQC208-3N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Altera (now Intel) | Altera (now Intel) | Altera (now Intel) | Altera (now Intel) | Altera (now Intel) | Altera (now Intel) |
| Package | 208-PQFP (BFQFP) | 208-PQFP - same | 208-PQFP - same | 208-PQFP - same | 208-PQFP - same | 208-PQFP - same |
| Logic Elements | 576 | 576 | 576 | 576 | 576 | 576 |
| LABs | 72 | 72 | 72 | 72 | 72 | 72 |
| Maximum User I/Os | 134 | 134 | 134 | 134 | 134 | 134 |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Commercial (0C to 70C) | Commercial (0C to 70C) | Commercial (0C to 70C) | Commercial (0C to 70C) |
| Speed Grade | -4 (standard) | -4 (standard) | -4 (standard) | -3 (slower) | -4 (standard) | -3 (slower) |
| Approx. Unit Price @ 1pc | USD 65.00 | USD 65.00 (similar) | USD 45.00 (commercial, lower cost) | USD 40.00 (commercial, slower) | USD 45.00 (commercial, lead-free) | USD 55.00 (enhanced silicon) |
Key Differentiators
- Industrial temperature grade in PQFP-208 (vs EPF10K10QC208-4)
- Lead-free RoHS-compliant variant available (vs EPF10K10QI208-4 (original))
- Standard -4 speed grade for full-rate operation (vs EPF10K10QC208-3)
Design Notes
The FLEX 10K core operates from a 5 V supply and the I/O banks operate at 3.3 V via MultiVolt. Provide a 1.5 A regulator for the VCCINT rail because the device draws transient current peaks of around 1 A during configuration and global clock switching. Add 100 nF decoupling capacitors within 5 mm of every VCCINT and VCCIO pin pair, plus bulk 47 uF tantalum capacitors at the PCB power entry. Sequence VCCINT and VCCIO together (or VCCIO first) to avoid I/O latch-up during power-up.
Estimated: at VCCINT = 5 V and a typical switching activity of 25 percent, the EPF10K10QI208-4 dissipates approximately 0.6 W at room temperature with a 208-pin PQFP theta-JA of roughly 30 C/W on a 4-layer JEDEC test board. This yields a junction temperature rise of about 18 C above ambient, well within the industrial +85 C limit. For sealed enclosures with no airflow, derate switching activity or add a heatsink to keep Tj below 125 C. Verify with the FLEX 10K datasheet power-estimation spreadsheet for production designs.
The 208-pin PQFP has 0.5 mm pitch gull-wing leads with a recommended land pattern of 0.3 mm wide by 2.0 mm long. Route signals on inner layers beneath the package, and stitch the inner ground plane with 1.0 mm via fence around the package to reduce simultaneous-switching noise (SSN) on the I/O banks. Place the EPC2 or EPC1 configuration PROM within 50 mm of the FLEX 10K DATA0 pin to keep the passive-serial configuration link short. Provide a JTAG header connected to TMS, TCK, TDI, TDO, and GND for ByteBlaster programming.
Do not power the FLEX 10K with VCCIO = 5 V when 3.3 V peripherals are connected to the I/O banks; respect the MultiVolt I/O limit. Do not leave CONF_DONE floating - it must be pulled high through a 10 kohm resistor to VCCIO so the device enters user mode after configuration. Do not drive JTAG pins with 5 V when using a 3.3 V-only ByteBlasterMV download cable. Always generate the configuration bitstream for the exact device (EPF10K10QI208-4) in Quartus; using a generic FLEX 10K bitstream produces incorrect IDCODE error.
The 134 user I/Os can switch simultaneously and inject ground-bounce noise into the VCCIO rail. Use 22 ohm series termination on high-speed outputs driving traces longer than 50 mm, and split VCCIO into separate power planes for groups of 16-24 I/Os to localize switching current. Apply the Quartus SSN analyzer to estimate simultaneous-switching noise before board layout. For PCI applications, enable the per-pin PCI clamp option to meet the 5 V tolerance required by the PCI specification.
Compliance Information
Original EPF10K10QI208-4 (non-N suffix) RoHS / REACH / lead-free / halogen-free status is not explicitly stated in the verified web data and is marked as [DATA_NEEDED]. The N-suffix variants (EPF10K10QI208-4N, EPF10K10QC208-4N, EPF10K10AQC208-3N) are typically lead-free / RoHS-compliant per Altera/Intel part-number conventions. AEC-Q100 is not applicable because this is an FPGA, not an automotive-qualified analog/power IC.
