EPF10K30AQI208-3N - 30K Gates FLEX-10KA FPGA 147 I/O 208-PQFP | Altera
MPN: EPF10K30AQI208-3N ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $48.5 | $48.50 |
| 10 | $42 | $420.00 |
| 100 | $36.75 | $3,675.00 |
| 500 | $32.4 | $16,200.00 |
| 1,000 | $28.9 | $28,900.00 |
EPF10K30AQI208-3N Overview
A Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a type of programmable logic device (PLD) containing an array of configurable logic blocks (LABs), programmable interconnect, and I/O cells that the designer can re-program in-system. Within the broader taxonomy, an FPGA sits under Programmable Logic -> Logic ICs -> Integrated Circuits. FPGAs differ from CPLDs in offering larger register-rich logic capacity and embedded memory, while sharing with CPLDs the ability to implement arbitrary digital state machines, glue logic, and bus bridges without a custom ASIC.
Key features of the EPF10K30AQI208-3N include 216 Logic Array Blocks (LABs), per-pin slew-rate control, PCI pull-up clamping diodes, and open-drain output options, all configured via Altera logic options in the MAX+PLUS II / Quartus toolchains. The device supports in-system programmability via an industry-standard passive serial (PS) or passive parallel asynchronous (PPA) configuration interface, allowing field upgrades without removing the part. Embedded array blocks (EABs) provide efficient on-chip memory for FIFO, ROM, and dual-port RAM functions.
The EPF10K30AQI208-3N uses a four-level hierarchical interconnect structure that combines fast row/column channels with local LAB interconnect, delivering predictable timing closure for designs in the 40-80 MHz internal performance range. The 12,288-bit embedded SRAM (organized as 6 EABs of 2,048 bits each) is suitable for small buffers, register files, and look-up-table based arithmetic. MultiVolt I/O lets each output bank independently run at 2.5 V, 3.3 V, or 5 V while the core stays at 3.3 V, simplifying mixed-voltage designs.
Typical applications include legacy telecom line-card glue logic, industrial control backplane bridges, PCI bus interface controllers, parallel-to-serial protocol converters, and instrumentation front-ends that need deterministic timing. Because the part is mature and well-documented, it is also common in long-lifecycle defense, medical, and aerospace programs that have already validated the silicon in their BOM.
A critical design consideration when migrating from the EPF10K30AQI208-3N is that the FLEX-10KA family is no longer in active production and the part is now sourced from the obsolete / last-time-buy channel. New designs should consider Cyclone IV or Cyclone V equivalents unless pin-for-pin compatibility is mandatory. Existing boards can be re-qualified with EPF10K30AQC208-3N (commercial grade) or EPF10K30AQC208-1N (slower speed grade) as drop-in 208-PQFP substitutes with identical pinout.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in 208-PQFP alternatives, and practical FPGA design notes not found in a single manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for EPF10K30AQI208-3N — 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 EPF10K30AQI208-3N (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Process Technology, Operating Temperature, Total RAM Bits, Family, Package.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPF10K30AQC208-3N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$19.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF10K30AQC208-3
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$15.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF10K30AQC208-1N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$21.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF10K30AQI208-3
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$18.9 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF10K30AQI208-3N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | FLEX-10KA |
| Logic Elements / Cells | 1,728 |
| Total Gates | 30,000 |
| Embedded Memory (EAB) | 12,288 bits (6 × 2,048 bits) |
| Logic Array Blocks (LABs) | 216 |
| User I/O Pins | 147 |
| Package | 208-BFQFP (PQFP, surface mount) |
| Core Voltage (VCCINT) | 3.3 V |
| I/O Voltage (VCCIO) | 2.5 V / 3.3 V / 5 V (MultiVolt) |
| Process Technology | 0.30 µm CMOS SRAM |
| Speed Grade | -3 (faster) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C (industrial) |
| Configuration Mode | Passive Serial (PS), Passive Parallel Async (PPA) |
| In-System Programmable | Yes (SRAM-based, volatile) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
EPF10K30AQI208-3N 208-bfqfp (pqfp, surface mount) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EPF10K30AQI208-3N (208-bfqfp (pqfp, surface mount) 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 EPF10K30AQI208-3N.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EPF10K30AQI208-3N is suitable for 6 applications: Legacy Telecom Line-Card Glue Logic, Industrial Control Backplane Bridges, PCI Bus Interface Controllers, Test and Measurement Instrumentation, Parallel-to-Serial Protocol Converters, Defense and Aerospace Avionics Retrofit.
Legacy Telecom Line-Card Glue Logic
The EPF10K30AQI208-3N's 1,728 logic cells and 147 user I/O pins are well-matched to legacy telecom line cards requiring wide parallel bus bridging and protocol conversion. Its 12,288-bit embedded SRAM (six 2,048-bit EABs) supports small FIFO buffers for inter-chip data handshakes, while MultiVolt I/O lets 5 V TDM buses interface directly to 3.3 V backplane ASICs. The industrial -40 to +85 °C temperature grade tolerates central-office and outside-plant thermal environments. Pin-for-pin compatibility with the EPF10K30AQC208-3N simplifies last-time-buy migration planning.
Recommended
Industrial Control Backplane Bridges
In factory-automation backplanes, the EPF10K30AQI208-3N functions as a protocol bridge between legacy 5 V ISA/PCI peripherals and modern 3.3 V processor buses. The 147 I/O pins comfortably absorb the wide bidirectional signals of an ISA bus (24 address + 16 data + control), while MultiVolt I/O isolates each bank at its native voltage. The 0.30 µm CMOS SRAM architecture gives deterministic, repeatable timing for asynchronous handshake logic. The industrial temperature range ensures reliable operation across unheated control cabinets.
Recommended
PCI Bus Interface Controllers
The EPF10K30AQI208-3N is a common PCI-bus target/controller in legacy designs, where its per-pin PCI pull-up clamping diode and slew-rate control logic options meet the PCI electrical specification without external components. With 1,728 logic cells, the device can implement a full 33 MHz PCI target with FIFOs, configuration-space registers, and parity logic in a single chip. The 208-pin PQFP package provides enough I/O for 32-bit PCI plus local-bus expansion. Engineers should note that 5 V PCI signaling is supported through MultiVolt I/O at VCCIO = 5 V.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Instrumentation
The EPF10K30AQI208-3N is widely used in oscilloscope front-ends, logic-analyzer pattern generators, and arbitrary-waveform-generator DSP pre-processors, where deterministic timing is essential. The 12,288-bit embedded memory provides on-chip sample buffering, while 216 LABs allow wide parallel-to-serial data-path conversion. In-system SRAM programmability lets test equipment vendors issue firmware updates over JTAG in the field. The industrial temperature range suits bench and rack instrumentation operating in controlled lab environments.
Recommended
Parallel-to-Serial Protocol Converters
The EPF10K30AQI208-3N's 1,728 logic cells and 147 I/O pins support common serial-protocol bridge designs such as UART-to-ISA, SPI-to-parallel, and I2C-to-memory-mapped-bus converters used in embedded gateways. The 12,288-bit embedded memory holds transmit/receive FIFOs large enough for sustained burst traffic. MultiVolt I/O lets a single device bridge a 5 V legacy peripheral to a 2.5 V modern MCU without level shifters, reducing BOM cost and board area.
Recommended
Defense and Aerospace Avionics Retrofit
Long-lifecycle defense and aerospace programs (radar signal conditioners, flight-control I/O concentrators, mission-computer glue logic) that qualified the EPF10K30AQI208-3N decades ago continue to source it for spares and retrofit production. The industrial -40 to +85 °C range, in-system SRAM programmability, and ITAR-friendly Altera documentation make it suitable for these programs. Because the part is obsolete, customers typically pair each buy with a like-for-like EPF10K30AQC208-3N drop-in for second-source risk mitigation.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPF10K30AQI208-3N — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPF10K30AQC208-3N | EPF10K30AQC208-3 | EPF10K30AQC208-1N | EPF10K30AQI208-3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 208-BFQFP (PQFP) | 208-BFQFP (PQFP) - same | 208-BFQFP (PQFP) - same | 208-BFQFP (PQFP) - same | 208-BFQFP (PQFP) - same |
| Brand | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) |
| Logic Family | FLEX-10KA | FLEX-10KA | FLEX-10KA | FLEX-10KA | FLEX-10KA |
| Total Gates | 30,000 | 30,000 | 30,000 | 30,000 | 30,000 |
| Logic Cells | 1,728 | 1,728 | 1,728 | 1,728 | 1,728 |
| Embedded Memory | 12,288 bits | 12,288 bits | 12,288 bits | 12,288 bits | 12,288 bits |
| User I/O Pins | 147 | 147 | 147 | 147 | 147 |
| Speed Grade | -3 | -3 | -3 | -1 (slower) | -3 |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C (industrial) | 0 °C to +70 °C (commercial) | 0 °C to +70 °C (commercial) | 0 °C to +70 °C (commercial) | -40 °C to +85 °C (industrial) |
Key Differentiators
- Industrial temperature grade with lead-free terminal finish (vs EPF10K30AQC208-3N)
- Faster -3 speed grade preserves legacy timing margins (vs EPF10K30AQC208-1N)
- Pin-for-pin compatible across FLEX-10KA 208-PQFP family (vs EPF10K100EFC484-1)
Design Notes
The EPF10K30AQI208-3N requires a 3.3 V VCCINT supply with a tolerance of ±5% and a separate VCCIO supply for each I/O bank. Use a 100 µF bulk + 10 µF + 0.1 µF decoupling network within 25 mm of each VCCINT/VCCIO pin pair to suppress simultaneous-switching-noise (SSN) transients. Power sequencing requires VCCINT to reach 3.0 V before VCCIO exceeds 3.0 V to avoid I/O latch-up. Estimated: at 100 MHz toggling 32 I/O at 10 pF, dynamic current is roughly 200 mA additional on VCCIO.
Route all 208 PQFP signals on the top layer with the device placed close to its connector/bus partner. The 208-pin PQFP has a 0.5 mm lead pitch and 30.6 mm body, so use 0.20 mm wide traces with 0.20 mm spacing on the breakout fan-out. Place four-layer stack-up with a continuous ground plane under the device to provide a low-impedance return path for the high-speed MultiVolt I/O banks.
Do not assume the FLEX-10KA SRAM configuration is retained through power-cycle - the bitstream must be reloaded from a configuration PROM (such as EPC8QC100 or EPC2LC20) on every POR. Confusing the -3 speed grade with -1 is a common mistake that produces timing-failure symptoms only at temperature extremes. Always check the top-mark 'AQI208-3N' versus 'AQI208-1N' on incoming inspection to avoid down-grade mix-ups in long-lifecycle production.
Compliance Information
RoHS status not explicitly stated in the verified web data; the 'N' suffix typically indicates Pb-free terminal finish per Altera/Intel part-number convention. AEC-Q100 is not applicable for FPGAs. Reach and conflict-minerals status are not present in the verified data and should be confirmed with the manufacturer before automotive or EU shipments.
