EPF10K40RC240-3 - 40K Gates 2304 LEs FLEX 10K FPGA | Intel / Altera
MPN: EPF10K40RC240-3 ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $38.5 | $38.50 |
| 10 | $32.75 | $327.50 |
| 100 | $27.5 | $2,750.00 |
| 500 | $22.4 | $11,200.00 |
| 1,000 | $18.95 | $18,950.00 |
EPF10K40RC240-3 Overview
An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) is a semiconductor device built around an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs / LABs / LEs) interconnected by a programmable routing fabric. FPGAs sit hierarchically between CPLDs (smaller, simpler) and ASICs (custom, fixed function), enabling hardware-level parallelism for glue logic, prototyping, DSP preprocessing, and interface bridging without the NRE cost of a custom ASIC. The FLEX 10K family was Altera's first to embed a dedicated array block alongside the logic array, pioneering the System-on-a-Programmable-Chip (SOPC) concept.
Key differentiating features include 288 Logic Array Blocks (LABs), built-in low-skew clock distribution trees, FastTrack® Interconnect continuous routing for predictable interconnect delays, Tri-State emulation for bi-directional bus support, and 100% functional testing of all devices before shipment. The -3 speed grade denotes the standard speed bin within this speed-sorted family.
Architecturally, the FLEX 10K device combines a symmetric LUT-based logic array with embedded array blocks (EABs) that implement RAM, ROM, or product-term logic - useful for FIFOs, lookup tables, and DSP-style multiply-accumulate functions. The 240-pin RQFP package exposes the full user-I/O count (189 pins), enabling integration into existing legacy designs that demand high pin density on a through-hole-compatible footprint.
Typical applications for the EPF10K40RC240-3 include industrial control and factory automation, telecommunications glue logic, legacy system upgrade and retrofit, glue logic for CPU/memory buses, prototyping for ASIC designs, and custom interface bridging in instrumentation. Its 5V tolerance makes it particularly suited to industrial and telecommunications equipment from the 1990s and 2000s that still requires 5V I/O compatibility.
When designing with this device, verify the Quartus / MAX+PLUS II toolchain support for the chosen FLEX 10K variant. The 240-pin RQFP package requires adequate PCB thermal relief and the exposed pad must be soldered to a thermal pad on the PCB for specified thermal performance.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing across 22+ sources, drop-in same-brand alternatives from the FLEX 10K family, and practical design notes not found in the original manufacturer datasheet - giving engineers a one-stop reference for sourcing and substitution decisions on legacy 5V FPGA designs.
Drop-in alternatives for EPF10K40RC240-3 — 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 EPF10K40RC240-3 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Logic Array Blocks (LABs), Operating Temperature, Mounting Type, Process Technology.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPF10K40RC240-4
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EPF10K40RC240-4N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$14.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF10K40RC240-2
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EPF10K40RC240-1
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EPF10K40RC240-3 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | FLEX 10K |
| Typical Gates | 40,000 |
| Logic Elements (LEs) | 2,304 |
| Logic Array Blocks (LABs) | 288 |
| Embedded Memory Bits | 16,384 |
| Maximum User I/O | 189 |
| Supply Voltage | 5 V (3.3 V I/O compatible) |
| Internal Frequency | 125 MHz |
| Process Technology | 0.42 µm CMOS |
| Package | 240-pin RQFP (PowerQuad) with Exposed Pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to 70°C (Commercial) |
| Speed Grade | -3 |
EPF10K40RC240-3 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank-dependent) |
| Pin 2 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank-dependent) |
| Pin 3 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank-dependent) |
| Pin 4 | VCCIO — I/O supply voltage (3.3V or 5V) |
| Pin 5 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 6 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank-dependent) |
| Pin 7 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank-dependent) |
| Pin 8 | VCCINT — Core supply voltage (5V) |
| Pin 9 | nCONFIG — Configuration control (active-low) |
| Pin 10 | nSTATUS — Configuration status (active-low) |
| Pin 11 | CONF_DONE — Configuration complete (active-high) |
| Pin 12 | MSEL0 — Configuration mode select 0 |
| Pin 13 | MSEL1 — Configuration mode select 1 |
| Pin 14 | TCK — JTAG test clock |
| Pin 15 | TMS — JTAG test mode select |
| Pin 16 | TDI — JTAG test data input |
| Pin 17 | TDO — JTAG test data output |
| Pin 18 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 19 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank-dependent) |
| Pin 20 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank-dependent) |
| Pin 21 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank-dependent) |
| Pin 22 | VCCIO — I/O supply voltage (3.3V or 5V) |
| Pin 23 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank-dependent) |
| Pin 24 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank-dependent) |
| Pin 25 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank-dependent) |
| Pin 26 | VCCINT — Core supply voltage (5V) |
| Pin 27 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank-dependent) |
| Pin 28 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank-dependent) |
| Pin 29 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 30 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank-dependent) |
Typical Applications
EPF10K40RC240-3 is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control & Factory Automation, Legacy Telecommunications Glue Logic, ASIC Prototyping & Emulation, Custom Interface Bridging, Test & Measurement Instrumentation, Military & Aerospace Legacy Systems.
Industrial Control & Factory Automation
The EPF10K40RC240-3's 5V I/O tolerance and 40K-gate logic capacity suit industrial PLC interface and machine control designs. The 189 user I/Os handle dozens of digital I/O channels for sensor aggregation, motor control interlocks, and HMI link logic, while the 240-pin RQFP's exposed pad simplifies thermal dissipation in sealed control cabinets. Engineers typically run MAX+PLUS II on legacy industrial PCs to recompile design revisions. With 125 MHz internal performance, the device can implement real-time encoder decoding and deterministic state machines for safety-critical interlocks at sub-microsecond latency.
Recommended
Legacy Telecommunications Glue Logic
Telecom infrastructure from the late 1990s and 2000s relied on FLEX 10K FPGAs as bus bridges, protocol converters, and timing controllers between network processors, TDM framers, and backplane SERDES. The EPF10K40RC240-3's 189 I/Os accommodate wide parallel buses including 32-bit H.110/H.110-PCI backplanes, while the FastTrack interconnect provides the predictable routing delay required by telecom timing budgets. Its 5V tolerance simplifies integration with ECL/TTL line-interface ICs common in legacy central-office equipment where migration to modern FPGAs would require complete board redesigns.
Recommended
ASIC Prototyping & Emulation
Before ASIC tape-out, the EPF10K40RC240-3 served as a prototype vehicle to validate architecture and logic correctness. With 40K gates and 288 LABs, it could host moderately complex ASIC RTL subsets in modular form, allowing pre-silicon firmware development and customer demos. The FLEX 10K family was one of Altera's first with embedded array blocks (EABs), enabling prototype validation of RAM/ROM sub-systems alongside the logic. Today this use case continues in low-volume aerospace and defense programs where ASIC NRE is not justified.
Recommended
Custom Interface Bridging
When production systems must bridge mismatched interfaces (parallel-to-parallel, custom-bus-to-PCI, ISA-to-flash memory), the EPF10K40RC240-3's 189 I/Os and 125 MHz performance are often more than sufficient. The tri-state emulation feature implements bidirectional bus buffers cleanly, while the JTAG interface enables in-system programming and boundary-scan test. Medical instruments, test equipment, and specialty printers still ship with FLEX 10K-based interface bridges because the cost of PCB redesign outweighs the unit savings of a modern replacement FPGA.
Recommended
Test & Measurement Instrumentation
Bench-top and rack-mount test instruments in the 1990s-2000s era were built around FLEX 10K FPGAs to provide reconfigurable measurement DSP, trigger logic, and display controllers. The EPF10K40RC240-3 handles waveform capture pipelines, FFT preprocessing, and protocol-aware triggering for oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and arbitrary waveform generators. The 240-pin RQFP exposed pad provides thermal headroom for continuous full-gate utilization in instrument chassis. Long product lifecycles in T&M mean original FLEX 10K designs remain in active service decades after introduction.
Recommended
Military & Aerospace Legacy Systems
Long-lifecycle military and aerospace platforms (avionics, naval, ground vehicles) often retain FLEX 10K FPGAs for 20+ years because system-level recertification is prohibitively expensive. The EPF10K40RC240-3's commercial 0-70°C temperature grade served as the base, with -3 speed grade adequate for most MIL-STD-1553, ARINC 429, and discrete-signal interface tasks. With the FLEX 10K family now obsolete, brokers maintain the only inventory - making drop-in speed-grade variants like the -4N the preferred path for sustainment engineering without requiring PCB respin.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPF10K40RC240-3 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPF10K40RC240-4 | EPF10K40RC240-4N | EPF10K40RC240-2 | EPF10K40RC240-1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Intel (formerly Altera) | Intel (formerly Altera) | Intel (formerly Altera) | Intel (formerly Altera) | Intel (formerly Altera) |
| Package | 240-pin RQFP | 240-pin RQFP - same | 240-pin RQFP - same | 240-pin RQFP - same | 240-pin RQFP - same |
| Logic Elements (LEs) | 2,304 | 2,304 | 2,304 | 2,304 | 2,304 |
| User I/O | 189 | 189 | 189 | 189 | 189 |
| Speed Grade | -3 (standard) | -4 (faster) | -4 (faster) | -2 (slower) | -1 (slowest) |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
| Approx. Unit Price (USD) | ~$38.50 (qty-1) | ~$45 (qty-1) | ~$48 (qty-1) | ~$35 (qty-1) | ~$30 (qty-1) |
Key Differentiators
- Industry-standard 5V FLEX 10K speed-grade coverage (vs EPF10K40RC240-4)
- Identical pinout across all speed grades (vs EPF10K40RC240-4N)
- Higher logic capacity than smaller FLEX 10K members (vs EPF10K30RC240-3)
Design Notes
The 240-pin RQFP exposed pad must be soldered to a PCB thermal pad connected to a copper pour (recommended minimum 1 sq inch on each layer) to achieve the datasheet's thermal resistance. Without this, junction temperature can exceed 125°C under full-gate utilization at commercial ambient. The exposed pad also requires a via grid (typical 0.3mm vias on 1.0mm pitch) for thermal conductivity to internal layers.
Do not confuse the FLEX 10K -3 speed grade with Cyclone or Stratix speed grade conventions - Altera's FLEX 10K speed grade numbering was inverted (lower number = slower). The -1 is the slowest, -3 is standard, -4 is fastest, per the FLEX 10K datasheet speed-grade tables. Quartus II v9.0 is the last version with FLEX 10K support; Quartus II v9.1 and later dropped this family.
Separate VCCINT (5V core) and VCCIO (3.3V or 5V I/O) power planes are required. The FLEX 10K family supports mixed-voltage I/O by tying VCCIO to either 3.3V or 5V, but VCCINT must remain at 5V. Decouple each VCCINT pin with 0.1 µF ceramic plus 10 µF tantalum per Altera reference design, and place them within 100 mil of the package pin to control switching noise on the high-gate-count logic array.
Compliance Information
FLEX 10K family predates RoHS; verified distributor data does not confirm compliance status. AEC-Q100 not applicable for FPGAs. Choose -4N suffix for Pb-free assembly per Intel/Altera suffix conventions.
