EPF10K50EQC240-3N - FLEX 10KE FPGA 50K Gates 240-PQFP | Intel
MPN: EPF10K50EQC240-3N ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $95 | $95.00 |
| 10 | $82.5 | $825.00 |
| 100 | $71.2 | $7,120.00 |
| 500 | $64.8 | $32,400.00 |
| 1,000 | $59.5 | $59,500.00 |
EPF10K50EQC240-3N Overview
A Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a semiconductor device built around an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs/LABs) connected by a programmable interconnect matrix. FPGAs are a category of programmable logic devices (PLDs) within the broader semiconductor hierarchy, sitting alongside CPLDs and complex logic devices, and they are typically used when design iteration speed, parallel processing, or high I/O count outweighs the per-unit cost of an ASIC. FPGAs are commonly used in prototyping, telecommunications, industrial control, and test equipment, where the same silicon can be reconfigured for many different applications.
The EPF10K50EQC240-3N integrates 40,960 bits of embedded SRAM distributed across the logic fabric, providing flexible on-chip memory for FIFO buffers, register files, and look-up tables. It supports in-system programmability via an external configuration device (such as an EPC2 or EPC8) or via JTAG, allowing field upgrades and design iteration without removing the part from the board. The -3 speed grade is the fastest commercial grade offered on the FLEX 10KE family at 240-pin PQFP, delivering higher Fmax on internal paths compared to the -2 and -1 grades.
Architecturally, the FLEX 10KE family employs a continuous, hierarchical interconnect structure (FastTrack) and an embedded array block (EAB) system, giving designers the ability to implement both fine-grained logic and dedicated memory/ROM functions. The device supports multi-volt I/O operation, allowing 5.0 V, 3.3 V, and 2.5 V interfaces on the same die through bank-based VCCIO configuration. The 240-pin PQFP package provides 189 usable user I/Os after power, ground, JTAG, and configuration pins are reserved.
Typical applications include industrial control and factory automation controllers, telecommunications line cards and bus bridges, test and measurement instrumentation, legacy system prototyping, and embedded control logic in printers, copiers, and medical instrumentation. Its 50K-gate capacity is well-matched to designs that outgrow a CPLD but do not require a modern high-density FPGA.
When designing with the EPF10K50EQC240-3N, engineers should pay close attention to I/O banking: each bank must be supplied with a single VCCIO voltage, and 5 V-tolerant inputs require a 3.3 V VCCIO on the relevant bank. Configuration mode (AS, AP, PS, JTAG) must be selected via MSEL pins at power-up. The 240-pin PQFP has a 32.1 mm × 32.1 mm body size, so PCB real estate and via-in-pad compatibility should be considered early in layout.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, same-package drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes for engineers maintaining legacy FLEX 10KE designs - information that the original Altera datasheet alone does not consolidate.
Drop-in alternatives for EPF10K50EQC240-3N — 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 EPF10K50EQC240-3N (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Process Technology, Operating Temperature, Package, Speed Grade, Series.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPF10K50EQC240-2N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$87.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF10K50EQC240-1N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$132.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF10K50EQC240-3
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$21 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF10K50EQC240-2
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$65 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF10K50EQC240-1
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$26.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF10K50EQC240-3N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Series | FLEX 10KE |
| Family | FLEX 10K |
| Logic Elements / Cells | 2,880 |
| Total Gates | 50,000 (typical) |
| Logic Array Blocks (LABs) | 360 |
| Number of I/O | 189 |
| Embedded Memory (bits) | 40,960 |
| Supply Voltage - Core | 2.5 V |
| Process Technology | 0.22 µm CMOS SRAM |
| Maximum Internal Frequency | 166.67 MHz |
| Speed Grade | -3 |
| Package / Case | 240-BFQFP (PQFP), 32.1 × 32.1 mm |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +70 °C (Commercial) |
| Configuration Method | SRAM, JTAG, EPC2/EPC8 supported |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
EPF10K50EQC240-3N 240-bfqfp (pqfp), 32.1 × 32.1 mm Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EPF10K50EQC240-3N (240-bfqfp (pqfp), 32.1 × 32.1 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 EPF10K50EQC240-3N.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EPF10K50EQC240-3N is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Logic / Factory Automation, Telecommunications Line Cards / Bus Bridges, Test & Measurement Instrumentation, Legacy System Prototyping & Form-Fit Replacements, Printer / Copier / Imaging Subsystems, Embedded Control / Medical Instrumentation (Legacy).
Industrial Control Logic / Factory Automation
The EPF10K50EQC240-3N fits industrial control designs that require more logic than a CPLD but do not need a modern high-density FPGA. Its 50K-gate capacity handles PID controllers, motor-control sequencers, and I/O-expansion logic, while the 189 user I/Os accommodate large numbers of opto-isolated digital inputs and relay-driver outputs typical in PLC backplanes. The 2.5 V core, 0.22 µm CMOS SRAM process, and commercial 0-70 °C rating suit controlled factory-floor enclosures. The -3 speed grade's 166.67 MHz Fmax supports deterministic scan-based diagnostics.
Recommended
Telecommunications Line Cards / Bus Bridges
The EPF10K50EQC240-3N's 189 I/Os make it well-suited for telecom line-card glue logic, including bus-bridging between legacy TDM backplanes (H.110 / MVIP) and modern processors. The FLEX 10KE family's multi-voltage I/O banks allow direct 3.3 V and 5 V interface without external level shifters. The 360 LABs and 40,960 bits of embedded SRAM enable on-chip FIFO buffering for protocol conversion, while the JTAG-based configuration path simplifies board-level test. Engineers can pair the device with an EPC2 configuration PROM for in-system reprogrammability via JTAG boundary scan.
Recommended
Test & Measurement Instrumentation
The EPF10K50EQC240-3N is widely used in legacy test equipment such as logic analyzers, protocol testers, and digitizer front-ends, where the -3 speed grade's 166.67 MHz Fmax enables high-speed state-machine sequencing and trigger generation. Its 50K-gate capacity allows the integration of pattern generators, timing engines, and parallel data formatters on a single chip. The 240-pin PQFP package is well-suited to through-hole-friendly chassis designs common in rack-mount instruments. Multi-voltage I/O banks let engineers connect directly to 5 V analog front-ends and 3.3 V DSP blocks.
Recommended
Legacy System Prototyping & Form-Fit Replacements
For engineers maintaining or replicating legacy 1990s/2000s designs, the EPF10K50EQC240-3N provides a 50K-gate, 240-PQFP drop-in form-fit-function equivalent to the original FLEX 10KE part. Its pinout is identical to the -1N, -2N, -2, and -3 variants in the same package, enabling speed-grade swaps during board repair or re-spin. The 32.1 × 32.1 mm body remains compatible with PCBs designed in the original Altera reference footprint. SRAM-based configuration via JTAG supports field firmware updates without removing the part from the board.
Recommended
Printer / Copier / Imaging Subsystems
The EPF10K50EQC240-3N's 189 I/Os and 50K-gate capacity suit printer and copier subsystems that aggregate image data, drive stepper motors, sequence fuser heaters, and handle operator-panel keypads. Embedded SRAM (40,960 bits) provides fast line-buffer memory for raster data without external SRAM. The commercial 0-70 °C operating range matches office-environment imaging equipment. Multi-voltage I/O banks allow direct connection to 5 V sensors and 3.3 V microcontrollers, reducing BOM cost. SRAM-based configuration simplifies field firmware updates across product variants.
Recommended
Embedded Control / Medical Instrumentation (Legacy)
The EPF10K50EQC240-3N is found in legacy embedded medical devices (patient monitors, infusion pumps, diagnostic analyzers) where the original design used a FLEX 10KE FPGA for I/O aggregation and glue logic. Its 240-PQFP package and 189 I/Os support the diverse sensor and actuator interfaces typical in medical instruments. Engineers sustaining these products benefit from the device's mature Altera Quartus support, abundant IP cores (UART, SPI, I2C, timers), and the broad stock availability from authorized aftermarket distributors as of 2026-09-11. The commercial 0-70 °C range suits controlled clinical environments.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPF10K50EQC240-3N — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPF10K50EQC240-2N | EPF10K50EQC240-1N | EPF10K50EQC240-3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) |
| Package | 240-PQFP (BFQFP) | 240-PQFP (BFQFP) - same | 240-PQFP (BFQFP) - same | 240-PQFP (BFQFP) - same |
| Speed Grade | -3 | -2 | -1 | -3 (same) |
| Total Gates | 50,000 | 50,000 | 50,000 | 50,000 |
| Logic Elements | 2,880 | 2,880 | 2,880 | 2,880 |
| User I/O | 189 | 189 | 189 | 189 |
| Embedded SRAM (bits) | 40,960 | 40,960 | 40,960 | 40,960 |
| Max Internal Fmax | 166.67 MHz | ~133 MHz | ~100 MHz | 166.67 MHz |
| RoHS / Pb-Free | Pb-free (N suffix) | Pb-free (N suffix) | Pb-free (N suffix) | SnPb finish (no N suffix) |
Key Differentiators
- Fastest commercial -3 speed grade in the 240-PQFP FLEX 10KE line (vs EPF10K50EQC240-2N)
- Identical 50K-gate architecture across all FLEX 10KE PQFP speed grades (vs EPF10K50EQC240-1N)
- Pb-free (N-suffix) finish meets RoHS requirements (vs EPF10K50EQC240-3 (non-N))
Design Notes
The EPF10K50EQC240-3N requires three power rails: VCCINT (2.5 V core, ~150-300 mA active depending on utilization), VCCIO (per I/O bank: 2.5 V / 3.3 V / 5 V-tolerant), and VCCPD (3.3 V for configuration/JTAG). All VCC pins must be decoupled with 0.1 µF ceramics within 5 mm of each supply pin and bulk 33-100 µF tantalum at the regulator output. Inrush during SRAM configuration can briefly draw higher current; size the 2.5 V regulator for at least 500 mA peak to avoid voltage collapse at POR. Estimate: at 50% utilization with 100 MHz toggling, expect ~250 mA on VCCINT - confirm with Quartus PowerPlay for your design.
Place the 0.1 µF VCCINT and VCCIO decoupling capacitors on the SAME layer as the FPGA, within 3 mm of the package pins, with short, wide traces and vias. The 240-pin PQFP has 31.1 × 31.1 mm of internal plane real estate; flood the inner layers with continuous 2.5 V and GND planes and stitch the I/O bank VCCIO planes only under their respective bank pin groups. Clock inputs (CLK0/CLK1) should have 50 Ω controlled-impedance traces and be length-matched if both are used. JTAG chain integrity requires TMS, TDI, and TCK lines kept short and away from switching I/O edges.
Do not mix 5 V outputs with a 3.3 V VCCIO bank - the FLEX 10KE outputs drive rail-to-rail and will damage downstream 3.3 V devices. Always check VCCIO assignment against each I/O bank's actual usage. The configuration mode (AS / AP / PS / JTAG) is selected by MSEL pin strapping at power-up; incorrect MSEL settings cause silent configuration failure. Last-known-good design tip: always include a JTAG header for in-system reprogramming and a CONF_DONE LED to visually confirm configuration success at power-on.
Compliance Information
Pb-free matte-tin finish indicated by 'N' suffix per Altera/Intel part-number convention. RoHS compliance verified via distributor listings (DigiKey, Mouser). AEC-Q100 not applicable - this is a commercial-grade FPGA, not an automotive-qualified part. No halogen-free or conflict-minerals statement found in the verified web data - flagged as unknown.
