EPF10K70RC240-4N - 70K Gates FLEX-10K FPGA | Intel/Altera
MPN: EPF10K70RC240-4N ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $65 | $65.00 |
| 10 | $58.5 | $585.00 |
| 100 | $49 | $4,900.00 |
| 500 | $42 | $21,000.00 |
| 1,000 | $36.5 | $36,500.00 |
EPF10K70RC240-4N Overview
A Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a reconfigurable integrated circuit containing an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs), programmable routing, and I/O cells, allowing designers to implement arbitrary digital logic that can be re-programmed in-circuit. FPGAs belong to the broader hierarchy: programmable logic device (PLD) -> complex programmable logic device (CPLD)/FPGA -> digital semiconductor -> integrated circuit. The FLEX-10K family was Altera's first "System-on-a-Programmable-Chip" (SOPC) platform, embedding array blocks (EABs) that allow megafunctions such as RAM, ROM, and multipliers to be physically realised on-die alongside general-purpose logic.
Key features include 468 Logic Array Blocks (LABs), embedded array blocks for on-chip memory, JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) boundary-scan support, in-system programmability via SRAM configuration, and a dedicated configuration EPROM interface. The device supports both 5.0 V PCI compliance and multi-voltage I/O standards through per-bank reference voltage pins. With 189 available user I/Os, the part delivers substantial off-chip connectivity for bus-intensive glue-logic, bridge, and control applications.
The 240-pin BFQFP exposed-pad package aids thermal dissipation, while the 0.42 µm process gives the -4 speed grade typical propagation delays near 0.4 ns per LE. The architecture uses SRAM configuration cells, meaning the FPGA must be configured at each power-up from an external serial or parallel PROM (such as the EPC2 or EPC8 configuration devices).
Typical applications include industrial glue-logic and bus-bridging, telecom control-plane ASIC prototyping, military/aerospace legacy systems, and PCI bridge/controller emulation. The large gate count and abundant I/O make the EPF10K70RC240-4N a frequent choice for migrating older gate-array designs onto a programmable platform.
Design consideration: as the configuration is SRAM-based, a power-on reset and reliable configuration source are mandatory. Designers should use the dedicated CONF_DONE and nSTATUS pins to monitor configuration status and provide a clean POR sequence.
This page synthesises distributor pricing, drop-in FLEX-10K family alternatives, and practical configuration guidance not found on a single manufacturer page.
Drop-in alternatives for EPF10K70RC240-4N — 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 EPF10K70RC240-4N (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Operating Temperature, RoHS Status, Family, Process Technology.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPF10K70RC240-3N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$95 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF10K70RC240-3
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$19.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF10K70RC240-4
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$92.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF10K70RC240-2N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$65 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF10K70RC240-2
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$52.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF10K50VRC240-4N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$89.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF10K200SRC240-1N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$68.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF10K70RC240-4N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | FLEX-10K |
| Typical Gates | 70,000 |
| Logic Elements (LEs) / Cells | 3,744 |
| Number of LABs/CLBs | 468 |
| Total RAM Bits | 18,432 |
| User I/O Count | 189 |
| Supply Voltage | 5 V |
| Process Technology | 0.42 µm CMOS |
| Operating Frequency (max) | 125 MHz |
| Propagation Delay | ~0.4 ns (per LE, -4 speed grade) |
| Configuration Method | SRAM (volatile, external PROM required) |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +70 °C (Commercial) |
| Package | 240-BFQFP Exposed Pad (RQFP-240, Gull-Wing) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (per Altera product page) |
EPF10K70RC240-4N Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | I/O — User I/O (bank-dependent VREF) |
| Pin 60 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 120 | VCCINT — Core supply voltage (5 V) |
| Pin 180 | I/O — User I/O |
| Pin 240 | I/O — User I/O (full pin map per datasheet symbol table) |
Typical Applications
EPF10K70RC240-4N is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Glue Logic and Bus Bridging, ASIC Prototyping and Emulation, Telecom Control-Plane Logic, Military and Aerospace Legacy Avionics, PCI Bridge and Controller Emulation, Legacy Test and Measurement Equipment.
Industrial Glue Logic and Bus Bridging
The EPF10K70RC240-4N is well suited to industrial glue logic where multiple bus standards (PCI, ISA, VME, or proprietary parallel buses) must be bridged. Its 189 user I/Os handle wide parallel interfaces, while 3,744 logic elements implement state machines, FIFOs, and protocol converters. The 5 V supply rail aligns with legacy industrial backplanes, and 0 °C to 70 °C commercial temperature covers factory-floor enclosures. Designers place the FPGA between bus controllers and peripheral ASICs, using embedded array blocks (EABs) for small FIFOs and lookup-table logic for timing-sensitive glue.
Recommended
ASIC Prototyping and Emulation
With 70,000 typical gates and 468 LABs, the EPF10K70RC240-4N serves as a classic ASIC prototyping platform for medium-complexity gate-array designs. Engineers map synthesised RTL onto the 3,744 LEs and use 18,432 RAM bits for register files, scratch-pad memories, and bus-transaction buffers. The -4 speed grade offers ~0.4 ns propagation delay per LE, supporting emulation of 50-80 MHz ASIC cores. Re-programmability allows quick RTL iterations during pre-silicon validation, and the 240-pin BFQFP package exposes JTAG for boundary-scan debug.
Recommended
Telecom Control-Plane Logic
Legacy telecom equipment relies on FLEX-10K FPGAs for control-plane functions such as HDLC framing, TDM bus multiplexing, and ATM segmentation/reassembly. The EPF10K70RC240-4N's 189 user I/Os accept multiple T1/E1 framers and provide glue to the central switch-fabric ASIC, while 5 V PCI compliance lets it sit on cPCI backplanes. Embedded array blocks implement small CAMs and dual-port RAMs for cell buffering. Designers appreciate the deterministic -4 speed-grade timing for protocol-state machines.
Recommended
Military and Aerospace Legacy Avionics
Many long-lifecycle military platforms still operate on FLEX-10K designs qualified in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The EPF10K70RC240-4N provides 3,744 LEs and 189 I/Os for MIL-STD-1553 bus interfaces, ARINC 429 channels, and discrete I/O aggregation. Its 240-pin BFQFP exposed pad aids thermal dissipation in conduction-cooled chassis. Sustainment programmes use the part for form-fit-function replacement of obsolete gate arrays; obsolescence management plans now source this device from bonded distributor stock.
Recommended
PCI Bridge and Controller Emulation
The EPF10K70RC240-4N's 189 I/Os and 5 V PCI signalling make it a popular PCI bridge/controller emulator in development systems. Engineers implement custom PCI target/initiator cores, bus-arbiters, and 32-bit/64-bit data-path muxes in the 3,744 LEs. The 0.42 µm CMOS process and -4 speed grade comfortably meet 33 MHz PCI timing at 0 °C to 70 °C. EAB-based dual-port RAMs back-buffer transactions; multi-voltage I/O banks allow 3.3 V and 5 V PCI coexistence on the same board.
Recommended
Legacy Test and Measurement Equipment
VXI-based and LXI-class test instruments use FLEX-10K FPGAs for timing generators, counter/timer blocks, and instrument-bus glue. The device's 189 I/Os trigger multiple instruments simultaneously while the 70k-gate capacity implements DSP glue, pulse-train generators, and address decoders. The exposed-pad BFQFP aids thermal dissipation in fan-cooled ATE racks. Engineers re-spin older instruments by reprogramming this FPGA rather than redesigning the PCB, preserving the 5 V analogue signal chain.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPF10K70RC240-4N — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPF10K70RC240-3N | EPF10K70RC240-3 | EPF10K70RC240-4 | EPF10K70RC240-2N | EPF10K70RC240-2 | EPF10K50VRC240-4N | EPF10K200SRC240-1N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 240-BFQFP Exposed Pad (RQFP-240) | 240-BFQFP Exposed Pad (RQFP-240) | 240-BFQFP Exposed Pad (RQFP-240) | 240-BFQFP Exposed Pad (RQFP-240) | 240-BFQFP Exposed Pad (RQFP-240) | 240-BFQFP Exposed Pad (RQFP-240) | 240-BFQFP Exposed Pad (RQFP-240) | 240-BFQFP Exposed Pad (RQFP-240) |
| Brand | Altera (Intel FPGA) | Altera (Intel FPGA) | Altera (Intel FPGA) | Altera (Intel FPGA) | Altera (Intel FPGA) | Altera (Intel FPGA) | Altera (Intel FPGA) | Altera (Intel FPGA) |
| Speed Grade | -4 (mid-band) | -3 (faster) | -3 (faster) | -4 (same as -4N) | -2 (slower) | -2 (slower) | -4 (mid-band) | -1 (fastest) |
| Typical Gates | 70,000 | 70,000 | 70,000 | 70,000 | 70,000 | 70,000 | 50,000 (-29%) | 200,000 (+186%) |
| Lead Finish (RoHS) | Lead-free (N suffix) | Lead-free (N suffix) | SnPb (no N) | SnPb (no N) | Lead-free (N suffix) | SnPb (no N) | Lead-free (N suffix) | Lead-free (N suffix) |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- Mid-density FLEX-10K with 70k gates, balanced for legacy bus-bridging (vs EPF10K30RC240-4N)
- Lead-free (RoHS) finish with N suffix (vs EPF10K70RC240-4)
- Abundant 189 I/Os in 240-BFQFP (vs EPF10K50VRC240-4N)
Design Notes
The FLEX-10K family requires a clean 5 V ±5% supply for VCCINT. Bulk-decouple VCCINT with 100 µF tantalum and 0.1 µF ceramic per the Altera reference schematic. During SRAM configuration, inrush current can briefly exceed 1 A; size the regulator and input fuse accordingly. Estimated: assuming 5 V × 500 mA ICCINT and a 5 V × 200 mA VCCIO, total worst-case draw is roughly 3.5 W from the 5 V rail.
Because the EPF10K70RC240-4N uses SRAM configuration, it loses its bitstream on every power-down. Always pair the device with a configuration PROM (EPC2/EPC4/EPC8) or a microcontroller that drives the passive-serial (PS) configuration interface. A floating CONF_DONE pin after power-up indicates a missing or corrupted bitstream - check the nSTATUS pin and verify PROM write cycles.
Place the 240-pin BFQFP on a four-layer PCB with a continuous ground plane directly beneath the exposed pad. Stitch vias around the exposed pad on a 1 mm grid to maximise thermal conductivity. Per Altera layout guidelines, keep all VCCINT and VCCIO pins individually decoupled with 0.1 µF X7R capacitors within 5 mm of each pin to suppress simultaneous-switching noise across the 189 I/Os.
Compliance Information
RoHS-compliant per Altera/Intel FPGA product page. Lead-free (N suffix) finish. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; FLEX-10K family targets industrial, telecom, and defence applications. Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in the verified web data.
