EPF6016QC208-3N - 16K FLEX 6000 FPGA, 5V, 208-PQFP | Altera
MPN: EPF6016QC208-3N ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $33.98 | $33.98 |
| 10 | $30.58 | $305.80 |
| 100 | $26.5 | $2,650.00 |
| 500 | $23.1 | $11,550.00 |
| 1,000 | $20.4 | $20,400.00 |
EPF6016QC208-3N Overview
What is a FLEX 6000 FPGA? The FLEX 6000 is a second-generation Altera SRAM-based FPGA family introduced in the mid-1990s, designed as a low-cost programmable alternative to gate-array ASICs for high-volume glue-logic, bus-interface, and state-machine applications. The family uses a continuous-row LAB architecture with look-up table (LUT)-based logic elements and a hierarchical interconnect, sitting in the broader taxonomy of programmable logic devices (PLD) -> CPLD/FPGA -> SRAM-based FPGA -> FLEX 6000 family. Compared with its predecessor MAX 7000 CPLDs, FLEX 6000 devices offer true register-rich synchronous logic and higher gate density.
The EPF6016QC208-3N features MultiVolt I/O supporting 3.3 V and 5.0 V interfaces, allowing direct connection to 5 V CMOS inputs when VCCIO is tied to 3.3 V with a pull-up to 5 V. The device is configured via a serial configuration EPROM or the Altera ByteBlaster download cable, and supports in-system programmability through JTAG (IEEE 1149.1 boundary-scan). Internal pull-up resistors and IOL current specification must be observed when designing external pull-ups for mixed-voltage systems.
Typical applications include bus-interface bridges (PCI, ISA, VME), peripheral controllers, custom state machines, industrial control glue logic, and prototyping platforms where fast design iteration is required. The 208-pin PQFP provides generous I/O count for medium-complexity designs while remaining hand-solderable for prototype work.
When designing with this part, ensure VCCIO is decoupled with at least 0.1 µF ceramic capacitors placed within 6 mm of each supply pin, and follow Altera's configuration device selection guidelines for the appropriate EPC1/EPC2 configuration EPROM. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for EPF6016QC208-3N — 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 EPF6016QC208-3N (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, Package, Process Technology, Configuration Memory, RoHS Status.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPF6016QC208-3
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$19.91 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF6016QC208-2N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$18.9 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF6016QC208-2
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF6016QC208
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$23.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF6016AQC208-3N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$31.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF6016AQC208-3
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$19.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF6016QC208-3N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | FLEX 6000 |
| Logic Elements / Cells | 1,320 cells |
| Usable Gates | 16,000 gates |
| Logic Array Blocks (LABs) | 132 |
| Maximum User I/O | 171 |
| Maximum Operating Frequency | 125 MHz (internal, per family spec) |
| Internal Toggle Rate | Up to 172 MHz |
| Process Technology | 0.42 µm CMOS, SRAM-based |
| Core Supply Voltage (VCCINT) | 5.0 V |
| I/O Supply Voltage (VCCIO) | 3.3 V or 5.0 V |
| Package | 208-pin PQFP (Power Quad Flat Pack) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Configuration Method | Serial configuration EPROM or JTAG (ByteBlaster) |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +85 °C (commercial) |
| RoHS Status | unknown |
| Lifecycle | Obsolete (Altera FLEX 6000 family EOL) |
EPF6016QC208-3N 208-pin pqfp (power quad flat pack) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EPF6016QC208-3N (208-pin pqfp (power quad flat pack) 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 EPF6016QC208-3N.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EPF6016QC208-3N is suitable for 6 applications: PCI / ISA Bus Interface Bridge, Industrial Control Glue Logic Replacement, Custom Peripheral Controller / State Machine, VME / Multibus Backplane Interface, Rapid Prototyping / Design Verification Platform, Telecommunications Line Card Glue Logic.
PCI / ISA Bus Interface Bridge
The EPF6016QC208-3N's 171 user I/Os and 5 V-tolerant MultiVolt interface make it a strong fit for PCI 2.1 / ISA bus bridge designs where the device must interface directly to 5 V bus transceivers while presenting a 3.3 V-friendly core side. The 132 LABs comfortably absorb a 32-bit address/data state machine plus custom command decoding, with fMAX of 125 MHz leaving headroom for 33 MHz PCI timing. Place the FPGA between the system controller and the bus, decoding cycle/frame signals and presenting wait-state insertion logic. Designers should allocate separate VCCIO banks for the 5 V bus side and any 3.3 V peripheral side to avoid contention.
Recommended
Industrial Control Glue Logic Replacement
For replacing legacy discrete 74-series and PAL/GAL glue logic in industrial controllers, the EPF6016QC208-3N consolidates dozens of small packages into one SRAM-based FPGA with 16,000 usable gates. The 5 V core tolerance matches existing 5 V power rails without level shifters, and 171 I/Os absorb wide datapath and control-signal fan-out. Design entry uses Altera Quartus or legacy MAX+PLUS II for schematic and AHDL capture. Key trade-off: SRAM-based FPGAs require a configuration EPROM at every power-up, so consider MAX 7000 CPLDs if instant-on non-volatile behavior is required for safety interlocks.
Recommended
Custom Peripheral Controller / State Machine
The EPF6016QC208-3N's 132 LABs and 1,320 logic cells handle complex multi-state peripheral controllers (UART, parallel-port, custom serial protocols) with concurrent datapath and control logic. The 125 MHz internal fMAX supports sustained 50-60 MHz state-machine clocks typical of high-speed serial peripherals, while 5 V-tolerant I/Os interface to legacy peripherals without external buffers. Designers benefit from JTAG-based in-system programming via Altera ByteBlaster, enabling rapid firmware iteration. Watch the IOL current specification when driving 5 V CMOS inputs from 3.3 V VCCIO - the datasheet requires a pull-up resistor to the 5 V rail for reliable high-level output.
Recommended
VME / Multibus Backplane Interface
VMEbus and legacy Multibus systems running at 5 V benefit from the EPF6016QC208-3N's direct 5 V MultiVolt I/O and 171 available user pins for data, address, arbitration, and interrupt signals. The 208-pin PQFP gives 4 I/O banks with independent VCCIO rails, allowing mixed 5 V and 3.3 V interfacing within a single device. With 1,320 logic cells, designers can implement bus-master arbitration, interrupt handlers, and DMA engines in one chip. Note the 125 MHz fMAX is far above VME's 8-16 MHz bus speed, leaving timing margin for elaborate bus-watchdog logic.
Recommended
Rapid Prototyping / Design Verification Platform
The EPF6016QC208-3N's SRAM-based fabric and JTAG support make it ideal for ASIC prototyping and design verification platforms where iterative logic changes are routine. Designers can implement a 16K-gate ASIC netlist inside the FLEX 6000 fabric, download via ByteBlaster in seconds, and observe real-world behavior at up to 125 MHz. The 208-pin PQFP is hand-solder-friendly for quick breadboard prototypes. Compared to mask-programmed gate arrays, this FPGA cuts prototype turnaround from weeks to hours, though it adds BOM cost and a configuration EPROM requirement.
Recommended
Telecommunications Line Card Glue Logic
In telecom line-card applications, the EPF6016QC208-3N serves as a high-density glue-logic consolidation device, replacing dozens of 74FCT/74ACT packages with a single programmable part. The 171 user I/Os accommodate HDLC controllers, TDM framers, alarm-monitoring inputs, and front-panel LED drivers, while the 5 V I/O tolerance interfaces to legacy line-interface units without level translation. The 132 LABs easily fit HDB3/B8ZS encoding, slip-buffer management, and per-channel alarm scanning. Industrial temperature grade EPF6016ATC100 series should be considered for outdoor cabinet deployments.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPF6016QC208-3N — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPF6016QC208-3 | EPF6016QC208-2N | EPF6016QC208-2 | EPF6016QC208 | EPF6016AQC208-3N | EPF6016AQC208-3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera |
| Package | 208-pin PQFP | 208-pin PQFP (same) | 208-pin PQFP (same) | 208-pin PQFP (same) | 208-pin PQFP (same) | 208-pin PQFP (same) | 208-pin PQFP (same) |
| Family | FLEX 6000 | FLEX 6000 | FLEX 6000 | FLEX 6000 | FLEX 6000 | FLEX 6000 (rev A) | FLEX 6000 (rev A) |
| Logic Cells | 1,320 | 1,320 | 1,320 | 1,320 | 1,320 | 1,320 | 1,320 |
| Speed Grade | -3 (fastest) | -3 | -2 | -2 | unspecified (base) | -3 | -3 |
| Max User I/O | 171 | 171 | 171 | 171 | 171 | 171 | 171 |
| Lead-Free (N suffix) | Yes (Pb-free) | No (SnPb) | Yes (Pb-free) | No (SnPb) | No (SnPb) | Yes (Pb-free) | No (SnPb) |
| Silicon Revision | Original | Original | Original | Original | Original | Rev A | Rev A |
Key Differentiators
- Fastest speed grade in the EPF6016QC208 family (vs EPF6016QC208-2N)
- Lead-free (Pb-free) finish with N suffix (vs EPF6016QC208-3)
- Original silicon revision vs 'A' revision -3N (vs EPF6016AQC208-3N)
Design Notes
The EPF6016QC208-3N requires a stable 5.0 V VCCINT supply with multiple VCC and GND pins distributed around the 208-pin PQFP. Decouple each VCCINT pin with a 0.1 µF ceramic capacitor placed within 6 mm of the pin, plus bulk 10 µF tantalum or polymer caps near the package corners. The VCCIO pins should be similarly decoupled - use a separate regulator or filter if mixing 3.3 V and 5.0 V I/O banks. Inrush current during configuration can spike, so size your regulator for at least 1.5x the steady-state ICC.
The 208-pin PQFP has 0.5 mm lead pitch with a 5.6 mm wide body; allocate at least 4-layer PCB with continuous ground plane directly under the package for thermal spreading and controlled impedance. Route all configuration signals (nCONFIG, nSTATUS, CONF_DONE, DCLK, DATA0) away from high-speed switching nets and length-match DCLK-to-DATA0 within timing constraints documented in the FLEX 6000 datasheet. Leave space for the EPC1/EPC2 configuration EPROM adjacent to the FPGA.
When VCCIO is tied to 3.3 V and the output drives a 5 V CMOS input, you MUST add an external pull-up resistor to the 5 V supply - the datasheet explicitly warns that without this pull-up, the output-high level stays at 3.3 V and fails to register as a logic-high on 5 V CMOS inputs. Also note that VCCIO = 5.0 V incurs a slightly faster tOD1 delay than VCCIO below 4.75 V (which uses the slower tOD2 path) - budget timing margins accordingly when mixing voltage banks.
The 125 MHz internal fMAX and 172 MHz toggle rate mean that high-speed I/O nets (clock, synchronous memory interfaces) need 50 Ω controlled-impedance traces with series termination at the driver. Place a ground-reference via within 1 cm of each high-speed signal via to minimize return-path inductance. For multi-drop clock distribution, use the FPGA's dedicated clock-input pins and PLL-equivalent clock-tree logic rather than routing through general-purpose I/O.
Because FLEX 6000 is SRAM-based, configuration is lost on power-down - never assume the design boots instantly. Add a CONF_DONE pull-up and monitor nSTATUS during boot; if configuration fails, the device will leave nSTATUS low. For safety-critical designs, consider the Altera MAX 7000 CPLD family as a non-volatile alternative when instant-on behavior is mandatory.
Compliance Information
Pb-free finish indicated by 'N' suffix in MPN, but explicit RoHS/REACH compliance certificates were not found in the verified web data and are marked unknown. The FLEX 6000 family predates widespread AEC-Q100 automotive qualification programs; AEC-Q100 is not applicable.
