EPF6024AQC208-2N - FLEX 6000 24K-Gate FPGA, 171 I/O, PQFP-208
MPN: EPF6024AQC208-2N ⚠ Last Time Buy| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $28.5 | $28.50 |
| 10 | $25.2 | $252.00 |
| 100 | $22.1 | $2,210.00 |
| 500 | $19.75 | $9,875.00 |
| 1,000 | $17.4 | $17,400.00 |
EPF6024AQC208-2N Overview
A Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a type of programmable logic device that combines the integration density of a gate array with the design flexibility of in-system re-programmability. In the broader component taxonomy, the FLEX 6000 sits below ASIC gate arrays and modern low-cost Cyclone FPGAs but above legacy CPLDs in both gate count and I/O capability. EPF6024AQC208-2N consumes 1,960 logic cells plus embedded RAM and routes signals through a continuous, hierarchical interconnect - making it a programmable alternative to fixed-logic gate arrays for high-volume designs and a fast prototyping tool for design verification.
Key features include 196 LABs, 1,960 logic elements, 171 maximum user I/Os, 3.3 V single-supply operation, in-system programmability via the Altera ByteBlaster or BitBlaster configuration port, multi-voltage I/O support, and full JTAG boundary-scan (IEEE 1149.1) compliance. The "-2N" suffix denotes speed grade 2 and lead-free / Pb-free finish compatible with standard SMT reflow profiles.
Typical applications include glue-logic consolidation in telecom line cards, industrial control backplanes, legacy ASIC prototyping, parallel data-acquisition front-ends, bus-interface bridging (PCI local bus glue logic, ISA-to-PCI bridges), and educational / university digital-logic lab platforms where the FLEX 6000 family remains in service due to its long-life-cycle availability and familiar Quartus II / MAX+PLUS II tool flow.
When designing with the EPF6024AQC208-2N, observe PQFP-208 PCB layout guidelines: provide at least 0.508 mm lead pitch clearance, a continuous ground plane beneath the package for decoupling, and bulk + 0.1 µF ceramic bypass capacitors on every VCCINT/VCCIO pin pair. Because this is an SRAM-based FPGA, an external configuration EPROM (EPC1 or EPC2) is required to load the bitstream on power-up unless a microcontroller is used as a configuration host.
This page synthesizes distributor inventory, drop-in alternatives from the FLEX 6000 family, and practical PQFP-208 layout notes not found in the legacy FLEX 6000 datasheet - giving engineers the full picture when evaluating this long-life FPGA for both new designs and legacy replacements.
Drop-in alternatives for EPF6024AQC208-2N — 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 EPF6024AQC208-2N (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Speed Grade, Configuration Method, Operating Temperature, Process Technology.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPF6024AQC208-1N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$18.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF6024AQC208-2
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF6024AQC208-1
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$21.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF6024ABC256-2N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$22.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF6016AQC208-2N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$13.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF6016AQC208-2
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$19.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF6024AQC208-2N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | FLEX 6000 |
| Device Type | FPGA (SRAM-based) |
| Typical Gates | 24,000 |
| Usable Gates | 19,000 |
| Logic Elements (Cells) | 1,960 |
| Logic Array Blocks (LABs) | 196 |
| Maximum User I/Os | 171 |
| Process Technology | 0.42 µm CMOS |
| Supply Voltage (VCCINT) | 3.3 V (3.0 V to 3.6 V) |
| Maximum Internal Frequency | 166.67 MHz (speed grade -2) |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +85 °C (commercial) |
| Package | 208-pin PQFP (BFQFP) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Configuration Method | SRAM, via EPC1/EPC2 EPROM or ByteBlaster/BitBlaster |
| JTAG Boundary Scan | IEEE 1149.1 compliant |
| Lead-Free / RoHS | Lead-free (Pb-free suffix "N") |
EPF6024AQC208-2N 208-pin pqfp (bfqfp) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EPF6024AQC208-2N (208-pin pqfp (bfqfp) 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 EPF6024AQC208-2N.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EPF6024AQC208-2N is suitable for 6 applications: Legacy Telecom Line-Card Glue Logic, Industrial Control Backplane Logic Consolidation, ASIC Prototyping and Design Verification, Parallel Data-Acquisition Front-End, PCI / ISA Bus Interface Bridging, Military / Aerospace Legacy Avionics (COTS).
Legacy Telecom Line-Card Glue Logic
The EPF6024AQC208-2N is widely deployed as glue logic on legacy telecom line cards where it bridges backplane buses, time-slot crossbar switches, and TDM framer ICs. Its 1,960 logic elements and 171 user I/Os comfortably absorb board-level state machines, parity generators, and interrupt controllers that previously required multiple 74-series TTL parts. The 3.3 V single-supply operation simplifies power-tree design, while the 166.67 MHz internal frequency in speed grade -2 easily meets 77.76 MHz STS-1 and 155.52 MHz STM-1 timing margins. Engineers retain the part because the FLEX 6000 bitstream is verified and re-validation cost exceeds FPGA migration savings on long-life network equipment.
Recommended
Industrial Control Backplane Logic Consolidation
In PLC and DCS backplanes, the EPF6024AQC208-2N consolidates dozens of discrete 74HC/MSI logic packages - address decoders, bus arbiters, watchdog timers, and encoder/decoder blocks - into a single re-programmable device. The 196 LABs provide ample headroom for IEC 61131-3 style state machines and Modbus/Profibus framing logic, while the 171 I/Os interface directly to 5 V-tolerant peripherals through the FLEX 6000 multi-voltage I/O feature. Industrial control designers benefit from in-system reprogrammability for field upgrades without board swap, and the PQFP-208 package is hand-rework friendly for legacy field-service operations. Commercial 0-85 °C temperature grade suits cabinet-mounted equipment.
Recommended
ASIC Prototyping and Design Verification
The EPF6024AQC208-2N was a workhorse ASIC prototype vehicle in the late 1990s and 2000s because 1,960 logic elements mapped cleanly to mid-complexity gate-array designs. Engineers prototyping custom ASICs ported their RTL into the FLEX 6000, validated real-world timing and I/O behavior at 166.67 MHz internal frequency, then committed the verified design to silicon. The PQFP-208 package exposes 171 I/Os for full perimeter probing on prototype boards, and the Quartus II / MAX+PLUS II tool flow accepts the same VHDL/Verilog source used for the final ASIC. Universities still rely on this part for digital-logic teaching laboratories because the FLEX 6000 architecture is simple enough for students to grasp yet feature-rich for senior projects.
Recommended
Parallel Data-Acquisition Front-End
The EPF6024AQC208-2N serves as the timing and channel-management controller in parallel data-acquisition front-ends, routing 8-bit or 16-bit ADC sample streams into memory or downstream DSP. Its 171 user I/Os handle multiple ADC/DAC handshake signals, FIFO flag logic, and trigger synchronization without external muxing. Speed grade -2 supports sample-clock rates up to 166.67 MHz, suitable for video-rate 100 MSPS converters and mid-bandwidth instrumentation. The 3.3 V core and programmable I/O standards (3.3 V LVTTL/LVCMOS) align with most mixed-signal front-end ICs of the era, simplifying board-level power and signal-integrity design.
Recommended
PCI / ISA Bus Interface Bridging
Legacy PCI local-bus and ISA backplanes used the EPF6024AQC208-2N as a bus-bridge controller, translating between 33 MHz PCI and 8 MHz ISA timing domains, arbitrating interrupts, and generating wait states. The 196 LABs comfortably implement the PCI target state machine, configuration-space registers, and parity logic. With 171 I/Os the device has full access to multiplexed PCI address/data bus plus auxiliary ISA control signals. Many PCI add-in cards from the early 2000s relied on this part, and the existing FLEX 6000 bitstream allows field-replacement without driver changes. Quartus II supports legacy PCI IP cores for direct instantiation.
Recommended
Military / Aerospace Legacy Avionics (COTS)
Long-life military and avionics platforms retain the EPF6024AQC208-2N as Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) glue logic because re-qualifying flight hardware is prohibitively expensive. The 1,960 logic elements handle MIL-STD-1553 stub logic, ARINC 429 bus monitoring, and discrete-to-serial concentration in legacy LRUs (Line Replaceable Units). The commercial 0-85 °C temperature grade is acceptable for temperature-controlled avionics bays, and the PQFP-208 ceramic-compatible footprint eases through-hole adapter usage. Many defense sustainment programs have multi-decade logistics tails, and the FLEX 6000 family is supported through Altera/Intel's legacy product program.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPF6024AQC208-2N — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPF6024AQC208-1N | EPF6024AQC208-2 | EPF6024AQC208-1 | EPF6024ABC256-2N | EPF6016AQC208-2N | EPF6016AQC208-2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Intel (formerly Altera) | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel |
| Package | 208-pin PQFP (BFQFP) | 208-pin PQFP (BFQFP) | 208-pin PQFP (BFQFP) | 208-pin PQFP (BFQFP) | 256-pin BGA (different footprint) | 208-pin PQFP (BFQFP) | 208-pin PQFP (BFQFP) |
| Logic Elements | 1,960 | 1,960 | 1,960 | 1,960 | 1,960 | 1,320 | 1,320 |
| Typical Gates | 24,000 | 24,000 | 24,000 | 24,000 | 24,000 | 16,000 | 16,000 |
| User I/Os | 171 | 171 | 171 | 171 | 171 | 171 | 171 |
| Speed Grade | -2 (166.67 MHz) | -1 (slower) | -2 (166.67 MHz) | -1 (slower) | -2 (166.67 MHz) | -2 (166.67 MHz) | -2 (166.67 MHz) |
| Lead-Free Finish | Yes (Pb-free, suffix N) | Yes (Pb-free, suffix N) | No (non-N, Pb-terminated) | No (non-N, Pb-terminated) | Yes (Pb-free, suffix N) | Yes (Pb-free, suffix N) | No (non-N, Pb-terminated) |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V (3.0-3.6 V) | 3.3 V (3.0-3.6 V) | 3.3 V (3.0-3.6 V) | 3.3 V (3.0-3.6 V) | 3.3 V (3.0-3.6 V) | 3.3 V (3.0-3.6 V) | 3.3 V (3.0-3.6 V) |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +85 °C (commercial) | 0 °C to +85 °C | 0 °C to +85 °C | 0 °C to +85 °C | 0 °C to +85 °C | 0 °C to +85 °C | 0 °C to +85 °C |
Key Differentiators
- Mid-tier performance in the FLEX 6000 family (vs EPF6024AQC208-1N)
- Full Pb-free compliance (suffix N) (vs EPF6024AQC208-2 (non-N))
- Highest-density FLEX 6000 in PQFP-208 package (vs EPF6016AQC208-2N)
Design Notes
PQFP-208 has a 0.5 mm lead pitch; allocate at least 1.5x lead-width spacing between adjacent traces and use micro-via fan-out where inner-layer breaks are required. Provide a continuous uninterrupted ground plane directly under the package to control switching-current return paths, and stitch the perimeter with GND vias every 3-5 mm. Place one 0.1 µF X7R ceramic bypass capacitor within 5 mm of every VCCINT/VCCIO pin pair, plus a single 10 µF tantalum bulk capacitor near each power-pin cluster. Lead-free reflow profile must peak at 245-250 °C for no more than 30 seconds to avoid PQFP-208 lead lifting.
Estimated: at typical 1.960k logic-element utilization with 50% toggle rate, the FLEX 6000 draws roughly 200-400 mA from VCCINT (3.3 V) at 166 MHz; budget at least 1.5 A worst-case inrush during configuration. Use a soft-start controller or sequenced supply to limit inrush when the FLEX 6000 requests bitstream load. VCCIO can be driven from a separate 3.3 V or 2.5 V rail depending on I/O standard selection (LVTTL/LVCMOS). A 100 µF bulk decoupling capacitor shared across all VCC pins prevents mid-operation VCC droop during simultaneous I/O switching.
Because the FLEX 6000 is SRAM-based, the EPF6024AQC208-2N loses its configuration on every power-down - an external configuration EPROM (EPC1, EPC2, EPC16) or microcontroller-hosted bitstream is mandatory; without it the device powers up with all I/Os tri-stated and logic undefined. Do not leave JTAG TCK floating during normal operation; pull it to a defined logic level via 10 kΩ resistor to GND or VCC to prevent spurious boundary-scan activity. The -2N suffix is Pb-free - do not substitute with non-N variants (e.g., EPF6024AQC208-2) on RoHS-required assemblies. Verify that the configuration EPROM's VCC matches the FLEX 6000 VCCIO selection to avoid bitstream-load failures.
Compliance Information
Pb-free finish (suffix N) per Altera/Intel legacy product specifications; RoHS and REACH compliant based on Intel's Conflict-Free Minerals Policy. AEC-Q100 not applicable for commercial-grade FLEX 6000 parts.