EPF6024AQI208-1 - 24K Gate FLEX 6000 PLD, 208-PQFP, 172 MHz | Altera
MPN: EPF6024AQI208-1 ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $38.5 | $38.50 |
| 10 | $34.2 | $342.00 |
| 100 | $29.95 | $2,995.00 |
| 500 | $26.1 | $13,050.00 |
| 1,000 | $22.85 | $22,850.00 |
EPF6024AQI208-1 Overview
A Field-Programmable Logic Device (PLD) is a general term that encompasses SPLDs, CPLDs, and FPGAs - all are semiconductor devices whose logic function is defined after manufacturing by the end user. FLEX 6000 sits in the low-density, low-cost tier of the Altera (now Intel Programmable Solutions Group) FPGA portfolio, historically used as a glue-logic replacement for multiple 74-series TTL devices or small PAL/GAL arrays. The 6000 family supports JTAG-based boundary-scan, in-system programmability via the passive serial or ByteBlaster interface, and integrates distributed RAM blocks that can be repurposed as shift registers or small FIFOs.
Key features of the EPF6024AQI208-1 include 24 typical logic elements (LEs) per logic array block, four dedicated FastRow/FastColumn interconnect lines, multi-voltage I/O support (3.3 V LVTTL/LVCMOS), and an operating junction temperature range suited for industrial environments. The 208-pin PQFP provides 158 usable I/O pins, sufficient for parallel bus bridging, address decoding, and state-machine intensive control functions.
The device uses a 5V-tolerant I/O structure on input buffers, allowing mixed-voltage interfacing with legacy 5 V logic. Embedded JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) and embedded signal-probe circuitry allow post-layout debugging without external logic analyzers. Configuration is volatile and must be reloaded on power-up from a serial PROM or microcontroller.
Typical applications include bus-bridge glue logic between microprocessors and peripherals, peripheral controllers in industrial PCs, custom state-machine controllers, address-decoding logic in embedded systems, and prototyping of larger FPGA designs before migration to higher-density families such as Cyclone or MAX. With its 172 MHz performance and 208-pin footprint, the EPF6024AQI208-1 is well-suited to designs where a small, deterministic, low-power PLD is preferred over a full FPGA.
When designing with this part, ensure that configuration memory is loaded on every power-up because the SRAM cells are volatile. Plan PCB routing for the 208-pin PQFP with adequate power and ground planes, and verify JTAG chain continuity before relying on in-system updates.
Drop-in alternatives for EPF6024AQI208-1 — 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 EPF6024AQI208-1 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Process Technology, Operating Temperature, Device Type, Configuration Method.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPF6024AQI208-2
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$21.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF6024AQI208-3
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$9.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF6024AQC208-1
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$21.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF6024AQC208-2
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$7.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF6024AQC208-3
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$18.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF6024AQI208-1 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | FLEX 6000 |
| Device Type | Programmable Logic Device (PLD) |
| Typical Gates | 24,000 |
| Logic Elements | 1,960 LEs (estimated from family datasheet) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 172 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (VCCINT) | 3.0 V to 3.6 V (3.3 V nominal) |
| I/O Voltage Standard | 3.3 V LVTTL / LVCMOS |
| 5 V Tolerant Inputs | Yes |
| Package | 208-pin PQFP (FQFP, gull-wing) |
| Number of Pins | 208 |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| Configuration Method | SRAM (volatile), serial or JTAG |
| JTAG Support | IEEE 1149.1 boundary-scan |
| Process Technology | CMOS, 0.42 um 4-metal layer |
EPF6024AQI208-1 208-pin pqfp (fqfp, gull-wing) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EPF6024AQI208-1 (208-pin pqfp (fqfp, gull-wing) 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 EPF6024AQI208-1.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EPF6024AQI208-1 is suitable for 6 applications: Microprocessor Bus Bridge and Glue Logic, Custom State-Machine Controller, Address Decoder and Memory Interconnect, Peripheral Controller in Industrial PCs, FPGA Design Prototyping, Legacy System Maintenance and Repair.
Microprocessor Bus Bridge and Glue Logic
The EPF6024AQI208-1 is well-suited for microprocessor bus bridging and TTL glue-logic integration because it offers 158 user I/O pins at 172 MHz in a 208-pin PQFP package, enough to replace dozens of 74-series buffers, latches, and PAL/GAL devices on legacy industrial PC motherboards. The 5 V tolerant inputs allow direct connection to 5 V peripheral buses without level shifters, while 3.3 V LVCMOS outputs cleanly drive modern processor interfaces. Typical use case: integrating address decoding, wait-state generation, and interrupt arbitration between an embedded x86 host and ISA/PCI peripherals. The SRAM-based architecture is fast enough for one-clock-state pipelined decoding, and the device can absorb logic revisions via JTAG in-circuit programming during prototyping. This application benefits the EPF6024AQI208-1 specifically due to its combination of high I/O count, deterministic timing, and JTAG-based debug, advantages over discrete 74xx logic that would otherwise require 8-15 packages.
Recommended
Custom State-Machine Controller
The EPF6024AQI208-1 fits custom state-machine controller roles in industrial automation because its 1,960 logic elements support 50-100 state machines with complex Mealy/Moore outputs while running at 172 MHz, well above typical PLC scan times of 10-50 ms. The 208-pin PQFP package exposes 158 I/O for sensor inputs, actuator drivers, and inter-module handshake signals. Designers can use Quartus II (the original Altera design software) to capture the state machine as HDL and synthesize it into the device, then re-spin logic revisions via JTAG without board rework. The combination of industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C), SRAM-based in-system reprogrammability, and 5 V tolerant inputs makes the EPF6024AQI208-1 particularly suitable for factory-floor controllers that must survive wide thermal ranges and operate reliably alongside legacy 5 V sensors. The 172 MHz internal clock also allows high-speed encoder feedback and pulse-width modulation.
Recommended
Address Decoder and Memory Interconnect
The EPF6024AQI208-1 handles address decoding and memory interconnect functions effectively because its 1,960 logic elements can implement complex multi-bank address decode with chip-enable generation for 4-8 memory regions, each with separate timing windows. The 172 MHz internal performance enables single-clock propagation for pipelined memory controllers, and 158 user I/O pins comfortably drive 32-bit address buses plus 16-bit data buses plus control signals. Industrial temperature grade and 5 V tolerant inputs are valuable in embedded systems interfacing to legacy 5 V SRAM, NOR flash, or peripheral ASICs. The SRAM-based architecture permits late-stage design changes - engineers can re-route address mappings via JTAG without board rework, a major advantage over hard-wired 74LS138 or PAL decoders. This application showcases why the EPF6024AQI208-1 remains in demand for maintenance of legacy embedded systems where modern FPGAs would require complete PCB redesign.
Recommended
Peripheral Controller in Industrial PCs
The EPF6024AQI208-1 is used as a peripheral controller in industrial PCs because it integrates ISA bus arbitration, DMA handshake logic, and interrupt steering into a single device, replacing 6-10 discrete PAL devices. The 208-pin PQFP package fits standard AT/ATX motherboard form factors, and 5 V tolerant inputs interface directly to ISA bus signals while 3.3 V LVCMOS outputs drive modern chipset interfaces. Industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C) ensures reliable operation in fanless enclosures and outdoor installations. The 172 MHz internal performance handles DMA cycle stealing and bus mastering with deterministic latency. Engineers benefit from Quartus II schematic capture and HDL synthesis for rapid design iteration, with JTAG-based in-system updates enabling field firmware upgrades without removing the board. This application specifically leverages the EPF6024AQI208-1's I/O density and industrial-grade qualification.
Recommended
FPGA Design Prototyping
The EPF6024AQI208-1 is used for prototyping larger FPGA designs before committing to a final device because it shares Quartus II design flow, JTAG programming infrastructure, and SRAM-based configuration philosophy with modern Cyclone and Stratix families. Designers can validate HDL code, state-machine timing, and bus protocols on the FLEX 6000 architecture at 172 MHz, then port the same RTL to higher-density devices. The 208-pin PQFP package exposes enough I/O (158 pins) to validate multi-bus interfaces including SPI, I2C, UART, and parallel pixel buses. Although slower than modern FPGAs, the 172 MHz performance is sufficient to verify timing closure and signal integrity before migration. This use case is particularly relevant for engineers maintaining legacy FLEX 6000 design flows or training new engineers on Altera toolchains before transitioning to Intel Quartus Prime. The 5 V tolerant I/O also lets the prototype interface directly to legacy test fixtures.
Recommended
Legacy System Maintenance and Repair
The EPF6024AQI208-1 is essential for legacy system maintenance because many deployed industrial, medical, and military systems built in the late 1990s and early 2000s use this part as a custom controller, and replacement of the entire system is impractical or impossible due to qualification, certification, or backward-compatibility constraints. The 208-pin PQFP package matches the original PCB footprint exactly, and the industrial temperature grade matches the original qualification. Engineers restoring these systems need drop-in replacements with identical timing, pinout, and electrical characteristics; the EPF6024AQI208-1 (original) or EPF6024AQI208-2/-3 (speed-graded variants) are the only authentic options. JTAG-based configuration allows verification of existing bitstreams without modification. Independent distributors holding obsolete stock become critical supply sources for these maintenance applications, where a single failed PLD can render an entire system non-functional. This use case justifies the often-premium pricing for obsolete parts.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPF6024AQI208-1 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPF6024AQI208-2 | EPF6024AQI208-3 | EPF6024AQC208-1 | EPF6024AQC208-2 | EPF6024AQC208-3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera |
| Package | PQFP-208 | PQFP-208 (same) | PQFP-208 (same) | PQFP-208 (same) | PQFP-208 (same) | PQFP-208 (same) |
| Speed Grade | -1 (fastest) | -2 | -3 | -1 | -2 | -3 |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Commercial (0C to +70C) | Commercial (0C to +70C) | Commercial (0C to +70C) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 172 MHz | lower (-2 grade) | lowest (-3 grade) | 172 MHz | lower (-2 grade) | lowest (-3 grade) |
| Typical Gates | 24,000 | 24,000 | 24,000 | 24,000 | 24,000 | 24,000 |
| Supply Voltage | 3.0 V to 3.6 V | 3.0 V to 3.6 V | 3.0 V to 3.6 V | 3.0 V to 3.6 V | 3.0 V to 3.6 V | 3.0 V to 3.6 V |
| User I/O Pins | 158 | 158 | 158 | 158 | 158 | 158 |
Key Differentiators
- Largest I/O count in FLEX 6000 family at 158 user pins (vs EPF6024ATC144-3 (TQFP-144))
- Industrial temperature grade for harsh environments (vs EPF6024AQC208-1 (commercial grade))
- Speed grade -1 for highest performance in family (vs EPF6024AQI208-3 (speed grade -3))
Design Notes
The EPF6024AQI208-1 requires separate VCCINT (core, 3.3 V) and VCCIO (I/O bank, 3.3 V) rails per the FLEX 6000 datasheet. Decouple each VCCINT pin with a 0.1 uF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the pin, and add a bulk 33 uF tantalum or aluminum polymer capacitor per voltage rail. During configuration, inrush current can reach 300-500 mA, so size the regulator accordingly. Estimated: at 172 MHz with all I/O switching, total core current is approximately 100 mA typical, 250 mA worst case.
The 208-pin PQFP package has 0.5 mm pin pitch and 28 mm x 28 mm body, requiring 4-layer PCB with continuous ground plane beneath the device for thermal dissipation and signal integrity. Use 0.2 mm via-in-pad or tented vias for signal fanout. Maintain 50 ohm controlled impedance on clock and JTAG traces, and route configuration signals (nCONFIG, nSTATUS, CONF_DONE) away from switching I/O to avoid coupling-induced configuration errors.
Do not forget the configuration source - the SRAM cells are volatile and the device will not function on power-up without a valid bitstream loaded via passive serial, JTAG, or external EPC1/EPC2 PROM. A common error is to forget the nCONFIG pull-up resistor (10 kohm to VCCIO), which prevents reliable configuration initiation. Also note that 5 V tolerance applies only to inputs - driving 5 V into output pins will damage the device. Per the Altera FLEX 6000 datasheet, all unused I/O pins must be configured as outputs driving ground or left floating with the internal weak pull-up enabled.
The 208-pin PQFP has a theta_JA of approximately 35 C/W (still air, no heatsink). At maximum ambient of 85C industrial, the maximum allowable power dissipation is roughly 1.8 W. If the design drives many high-frequency outputs into heavy loads, derate the operating frequency or improve airflow. Estimated: typical static power is 50-100 mW; dynamic power scales with toggle rate and load capacitance.
Compliance Information
EPF6024AQI208-1 was launched before RoHS Phase 2 deadlines; specific RoHS compliance status requires verification against the lot's material declaration. Not AEC-Q100 qualified (consumer/industrial grade only). All compliance values marked unknown because the verified web data did not contain explicit compliance statements.
