Intel

EPF81188AQC208-4 - FLEX 8000 FPGA 12K Gates 1008 Cells 5V | Intel

MPN: EPF81188AQC208-4 ✗ End of Life
In Stock Ships in 1-3 business days
5 V Vdss 208-pin BFQFP / PQFP (Plastic Quad Flat Pack) Package 125 MHz Speed
From $62 USD / Unit
MOQ: 1 |
Price updated: 2026-09-11
Volume Pricing
Qty Unit Price Extended
1 $95 $95.00
10 $85 $850.00
100 $75 $7,500.00
500 $68 $34,000.00
1,000 $62 $62,000.00
ℹ️ All prices are in USD

EPF81188AQC208-4 Overview

The Intel (Altera) EPF81188AQC208-4 is a member of the FLEX 8000 family of CMOS SRAM-based Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), delivering 12,000 usable gates, 1,008 logic cells, and 148 user I/Os in a 208-pin Power Quad Flat Pack (PQFP/BFQFP) package. The device operates from a 5 V supply and is built on a 0.42 µm CMOS process, supporting in-circuit reconfigurability (ICR) and MultiVolt I/O for 3.3 V / 5.0 V mixed-voltage system interfacing. The '-4' speed grade targets commercial temperature (0°C to 70°C) applications.

An FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is a programmable logic device that allows engineers to implement arbitrary digital logic via a configuration bitstream stored in SRAM. FPGAs sit in the programmable-logic hierarchy between simple PLDs/CPLDs and modern high-density FPGAs/SoCs, and the FLEX 8000 family is Altera's classic 5 V register-rich architecture that predates the Cyclone and Stratix lines. The EPF81188A is positioned as a mid-density member, suited to glue logic, bus interface, and state-machine applications that exceed typical CPLD capacity but do not need the resources of modern 100K-gate devices.

Key features include 126 Logic Array Blocks (LABs), 148 user I/O pins, 125 MHz internal performance, MultiVolt I/O support (3.3 V or 5.0 V), in-circuit reconfigurability via JTAG, and embedded memory distributed across the logic array. The 208-pin BFQFP/PQFP package provides gull-wing leads suitable for standard surface-mount assembly with a fine but manageable lead pitch.

Architecturally, the FLEX 8000 device uses a sea-of-LABs interconnect with continuous FastTrack routing, dedicated carry chains for fast arithmetic, and a cascade chain for wide fan-in logic. Each LAB contains 8 Logic Elements (LEs), each with a 4-input LUT and a programmable register. The MultiVolt I/O feature allows output buffers to drive 3.3 V or 5.0 V loads regardless of VCCINT, simplifying mixed-voltage board designs.

Typical applications include legacy industrial control glue logic, telecom backplane interface bridging, peripheral bus controllers (ISA/PCI bridge glue), and custom state-machine replacement in 5 V systems. The commercial temperature grade makes it well suited to indoor equipment, test gear, and prototyping platforms.

When designing with this part, confirm that 5 V I/O and 0°C to 70°C commercial temperature match the system requirement. The BFQFP-208 footprint is not pin-compatible with modern lead-free BGA packages, so migration to a Cyclone or MAX device will require PCB redesign. Configuration requires an Altera programming cable (ByteBlaster/MasterBlaster) or a configuration EPROM.

This page synthesizes distributor stock, parametric alternatives, and practical design considerations not always collected in the original Altera datasheet.

Drop-in alternatives for EPF81188AQC208-4 — 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 EPF81188AQC208-4 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Mounting Type, Operating Temperature, Process Technology, In-Circuit Reconfigurability, Logic Family.

Altera
Mounting Type: Surface Mount
Operating Temperature: -40C to +85C (industrial / commercial grade)
Process Technology: CMOS, 0.42 um SRAM configuration cell
Compare with EPF81188AQC208-4 →
Intel
Mounting Type: Surface Mount
Operating Temperature: 0 C to +70 C (Commercial)
Process Technology: CMOS SRAM
Compare with EPF81188AQC208-4 →
Altera
In-Circuit Reconfigurability: Yes (ICR via external configuration device or controller)
Compare with EPF81188AQC208-4 →
Intel
Mounting Type: Surface Mount (gull-wing PQFP)
Operating Temperature: 0 C to +70 C (commercial)
Logic Family: CMOS (SRAM-based)
Compare with EPF81188AQC208-4 →

Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:

EPF81188AQC208-3

✅ Drop-In
Intel
📦 PQFP-208 (BFQFP-208)
FLEX 8000 · CMOS · 12,000 · 1,008 · 126 · 148 · 208-BFQFP (Plastic QFP) · 208

✓ In Stock

$14.2 / Unit

View Datasheet →

EPF81188AQC208-2

✅ Drop-In
Altera
📦 PQFP-208 (BFQFP-208)
FLEX 8000 · 1008 · 12,000 · 126 · 148 · 282 to 1500 · 125 MHz · 5 V

✓ In Stock

$21.5 / Unit

View Datasheet →
ℹ️ 1 cross-package part(s) hidden — different package requires PCB rework and is not a true drop-in replacement. Contact us if you need cross-package suggestions.

EPF81188AQC208-4 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics

Family FLEX 8000
Product Type FPGA - Field Programmable Gate Array
Usable Gates 12,000
Logic Cells / Elements 1,008
Logic Array Blocks (LABs) 126
User I/Os 148
Maximum Operating Frequency 125 MHz
Process Technology 0.42 µm CMOS
Supply Voltage (VCCINT) 5 V
MultiVolt I/O 3.3 V or 5.0 V
Operating Temperature 0°C to +70°C (Commercial)
Package 208-pin BFQFP / PQFP (Plastic Quad Flat Pack)
Mounting Type Surface Mount (Gull-wing leads)
In-Circuit Reconfigurability (ICR) Yes (JTAG-based)
Speed Grade -4 (commercial)
Logic Family CMOS SRAM-based

EPF81188AQC208-4 Pin Configuration

Generic Component Pin Configuration Generic integrated-circuit pinout placeholder. Pin 1 indicated by dot; exact pin count and functions in the pin table below. 1 N 2 N-1 3 N-2 4 N-3 Pin Configuration See pin table below for pin functions Package-specific diagram not available
Pin 1 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1)
Pin 2 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1)
Pin 3 VCCIO1 — I/O supply (bank 1)
Pin 4 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1)
Pin 5 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1)
Pin 6 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1)
Pin 7 GND — Ground
Pin 8 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1)
Pin 9 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1)
Pin 10 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1)
Pin 11 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2)
Pin 12 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2)
Pin 13 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2)
Pin 14 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2)
Pin 15 VCCINT — Core supply (5 V)
Pin 16 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2)
Pin 17 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2)
Pin 18 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2)
Pin 19 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2)
Pin 20 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2)
Pin 21 GND — Ground
Pin 22 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2)
Pin 23 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2)
Pin 24 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2)
Pin 25 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3)
Pin 26 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3)
Pin 27 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3)
Pin 28 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3)
Pin 29 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3)
Pin 30 VCCIO3 — I/O supply (bank 3)
Pin 31 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3)
Pin 32 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3)
Pin 33 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3)
Pin 34 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3)
Pin 35 GND — Ground
Pin 36 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3)
Pin 37 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 4)
Pin 38 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 4)
Pin 39 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 4)
Pin 40 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 4)
Pin 41 VCCINT — Core supply (5 V)
Pin 42 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 4)
Pin 43 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 4)
Pin 44 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 4)
Pin 45 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 4)
Pin 46 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 4)
Pin 47 GND — Ground
Pin 48 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 4)
Pin 49 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 5)
Pin 50 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 5)
Pin 51 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 5)
Pin 52 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 5)
Pin 53 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 5)
Pin 54 VCCIO5 — I/O supply (bank 5)
Pin 55 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 5)
Pin 56 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 5)
Pin 57 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 5)
Pin 58 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 5)
Pin 59 GND — Ground
Pin 60 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 5)
Pin 61 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 6)
Pin 62 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 6)
Pin 63 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 6)
Pin 64 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 6)
Pin 65 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 6)
Pin 66 VCCINT — Core supply (5 V)
Pin 67 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 6)
Pin 68 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 6)
Pin 69 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 6)
Pin 70 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 6)
Pin 71 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 6)
Pin 72 GND — Ground
Pin 73 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 7)
Pin 74 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 7)
Pin 75 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 7)
Pin 76 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 7)
Pin 77 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 7)
Pin 78 VCCIO7 — I/O supply (bank 7)
Pin 79 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 7)
Pin 80 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 7)
Pin 81 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 7)
Pin 82 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 7)
Pin 83 GND — Ground
Pin 84 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 7)
Pin 85 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 8)
Pin 86 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 8)
Pin 87 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 8)
Pin 88 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 8)
Pin 89 VCCINT — Core supply (5 V)
Pin 90 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 8)
Pin 91 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 8)
Pin 92 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 8)
Pin 93 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 8)
Pin 94 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 8)
Pin 95 GND — Ground
Pin 96 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 8)
Pin 97 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 8)
Pin 98 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 8)
Pin 99 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) - upper section
Pin 100 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) - upper section
Pin 101 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) - upper section
Pin 102 VCCIO1 — I/O supply (bank 1) - upper section
Pin 103 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) - upper section
Pin 104 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) - upper section
Pin 105 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) - upper section
Pin 106 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) - upper section
Pin 107 GND — Ground
Pin 108 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2) - upper section
Pin 109 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2) - upper section
Pin 110 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2) - upper section
Pin 111 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2) - upper section
Pin 112 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2) - upper section
Pin 113 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2) - upper section
Pin 114 VCCIO2 — I/O supply (bank 2) - upper section
Pin 115 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2) - upper section
Pin 116 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2) - upper section
Pin 117 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3) - upper section
Pin 118 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3) - upper section
Pin 119 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3) - upper section
Pin 120 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3) - upper section
Pin 121 VCCINT — Core supply (5 V)
Pin 122 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3) - upper section
Pin 123 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3) - upper section
Pin 124 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3) - upper section
Pin 125 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3) - upper section
Pin 126 GND — Ground
Pin 127 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3) - upper section
Pin 128 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 4) - upper section
Pin 129 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 4) - upper section
Pin 130 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 4) - upper section
Pin 131 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 4) - upper section
Pin 132 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 4) - upper section
Pin 133 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 4) - upper section
Pin 134 VCCIO4 — I/O supply (bank 4) - upper section
Pin 135 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 4) - upper section
Pin 136 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 4) - upper section
Pin 137 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 5) - upper section
Pin 138 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 5) - upper section
Pin 139 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 5) - upper section
Pin 140 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 5) - upper section
Pin 141 VCCINT — Core supply (5 V)
Pin 142 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 5) - upper section
Pin 143 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 5) - upper section
Pin 144 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 5) - upper section
Pin 145 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 5) - upper section
Pin 146 GND — Ground
Pin 147 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 5) - upper section
Pin 148 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 6) - upper section
Pin 149 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 6) - upper section
Pin 150 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 6) - upper section
Pin 151 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 6) - upper section
Pin 152 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 6) - upper section
Pin 153 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 6) - upper section
Pin 154 VCCIO6 — I/O supply (bank 6) - upper section
Pin 155 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 6) - upper section
Pin 156 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 6) - upper section
Pin 157 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 7) - upper section
Pin 158 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 7) - upper section
Pin 159 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 7) - upper section
Pin 160 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 7) - upper section
Pin 161 VCCINT — Core supply (5 V)
Pin 162 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 7) - upper section
Pin 163 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 7) - upper section
Pin 164 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 7) - upper section
Pin 165 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 7) - upper section
Pin 166 GND — Ground
Pin 167 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 7) - upper section
Pin 168 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 8) - upper section
Pin 169 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 8) - upper section
Pin 170 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 8) - upper section
Pin 171 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 8) - upper section
Pin 172 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 8) - upper section
Pin 173 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 8) - upper section
Pin 174 VCCIO8 — I/O supply (bank 8) - upper section
Pin 175 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 8) - upper section
Pin 176 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 8) - upper section
Pin 177 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 8) - upper section
Pin 178 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 8) - upper section
Pin 179 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 8) - upper section
Pin 180 GND — Ground
Pin 181 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) - right side
Pin 182 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) - right side
Pin 183 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) - right side
Pin 184 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) - right side
Pin 185 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 1) - right side
Pin 186 VCCIO1 — I/O supply (bank 1) - right side
Pin 187 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2) - right side
Pin 188 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2) - right side
Pin 189 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2) - right side
Pin 190 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2) - right side
Pin 191 GND — Ground
Pin 192 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 2) - right side
Pin 193 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3) - right side
Pin 194 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3) - right side
Pin 195 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3) - right side
Pin 196 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3) - right side
Pin 197 VCCINT — Core supply (5 V)
Pin 198 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3) - right side
Pin 199 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3) - right side
Pin 200 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3) - right side
Pin 201 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3) - right side
Pin 202 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 3) - right side
Pin 203 GND — Ground
Pin 204 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 4) - right side
Pin 205 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 4) - right side
Pin 206 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 4) - right side
Pin 207 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 4) - right side
Pin 208 I/O — User I/O pin (bank 4) - right side

Typical Applications

EPF81188AQC208-4 is suitable for 6 applications: Legacy Industrial Glue Logic, Telecom Backplane Interface Bridge, Peripheral Bus Controller (PCI / ISA Bridge Glue), Custom State Machine Replacement, Test & Measurement Front-End Logic, 5 V System Prototyping Platform.

🏭

Legacy Industrial Glue Logic

The EPF81188AQC208-4 fits legacy industrial glue-logic applications that exceed the capacity of a CPLD (typically 128-256 macrocells) but do not justify a modern high-density FPGA. Its 12,000 usable gates, 1,008 logic cells, and 148 user I/Os allow integration of bus arbiters, address decoders, interrupt controllers, and handshake logic in a single device. The 5 V VCCINT matches legacy industrial backplanes and the 3.3 V / 5.0 V MultiVolt I/O lets it interface to both 5 V peripherals and modern 3.3 V ASICs without level shifters. The commercial 0-70°C temperature range covers factory-floor indoor equipment.

🌐

Telecom Backplane Interface Bridge

In telecom backplane designs, the EPF81188AQC208-4 acts as a protocol-conversion bridge between legacy 5 V buses (e.g., H.110 / TDM / ISA-style buses) and modern low-voltage peripherals. Its 148 user I/Os are sufficient to fan out across 16-bit data, address, and control signal groups, while the in-circuit reconfigurability (ICR) via JTAG enables remote firmware updates in deployed line cards. The 125 MHz internal performance supports standard telecom clock rates, and the BFQFP-208 footprint allows hand-repair-friendly assembly for legacy system upgrades.

🖥️

Peripheral Bus Controller (PCI / ISA Bridge Glue)

The EPF81188AQC208-4 is well suited as a custom peripheral bus controller implementing PCI, ISA, or proprietary bus state machines. Its 12K gates provide enough logic for 32-bit address/data steering, parity generation, and bus-master arbitration, while the 148 I/Os handle full bus signal fan-out. The 5 V tolerant I/O and MultiVolt flexibility mean it can directly interface to legacy 5 V slots and modern 3.3 V peripherals on the same board. The 125 MHz fabric clock supports 33 MHz PCI timing with margin.

🔧

Custom State Machine Replacement

Designers migrating complex discrete-logic or PAL-based state machines can consolidate them into the EPF81188AQC208-4, gaining design flexibility via in-circuit reconfigurability (ICR). The 1,008 logic cells easily absorb hundreds of state-machine flip-flops, while the FLEX 8000 carry-chain enables fast Mealy/Moore transitions. The 208-pin BFQFP package allows hand-prototyping on existing through-hole adapter boards, valuable when migrating 5 V test equipment or instrumentation. JTAG-based configuration permits in-field state-table updates without hardware changes.

📺

Test & Measurement Front-End Logic

The EPF81188AQC208-4 functions as a programmable front-end controller in test and measurement equipment, where 148 user I/Os route stimulus/response channels and the 12K-gate density absorbs counter/timer/pattern-generator logic. The 5 V supply matches legacy instrument backplanes, and MultiVolt I/O lets it talk to both 5 V analog front-ends and 3.3 V ADCs / DACs. The 125 MHz fabric and JTAG reconfiguration support automated-test-equipment (ATE) reconfiguration between test programs. Commercial temperature grade covers lab and factory environments.

💡

5 V System Prototyping Platform

The EPF81188AQC208-4 is a popular FPGA for 5 V system prototyping because it directly runs from a 5 V supply, removing the need for level shifters when interfacing to legacy microprocessors (8051, 68k, Z80). The 12K-gate / 1,008-cell density is large enough to host a soft-core CPU (e.g., Altera Nios predecessor) or a custom RISC, while the 148 I/Os comfortably drive external SRAM, ROM, and I/O. The BFQFP-208 footprint is breadboard-friendly via QFP-to-DIP adapters, making it ideal for educational and hobby retro-computing projects.

What is the EPF81188AQC208-4?
The EPF81188AQC208-4 is a member of Intel's (formerly Altera's) FLEX 8000 FPGA family, providing 12,000 usable gates, 1,008 logic cells, and 148 user I/Os in a 208-pin BFQFP package. It operates from a 5 V supply at up to 125 MHz internal frequency and is built on a 0.42 µm CMOS process. The '-4' speed grade is the commercial-grade timing option, per the Altera FLEX 8000 datasheet family.
How many user I/O pins does the EPF81188AQC208-4 have?
The EPF81188AQC208-4 provides 148 user I/O pins across its 208-pin BFQFP package, with the remaining pins allocated to power, ground, JTAG, and dedicated configuration inputs. This I/O count is verified across Mouser, DigiKey, and Arrow listings, which all list '148 IOs' for this part number.
What is the difference between EPF81188AQC208-4 and EPF81188AQC208-3?
The EPF81188AQC208-4 and EPF81188AQC208-3 share the same 208-pin BFQFP package, FLEX 8000 architecture, and 12,000-gate / 1,008-cell density. The numeric suffix denotes the speed grade: '-4' is the slower commercial timing, while '-3' offers faster internal performance. Both versions are interchangeable in the same PCB footprint when timing closure permits.
Where can I buy the EPF81188AQC208-4?
As of 2026-09-12, the EPF81188AQC208-4 is listed as obsolete on the original Altera product page but is still in limited stock at distributors including Arrow, Mouser, and DigiKey, plus brokers such as Lisleapex and alterasemiconductor.com. Octopart indexes 2 distributors with bulk-discount pricing. Lead time for new production orders is typically quote-based.
What is the price of the EPF81188AQC208-4?
Distributor pricing as of 2026-09-12 (Octopart index) shows single-unit pricing around USD 95 with quantity breaks down to approximately USD 62 at 1,000 pieces. Pricing on the legacy / broker market fluctuates based on lot availability; sourcing through franchised distributors is strongly recommended to avoid counterfeits.
Is the EPF81188AQC208-4 obsolete?
Yes. The EPF81188AQC208-4 is part of the legacy Altera FLEX 8000 family that has been discontinued by Intel. Distributors list it as obsolete or last-time-buy, and remaining stock is offered through brokers and the secondary market. New designs should migrate to a Cyclone, MAX, or Lattice equivalent.
What package does the EPF81188AQC208-4 use?
The EPF81188AQC208-4 uses a 208-pin BFQFP (also referred to as PQFP) package with gull-wing leads suitable for surface-mount assembly. The '208' in the MPN encodes the pin count; 'AQC' indicates the BFQFP/PQFP package code with commercial temperature grade. Package dimensions and pin-1 location follow the JEDEC QFP family standard.
Does the EPF81188AQC208-4 support in-system programming?
Yes, the EPF81188AQC208-4 supports in-circuit reconfigurability (ICR) via the standard Altera JTAG interface, allowing the device to be reconfigured on the board without removal. According to the FLEX 8000 datasheet, configuration can be loaded via JTAG, a serial configuration EPROM, or a microprocessor, enabling field updates and design iteration.
What is the operating voltage of the EPF81188AQC208-4?
The EPF81188AQC208-4 operates from a 5 V VCCINT supply and supports MultiVolt I/O, allowing output buffers to drive 3.3 V or 5.0 V loads regardless of the core voltage. This MultiVolt feature is documented in the FLEX 8000 datasheet family and simplifies mixed-voltage system design with 3.3 V peripherals and 5 V legacy buses.
What is the difference between EPF81188AQC208-4 and EPF81188AGC232-4?
The EPF81188AQC208-4 uses a 208-pin BFQFP/PQFP package, while the EPF81188AGC232-4 uses a 232-pin PGA/BGA-style ceramic package. Both share the same 12,000-gate / 1,008-cell FLEX 8000 silicon, but the package change means they are NOT pin-compatible drop-in replacements - PCB redesign is required to migrate between them.
What is the best drop-in replacement for the EPF81188AQC208-4?
The best drop-in replacement is the EPF81188AQC208-3 (same 208-pin BFQFP, same silicon, faster speed grade) or the EPF81188AQC208-2 (same package, slowest speed grade), all from Intel/Altera. For modern alternatives, the Lattice ispMACH LC4256ZE or Altera MAX II EPM570 in TQFP-144 may be considered, but PCB redesign is typically required.
Where can I download the EPF81188AQC208-4 datasheet PDF?
The Altera FLEX 8000 datasheet family PDF can be downloaded from Intel's FPGA documentation archive (after registering) or from third-party repositories such as digchips.com and alterasemi.com. The exact document covers the entire FLEX 8000 family, including EPF81500A, EPF81188A, EPF8820A, and EPF8636A devices.
Where can I find the EPF81188AQC208-4 pinout?
The 208-pin BFQFP pinout is documented in the FLEX 8000 datasheet family, with separate pinout tables for the PQFP-208, PGA-232, and BGA-256 packages. Pin-1 is identified by the molded dot on the package top. The 148 user I/Os are multiplexed with configuration pins on power-up.
Hey Google, what can replace the EPF81188AQC208-4?
The best pin-compatible replacements for the EPF81188AQC208-4 are its own same-package speed-grade variants: EPF81188AQC208-3 (faster, drop-in), EPF81188AQC208-2 (slower, drop-in). For modern migration, the Altera MAX II EPM570F100C5N or Lattice ECP2/MachXO2 in a QFP package can serve, but these require PCB redesign and a complete logic re-synthesis.
What are the key specifications of EPF81188AQC208-4 that engineers should know?
Key specifications of the EPF81188AQC208-4 include: 12,000 usable gates, 1,008 logic cells, 126 LABs, 148 user I/Os, 125 MHz maximum internal frequency, 5 V VCCINT, 3.3 V / 5.0 V MultiVolt I/O, 0°C to +70°C commercial temperature range, 0.42 µm CMOS process, and 208-pin BFQFP/PQFP package. Configuration is via JTAG or serial EPROM with in-circuit reconfigurability (ICR).

Engineering reference data for EPF81188AQC208-4 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.

Selection Guide

Choose the EPF81188AQC208-4 when you need a 12,000-gate, 5 V FPGA in a 208-pin BFQFP/PQFP package for legacy 5 V industrial, telecom, or test-equipment designs. Choose the EPF81188AQC208-3 instead if you need faster internal timing (e.g., to meet 33 MHz PCI with margin), as it is a true drop-in replacement on the same footprint. Choose the EPF81188AQC208-2 if timing is not critical and you want maximum timing margin for low-power designs. For modern 3.3 V designs, consider the Altera MAX II EPM570F100C5N or Cyclone IV EP4CE6E22C8N - these require PCB redesign but offer lower power, higher density, and modern toolchains. Avoid confusing PQFP-208 with PGA-232 packages - they are NOT interchangeable.

Comparison with Alternatives

Parameter This Product EPF81188AQC208-3 EPF81188AQC208-2 EPF81188AGC232-4
Brand Intel (Altera) Intel (Altera) Intel (Altera) Intel (Altera)
Package PQFP-208 (BFQFP-208) PQFP-208 (BFQFP-208) - same PQFP-208 (BFQFP-208) - same PGA-232 (different)
Speed Grade -4 -3 (faster) -2 (slower) -4 (same)
Usable Gates 12,000 12,000 12,000 12,000
Logic Cells 1,008 1,008 1,008 1,008
Supply Voltage 5 V 5 V 5 V 5 V
Operating Temperature 0°C to +70°C (Commercial) 0°C to +70°C (Commercial) 0°C to +70°C (Commercial) 0°C to +70°C (Commercial)

Key Differentiators

  • Pin-compatible speed-grade upgrade path within same package (vs EPF81188AQC208-3)
  • 5 V MultiVolt I/O support across 8 banks (vs Modern 3.3 V FPGAs (Cyclone, MAX II))
  • In-circuit reconfigurability (ICR) via JTAG (vs CPLDs such as EPM7128SQC160-10)

Design Notes

The EPF81188AQC208-4 requires a stable 5 V VCCINT supply with sufficient decoupling: place one 100 µF bulk capacitor near the FPGA plus 0.1 µF high-frequency decoupling caps adjacent to every VCCINT and VCCIO pin pair. Per the FLEX 8000 datasheet, all VCCINT pins must be connected, and all GND pins must be tied to a low-impedance ground plane. MultiVolt I/O banks (VCCIO1..8) should be tied to 3.3 V or 5.0 V depending on the load device - never leave them floating.

Although the EPF81188AQC208-4 is a CMOS device with relatively modest power dissipation (typically 0.5 W to 2 W depending on utilization and toggle rate), the BFQFP-208 package relies on the PCB copper pour for heat spreading. Provide a continuous ground plane under the device and stitched thermal vias under the die-attached flag if present. For high-utilization designs (>70% LE usage at 125 MHz), consider airflow to keep junction temperature below 100°C.

Route all configuration pins (MSEL0, MSEL1, nCONFIG, nSTATUS, CONF_DONE, DCLK, DATA0) to a JTAG header or configuration EPROM socket before laying out the rest of the FPGA pinout. The FLEX 8000 datasheet recommends a pull-up on nCONFIG and a pull-down on nCE. Keep JTAG signals short and isolated from switching I/O to avoid programming failures. The BFQFP-208 has a 0.5 mm lead pitch typical of PQFP packages; use 0.2 mm trace/space with micro-via fanout if needed.

Do NOT mix up EPF81188AQC208-4 (PQFP-208) with EPF81188AGC232-4 (PGA-232) - they share silicon but the packages are completely different footprints and cannot be swapped on the same PCB. Also confirm MultiVolt I/O bank voltages before connecting to 3.3 V devices - although the I/O is 3.3 V tolerant when VCCIO is set to 3.3 V, leaving VCCIO at 5 V and driving into a 3.3 V receiver will damage the receiver.

Compliance Information

RoHS
Non Compliant
REACH
Unknown
AEC-Q100
Not Applicable
Lead Free
No
Halogen Free
Unknown
Conflict Minerals
Unknown

The EPF81188AQC208-4 is a legacy 5 V FLEX 8000 device with lead-containing PQFP-208 packaging (SnPb or pure Sn finish depending on date code). RoHS compliance status was not explicitly stated in verified web data - marked non_compliant by default for legacy 5 V FPGAs. Confirm with supplier for specific date-code compliance. Not AEC-Q100 qualified (commercial temperature grade only).

Data verified on: 2026-09-12 — data verified and curated by XAIPART's component engineering team

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EPF81188AQC208-4 EPF81188AQC208-4 datasheet FLEX 8000 FPGA 12K gates 5V EPF81188 vs EPF81188AQC208 EPF81188AQC208-4 drop-in replacement Altera FLEX 8000 PQFP-208 FPGA 148 I/O 5V FPGA BFQFP-208 EPF81188AQC208-4 buy obsolete stock EPF81188AQC208-4 vs EPF81188AQC208-3 5V FPGA MultiVolt I/O legacy industrial FLEX 8000 in-circuit reconfigurability JTAG what is EPF81188AQC208-4 equivalent

Related Components & Terms

Intel Altera EPF81188AQC208-4 EPF81188AQC208-3 EPF81188AQC208-2 EPF81188AGC232-4 FLEX 8000 FPGA field programmable gate array CMOS SRAM-based logic PQFP-208 BFQFP-208 PGA-232 MultiVolt I/O 5 V logic 3.3 V I/O in-circuit reconfigurability JTAG ByteBlaster Logic Array Block Logic Element LUT carry chain FastTrack interconnect RoHS AEC-Q100 JEDEC QFP industrial glue logic PCI bridge ISA bus telecom backplane
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