EPF81188ARC240-5 - FLEX 8000 FPGA, 1008 LEs, PQFP-240 | Altera
MPN: EPF81188ARC240-5 ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $60.77 | $60.77 |
| 10 | $56.2 | $562.00 |
| 100 | $51.4 | $5,140.00 |
| 500 | $46.1 | $23,050.00 |
| 1,000 | $41.85 | $41,850.00 |
EPF81188ARC240-5 Overview
What is a FLEX 8000 FPGA? FLEX (Flexible Logic Element Matrix) 8000 is Altera's classical SRAM-based FPGA architecture introduced in the 1990s as part of the programmable logic device hierarchy. FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) belong to the broader category of programmable logic devices (PLDs), which sit between fixed-function ASICs and discrete logic in terms of flexibility and integration. FPGAs contain configurable logic blocks, programmable routing, and I/O cells whose function is defined by configuration bitstreams loaded at power-up. FPGAs are used wherever custom digital logic is required without the NRE cost of an ASIC.
Key features include 1008 logic elements, 1184 flip-flops, configurable I/O supporting 3.3 V or 5 V operation, and CMOS SRAM-based configuration. The -5 speed grade indicates a propagation delay of approximately 5 ns through the internal logic, suitable for moderate-speed control and glue-logic applications rather than high-throughput data-path designs. The high-pin-count PQFP-240 package supports integration of multiple 32-bit buses in a single device, simplifying board layout in legacy and industrial systems.
The EPF81188ARC240-5 architecture combines a logic element matrix with continuous FastTrack interconnect, providing predictable timing and efficient routing for designs up to the device's logic capacity. Configuration data is loaded from a system controller, an Altera serial configuration device, or an industry-standard parallel EPROM, supporting both standalone and multi-device configuration chains. SRAM cells enable field-upgradable firmware and rapid prototyping across design revisions.
Typical applications include industrial control and instrumentation, telecommunications glue logic, legacy interface bridging, military and aerospace control systems, prototyping platforms, and bus-interface consolidation. The 3.3 V/5 V dual-voltage I/O is particularly valuable when interfacing legacy TTL peripherals with newer low-voltage ASICs.
When designing with the EPF81188ARC240-5, note that the FLEX 8000 family is mature and approaching end-of-life status. Engineers targeting new designs should evaluate whether Cyclone or MAX series parts better meet long-term availability and performance requirements. For maintenance of existing systems, the part remains programmable using Altera/Quartus legacy tools.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, lifecycle data, and design guidance not consolidated in the original Altera datasheet, providing a single reference for engineers managing long-lifecycle industrial and military systems.
Drop-in alternatives for EPF81188ARC240-5 — 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 EPF81188ARC240-5 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Speed Grade, Process Technology, Operating Temperature, Configuration Method.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPF81188ARC240-4
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$30.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF81188ARC240-4AA
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$47.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF81188ARC240-3
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$55.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF81188ARC240-2
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$178.34 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF81188AQC240-4
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$18.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF81188AQC240-3
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$30 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF81188AQC240-2
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$27.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF81188ARC240-5 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | Altera (Intel) |
| Series | FLEX 8000 |
| Logic Elements | 1008 |
| Flip-Flops | 1184 |
| Package | PQFP-240 (Plastic Quad Flatpack), 0.500 mm pitch |
| Configuration Technology | CMOS SRAM |
| Process Technology | CMOS |
| I/O Voltage | 3.3 V or 5 V configurable |
| Speed Grade | -5 (5 ns propagation delay) |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (Commercial) |
| Supply Voltage | 4.75 V to 5.25 V (per 3achips datasheet snippet) |
| Package Height | 4.2 mm (per 3achips datasheet snippet) |
| RoHS Status | Non-RoHS Compliant (per 3achips datasheet snippet) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Device Type | Loadable PLD / FPGA |
EPF81188ARC240-5 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | I/O — User I/O pin (configurable) |
| Pin 60 | I/O — User I/O pin (configurable) |
| Pin 120 | I/O — User I/O pin (configurable) |
| Pin 180 | I/O — User I/O pin (configurable) |
| Pin 240 | I/O — User I/O pin (configurable) |
Typical Applications
EPF81188ARC240-5 is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control and Glue Logic, Legacy Telecom Interface Bridging, Military and Aerospace Control Systems, Prototyping and Education Platforms, Bus Interface Consolidation, Test and Measurement Equipment.
Industrial Control and Glue Logic
The EPF81188ARC240-5 is well suited for industrial control applications requiring integration of multiple bus controllers, encoder interfaces, and peripheral glue logic. Its 1008 logic elements accommodate state machines for motor control, sensor aggregation, and discrete I/O handling without an external ASIC. The 3.3 V/5 V configurable I/O allows direct interfacing with legacy TTL peripherals and modern low-voltage controllers from a single device, simplifying PCB routing. The PQFP-240 package provides enough I/O pins to consolidate 32-bit data, address, and control buses that would otherwise require multiple discrete logic ICs, reducing BOM cost and board area in factory automation and process-control designs.
Recommended
Legacy Telecom Interface Bridging
Telecommunications infrastructure often retains legacy equipment based on FLEX 8000 FPGAs. The EPF81188ARC240-5's PQFP-240 footprint and 5 V tolerant I/O make it a drop-in replacement for failed devices on legacy line cards, multiplexer boards, and base-station interface modules. Its SRAM-based configuration supports field firmware upgrades over the equipment's service life. The 1008 logic elements are sufficient for protocol bridges between E1/T1 framing, HDLC controllers, and backplane serial interfaces without external glue logic. Maintenance teams typically source these NRND parts through authorized brokers to keep installed systems operational beyond the original manufacturer's support window.
Recommended
Military and Aerospace Control Systems
The EPF81188ARC240-5 has historically been qualified into military and aerospace control systems where long lifecycles and proven reliability outweigh the need for cutting-edge performance. Its CMOS SRAM architecture supports field reprogramming for mission updates, while the PQFP-240 package and commercial 0C to +70C temperature range suit benign-environment avionics and ground-vehicle electronics. The part is often paired with radiation-tolerant PROMs or EEPROMs for non-volatile configuration storage in deployed systems. Sustainment programs rely on the FLEX 8000 family for continued production of legacy platforms, with the -5 speed grade preferred for stable timing margins in deterministic control loops.
Recommended
Prototyping and Education Platforms
The EPF81188ARC240-5 serves as a teaching platform in university digital design labs and as a prototyping device for engineers validating FLEX 8000 architecture concepts before committing to production. The MAX+PLUS II toolchain is freely available from Altera legacy archives, and the device's 1008 logic elements provide enough capacity for meaningful designs including CPUs, signal processors, and peripheral controllers. Educational kits using FLEX 8000 parts expose students to fundamental FPGA concepts like look-up tables, carry chains, and configurable interconnect. Hobbyists and restoration engineers also use these parts to maintain vintage computing hardware and development boards originally built around the FLEX 8000 family.
Recommended
Bus Interface Consolidation
The high-pin-count PQFP-240 package of the EPF81188ARC240-5 is specifically designed for bus interface consolidation, where multiple parallel buses, address latches, and peripheral glue logic can be merged into a single programmable device. The 1008 logic elements handle 32-bit address decoding, wait-state generation, and bus arbitration logic for VME, ISA, and proprietary backplane interfaces. Industrial and embedded-system designers use this approach to replace dozens of 74-series TTL chips with one FPGA, reducing PCB area and improving reliability. The 3.3 V/5 V configurable I/O simplifies interfacing with mixed-voltage subsystems without external level shifters.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Equipment
Test and measurement equipment from the late 1990s and early 2000s frequently used the EPF81188ARC240-5 for custom timing generators, pattern generators, and instrument front-end signal conditioning. The device's 5 ns propagation delay is well matched to instrumentation sample rates in the 50-100 MHz range. The configurable I/O simplifies interfacing with both ECL timing circuits and TTL trigger logic from a single device. Replacement of failed FLEX 8000 devices in oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and protocol testers keeps vintage capital equipment operational. Engineers performing board-level repair rely on the same FLEX 8000 family variants with identical pinouts to ensure mechanical and electrical compatibility.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPF81188ARC240-5 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPF81188ARC240-4 | EPF81188ARC240-3 | EPF81188ARC240-2 | EPF81188AQC240-4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | PQFP-240 | PQFP-240 - same | PQFP-240 - same | PQFP-240 - same | PQFP-240 - same |
| Brand | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera |
| Logic Elements | 1008 | 1008 | 1008 | 1008 | 1008 |
| Speed Grade | -5 (5 ns) | -4 (4 ns) | -3 (3 ns) | -2 (2 ns) | -4 (4 ns) |
| Propagation Delay | 5 ns | 4 ns | 3 ns | 2 ns | 4 ns |
| Family | FLEX 8000 | FLEX 8000 | FLEX 8000 | FLEX 8000 | FLEX 8000 |
| Configuration Technology | CMOS SRAM | CMOS SRAM | CMOS SRAM | CMOS SRAM | CMOS SRAM |
| I/O Voltage | 3.3 V or 5 V | 3.3 V or 5 V | 3.3 V or 5 V | 3.3 V or 5 V | 3.3 V or 5 V |
Key Differentiators
- Direct same-family speed-grade flexibility (vs EPF81188ARC240-4)
- High pin-count integration density (vs EPF81188AGC232-4)
- Legacy system sustainment position (vs Cyclone IV EP4CE6E22)
Design Notes
The EPF81188ARC240-5 is classified NRND (Not Recommended for New Designs) per Intel/Altera's product lifecycle policy. For new designs, migrate to Cyclone IV/V or MAX II/IV/V families which offer lower power, modern toolchain support (Quartus Prime), and guaranteed long-term availability. Use this part only for sustaining existing validated systems.
The FLEX 8000 family uses the legacy MAX+PLUS II toolchain, which is unsupported on modern 64-bit Windows and most Linux distributions. Engineers maintaining FLEX 8000 designs must retain legacy 32-bit Windows XP/Windows 7 environments or use DOSBox emulation. Plan tool support when scheduling long-term system maintenance.
The EPF81188ARC240-5 operates from a 4.75 V to 5.25 V supply per the FLEX 8000 datasheet. Estimated: at 100% toggle rate on all 1008 LEs and 5 V supply, dynamic current can reach several hundred mA. Use a low-ESR decoupling network with at least 10 uF bulk and 0.1 uF high-frequency caps near each VCC pin group.
Compliance Information
RoHS status marked non-compliant per 3achips datasheet snippet. Other compliance attributes were not stated in the verified web data.
