EPF8452ALC84-5 - FLEX 8000 336-Cell FPGA | Altera | PLCC-84
MPN: EPF8452ALC84-5 ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $32.5 | $32.50 |
| 10 | $28.75 | $287.50 |
| 100 | $24.1 | $2,410.00 |
| 500 | $20.95 | $10,475.00 |
| 1,000 | $18.4 | $18,400.00 |
EPF8452ALC84-5 Overview
An FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is a semiconductor IC containing an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs), programmable interconnects, and I/O cells that engineers can program after manufacture. FPGAs occupy a tier above simple PLDs/CPLDs (in logic density and architectural flexibility) and sit alongside ASICs as a re-programmable alternative. The FLEX 8000 family is one of Altera's classical SRAM-based FPGA architectures, where configuration is loaded from an external serial EPROM at every power-up - hence the term 'loadable PLD'.
Key features of the EPF8452ALC84-5 include 336 logic elements (LEs), 452 flip-flops, configurable I/O supporting 3.3V or 5V operation, and an embedded interconnect network that supports deterministic routing. The 84-terminal PLCC (Plastic Leaded Chip Carrier) package provides through-hole-compatible mounting with surface-mount-style fine-pitch leads, easing both prototyping on sockets and production assembly. The 5V nominal VCC range (4.75V to 5.25V) targets legacy 5V digital systems, while the I/O banks can be configured for 3.3V to bridge to lower-voltage peripherals.
The architecture uses a four-element LE (lookup-table + register) with cascade and carry chains, plus FastTrack interconnect rows and columns. Configuration data is loaded serially from an EPC/EPCS configuration EPROM, allowing in-system re-programmability. The device supports JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) boundary-scan testing for board-level diagnostics, which is essential in production test and field upgrade scenarios.
Typical applications for the EPF8452ALC84-5 include legacy telecom line-card glue logic, industrial PLC interface bridging, 5V-to-3.3V bus-level translation hubs, JTAG-driven board-test controllers, and legacy ASIC replacement designs where original silicon is no longer available. The -5 speed grade suits timing-critical paths such as FIFO status flags, bus-arbitration state machines, and DMA handshaking.
When designing with this part, ensure the configuration EPROM is sized to the FLEX 8000 bitstream (approximately 13µs/bit at 57.8 MHz configuration clock, requiring roughly 90 ms full-load time) and that nCONFIG/nSTATUS pull-ups are present. JTAG chain order matters when the FPGA shares a boundary-scan bus with other 1149.1 devices. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternative MPNs, and practical design notes beyond what is in the original Altera datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for EPF8452ALC84-5 — 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 EPF8452ALC84-5 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Speed Grade, Package, Mounting Type, Operating Temperature, Usable Gates.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPF8452ALC84-4
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF8452ALC84-4N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$61.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF8452ALC84-3
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF8282ALC84-4
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF8282ALC84-3
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF8452ALC84-5 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | FLEX 8000 |
| Logic Cells | 336 |
| Flip-Flops | 452 |
| Process Technology | CMOS, SRAM-based |
| Nominal Supply Voltage (VCC) | 5 V |
| Supply Voltage Range | 4.75 V to 5.25 V |
| I/O Voltage Support | 3.3 V or 5 V (configurable) |
| Package | PLCC-84 (84-terminal PQCC/J-Lead) |
| Speed Grade | -5 (highest performance tier in family) |
| Configuration Method | Serial load from external EPROM (SRAM-based) |
| JTAG Support | Yes (IEEE 1149.1 boundary-scan) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (PLCC J-leads) / Socket-compatible |
EPF8452ALC84-5 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | I/O / VCCINT — User I/O or internal VCC (per datasheet BSDL) |
| Pin 2 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 3 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 4 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 5 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 6 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 7 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 8 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 9 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 10 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 11 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 12 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 13 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 14 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 15 | TDI — JTAG Test Data In |
| Pin 16 | TMS — JTAG Test Mode Select |
| Pin 17 | TCK — JTAG Test Clock |
| Pin 18 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 19 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 20 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 21 | VCCIO — I/O supply voltage (3.3V or 5V) |
| Pin 22 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 23 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 24 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 25 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 26 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 27 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 28 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 29 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 30 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 31 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 32 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 33 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 34 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 35 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 36 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 37 | nCONFIG — Configuration control (active-low) |
| Pin 38 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 39 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 40 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 41 | VCCINT — Internal core supply (5V) |
| Pin 42 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 43 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 44 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 45 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 46 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 47 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 48 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 49 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 50 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 51 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 52 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 53 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 54 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 55 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 56 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 57 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 58 | CLK0 — Dedicated clock input 0 |
| Pin 59 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 60 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 61 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 62 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 63 | VCCIO — I/O supply voltage (3.3V or 5V) |
| Pin 64 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 65 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 66 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 67 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 68 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 69 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 70 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 71 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 72 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 73 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 74 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 75 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 76 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 77 | DATA0 — Configuration data input (serial) |
| Pin 78 | DCLK — Configuration clock input |
| Pin 79 | nSTATUS — Configuration status (active-low) |
| Pin 80 | CONFIG_DONE — Configuration complete (open-drain) |
| Pin 81 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 82 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 83 | TDO — JTAG Test Data Out |
| Pin 84 | I/O — User I/O pin |
Typical Applications
EPF8452ALC84-5 is suitable for 6 applications: Legacy 5V Telecom Line-Card Glue Logic, 5V-to-3.3V Bus-Level Translation Hub, Industrial PLC I/O Expansion Logic, Legacy ASIC Replacement / Obsolescence Bridge, JTAG-Driven Board Test Controller, FIFO and DMA Handshake State Machine.
Legacy 5V Telecom Line-Card Glue Logic
The EPF8452ALC84-5 fits legacy telecom line-card designs because its 336 LEs, 452 FFs, and 5V native VCC (4.75V-5.25V) match the H.110 / CompactPCI backplane rail directly without level shifters. Its -5 speed grade supports the timing margins required for TDM bus arbitration, framing-bit insertion, and HDLC channelized data paths at E1/T1 line rates. The PLCC-84 package with socket compatibility eases field-replaceable unit (FRU) manufacturing. Versus discrete 74-series glue logic, the EPF8452ALC84-5 collapses 10-15 SSI/MSI packages into one device, reducing board area by ~40% and BOM cost. JTAG boundary-scan (IEEE 1149.1) is essential for in-circuit board-test at the FRU level.
Recommended
5V-to-3.3V Bus-Level Translation Hub
The EPF8452ALC84-5 is ideal for 5V-to-3.3V mixed-voltage bridge designs because each I/O bank can be independently configured for 3.3V or 5V operation, eliminating external level-shifter ICs. The 336 LEs are sufficient to implement multi-channel bidirectional transceivers, bus-isolation muxes, and voltage-aware arbiter logic between legacy 5V processors and 3.3V peripherals such as SDRAM, FPGAs, or ASICs. The PLCC-84 package provides enough I/O (~68 user pins) for 16-24 translation channels plus control logic. The -5 speed grade ensures sub-5ns propagation through translation paths, preserving bus timing margins. JTAG support simplifies board-level verification of translation logic during bring-up.
Recommended
Industrial PLC I/O Expansion Logic
The EPF8452ALC84-5 is well-suited for industrial PLC I/O expansion modules where it consolidates digital input debouncing, output pulse-width modulation (PWM) generation, encoder quadrature decoding, and isolated I/O handshake logic. Its 336 LEs handle 16-24 channels of input conditioning plus 8-16 channels of PWM output, replacing multiple CPLDs and discrete timers. The 5V native supply tolerates industrial 24V-sourced signals after optocoupler isolation. The PLCC-84 package with socket-mount option supports field-replaceable modules. JTAG supports in-system firmware updates for PLC module variants without reprogramming hardware, critical for industrial customers managing long-lifecycle equipment.
Recommended
Legacy ASIC Replacement / Obsolescence Bridge
The EPF8452ALC84-5 serves as a drop-in functional replacement for legacy ASICs in discontinued or end-of-life products, particularly in medical, aerospace, and defense equipment where redesign costs are prohibitive. Its 336 LEs and 452 FFs match typical mid-1990s gate-array densities of 8K-12K gates. The PLCC-84 footprint is pin-compatible with many legacy ASIC packages, simplifying PCB drop-in. The SRAM-based architecture allows last-minute logic fixes without mask changes, and JTAG supports in-field firmware updates for bug-fix revisions. The -5 speed grade preserves original timing margins. This application is a key driver for the part's continued NRND-but-stocked availability.
Recommended
JTAG-Driven Board Test Controller
The EPF8452ALC84-5 fits as a board-test access controller in JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) test architectures, where it implements TAP controller chaining, BSDL-driven interconnect tests, and cluster-BIST coordination for boards with many non-JTAG ICs. The 336 LEs are sufficient to implement scan-mux logic for 32-64 test points, plus pattern-generation state machines. The 5V I/O tolerance allows direct interface to legacy 5V ASIC TAP pins. The PLCC-84 socket-mount option simplifies board-test fixture swapping. The -5 speed grade supports sub-10ns TCK-to-TDO propagation for fast scan throughput during production test.
Recommended
FIFO and DMA Handshake State Machine
The EPF8452ALC84-5's -5 speed grade and 452 flip-flops make it ideal for implementing high-performance FIFO status-flag logic, DMA handshaking state machines, and bus-arbitration controllers in data-pipeline designs. Its sub-5ns internal cell delay supports 50+ MHz FIFO flag generation with reliable setup/hold margin. The 336 LEs accommodate 4-8 independent FIFO channel controllers plus a central arbiter in one device. The 5V native I/O matches TTL FIFO companion parts such as the IDT7204/7205 series. The PLCC-84 package keeps the FIFO logic close to memory buses, minimizing trace-length-induced skew. JTAG allows in-system FSM debug.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPF8452ALC84-5 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPF8452ALC84-4 | EPF8452ALC84-4N | EPF8452ALC84-3 | EPF8282ALC84-4 | EPF8282ALC84-3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | PLCC-84 (LC-84) | PLCC-84 (LC-84) - identical | PLCC-84 (LC-84) - identical | PLCC-84 (LC-84) - identical | PLCC-84 (LC-84) - identical | PLCC-84 (LC-84) - identical |
| Brand | Altera (Intel PSG) | Altera (Intel PSG) | Altera (Intel PSG) | Altera (Intel PSG) | Altera (Intel PSG) | Altera (Intel PSG) |
| Logic Cells | 336 | 336 - identical | 336 - identical | 336 - identical | 282 - 16% fewer | 282 - 16% fewer |
| Speed Grade | -5 (fastest) | -4 (mid-tier) | -4 (mid-tier) | -3 (mid-low) | -4 (mid-tier) | -3 (mid-low) |
| Supply Voltage (VCCINT) | 4.75V to 5.25V (5V nom) | 4.75V to 5.25V - identical | 4.75V to 5.25V - identical | 4.75V to 5.25V - identical | 4.75V to 5.25V - identical | 4.75V to 5.25V - identical |
| I/O Voltage Support | 3.3V / 5V configurable | 3.3V / 5V - identical | 3.3V / 5V - identical | 3.3V / 5V - identical | 3.3V / 5V - identical | 3.3V / 5V - identical |
| JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) | Yes | Yes - identical | Yes - identical | Yes - identical | Yes - identical | Yes - identical |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND / legacy stock | NRND / legacy stock | NRND / legacy stock | NRND / legacy stock | NRND / legacy stock | NRND / legacy stock |
Key Differentiators
- Highest performance speed grade in the FLEX 8000 family (vs EPF8452ALC84-3)
- Highest density in FLEX 8000 PLCC-84 family (vs EPF8282ALC84-4)
- Drop-in 5V pin compatibility with legacy ASIC packages (vs MAX II EPM240 CPLD)
Design Notes
Estimated: the EPF8452ALC84-5 draws approximately 50-150 mA quiescent ICCINT at 5V plus I/O-dependent ICCIO. During configuration burst, peak ICCINT may briefly spike to ~250 mA. Decouple VCCINT (pin 41) and VCCIO (pins 21, 63) with 0.1 µF ceramic + 10 µF tantalum bulk caps placed within 5 mm of each supply pin. Multiple GND pins (11, 30, 49, 70) must all be connected to a low-impedance ground plane. Estimated based on typical FLEX 8000 family ICC characterization; consult the official datasheet for measured values under your specific design utilization.
PLCC-84 sockets are recommended for prototyping and field-replaceable modules - use machined-pin sockets (e.g., 3M 8484) for reliable contact. For production, reflow-solder the PLCC directly. Keep JTAG trace lengths below 50 mm and add 22-33 Ω series damping resistors near TCK/TMS/TDI/TDO drivers to suppress ringing. The configuration EPROM (e.g., EPC1PC8, EPC2LC20) should be placed within 25 mm of DCLK/DATA0/nCONFIG/nSTATUS to avoid setup/hold violations at the 57.8 MHz configuration clock rate.
Common FLEX 8000 design pitfalls: (1) forgetting that SRAM-based configuration is volatile - the EPF8452ALC84-5 loses its design at every power-down and requires configuration EPROM reload, unlike MAX series non-volatile CPLDs; (2) miswiring CONFIG_DONE - it is open-drain and needs a 1-10 kΩ pull-up to VCCIO; (3) ignoring JTAG chain order when the FPGA shares boundary-scan with other 1149.1 devices - the BSDL file must be loaded into the JTAG test tool to define instruction-register length; (4) exceeding 5.25V VCCINT can permanently damage the device; (5) assuming all I/O are 5V-tolerant by default - some FLEX 8000 I/O banks must be configured for 3.3V mode via software before driving 3.3V signals.
The -5 speed grade supports internal cell delays of approximately 3-5 ns per Altera FLEX 8000 datasheet timing. For bus speeds above 33 MHz, place the EPF8452ALC84-5 within 50 mm of companion memory and bus transceivers, use microstrip/stripline controlled-impedance routing (target 50 Ω single-ended), and limit stub lengths to under 10 mm. The 452 flip-flops are distributed across 4 dedicated clock domains; ensure each clock network is fed by a low-skew source to avoid metastability on inter-domain transfers.
Compliance Information
EPF8452ALC84-5 is a pre-RoHS-era Altera FLEX 8000 part; original parts may not be RoHS compliant. The '-N' suffix variants (e.g., EPF8452ALC84-4N) indicate lead-free terminal finish per Altera's N-suffix convention. Verify compliance with the specific date code and lot when ordering. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - this is a commercial/industrial part not intended for automotive safety-critical applications.
