EPF8452ALI84-4 - FLEX 8000 FPGA, 4K Gates, 84-PLCC | Altera
MPN: EPF8452ALI84-4 ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $18.5 | $18.50 |
| 10 | $16.2 | $162.00 |
| 100 | $13.85 | $1,385.00 |
| 500 | $11.4 | $5,700.00 |
| 1,000 | $9.75 | $9,750.00 |
EPF8452ALI84-4 Overview
A Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a semiconductor integrated circuit that can be reconfigured by the designer after manufacturing. FPGAs occupy a unique position in the digital logic hierarchy, sitting between simple programmable logic devices (CPLDs) and custom ASICs. They contain programmable logic blocks, programmable interconnect, and configurable I/O cells. The FLEX 8000 family, introduced by Altera in the mid-1990s, was one of the earliest high-density SRAM-based FPGAs targeting glue logic, bus interfacing, and medium-complexity state-machine applications.
Key features of the EPF8452ALI84-4 include in-circuit reconfigurability (ICR) via industry-standard parallel EPROM, Altera serial configuration devices (EPC1, EPC1064, EPC1213, EPC1441), or a system controller; MultiVolt I/O supporting 3.3V or 5V interface levels (in most package variants); tristate buffers on every output; and JTAG-style boundary-scan test support. Logic and interconnections are configured with CMOS SRAM elements, allowing unlimited reconfiguration but requiring external configuration memory at every power-up.
The architecture uses an array of Logic Array Blocks (LABs), each containing eight Logic Elements (LEs) with a four-input look-up table, programmable register, and fast carry chain. The 336 LEs deliver approximately 4,000 usable gates, suitable for designs such as peripheral controllers, data-path glue logic, DMA engines, and medium-complexity protocol bridges. The 0.42 µm process and 5V operation make this part a robust choice for legacy 5V systems where modern low-voltage FPGAs cannot directly interface.
Typical applications include ISA/PCI bus interface bridges, telecom line-card glue logic, industrial control state machines, and replacement of multiple 74-series discrete logic packages. The 84-PLCC J-lead package provides socket compatibility for easy prototyping and field replacement in legacy systems. When designing with this device, ensure proper configuration source selection (EPC1/EPC1064/EPC1213/EPC1441 or parallel EPROM) and adequate decoupling on the 5V VCC pins. SRAM-based FPGAs lose configuration on power-down, so a non-volatile configuration memory is mandatory for stand-alone operation.
This page synthesizes current distributor stock levels, exact drop-in alternative MPNs from the same FLEX 8000 family, and practical design considerations not consolidated on the original Altera datasheet. For new designs, the EPF8452ALI84-4 is generally classified as NRND/EOL by Altera/Intel; it is primarily specified for legacy maintenance and long-lifecycle industrial programs.
Drop-in alternatives for EPF8452ALI84-4 — 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 EPF8452ALI84-4 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Configuration Method, Package, Mounting Type, Operating Temperature, Process Technology.
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 →EPF8452ALC84-5
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$18.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF8452ALC84-6
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF8452ALC84-3
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF8282ALI84-4
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$8.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF8452ALI84-4 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | FLEX 8000 |
| Logic Elements | 336 |
| Usable Gates | 4,000 |
| User I/Os | 68 |
| Operating Frequency (max) | 125 MHz |
| Process Technology | 0.42 µm CMOS |
| Supply Voltage (VCC) | 5 V |
| I/O Voltage (MultiVolt) | 3.3 V or 5.0 V |
| Package Type | 84-pin PLCC (J-Lead) |
| Pin Count | 84 |
| Speed Grade | -4 |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to 70 °C (Commercial) |
| Configuration Method | SRAM, requires external configuration memory |
| Configuration Devices Supported | EPC1, EPC1064, EPC1213, EPC1441, parallel EPROM |
| Programming | In-circuit reconfigurable (ICR) via JTAG or controller |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (PLCC socket compatible) |
EPF8452ALI84-4 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | I/O — User I/O pin (bank-dependent MultiVolt reference) |
| 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 | VCCINT — 5 V core supply |
| 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 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 12 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 13 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 14 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 15 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 16 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 17 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| 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 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 22 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 23 | VCCIO — I/O supply (3.3V or 5.0V via MultiVolt) |
| 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 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 38 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 39 | VCCINT — 5 V core supply |
| Pin 40 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 41 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 42 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 43 | nCONFIG — Configuration control (active-low) |
| Pin 44 | nSTATUS — Configuration status (active-low) |
| Pin 45 | CONF_DONE — Configuration complete |
| Pin 46 | DCLK — Configuration clock input |
| Pin 47 | DATA0 — Configuration data input (bit 0) |
| Pin 48 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 49 | MSEL0 — Configuration mode select 0 |
| Pin 50 | MSEL1 — Configuration mode select 1 |
| Pin 51 | MSEL2 — Configuration mode select 2 |
| 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 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 59 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 60 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 61 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 62 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 63 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| 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 | VCCIO — I/O supply (3.3V or 5.0V) |
| Pin 70 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| 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 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 78 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 79 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 80 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 81 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 82 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 83 | I/O — User I/O pin |
| Pin 84 | I/O — User I/O pin |
Typical Applications
EPF8452ALI84-4 is suitable for 6 applications: Legacy ISA/PCI Bus Bridge, Industrial Control State Machine, Telecom Line-Card Glue Logic, Peripheral Controller (UART/DMA/SPI), Replacement of 74-Series TTL Logic, Aerospace & Defense Legacy Sustainment.
Legacy ISA/PCI Bus Bridge
The EPF8452ALI84-4 is well-suited to legacy ISA and PCI bus-bridge applications where 5V tolerance and 68 user I/Os are mandatory. With 336 logic elements (~4,000 usable gates) and 125 MHz internal operation, it implements bus-state machines, address decode, DMA handshaking, and interrupt steering in a single device. The 84-PLCC J-lead package supports socketed prototyping and field replacement, critical for industrial PCI backplanes where downtime must be minimized. MultiVolt I/O at 5V tolerates 5V PCI signalling directly, eliminating level-shifters required by modern 3.3V-only FPGAs.
Recommended
Industrial Control State Machine
Medium-complexity industrial state machines (PLC co-processors, motor-control sequencers, conveyor-logic controllers) map efficiently into the EPF8452ALI84-4's 336 logic elements. The 5V core tolerance interfaces directly to legacy 5V sensor and actuator driver ICs without level translation. Commercial temperature grade (0°C to 70°C) covers most factory-floor enclosures, and the 84-PLCC socket-compatible package simplifies field service. Engineers can absorb multiple 22V10/GAL/74-series packages into one reconfigurable device, reducing PCB area and improving time-to-market on derivative models.
Recommended
Telecom Line-Card Glue Logic
The EPF8452ALI84-4 functions as a glue-logic aggregator on legacy T1/E1, ISDN, and DSL line cards, integrating bus isolation, framing, and timeslot-management logic between framers, LIUs, and network processors. The 125 MHz internal frequency handles DS-3/STS-1 rate conversion while 5V I/O tolerance supports older framers. 68 user I/Os cover typical line-card pin counts (typically 40-60 signals), and the PLCC package accommodates hand-repair and rework on long-lifecycle telecom spares. In-circuit reconfigurability enables field firmware updates via JTAG without depackaging.
Recommended
Peripheral Controller (UART/DMA/SPI)
The EPF8452ALI84-4 consolidates UART, SPI, I²C, and DMA controllers into a single 5V-tolerant device for legacy peripherals such as industrial printers, point-of-sale terminals, and embedded instrumentation. Its 336 LEs support full hardware UARTs with FIFO buffering plus an SPI master and an I²C controller concurrently. 5V MultiVolt I/O drives legacy 5V peripheral ASICs directly, and the 84-PLCC footprint is familiar to maintenance technicians. Designers port code from older 74LS/74AS discrete-logic implementations, gaining design flexibility without PCB rework.
Recommended
Replacement of 74-Series TTL Logic
The EPF8452ALI84-4 is a textbook modernization target for designs originally implemented with dozens of 74LS, 74AS, and 74F TTL packages plus PAL/GAL decode PLDs. Approximately 4,000 usable gates absorb 30-60 standard TTL packages, dramatically reducing PCB area, power consumption, and assembly cost. 5V I/O is bit-for-bit compatible with legacy TTL signalling levels. Designers capture schematics, synthesize to FLEX 8000, and verify on a PLCC-84 development socket — all without changing the surrounding analog or power circuitry.
Recommended
Aerospace & Defense Legacy Sustainment
Long-lifecycle aerospace and defense programs (avionics LRUs, naval/maritime control systems, radar signal-conditioning backplanes) often require 15-25 year parts sustainment. The EPF8452ALI84-4, with its industrial temperature option (-40°C to +85°C on the EPF8452ALI84-4N industrial variant) and ruggedized 5V CMOS design, fits this niche. Existing qualified designs can be maintained without re-certification, and the PLCC package supports field-replaceable module (FRM) architectures. Altera/Intel's NRND designation does not affect form-fit-function for already-certified systems.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPF8452ALI84-4 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPF8452ALC84-4 | EPF8452ALC84-4N | EPF8452ALC84-5 | EPF8452ALC84-3 | EPF8282ALI84-4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 84-PLCC (J-Lead) | 84-PLCC (J-Lead) | 84-PLCC (J-Lead) | 84-PLCC (J-Lead) | 84-PLCC (J-Lead) | 84-PLCC (J-Lead) |
| Brand | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) |
| Logic Elements | 336 | 336 | 336 | 336 | 336 | 208 (-38%) |
| Usable Gates | 4,000 | 4,000 | 4,000 | 4,000 | 4,000 | 2,500 |
| Speed Grade | -4 | -4 | -4 (Pb-free) | -5 (faster) | -3 (slower) | -4 |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to +70°C (Commercial) | 0°C to +70°C (Commercial) | 0°C to +70°C (Commercial, Pb-free) | 0°C to +70°C (Commercial) | 0°C to +70°C (Commercial) | -40°C to +85°C (Industrial) |
| User I/Os | 68 | 68 | 68 | 68 | 68 | 68 |
| Supply Voltage | 5 V core, 3.3/5 V I/O | 5 V core, 3.3/5 V I/O | 5 V core, 3.3/5 V I/O | 5 V core, 3.3/5 V I/O | 5 V core, 3.3/5 V I/O | 5 V core, 3.3/5 V I/O |
| Maximum Frequency | 125 MHz | 125 MHz | 125 MHz | Higher (faster bin) | Lower (slower bin) | 125 MHz |
Key Differentiators
- Same-package temperature grade flexibility (vs EPF8452ALC84-4)
- Higher logic density than EPF8282 within same footprint (vs EPF8282ALI84-4)
- MultiVolt I/O at 5V tolerates legacy 5V systems (vs Modern 3.3V-only FPGAs (Cyclone, MAX II))
Design Notes
The EPF8452ALI84-4 requires a stable 5 V ±5% supply on VCCINT pins (7, 39 in the 84-PLCC) and a separate VCCIO rail (pins 23, 69) for MultiVolt I/O operation. Decouple each VCC pin with 0.1 µF ceramic and 10 µF tantalum bulk capacitance within 5 mm of the package. During SRAM configuration, peak inrush current can reach 200 mA — verify that the upstream regulator has adequate transient response and that bulk capacitance holds VCC above 4.75 V during configuration. Power-on-reset behaviour requires VCC to ramp monotonically from 0 to 5 V in less than 100 ms.
The 84-PLCC J-lead package supports both socketed (through-hole PLCC-84 socket) and direct surface-mount assembly. For prototype builds, use a quality machined-pin socket (e.g., 3M Textool or equivalent) to allow quick bitstream swaps. For production, the J-leads are solderable using standard reflow profiles up to 240°C peak for 60 seconds maximum. Maintain at least 6 mil trace/space on outer layers and route the high-current VCCINT/VCCIO pins with 20 mil or wider copper pours to limit DC drop across the lead frame.
Three pitfalls are common in FLEX 8000 designs: (1) omitting a non-volatile configuration memory — SRAM FPGAs lose their bitstream at every power-down, so an EPC1, EPC1064, EPC1213, or EPC1441 (or parallel EPROM) is mandatory; (2) leaving MSEL[2:0] floating — these mode-select pins must be tied to a defined logic level matching the configuration source; (3) using the EPF8452 for designs requiring more than 336 LEs without verifying Quartus fit — early FLEX 8000 synthesis libraries did not always report exact LE utilization. Always confirm placement and routing closure in Quartus before committing to layout.
Compliance Information
Compliance status not explicitly stated in verified web data. The '-4N' suffix variants are commonly lead-free finished; the bare '-4' suffix historically indicates SnPb finish. Confirm with manufacturer or distributor documentation before procurement for RoHS-restricted programs.
