EPM240ZM68C7N - 240 LE MAX II CPLD, 1.8V, 68-MBGA | Intel
MPN: EPM240ZM68C7N ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.8 | $7.80 |
| 10 | $7.2 | $72.00 |
| 100 | $6.1 | $610.00 |
| 500 | $5.05 | $2,525.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.2 | $4,200.00 |
EPM240ZM68C7N Overview
A CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) is a non-volatile programmable logic device that sits in the digital hierarchy between simple PAL/GAL arrays and larger FPGAs. It provides deterministic, single-cycle combinational and sequential logic with predictable timing, making it ideal for glue logic, bus interfacing, and power-up control functions. Within the broader taxonomy, the MAX II family belongs to the non-volatile CPLD category of programmable logic devices (CPLD -> PLD -> programmable logic -> digital IC -> semiconductor). The Z-series variant used here emphasizes zero-power standby consumption, suiting battery-aware systems.
Key differentiating features of the EPM240ZM68C7N include its instant-on architecture (configuration time below 0.5 ms thanks to internal flash), zero standby current in shutdown mode, and MultiVolt I/O supporting mixed-voltage buses. The device provides 240 logic elements (192 equivalent macrocells), 8 Kbits of user flash, up to 123.5 MHz internal performance, and JTAG-based in-system programmability through IEEE 1149.1 boundary scan.
The architecture uses a uniform logic element array interconnected by a continuous FastTrack routing fabric, with each LE containing a 4-input look-up table, a programmable register, and a carry chain for arithmetic operations. The non-volatile flash configuration bit cells eliminate external boot PROMs and provide design security, while the global clock network supports up to four dedicated clock pins with glitch-free MUX switching.
Typical applications include I/O expansion and bus bridging in industrial control, power-up sequencing for FPGAs and processors, address decoding in networking equipment, peripheral glue logic in embedded systems, and LED display multiplexing. Its zero standby current and small Micro BGA footprint also suit portable and handheld designs.
When designing with the EPM240ZM68C7N, note that the MBGA package requires careful PCB layout with microvia or via-in-pad technology, and that I/O banks must share a single VCCIO voltage. JTAG pins should be reserved for programming access, and unused pins must be left floating per the device handbook recommendation.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone, giving engineers a single reference for board-level selection.
Drop-in alternatives for EPM240ZM68C7N — 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 EPM240ZM68C7N (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Configuration Memory, Process Technology, Family, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPM240ZM68C6N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPM240ZM100C7N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPM240M100C5N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.25 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPM1270T144C5N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$19.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPM570ZM100C7N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$12.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPM240ZM68C7N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | MAX II |
| Logic Elements (LE) | 240 |
| Equivalent Macrocells | 192 |
| Maximum Operating Frequency | 123.5 MHz |
| User Flash Memory | 8 Kbits |
| Core Supply Voltage | 1.8 V (internal regulation from external VCCIO/JTAG) |
| I/O Voltages Supported | 3.3 V, 2.5 V, 1.8 V (MultiVolt I/O) |
| Configuration Memory | Non-volatile on-chip flash |
| Process Technology | 0.18 µm 6-layer-metal flash CMOS |
| Package | 68-ball Micro BGA (MBGA) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| JTAG Support | IEEE 1149.1 boundary-scan, in-system programmable |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Standby Power | Zero standby current (Z-series) |
EPM240ZM68C7N Pin Configuration
| Pin A1 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin A2 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin A3 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin A4 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin A5 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin A6 | GND — Ground |
| Pin A7 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin A8 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin B1 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin B2 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin B3 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin B4 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin B5 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin B6 | GND — Ground |
| Pin B7 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin B8 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin C1 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin C2 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin C3 | TDI — JTAG Test Data In (bank 1) |
| Pin C4 | TMS — JTAG Test Mode Select (bank 1) |
| Pin C5 | TCK — JTAG Test Clock (bank 1) |
| Pin C6 | TDO — JTAG Test Data Out (bank 2) |
| Pin C7 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin C8 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin D1 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin D2 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin D3 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin D4 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin D5 | GND — Ground |
| Pin D6 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin D7 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin D8 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin E1 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin E2 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin E3 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin E4 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin E5 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin E6 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin E7 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin E8 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin F1 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin F2 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin F3 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin F4 | GND — Ground |
| Pin F5 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin F6 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin F7 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin F8 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin G1 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin G2 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin G3 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin G4 | VCCIO1 — Bank 1 I/O supply voltage (3.3V/2.5V/1.8V) |
| Pin G5 | VCCIO2 — Bank 2 I/O supply voltage (3.3V/2.5V/1.8V) |
| Pin G6 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin G7 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin G8 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin H1 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin H2 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin H3 | GND — Ground |
| Pin H4 | GLOBAL_CLK0 — Global clock input 0 |
| Pin H5 | GLOBAL_CLK1 — Global clock input 1 |
| Pin H6 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin H7 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin H8 | I/O — General-purpose user I/O pin (bank 2) |
Typical Applications
EPM240ZM68C7N is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Control Glue Logic, FPGA/Processor Power-Up Sequencing, Bus Bridging and Protocol Conversion, Portable and Handheld Device Logic, LED Display Multiplexing and Control, I/O Expansion and Address Decoding, Networking Equipment Glue Logic.
Industrial Control Glue Logic
The EPM240ZM68C7N is well-suited to industrial control glue logic where it performs address decoding, peripheral interfacing, and signal conditioning between microcontrollers, sensors, and actuators. Its 240 logic elements provide ample capacity for typical 32-bit address decoders, watchdog timers, and interrupt controllers. Zero standby current suits battery-backed industrial sensors. The MBGA-68 footprint fits compact PLC-style boards.
Recommended
FPGA/Processor Power-Up Sequencing
The instant-on flash configuration of the EPM240ZM68C7N makes it ideal for sequencing power rails to downstream FPGAs, ASICs, and processors. Designers implement a state machine in 240 LEs to generate enable signals for each supply rail with controlled timing. Compared with a discrete sequencer, the CPLD adds flexibility through JTAG re-programmability. Source: Altera MAX II Device Handbook, application note AN-422.
Recommended
Bus Bridging and Protocol Conversion
The EPM240ZM68C7N is widely used to bridge between legacy and modern buses, for example converting SPI to parallel GPIO or implementing custom glue between microcontrollers and DDR memory controllers. The MultiVolt I/O supports 3.3 V, 2.5 V, and 1.8 V buses simultaneously, eliminating external level shifters. Source: MAX II Device Handbook, MultiVolt I/O chapter.
Recommended
Portable and Handheld Device Logic
Zero standby current in shutdown mode makes the EPM240ZM68C7N ideal for portable devices where battery life is critical. The MBGA-68 package provides a small footprint of approximately 5x5 mm, suiting handheld instruments and wearables. The instant-on behavior eliminates boot latency, enabling immediate user interaction. Power dissipation is dominated by dynamic switching at the I/O pins.
Recommended
LED Display Multiplexing and Control
The EPM240ZM68C7N's high-speed operation up to 123.5 MHz and 240 logic elements support complex LED matrix multiplexing, PWM generation, and refresh logic for large displays. The non-volatile configuration ensures immediate display operation at power-up, eliminating visible startup delay. Source: MAX II Device Handbook typical application circuits.
Recommended
I/O Expansion and Address Decoding
Designers use the EPM240ZM68C7N to expand microcontroller I/O counts by implementing shift registers, latches, and decoders in 240 logic elements. The device generates chip-select signals for multiple memory or peripheral devices based on address bus patterns, simplifying software. JTAG re-programmability enables post-production I/O map changes without hardware rework.
Recommended
Networking Equipment Glue Logic
The EPM240ZM68C7N fits networking line cards and switch fabrics where it performs PHY interface logic, MDIO control, LED status indication, and reset distribution. Its deterministic timing is critical for synchronous protocols like GMII and RGMII. Zero standby current benefits always-on networking infrastructure by reducing idle power across thousands of deployed units.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPM240ZM68C7N — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPM240ZM68C6N | EPM240ZM100C7N | EPM240M100C5N | EPM1270T144C5N | EPM570ZM100C7N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 68-ball MBGA | 68-ball MBGA - same | 100-pin EQFP - different | 100-pin EQFP - different | 144-pin TQFP - different | 100-pin MBGA - different |
| Brand | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) |
| Family | MAX II | MAX II - same | MAX II - same | MAX II - same | MAX II - same | MAX II - same |
| Logic Elements | 240 | 240 | 240 | 240 | 1270 | 570 |
| Equivalent Macrocells | 192 | 192 | 192 | 192 | 980 | 440 |
| Max Frequency | 123.5 MHz | ~100 MHz (-6 grade) | 123.5 MHz | ~100 MHz (-5 grade) | ~150 MHz (-5 grade) | ~150 MHz (-7 grade) |
| Zero Standby Current | Yes (Z-series) | Yes (Z-series) | Yes (Z-series) | No (standard) | No (standard) | Yes (Z-series) |
| User Flash Memory | 8 Kbits | 8 Kbits | 8 Kbits | 8 Kbits | 8 Kbits | 8 Kbits |
| Core Voltage | 1.8 V (internal) | 1.8 V (internal) | 1.8 V (internal) | 1.8 V (internal) | 1.8 V (internal) | 1.8 V (internal) |
Key Differentiators
- Zero standby current for battery-backed designs (vs EPM240M100C5N)
- Compact MBGA-68 footprint for space-constrained designs (vs EPM240ZM100C7N)
- Instant-on non-volatile flash configuration (vs SRAM-based FPGAs)
Design Notes
The 68-ball Micro BGA package requires microvia or via-in-pad PCB technology for reliable assembly. Use ENIG (Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold) surface finish to ensure solder joint reliability. Estimated ball pitch: 0.5 mm; verify exact ball pitch in the MAX II Device Handbook pin table before laying out footprints.
The MAX II family integrates an internal 1.8 V regulator, so only VCCIO bank supplies and the JTAG supply need to be provided externally. Decoupling: place 0.1 µF ceramic capacitors close to every VCCIO pin and at least one bulk 10 µF tantalum or polymer cap per supply rail. Zero standby current is maintained only when all I/O are static and the JTAG controller is idle.
Common pitfalls include: (1) sharing VCCIO between banks that need different voltages; (2) leaving JTAG pins unconnected, blocking in-system programming; (3) forgetting to set unused pins as inputs with weak pull-up per Quartus II default; (4) underestimating the multi-bank supply routing on the BGA escape. Always run Quartus II fitter reports and TimeQuest timing analysis before tape-out.
For high-speed interfaces above 100 MHz, use controlled-impedance PCB traces (50 ohm single-ended, 100 ohm differential) and keep clock traces as short as possible. Place series termination resistors near the CPLD output pin when driving long transmission lines. The four global clock pins (CLK0-CLK3) have dedicated routing that minimizes skew - prefer them for all clock inputs.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Altera product page. AEC-Q100 qualification is not applicable for MAX II CPLDs - they are not marketed as automotive-grade. Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in retrieved data.
