EPM3512AQC208-15N - 512-Macro CPLD MAX 3000A PQFP-208 | Altera
MPN: EPM3512AQC208-15N β Last Time Buy| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $38.5 | $38.50 |
| 10 | $34.2 | $342.00 |
| 100 | $28.9 | $2,890.00 |
| 500 | $24.1 | $12,050.00 |
| 1,000 | $20.5 | $20,500.00 |
EPM3512AQC208-15N Overview
A CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) is a non-volatile programmable logic device that combines multiple PLA-like macrocell arrays on a single chip with a global interconnect fabric. CPLDs sit between discrete logic gates (74-series glue logic) and FPGAs: they offer deterministic, unit-cycle propagation delays, instant-on behavior from on-chip EEPROM/flash configuration memory, and higher logic density than discrete logic but lower density and flexibility than SRAM-based FPGAs. The MAX 3000A family specifically targets 3.3V core / multi-voltage I/O designs, where they serve as system-level glue logic, bus bridges, address decoding, and state-machine controllers.
Key features of the EPM3512AQC208-15N include a 15 ns worst-case tPD, 16 macrocell LABs, 12,000 typical gates, 172 maximum user I/O, and a MultiVolt I/O interface that supports 2.5V, 3.3V, and 5.0V operation. The device uses dedicated VCCINT pins for internal logic and input buffers plus separate VCCIO pins for output drivers, allowing mixed-voltage interfacing without external level shifters. The ISP engine supports both JTAG and ByteBlaster download cables.
Architecturally, the EPM3512AQC208-15N implements the MAX 3000A architecture: 16 Logic Array Blocks (LABs), each containing 16 macrocells, interconnected by a continuous programmable AND-OR-NOT array called the Programmable Interconnect Array (PIA). Each macrocell contains a programmable AND/OR/registered combinational logic block, a flip-flop with programmable clear/preset/clock, and a configurable I/O control block. Configuration is stored in on-chip EEPROM cells, providing true non-volatile behavior.
Typical applications for this device include industrial bus-interface glue logic (PCI, ISA, VME bridges), address decoding and wait-state generation for microprocessors, state-machine controllers in motor drives and power-conversion systems, JTAG-controlled board-test and boundary-scan infrastructure, and pin-compatible upgrades for legacy Altera MAX 7000 designs. Its deterministic timing and non-volatile configuration make it well suited for safety-critical and instant-on industrial systems.
When designing with this device, observe the I/O voltage compatibility carefully: VCCIO must be connected to either 2.5V or 3.3V depending on the logic family being interfaced, while VCCINT remains at 3.3V. The 15 ns speed grade is the slowest of the MAX 3000A family; if higher performance is needed, consider the -10 or -7 speed grades within the same package.
This page synthesizes real-time distributor pricing, verified parametric data, and drop-in alternative suggestions to give engineers a faster engineering decision than is possible from the bare datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for EPM3512AQC208-15N β 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 EPM3512AQC208-15N (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Operating Temperature, Logic Array Blocks (LABs), In-System Programmability, Process Technology.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPM3512AQC208-10N
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$42.8 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPM3512AQC208-10
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$22.1 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPM3512AQC208-10NS
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$32.4 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPM3512AQC208-10S
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$9.75 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPM3512AQC208-10-10N
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$31.2 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPM3512AQC208-15N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | MAX 3000A |
| Device Type | CPLD - Complex Programmable Logic Device |
| Macro Cells | 512 |
| Logic Array Blocks (LABs) | 16 |
| Maximum User I/O Pins | 172 |
| Typical Usable Gates | 12,000 |
| Number of Logic Elements | 512 |
| Pin-to-Pin Delay (tPD) | 15 ns |
| Operating Supply Voltage (VCCINT) | 3.3 V |
| I/O Supply Voltage (VCCIO) | 2.5 V / 3.3 V (MultiVolt) |
| Programmable I/O Standards | LVTTL, LVCMOS, PCI (with external resistor) |
| In-System Programmability | Yes (IEEE Std. 1532 compliant) |
| Configuration Memory | EEPROM (non-volatile) |
| JTAG Support | Yes (BST/Boundary-Scan Test) |
| Package | PQFP-208 (QC208) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (commercial) |
EPM3512AQC208-15N pqfp-208 (qc208) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EPM3512AQC208-15N (pqfp-208 (qc208) package). This digital IC includes GPIO, communication interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C), and power pins. Refer to the manufacturer datasheet for alternate pin functions and configuration options. Essential for embedded system design and PCB layout.
No detailed pinout data available for EPM3512AQC208-15N.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EPM3512AQC208-15N is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Bus Interface Glue Logic, Address Decoding & Wait-State Generation, Motor Drive & Power-Conversion State Machine, JTAG Boundary-Scan & Board Test Infrastructure, Pin-Compatible Upgrade for Legacy MAX 7000 Designs, Communications Backplane Glue Logic.
Industrial Bus Interface Glue Logic
The EPM3512AQC208-15N is widely used as glue logic between microprocessors, DSPs, and peripheral ICs in industrial backplanes where deterministic timing and instant-on are required. With 512 macrocells it can host multiple 8/16-bit bus bridges (ISA, VME, PCI local bus with external resistor), address decoders, and wait-state generators on a single chip. The 15 ns tPD is sufficient for 33 MHz PCI target interfaces, and the 172 I/O pins easily handle 16-bit data plus full address and control buses. Unlike SRAM-based FPGAs it boots instantly from on-chip EEPROM without external configuration memory, which is critical in factory-automation controllers that must start deterministic operation immediately after power-up. VCCIO MultiVolt I/O lets one CPLD bridge 3.3V DSP logic to 5V legacy peripheral ICs without external level shifters.
Recommended
Address Decoding & Wait-State Generation
A canonical MAX 3000A application is address decoding for embedded microprocessors where the CPLD maps chip-selects, interrupts, and memory windows. The EPM3512AQC208-15N's 512 macrocells easily decode multiple memory regions with one-hot or binary priority logic, while its 15 ns tPD keeps decode latency inside the worst-case access window of 33 MHz 68000/MIPS/ARM7-class CPUs. Wait-state generation for slow peripherals is implemented by counters inside the LABs, and the 172 I/O pins accommodate dozens of chip-select outputs plus qualifier inputs. Deterministic, unit-cycle timing from the AND-OR-NOT PIA architecture means no setup-time surprises compared to FPGA-based decoders, and non-volatile EEPROM configuration means no boot flash is required.
Recommended
Motor Drive & Power-Conversion State Machine
In motor drives, UPS systems, and solar inverters, the EPM3512AQC208-15N functions as the protection and control state machine, sequencing IGBT gate drivers, monitoring fault lines, and latching safety states. The 16 LABs easily host multi-state FSMs for PFC + full-bridge control, while the 172 I/O pins handle PWM disable signals, current-sense comparator inputs, and fault outputs. The 15 ns tPD is fast enough for 20 kHz switching-frequency blanking logic and overcurrent trip response within 1 us. Non-volatile configuration means the state machine boots correctly even after brown-outs, and EEPROM retention supports 20+ year industrial service life. MultiVolt I/O allows direct connection to 3.3V DSP/MCU and 5V gate-driver optocouplers.
Recommended
JTAG Boundary-Scan & Board Test Infrastructure
The EPM3512AQC208-15N's IEEE Std. 1532-compliant JTAG TAP supports both BST (Boundary-Scan Test) for board-level interconnect testing and ISP for in-system programming. In production test fixtures it provides the boundary-scan chain that catches open/short defects between BGAs and fine-pitch QFPs. The 172 user I/O pins can each be placed in high-impedance boundary-scan mode, enabling at-speed interconnect testing on boards with hundreds of nets. Multiple EPM3512AQC208-15N devices can be daisy-chained for multi-device ISP programming, with Altera Jam STAPL files driving the chain. The on-chip EEPROM configuration cell eliminates external boot PROMs needed by older JTAG-only CPLDs.
Recommended
Pin-Compatible Upgrade for Legacy MAX 7000 Designs
The EPM3512AQC208-15N and its siblings form the migration path for legacy Altera MAX 7000 designs that need higher density, lower power, or IEEE 1532 ISP support. Engineers retrofitting MAX 7000A/E/S boards can substitute the EPM3512AQC208-15N into the same PQFP-208 footprint, gaining 3.3V core operation, MultiVolt I/O, and standard JTAG programming. Same-package, same-pinout, same-architecture migration means existing schematics, IBIS models, and Quartus fit timing constraints transfer with minimal rework. The 15 ns speed grade is a direct speed match for MAX 7000A-15 designs, making it an easy upgrade for boards where supply constraints require MAX 3000A's lower-power 3.3V core.
Recommended
Communications Backplane Glue Logic
In telecommunications and networking backplanes, the EPM3512AQC208-15N serves as protocol-bridging glue logic between TDM framers, Ethernet MACs, and T1/E1 transceivers. Its 512 macrocells can implement multiple byte-alignment state machines and HDLC encoders, while 172 I/O pins accommodate 8-bit parallel datastreams plus framing, clock, and alarm signals. The 15 ns tPD handles 50 MHz backplane datarates with margin, and MultiVolt I/O bridges 5V legacy framers to 3.3V ASICs without level shifters. Non-volatile EEPROM configuration is ideal for always-on telecom equipment that cannot tolerate FPGA configuration delays, and the PQFP-208 package with exposed thermal pad supports the sustained-operation thermal envelope of central-office equipment.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPM3512AQC208-15N β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPM3512AQC208-10N | EPM3512AQC208-10 | EPM3512AQC208-10NS | EPM3512AQC208-10S | EPM3512AQC208-10-10N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | PQFP-208 (QC208) | PQFP-208 (QC208) - same | PQFP-208 (QC208) - same | PQFP-208 (QC208) - same | PQFP-208 (QC208) - same | PQFP-208 (QC208) - same |
| Brand | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) - same | Altera (Intel) - same | Altera (Intel) - same | Altera (Intel) - same | Altera (Intel) - same |
| Pin-to-Pin Delay (tPD) | 15 ns | 10 ns (5 ns faster) | 10 ns | 10 ns | 10 ns | 10 ns |
| Macrocells | 512 | 512 (same) | 512 (same) | 512 (same) | 512 (same) | 512 (same) |
| Max User I/O | 172 | 172 (same) | 172 (same) | 172 (same) | 172 (same) | 172 (same) |
| Speed Grade | -15 (15 ns) | -10 (10 ns) | -10 (10 ns) | -10 (10 ns) | -10 (10 ns) | -10 (10 ns) |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (commercial) | 0C to +70C (commercial) | 0C to +70C (commercial) | 0C to +70C (commercial) | 0C to +70C (commercial) | 0C to +70C (commercial) |
| Lifecycle Status | Last-Time-Buy (LTB) | Last-Time-Buy (LTB) | Last-Time-Buy (LTB) | Last-Time-Buy (LTB) | Last-Time-Buy (LTB) | Last-Time-Buy (LTB) |
| Configuration Memory | EEPROM (non-volatile) | EEPROM (same) | EEPROM (same) | EEPROM (same) | EEPROM (same) | EEPROM (same) |
Key Differentiators
- Drop-in speed-grade upgrade without PCB rework (vs EPM3512AQC208-10N)
- Higher macrocell density at the same 208-pin count (vs EPM3256AQI208-10N)
- More user I/O than the same-family 144-pin devices (vs EPM3512AFI256-10N (256-pin FBGA variant))
Design Notes
Estimated: with all 172 I/O pins switching at 10 MHz and 30 pF load, ICC (3.3V VCCINT) consumption rises to roughly 150-200 mA plus 50-80 mA on VCCIO. Use a 0.1 uF ceramic decoupling capacitor on every VCCINT/VCCIO pin pair, plus a single 33 uF tantalum bulk capacitor near the device. Power sequencing is not required between VCCINT and VCCIO; both rails may come up in any order.
The PQFP-208 package has a 0.5 mm pitch gull-wing leads. Use a 4-layer PCB with a continuous ground plane under the device; route all I/O signals on the top layer and power on inner layers. Maintain at least 8 mil trace width and 8 mil clearance. Place a thermal pad array or thermal vias under the package body since the PQFP-208 has no exposed thermal pad; 25-30 vias in a 5x5 grid under the die keeps theta_JA around 35 C/W.
Group JTAG pins (TCK, TMS, TDI, TDO, TRST) together on the schematic and route them as a 5-signal bus to a dedicated JTAG header or chain connector. Keep JTAG traces under 2 inches and isolated from switching I/O to avoid programming failures. The nCONFIG, nSTATUS, and CONF_DONE pins are not used on MAX 3000A (configuration is automatic) but the JTAG pins are mandatory for ISP.
Do not leave VCCIO floating - the device will not operate reliably without all VCCIO pins tied to a valid 2.5V or 3.3V supply even if those I/O banks are unused. Do not drive 5V TTL signals into VCCIO=3.3V pins without series resistors; the absolute-max VCCIO+0.5V limit will be violated. Do not use the EPM3512AQC208-15N's 15 ns speed grade for designs requiring 50 MHz+ fMAX - migrate to the -10 or -7 grade.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free status not verified from the provided web data; the MAX 3000A family was originally released before RoHS and lead-free variants (suffix N or NS) exist for some speed grades. AEC-Q100 is not applicable - this is a commercial-grade CPLD. Conflict-minerals compliance assumed compliant per Altera/Intel standard policy.
