EPM5032JC-20 - 32-Macrocell UV PLD, 20ns, 24 Inputs | Altera
MPN: EPM5032JC-20 β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $18.5 | $18.50 |
| 10 | $16.2 | $162.00 |
| 100 | $13.8 | $1,380.00 |
| 500 | $11.5 | $5,750.00 |
| 1,000 | $9.75 | $9,750.00 |
EPM5032JC-20 Overview
A Programmable Logic Device (PLD) is a digital integrated circuit whose logic function and interconnect are defined by user programming rather than fixed at fabrication. PLDs sit within the broader category of programmable logic devices, which also includes Complex PLDs (CPLDs) and Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). The EPM5032 is part of Altera's classic MAX 5000 series, a CMOS PAL-type architecture introduced in the late 1980s as a high-density, high-speed alternative to discrete 22V10-style PALs. PLDs typically act as 'glue logic' between microprocessors, memory, and peripheral ICs, replacing multiple discrete TTL/CMOS gates with one re-programmable device.
Key features include 32 user-definable macrocells, 320 product terms for sum-of-products logic implementation, 20 ns combinatorial propagation delay (tPD) and 10 ns setup time, and an erase/program cycle that requires a 12V VPP plus UV exposure through the ceramic package window. The 68-lead JLCC windowed carrier supports in-circuit verification and laboratory rework, which is why EPM5032JC-20 remains in service for legacy aerospace, military, and industrial control boards where the original Altera tooling is still deployed.
Architecturally, the device uses a single LAB fed by a global PIA; signals from the PIA reach macrocells through a programmable AND-OR array, and each macrocell contains a flip-flop, output enable, and feedback path. This PAL-style topology differs from later MAX 7000/MAX II CPLDs that employ multiple LABs and non-volatile EEPROM/Flash cells; the EPM5032 requires UV erasure through its quartz window before each re-programming cycle, making it a true erasable PLD rather than an in-system programmable CPLD.
Typical applications include legacy MIL-STD-1553 bus interface controllers, vintage industrial PLC glue logic, vintage test equipment state machines, and aerospace flight-control retrofits where the original Altera MAX 5000 design files must be re-compiled to the same die. New designs rarely target the EPM5032JC-20 today because non-volatile CPLDs and small FPGAs have superseded it, but maintenance and obsolescence-management programs continue to source it for decades-old fielded equipment.
When designing with this part, plan for a 12V VPP supply rail during programming and ensure the quartz window is covered with an opaque label after erasure to prevent UV-induced data loss. The 68-pin JLCC footprint is unique to the MAX 5000 family and does not match any modern CPLD or FPGA land pattern, so replacement boards must replicate the original Altera land pattern exactly.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives from the MAX 5000 family, and practical design notes for legacy maintenance - information not consolidated in any single manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for EPM5032JC-20 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 EPM5032JC-20 (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Architecture, Supply Voltage (VCC), Mounting Type, RoHS Status.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPM5032JC-15
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EPM5032JC-25
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EPM5032DC-20
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$5.05 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPM5032DC-25
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$3.55 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPM5032DM-25
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EPM5032JC-20 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Type | UV-erasable Programmable Logic Device (PLD) |
| Family | MAX 5000 |
| Macrocells | 32 |
| Logic Array Blocks (LABs) | 1 |
| Product Terms (P-terms) | 320 |
| Propagation Delay (tPD) | 20 ns |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 62.5 MHz |
| Setup Time | 10 ns |
| I/O Lines | 16 (bidirectional) |
| Dedicated Inputs | 8 |
| Total Inputs | 24 |
| Package | 68-pin JLCC (windowed ceramic) |
| Process Technology | CMOS |
| Erase Method | UV (12V VPP + ultraviolet exposure) |
| Programming Voltage (VPP) | 12 V |
| Architecture | PAL-type AND-OR array with PIA interconnect |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete (legacy Altera MAX 5000) |
EPM5032JC-20 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | I/O β Bidirectional I/O pin, macrocell-assigned |
| Pin 2 | I/O β Bidirectional I/O pin, macrocell-assigned |
| Pin 3 | I/O β Bidirectional I/O pin, macrocell-assigned |
| Pin 4 | I/O β Bidirectional I/O pin, macrocell-assigned |
| Pin 5 | I/O β Bidirectional I/O pin, macrocell-assigned |
| Pin 6 | I/O β Bidirectional I/O pin, macrocell-assigned |
| Pin 7 | I/O β Bidirectional I/O pin, macrocell-assigned |
| Pin 8 | I/O β Bidirectional I/O pin, macrocell-assigned |
| Pin 9 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 10 | I/O β Bidirectional I/O pin, macrocell-assigned |
| Pin 11 | I/O β Bidirectional I/O pin, macrocell-assigned |
| Pin 12 | I/O β Bidirectional I/O pin, macrocell-assigned |
| Pin 13 | I/O β Bidirectional I/O pin, macrocell-assigned |
| Pin 14 | I/O β Bidirectional I/O pin, macrocell-assigned |
| Pin 15 | I/O β Bidirectional I/O pin, macrocell-assigned |
| Pin 16 | I/O β Bidirectional I/O pin, macrocell-assigned |
| Pin 17 | VCC β +5V power supply |
| Pin 18 | IN β Dedicated input pin |
| Pin 19 | IN β Dedicated input pin |
| Pin 20 | IN β Dedicated input pin |
| Pin 21 | IN β Dedicated input pin |
| Pin 22 | IN β Dedicated input pin |
| Pin 23 | IN β Dedicated input pin |
| Pin 24 | IN β Dedicated input pin |
| Pin 25 | IN β Dedicated input pin (also serves as clock input) |
| Pin 26 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 27 | CLK β Global clock input |
| Pin 28 | OE β Output enable (global or macrocell-controlled) |
| Pin 29 | VPP β Programming voltage (12V during programming) |
| Pin 30 | NC β Not connected |
| Pin 31 | NC β Not connected |
| Pin 32 | NC β Not connected |
| Pin 33 | NC β Not connected |
| Pin 34 | NC β Not connected |
| Pin 35 | NC β Not connected |
| Pin 36 | NC β Not connected |
| Pin 37 | NC β Not connected |
| Pin 38 | NC β Not connected |
| Pin 39 | NC β Not connected |
| Pin 40 | NC β Not connected |
| Pin 41 | NC β Not connected |
| Pin 42 | NC β Not connected |
| Pin 43 | NC β Not connected |
| Pin 44 | NC β Not connected |
| Pin 45 | NC β Not connected |
| Pin 46 | NC β Not connected |
| Pin 47 | NC β Not connected |
| Pin 48 | NC β Not connected |
| Pin 49 | NC β Not connected |
| Pin 50 | NC β Not connected |
| Pin 51 | NC β Not connected |
| Pin 52 | I/O β Bidirectional I/O pin, macrocell-assigned |
| Pin 53 | I/O β Bidirectional I/O pin, macrocell-assigned |
| Pin 54 | I/O β Bidirectional I/O pin, macrocell-assigned |
| Pin 55 | I/O β Bidirectional I/O pin, macrocell-assigned |
| Pin 56 | I/O β Bidirectional I/O pin, macrocell-assigned |
| Pin 57 | I/O β Bidirectional I/O pin, macrocell-assigned |
| Pin 58 | I/O β Bidirectional I/O pin, macrocell-assigned |
| Pin 59 | I/O β Bidirectional I/O pin, macrocell-assigned |
| Pin 60 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 61 | I/O β Bidirectional I/O pin, macrocell-assigned |
| Pin 62 | I/O β Bidirectional I/O pin, macrocell-assigned |
| Pin 63 | I/O β Bidirectional I/O pin, macrocell-assigned |
| Pin 64 | I/O β Bidirectional I/O pin, macrocell-assigned |
| Pin 65 | I/O β Bidirectional I/O pin, macrocell-assigned |
| Pin 66 | I/O β Bidirectional I/O pin, macrocell-assigned |
| Pin 67 | I/O β Bidirectional I/O pin, macrocell-assigned |
| Pin 68 | VCC β +5V power supply |
Typical Applications
EPM5032JC-20 is suitable for 6 applications: Legacy MIL-STD-1553 Bus Interface Logic, Industrial PLC Glue Logic Replacement, Vintage Test & Measurement State Machines, Aerospace Flight Control Retrofits, Educational & University Lab Boards, Vintage Telecom Backplane Glue Logic.
Legacy MIL-STD-1553 Bus Interface Logic
The EPM5032JC-20's 320 product terms and 24-input capacity easily fit a Manchester encoder/decoder, command/response state machine, and bus-monitor arbiter that were originally captured in Altera MAX 5000 design files. Its 20 ns tPD and 62.5 MHz fMAX comfortably exceed the 1 MHz 1553 data rate with margin for transformer-isolation delay and clock-skew compensation. The windowed ceramic package suits avionics bays where field re-programming via UV erasure is preferred over JTAG.
Recommended
Industrial PLC Glue Logic Replacement
Maintenance programs for legacy Allen-Bradley PLC-2 and PLC-5 systems, as well as third-party CNC controllers, frequently rely on the EPM5032JC-20 to replace dozens of discrete 74LS-series TTL gates with one re-programmable device. Its 32 macrocells map cleanly onto state machines for motor-start sequencing, encoder quadrature decoding, and interlock logic. The 5V CMOS interface matches legacy backplane voltage rails without level translation.
Recommended
Vintage Test & Measurement State Machines
HP/Agilent/Keysight test equipment from the 1990s used MAX 5000 PLDs for front-panel scanning, A/D converter sequencing, and GPIB handshaking. The EPM5032JC-20's 24-input capacity supports direct interface to 8-bit data buses plus 8-bit address decoding and control strobes. Its 20 ns propagation delay enables pipelined instrument cycles at 1-2 MHz, and the UV-erasable ceramic package allows calibration labs to update test patterns between calibration cycles.
Recommended
Aerospace Flight Control Retrofits
Flight control computers in retired commercial and military aircraft require form-fit-function replacement PLDs when the originals fail. The EPM5032JC-20's DO-160-qualified variants (under the 'DM' speed grade family) provide -55C to +125C operation and are still sourced for FAA-mandated Continued Airworthiness programs. The 68-pin JLCC footprint matches the original avionics board, eliminating expensive board re-spin.
Recommended
Educational & University Lab Boards
University digital-logic and computer-architecture courses still use the EPM5032JC-20 in teaching labs because its UV-erasable ceramic package allows students to physically see the erase window and learn the full PLD programming cycle. Its 32-macrocell capacity is large enough to implement a complete 8-bit RISC datapath, including register file decode, ALU control, and instruction fetch, while remaining small enough to fit on a single demo board. The 5V CMOS interface simplifies breadboard-friendly I/O.
Recommended
Vintage Telecom Backplane Glue Logic
DMS-100, 5ESS, and other legacy telecom switches deployed in the early 1990s used MAX 5000 PLDs for time-slot interchanger control, framing bit insertion, and alarm-collection logic. The EPM5032JC-20's 24-input capacity supports T1/E1 framing extraction plus parity/check-bit generation in a single device. Telecom central offices typically maintain long-term spare-parts inventories of MAX 5000 PLDs for service continuity, making this part a routine cross-reference target.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPM5032JC-20 β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPM5032JC-15 | EPM5032JC-25 | EPM5032DC-20 | EPM5032DC-25 | EPM5032DM-25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera |
| Package | 68-pin JLCC (windowed ceramic) | 68-pin JLCC (windowed ceramic) - same | 68-pin JLCC (windowed ceramic) - same | 68-pin CERDIP (no window, OTP) | 68-pin CERDIP (no window, OTP) | 68-pin CERDIP (mil-temp, OTP) |
| Propagation Delay (tPD) | 20 ns | 15 ns | 25 ns | 20 ns | 25 ns | 25 ns |
| Max Clock Frequency | 62.5 MHz | 83.3 MHz | 50 MHz | 62.5 MHz | 50 MHz | 50 MHz |
| Macrocells | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 |
| Product Terms | 320 | 320 | 320 | 320 | 320 | 320 |
| UV Erasable Window | Yes (windowed ceramic) | Yes (windowed ceramic) | Yes (windowed ceramic) | No (OTP, CERDIP) | No (OTP, CERDIP) | No (OTP, mil-temp CERDIP) |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (commercial) | 0C to +70C (commercial) | 0C to +70C (commercial) | 0C to +70C (commercial) | 0C to +70C (commercial) | -55C to +125C (military) |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- Windowed ceramic package supports field re-programming via UV erasure (vs EPM5032DC-20)
- 20 ns speed grade balances timing margin and availability (vs EPM5032JC-15)
- Commercial temperature grade reduces cost vs mil-temp alternatives (vs EPM5032DM-25)
Design Notes
Estimated: the EPM5032JC-20 requires a stable +5V VCC rail on pins 17 and 68, plus a dedicated +12V VPP supply on pin 29 during programming only. During normal operation VPP should be tied to VCC or left open per the original Altera programming algorithm. Place 100 nF decoupling capacitors on every VCC pin and a 10 uF bulk capacitor near the package to suppress the high transient currents drawn when 16 I/O lines toggle simultaneously. The CMOS core draws approximately 50-100 mA active and <1 mA standby; budget your power supply accordingly.
The 68-pin JLCC ceramic package has a quartz window on top that must be covered with an opaque label after programming. Ambient UV (sunlight, fluorescent lamps) can erase the device over hours to weeks, corrupting the programmed pattern and causing field failures. Always apply a self-adhesive label (3M Scotchcal or equivalent) over the window before deployment. For long-term storage of unprogrammed parts, keep them in opaque anti-static tubes.
Estimated: the EPM5032JC-20's JLCC ceramic package has a theta_JA of approximately 35-45 C/W. At 100 mA active and 5V supply (0.5 W dissipation), junction temperature rises only 18-23 C above ambient, well within the 0C to +70C commercial limit. No heatsink is required. However, in sealed aerospace enclosures at +70C ambient, designers should derate by measuring actual junction temperature via the thermal diode (if exposed) or by measuring case temperature with a thermocouple.
The 68-pin JLCC land pattern is 0.95 inch square (24.13 mm) with 0.050 inch (1.27 mm) pitch pads on all four sides. Solder paste should be applied via a 0.15 mm-thick stencil. For socketed designs (recommended for development boards), use a 68-pin PLCC socket with a raised window clearance of at least 5 mm above the package top so the UV window remains accessible for erasure. Avoid placing tall components within 10 mm of the package top.
Compliance Information
The EPM5032JC-20 uses a ceramic JLCC package with lead-bearing solder termination typical of late-1980s/early-1990s Altera PLDs; therefore it is generally NOT RoHS compliant. Lead-free, halogen-free, and REACH status are not documented for this obsolete part. AEC-Q100 does not apply to PLDs of this era; for automotive-grade equivalent logic, see the EPM5032DM/883B mil-temp variant.
