EPM5032SC-20 - 32-Macrocell MAX 5000 EPLD, 20ns | Altera / Intel
MPN: EPM5032SC-20 ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $18.5 | $18.50 |
| 10 | $15.8 | $158.00 |
| 100 | $12.95 | $1,295.00 |
| 500 | $10.4 | $5,200.00 |
| 1,000 | $8.75 | $8,750.00 |
EPM5032SC-20 Overview
An EPLD (Erasable Programmable Logic Device) is a non-volatile programmable logic IC that combines the architecture of a PAL (Programmable Array Logic) with erasable CMOS memory cells, allowing engineers to implement custom glue logic, state machines, and bus-interface circuits that are then retained without external configuration memory. Within the broader taxonomy, the EPM5032 belongs to the CPLD/EPLD family, which sits under programmable logic devices (PLDs), and ultimately under the digital integrated circuits category. EPLDs were widely used before modern FPGAs and CPLDs dominated new designs, and they remain valuable in long-life-cycle industrial, military, and aerospace systems where the original Altera MAX 5000 silicon is still preferred for proven field reliability.
Key features of the EPM5032SC-20 include 32 macrocells, a Programmable Interconnect Array (PIA) for flexible signal routing, 16 bidirectional I/O lines, 7 dedicated input pins, a 20 ns pin-to-pin propagation delay, and CMOS technology with UV-erasable EPROM programming cells. The -20 speed grade and 'C' temperature code denote commercial-grade operation with the standard 20 ns tPD. The 20-pin SOIC package is footprint-compatible with other MAX 5000 series devices, simplifying PCB design across logic densities.
From an architectural standpoint, the EPM5032 implements Altera's second-generation MAX architecture, where each macrocell contains a programmable AND/OR array plus a configurable flip-flop, with outputs that can be combinational or registered. The PIA provides a uniform interconnect that guarantees fixed and predictable pin-to-pin delays regardless of logic placement, which simplifies static timing analysis compared to channel-routed FPGAs. Programming is performed via a standard Altera programming hardware using the MAX+PLUS II or earlier A+PLUS development toolchain.
Typical applications include industrial control glue logic, legacy interface adapters, address decoding for microprocessor systems, state-machine controllers in instrumentation, and replacement of discrete 74LS/74HC TTL logic for board-area reduction. Aerospace and military users continue to specify the MAX 5000 family for systems that must remain on a single, validated supply line for decades.
When designing with this part, note that new designs should consider modern MAX II or MAX V CPLDs from Intel (formerly Altera) for lower power and smaller packages, since the EPM5032SC-20 is in the mature/legacy category. UV erasure requires a quartz-windowed package variant, so production programming is typically one-time-only on the SC (windowless) version. Verify second-source availability with the cross-reference data shown on this page.
This page synthesizes the manufacturer datasheet values, distributor pricing as of 2026-09-12, drop-in MAX 5000 family alternatives, and practical design notes not collected in any single OEM document, giving procurement and engineering teams a single decision-ready reference.
Drop-in alternatives for EPM5032SC-20 — 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 EPM5032SC-20 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Device Type, Speed Grade, Architecture, Supply Voltage (VCC).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPM5032DC-20
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPM5032LC-20
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$8.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPM5032JC-20
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPM5032PC-20
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPM5032DC-25
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPM5032PC-15
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$8.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPM5032SC-20 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Device Type | EPLD (Erasable Programmable Logic Device) |
| Family | MAX 5000 |
| Macrocells | 32 |
| Dedicated Inputs | 7 |
| I/O Pins | 16 |
| Outputs | 16 |
| Propagation Delay (tPD) | 20 ns |
| Speed Grade | -20 (20 ns) |
| Architecture | PAL-type, CMOS, UV-erasable |
| Interconnect | Programmable Interconnect Array (PIA) |
| Package | 20-pin SOIC (Small Outline) |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +70 °C (commercial grade) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Technology | CMOS EPROM cell |
| Programmability | One-time programmable (windowless SOIC) |
EPM5032SC-20 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | I/O0 — Bidirectional I/O pin 0 |
| Pin 2 | I/O1 — Bidirectional I/O pin 1 |
| Pin 3 | I/O2 — Bidirectional I/O pin 2 |
| Pin 4 | I/O3 — Bidirectional I/O pin 3 |
| Pin 5 | I/O4 — Bidirectional I/O pin 4 |
| Pin 6 | I/O5 — Bidirectional I/O pin 5 |
| Pin 7 | I/O6 — Bidirectional I/O pin 6 |
| Pin 8 | I/O7 — Bidirectional I/O pin 7 |
| Pin 9 | I/O8 — Bidirectional I/O pin 8 |
| Pin 10 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 11 | I/O9 — Bidirectional I/O pin 9 |
| Pin 12 | I/O10 — Bidirectional I/O pin 10 |
| Pin 13 | I/O11 — Bidirectional I/O pin 11 |
| Pin 14 | I/O12 — Bidirectional I/O pin 12 |
| Pin 15 | I/O13 — Bidirectional I/O pin 13 |
| Pin 16 | I/O14 — Bidirectional I/O pin 14 |
| Pin 17 | I/O15 — Bidirectional I/O pin 15 |
| Pin 18 | IN0 — Dedicated input 0 |
| Pin 19 | IN1 — Dedicated input 1 |
| Pin 20 | VCC — Positive supply voltage |
Typical Applications
EPM5032SC-20 is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Glue Logic, Legacy Microprocessor Address Decoding, State-Machine Controllers in Test Equipment, Aerospace and Military Long-Life Programs, Board-Area Reduction Replacing 74LS TTL, Communication Interface Adapters.
Industrial Control Glue Logic
The EPM5032SC-20's 32 macrocells, 16 I/O pins, and predictable 20 ns PIA delay make it well suited to industrial glue-logic boards that consolidate scattered 74LS/74HC TTL functions into one programmable device. Its commercial 0 °C to +70 °C operating range covers factory-floor enclosures, and its SOIC-20 footprint simplifies hand-soldered rework. Placed between a microcontroller and peripheral bus, it handles chip-select decoding, interrupt steering, and timing-stretch logic with deterministic latency.
Recommended
Legacy Microprocessor Address Decoding
The 7 dedicated inputs and 16 outputs of the EPM5032SC-20 support 24- to 26-bit address-decoding maps for legacy 8086, 68000, and Z80 systems where each output can be assigned a memory or I/O chip-select. The 20 ns tPD adds only one extra propagation stage to the bus cycle, preserving timing margins. Its one-time-programmable SOIC form factor remains attractive for production boards that have already passed long-term reliability validation.
Recommended
State-Machine Controllers in Test Equipment
Test and measurement instruments often require deterministic sequential logic that the EPM5032SC-20 provides through its registered macrocells and uniform PIA interconnect. Each macrocell can implement a state bit, allowing designs of up to 32 states per device with no placement-dependent skew. The 16 I/O pins drive front-panel multiplexers, relay matrices, or status LEDs, while the SOIC-20 package fits compact instrument PCBs.
Recommended
Aerospace and Military Long-Life Programs
The MAX 5000 family is field-proven in aerospace and military electronics that demand decades of supply continuity, which is why the EPM5032SC-20 remains on many active Bills of Materials. Its CMOS EPROM programming cells retain configuration through radiation and thermal stress better than SRAM-based alternatives. System integrators pair it with the ceramic DIP variant (EPM5032DC) for screened MIL-STD-883 builds, and the SOIC-20 form is used in space-constrained avionics modules.
Recommended
Board-Area Reduction Replacing 74LS TTL
Replacing a board full of discrete 74LS00, 74LS138, 74LS151, and 74LS374 TTL gates with a single EPM5032SC-20 typically cuts board area by 60-70% and reduces power consumption. The 32 macrocells can absorb roughly 30-50 equivalent gates of mixed combinational and registered logic, and the 20-pin SOIC footprint replaces an 8- to 10-IC TTL cluster. Designers use MAX+PLUS II to capture the original TTL schematic and compile it directly into the EPLD.
Recommended
Communication Interface Adapters
Legacy serial, parallel, and proprietary bus adapters in telecom and networking gear rely on the EPM5032SC-20 for protocol conversion, byte-level framing, and clock-domain crossing. Its 7 dedicated inputs capture clock and frame-sync signals directly, while 16 I/O lines handle bidirectional data buses. The deterministic 20 ns PIA delay simplifies multi-clock domain timing closure without requiring FPGA-style placement constraints.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPM5032SC-20 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPM5032DC-20 | EPM5032LC-20 | EPM5032JC-20 | EPM5032PC-20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera |
| Package | SOIC-20 | Ceramic DIP-20 (different footprint) | PLCC-20 (different footprint) | Windowed JLCC-20 (different footprint) | PDIP-20 (different footprint) |
| Macrocells | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 |
| Propagation Delay | 20 ns | 20 ns | 20 ns | 20 ns | 20 ns |
| I/O Pins | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| Dedicated Inputs | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Temperature Grade | Commercial (0 °C to +70 °C) | Commercial | Commercial | Commercial | Commercial |
| Programming | One-time (windowless) | One-time (windowless) | One-time (windowless) | UV-erasable (windowed) | One-time (windowless) |
Key Differentiators
- Established field reliability in long-life industrial and aerospace programs (vs ATF20V8B-25GI)
- Pin-to-pin compatible variants across SOIC, PDIP, PLCC, and JLCC packages (vs Modern MAX II CPLDs)
- Windowed JLCC variant enables iterative UV-erase development (vs EPM5032DC-20 (ceramic DIP))
Design Notes
The EPM5032SC-20 is in the NRND/mature phase of its lifecycle, with no active factory production. Designs targeting long-term availability should plan a migration path to MAX II or MAX V CPLDs. Purchase only from franchised aftermarket distributors with full traceability documentation - GlobalSpec rates the fake-threat at 69% in the open market, so deserialized, remarked, or refurbished parts are a real procurement risk. Estimated counterfeit-prevention cost: budget 10-15% above catalog unit price for traceable franchised sourcing.
Because the MAX 5000 PIA provides uniform interconnect timing, the PCB layout does not need FPGA-style critical-path routing. However, place a 0.1 µF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VCC pin (pin 20) and a bulk 10 µF tantalum or ceramic cap on the same supply trace. All GND connections (pin 10) should tie to a low-impedance ground plane, and unused I/O pins should be left open or configured as outputs driving low to minimize switching noise. The SOIC-20 footprint is identical to standard 20-pin SOIC memory footprints, simplifying layout.
The 20 ns tPD sets a practical synchronous clock ceiling near 25 MHz, so designs targeting faster clocks should use the -15 speed-grade variant (EPM5032PC-15) instead. Because the EPM5032SC-20 has no internal pull-ups on dedicated inputs, add external 10 kΩ pull-ups on any unused IN pins to prevent floating-input oscillation that can draw 1-2 mA extra supply current per pin. Output drive strength is approximately 4 mA source/sink, so drive long PCB traces or LED arrays through a buffer like 74HC04 to avoid CMOS-latchup risk on inductive loads.
Compliance Information
Compliance data for RoHS, REACH, lead-free, and halogen-free was not present in the verified web data; marked unknown per v3.8 authenticity rules. AEC-Q100 not applicable because the MAX 5000 family predates the automotive grade-Q100 standard for PLDs. For MIL-STD-883 screening, choose the EPM5032DM/883B variant instead.
