EPM7096LI68-15 - 96-Macrocell MAX 7000 CPLD, 15ns, PLCC-68
MPN: EPM7096LI68-15 ⚠ Last Time Buy| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $18.5 | $18.50 |
| 10 | $16.2 | $162.00 |
| 100 | $13.75 | $1,375.00 |
| 500 | $11.4 | $5,700.00 |
| 1,000 | $9.85 | $9,850.00 |
EPM7096LI68-15 Overview
A CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) is a non-volatile programmable logic device that combines the architectural simplicity of PAL/GAL devices with much higher macrocell density and deterministic timing. CPLDs occupy the middle tier of programmable logic hierarchy - below FPGAs in raw density but above simple SPLDs/PALs - and are commonly classified within the broader category of programmable logic devices (PLDs) and digital semiconductors. The MAX 7000 family uses a classic EEPROM-based architecture, meaning configuration is retained without external memory and the device is in-system programmable (ISP) through a built-in IEEE 1149.1 JTAG interface.
Key features of the EPM7096LI68-15 include 96 macrocells, 4 logic array blocks, 52 I/O pins, 15ns combinatorial propagation delay, 5.0V in-system programmability via JTAG, open-drain output option, and built-in JTAG boundary-scan test (BST) circuitry. Each macrocell provides a programmable register with dedicated product-term logic, supporting classic sum-of-products glue-logic applications. The device operates from a single 5V supply and supports both 3.3V and 5.0V I/O standards when used with the appropriate configuration.
From a technical depth perspective, the MAX 7000 architecture uses a global interconnect that routes every LAB signal to every other LAB through a single fast connective path. Each LAB contains 16 macrocells and an I/O block. The 'L' suffix indicates the low-power variant and the 'I' suffix denotes industrial temperature grade. The -15 speed grade sets tPD (pin-to-pin) at 15ns, suitable for 33 MHz-66 MHz state-machine and decoder-style glue logic.
Typical applications include bus interface bridging, address decoding, state-machine control, peripheral glue logic in microcontroller/ASIC systems, and legacy industrial control replacement. The JTAG ISP capability makes board-level upgrades and field reprogramming practical without removing the device from the circuit.
When designing with the EPM7096LI68-15, observe PLCC-68 PCB layout guidelines including proper land pattern per JEDEC MS-018, decoupling capacitor placement near VCC pins, and JTAG chain integration if multiple devices share the same boundary-scan test port. Note that this part is now in legacy/end-of-life status - check Intel FPGA product lifecycle notices before new designs.
This page synthesizes distributor inventory, same-family pin-compatible alternatives, JTAG programming guidance, and glue-logic design notes not consolidated in the original Altera datasheet - offering a single reference for engineers maintaining installed-base systems.
Drop-in alternatives for EPM7096LI68-15 — 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 EPM7096LI68-15 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Mounting Type, Operating Temperature, Family, User I/O Pins.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPM7096LC68-15
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPM7096LC68-7
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPM7096LC68-10
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EPM7096LC84-15
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPM7096LC84-10
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPM7096LC84-7
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$19.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPM7096LI68-15 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | MAX 7000 (second-generation MAX architecture) |
| Macrocells | 96 |
| Logic Array Blocks (LABs) | 4 |
| User I/O Pins | 52 |
| Propagation Delay (tPD) | 15 ns |
| Supply Voltage (VCCINT) | 5.0 V |
| Programmable Logic Type | EEPROM-based, in-system programmable (ISP) |
| Programming Interface | IEEE Std. 1149.1 JTAG |
| Boundary-Scan Test (BST) | Built-in JTAG BST circuitry |
| Output Option | Open-drain output option available |
| Operating Temperature Grade | Industrial (-40C to +85C) |
| Package | 68-pin PLCC (J-lead, QCCJ) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (J-lead) |
| Speed Grade | -15 (15 ns tPD) |
| Process Technology | CMOS EEPROM |
EPM7096LI68-15 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 2 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 3 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 4 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 5 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 6 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 7 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 8 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 9 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 10 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 11 | TDI — JTAG Test Data In (dedicated) |
| Pin 12 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 13 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 14 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 15 | VCC — 5V supply (device core and I/O) |
| Pin 16 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 17 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 18 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 19 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 20 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 21 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 22 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 23 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 24 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 25 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 26 | INPUT/GCLK1 — Global clock input 1 (dedicated) |
| Pin 27 | INPUT/OE1 — Global output enable 1 (dedicated) |
| Pin 28 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 29 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 30 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 31 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 32 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 33 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 34 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 35 | VCC — 5V supply (device core and I/O) |
| Pin 36 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 37 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 38 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 39 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 40 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 41 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 42 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 43 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 44 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 45 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 46 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 47 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 48 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 49 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 50 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 51 | INPUT/GCLK2 — Global clock input 2 (dedicated) |
| Pin 52 | INPUT/OE2 — Global output enable 2 (dedicated) |
| Pin 53 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 54 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 55 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 56 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 57 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 58 | VCC — 5V supply (device core and I/O) |
| Pin 59 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 60 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 61 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 62 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 63 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 64 | I/O — User I/O (Macrocell pin, bidirectional) |
| Pin 65 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 66 | TMS — JTAG Test Mode Select (dedicated) |
| Pin 67 | TCK — JTAG Test Clock (dedicated) |
| Pin 68 | TDO — JTAG Test Data Out (dedicated) |
Typical Applications
EPM7096LI68-15 is suitable for 6 applications: Bus Interface Bridging, Address Decoding & Chip-Select Generation, State-Machine Control Logic, Legacy Industrial Control Replacement, Glue Logic for Microcontroller/ASIC Systems, Peripheral Multiplexing & Signal Conditioning.
Bus Interface Bridging
The EPM7096LI68-15's 96 macrocells and 52 user I/O pins make it well-suited to bridge between microcontrollers, ASICs, and peripheral buses. The 15ns pin-to-pin delay comfortably meets the timing budgets of 8-bit and 16-bit microcontroller interfaces (e.g., 8051, 68k) and legacy ISA-style buses, while the JTAG ISP capability allows field reprogramming to fix hand-shake mismatches discovered during integration. With 5V tolerant I/O, it can sit directly on legacy 5V buses without level shifters - a key advantage over modern 3.3V-only MAX V replacements that would require bus re-architecting.
Recommended
Address Decoding & Chip-Select Generation
The EPM7096LI68-15's sum-of-products macrocell architecture and 15ns propagation delay are ideal for multi-bank memory address decoding and chip-select generation in microprocessor systems. Each of the 96 macrocells implements an AND-OR logic function, with the product-term allocator distributing up to 5 product terms per macrocell. Engineers can decode large memory maps (e.g., 24-bit address space yielding 8 wait-state chip selects) in a single device. The 5V I/O tolerance allows direct interface to legacy memory chips like 27C256 EPROM, 62256 SRAM, and peripheral controllers.
Recommended
State-Machine Control Logic
For FSM-based control of motors, displays, or industrial machinery, the EPM7096LI68-15 provides 96 macrocells each with a programmable D/T/JK flip-flop, supporting one-hot, binary, or Gray-coded state machines of up to ~20 states per device. Industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C) and 5V I/O tolerance make it ideal for factory-floor PLC interfaces, where ambient temperatures can range widely. The deterministic 15ns timing eliminates the metastability concerns of asynchronous CPLD/FPGA designs and supports clean synchronous control loops at clock rates up to ~66 MHz.
Recommended
Legacy Industrial Control Replacement
When repairing or refurbishing legacy industrial equipment (CNC controllers, PLCs, medical instruments), the EPM7096LI68-15 is often the only practical replacement for original Altera MAX 7000 CPLDs that have reached end of life. Its pin-compatible package and JTAG ISP enable drop-in PCB replacement without firmware rewrite - engineers program the new device with the original JEDEC file. The industrial temperature grade and proven 5V tolerance match the operating envelope of 1990s-2000s industrial systems still in service worldwide. Authorized distributor stock supports bridge supply until full system redesign.
Recommended
Glue Logic for Microcontroller/ASIC Systems
Modern MCUs and ASICs rarely match their I/O requirements perfectly - the EPM7096LI68-15 fills the role of 'glue logic' between mismatched interfaces, e.g., converting parallel MCU ports to SPI/I2C master controllers, generating timing-critical waveforms, or implementing custom interrupt controllers. The 96 macrocells handle complex glue functions in a single device, replacing multiple 74-series TTL packages and saving PCB area. The 5V I/O directly interfaces with both 5V TTL/CMOS peripherals and 3.3V devices when 5V tolerance is acceptable.
Recommended
Peripheral Multiplexing & Signal Conditioning
Systems with more peripheral chips than MCU I/O pins benefit from the EPM7096LI68-15 as a peripheral multiplexer. The 52 user I/O pins and bidirectional I/O blocks allow dynamic re-routing of peripheral signals under firmware control, while the open-drain output option directly drives I2C or wire-OR interrupt lines without external transistors. The 15ns propagation delay is short enough to handle 10-20 MHz peripheral buses without hold-time violations, making the part common in mid-2000s embedded designs that now need lifecycle support.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPM7096LI68-15 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPM7096LC68-15 | EPM7096LC68-7 | EPM7096LC68-10 | EPM7096LC84-15 | EPM7096LC84-10 | EPM7096LC84-7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | PLCC-68 (J-lead) | PLCC-68 - same | PLCC-68 - same | PLCC-68 - same | PLCC-84 - different (larger) | PLCC-84 - different (larger) | PLCC-84 - different (larger) |
| Brand | Intel (formerly Altera) | Intel - same | Intel - same | Intel - same | Intel - same | Intel - same | Intel - same |
| Macrocells | 96 | 96 | 96 | 96 | 96 | 96 | 96 |
| User I/O Pins | 52 | 52 | 52 | 52 | 64 | 64 | 64 |
| Propagation Delay (tPD) | 15 ns | 15 ns | 7 ns | 10 ns | 15 ns | 10 ns | 7 ns |
| Supply Voltage | 5.0 V | 5.0 V | 5.0 V | 5.0 V | 5.0 V | 5.0 V | 5.0 V |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Industrial | Industrial | Industrial | Industrial | Industrial | Industrial |
| JTAG ISP | Yes (IEEE 1149.1) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- Drop-in compatible with EPM7096LC68-15 for inventory bridge (vs EPM7096LC68-15)
- Faster speed grade available in same PLCC-68 footprint (vs EPM7096LC68-7)
- Higher I/O count available with larger PLCC-84 package (vs EPM7096LC84-15)
Design Notes
The EPM7096LI68-15 requires a stable 5.0V +/- 5% supply with adequate decoupling. Place a 0.1uF ceramic capacitor close to each VCC pin (pins 15, 35, 58) and a single 10uF tantalum or low-ESR ceramic bulk capacitor near the device. Per the MAX 7000 datasheet, ICC (active supply current) scales with toggle frequency and the number of active macrocells - typical ICC is ~30-50 mA at low toggle rates and can reach ~150 mA when all 96 macrocells toggle at full speed.
PLCC-68 land patterns must follow JEDEC MS-018 with all 68 J-leads properly soldered. Ensure no voids under the thermal pad area (this device has no exposed pad - thermal dissipation is through the leads and the small amount of top-side copper). For JTAG chains with multiple devices, route TCK/TMS/TDI as daisy-chain and place a 10k pull-up on TMS and TDI per IEEE 1149.1 recommendations.
Three pitfalls to avoid: (1) Do NOT assume pin-to-pin compatibility between 68-pin PLCC and 84-pin PLCC variants of the EPM7096 - the extra 12 pins on PLCC-84 add additional I/O with different pin assignments, so the 68-pin and 84-pin variants require different PCB designs. (2) Do NOT mix EPM7096 with EPM7128S/EPM7160S without re-validating timing - the 'S' variants add JTAG BST circuitry and have different propagation delay curves. (3) Do NOT program a non-ISP variant expecting JTAG to work - the EPM7096 (non-S) supports ISP via JTAG, but verify your specific ordering code supports ISP before relying on it for field upgrades.
For 33 MHz-66 MHz signal paths through the EPM7096LI68-15, maintain controlled-impedance traces (50 ohm microstrip) on clock inputs (GCLK1/GCLK2 at pins 26 and 51) and observe 3ns rise-time assumptions when calculating setup/hold margins. Output enable signals (OE1 at pin 27 and OE2 at pin 52) should be driven synchronously to prevent glitches - asynchronous OE assertion can produce output race conditions. For bus signals exceeding ~25 MHz, add 22-33 ohm series damping resistors at the CPLD outputs to suppress transmission-line ringing.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free status not confirmed in available web data - this is a legacy/EOL part introduced before modern compliance documentation standards were widely adopted. Contact Intel FPGA technical support for current compliance certificates. AEC-Q100 not applicable (CPLD, not automotive-grade qualified).
