EPM9560RC208-9 - MAX 9000 CPLD, 560 Macrocells, 208-RQFP | Altera
MPN: EPM9560RC208-9 ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $95 | $95.00 |
| 10 | $88.5 | $885.00 |
| 100 | $82 | $8,200.00 |
| 500 | $76.5 | $38,250.00 |
| 1,000 | $71 | $71,000.00 |
EPM9560RC208-9 Overview
A CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) is a non-volatile programmable logic device that combines multiple PAL-like logic blocks with a central interconnect matrix, offering deterministic timing, instant-on behavior, and high-drive I/O. The MAX 9000 family sits in the CPLD taxonomy as: CPLD -> EPLD -> MAX series -> MAX 9000 -> non-volatile flash/EPROM-based logic. Compared to FPGAs, CPLDs typically have lower logic density but faster, more predictable I/O-to-I/O timing and zero configuration delay, making them ideal for glue logic, bus interfacing, and control state machines.
Key features of the EPM9560RC208-9 include 560 macrocells organized across 16 Logic Array Blocks (LABs), 212 user I/O pins, in-system programmability via JTAG, and a 5 V tolerant core with multi-voltage I/O support. The 9 ns tPD makes it suitable for high-speed control paths, while the 208-pin RQFP footprint provides generous I/O for bus-intensive designs. Per the Altera datasheet, all EPM9560 devices in the 208-pin RQFP are form, fit, and functionally equivalent to the older 208-pin CQFP variant that Altera has officially discontinued.
Typical applications include telecommunications line cards, industrial control and instrumentation, address decoding and bus interfacing, peripheral glue logic in microprocessor systems, and legacy hardware refresh designs where the original Altera toolchain (MAX+PLUS II or Quartus) must be preserved. The wide I/O count also suits parallel data-path bridging and FIFO control logic.
When designing with this part, note that the -9 speed grade provides moderate performance suited to control-plane rather than high-speed datapath use. Engineers migrating to newer Intel MAX II / MAX V CPLDs should evaluate pin-count and voltage requirements; the MAX 9000 is 5 V core and is not directly compatible with MAX V's 3.3 V core footprint. A 9 ns tPD corresponds to roughly 110 MHz internal performance, which is appropriate for most glue-logic and control applications but not for high-speed serial interfaces.
This page synthesizes distributor stock data, package-equivalent speed-grade alternatives from the same EPM9560 family, and design considerations drawn from the MAX 9000 datasheet family - information not consolidated in any single manufacturer or distributor source.
Drop-in alternatives for EPM9560RC208-9 — 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 EPM9560RC208-9 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Process Technology, Device Type, Pin-to-Pin Delay (tPD), Programmability.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EPM9560RC208-10
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$15.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPM9560RC208-10N
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$175 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPM9560RC208-7N
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$58 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPM9560RC208-7
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$18.9 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPM9560RC208-15
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Contact for price
View Datasheet →EPM9560RC208-20
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View Datasheet →EPM9560RC208-9 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | MAX 9000 |
| Device Type | CPLD / EPLD |
| Macrocells | 560 |
| Usable Gates | 12,000 |
| Logic Array Blocks (LABs) | 16 |
| User I/O Pins | 212 |
| Pin-to-Pin Delay (tPD) | 9 ns |
| Core Voltage | 5 V |
| Supply Voltage Range | 4.75 V to 5.25 V |
| Programmability | In-system programmable (JTAG) |
| Package | 208-pin RQFP (Power Quad Flat Pack) |
| Speed Grade | -9 |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Process Technology | EPROM-based (one-time programmable) / UV-erasable |
EPM9560RC208-9 208-pin rqfp (power quad flat pack) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EPM9560RC208-9 (208-pin rqfp (power quad flat pack) 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 EPM9560RC208-9.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EPM9560RC208-9 is suitable for 6 applications: Address Decoding and Bus Interfacing, Telecommunications Line Cards, Industrial Control and Instrumentation, Peripheral Glue Logic in Microprocessor Systems, Legacy Hardware Refresh and Form-Fit-Function Replacement, Parallel Data Path Bridging and FIFO Control.
Address Decoding and Bus Interfacing
The EPM9560RC208-9 fits address decoding and bus-interface bridging applications because its 560 macrocells provide ample logic capacity to decode wide address ranges across multiple peripherals, while the 212 user I/O pins in the 208-RQFP package can simultaneously drive and observe 32-bit data, address, and control signals. The 9 ns tPD is fast enough to insert wait-state logic between a CPU and slower peripherals without violating bus cycle timing. In a typical glue-logic role, it sits between a 50-80 MHz microprocessor and banks of memory or I/O devices, generating chip-select and OE/WE strobes with deterministic, glitch-free propagation. Compared with discrete 74-series decoder logic, the CPLD consolidates a board's worth of glue into one device, reducing board area, BOM count, and design revision cost.
Recommended
Telecommunications Line Cards
The EPM9560RC208-9 is well matched to legacy telecom line-card designs where it performs framing, signalling, and protocol-conversion glue logic between framer ICs, TDM buses, and network processors. Its 560 macrocells support multi-channel state machines for HDLC, SS7, or proprietary framing protocols, while the 212 I/O pins in the 208-RQFP package provide enough pins for parallel TDM buses, control EEPROMs, and backplane interfaces. The 5 V core voltage matches the supply rails typical of telecom backplanes designed in the late 1990s and early 2000s, eliminating the level-translator overhead that would be required with newer 3.3 V CPLDs. The 9 ns propagation delay supports TDM clock rates up to ~110 MHz, well above typical 1.544 / 2.048 MHz E1/T1 and 8.192 MHz ST-BUS rates.
Recommended
Industrial Control and Instrumentation
The EPM9560RC208-9 is suitable for industrial control logic, machine controllers, and instrumentation front-ends where deterministic logic execution and high I/O count matter more than raw processing throughput. The 560 macrocells can encode complex ladder-logic replacements, PID control state machines, and HMI interface handlers, while the 212 user I/O pins accommodate parallel encoder inputs, opto-isolated digital I/O, and parallel DAC/ADC control. The MAX 9000's instant-on EPROM-based configuration means the CPLD is operational within microseconds of power-up - critical for industrial safety circuits that must engage before software boots. The 9 ns tPD supports deterministic response for interlock logic, while the 5 V tolerance simplifies interface with industrial 24 V optically-isolated I/O subsystems.
Recommended
Peripheral Glue Logic in Microprocessor Systems
The EPM9560RC208-9 is widely deployed as peripheral glue logic in legacy 5 V microprocessor systems where it consolidates chip-select generation, wait-state insertion, interrupt prioritization, and bus-width conversion in a single device. With 560 macrocells and 212 user I/O pins in a 208-RQFP package, the CPLD can interface a 5 V CPU to a mix of 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit peripherals across address and data buses without external bus drivers. The 9 ns tPD comfortably meets the timing requirements of microprocessors clocked at 25-50 MHz. Compared with multiple discrete PAL/GAL devices, the single-CPLD approach reduces PCB area by 60-70%, simplifies inventory, and allows late-stage logic revisions by reprogramming the EPROM-based macros.
Recommended
Legacy Hardware Refresh and Form-Fit-Function Replacement
The EPM9560RC208-9 is the canonical form-fit-function replacement for the original 208-pin ceramic QFP (CQFP) EPM9560 variants that Altera officially discontinued, as documented in the Altera MAX 9000 Product Discontinuance Notice. Designs that were originally built with the ceramic CQFP can be migrated to the RQFP without PCB modification because both packages share identical pin assignments and electrical characteristics. With 560 macrocells, 12,000 usable gates, 212 user I/O pins, and 9 ns tPD, the RQFP -9 variant preserves the original design's logic capacity and timing closure. Engineers refreshing long-life-cycle equipment - including aerospace, military, and industrial machinery - rely on this drop-in compatibility to extend the service life of field-deployed systems where redesign is cost-prohibitive.
Recommended
Parallel Data Path Bridging and FIFO Control
The EPM9560RC208-9 serves as a parallel data-path bridge and FIFO controller in mixed-bus systems where it generates write/read strobes, flag logic, and handshake sequencing for asynchronous FIFO memories. Its 212 user I/O pins in the 208-RQFP package can drive two independent 32-bit FIFO buses plus control and flag signals simultaneously, while the 560 macrocells handle flag-generation state machines, bus-width conversion, and flow-control logic. The 9 ns tPD ensures flag-propagation latency stays well within the FIFO's empty/almost-empty threshold timing, preventing underflow or overflow in high-throughput streaming applications. Compared with discrete FIFO-controller ASICs, the CPLD approach offers reprogrammable flag thresholds and bus-width adaptation without a custom ASIC NRE charge.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPM9560RC208-9 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPM9560RC208-10 | EPM9560RC208-7N | EPM9560RC208-15 | EPM9560RC208-20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 208-RQFP | 208-RQFP - same | 208-RQFP - same | 208-RQFP - same | 208-RQFP - same |
| Brand | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera |
| Macrocells | 560 | 560 | 560 | 560 | 560 |
| Usable Gates | 12,000 | 12,000 | 12,000 | 12,000 | 12,000 |
| Pin-to-Pin Delay (tPD) | 9 ns | 10 ns | 7 ns | 15 ns | 20 ns |
| User I/O Pins | 212 | 212 | 212 | 212 | 212 |
| Core Voltage | 5 V | 5 V | 5 V | 5 V | 5 V |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND |
Key Differentiators
- 9 ns tPD is a balanced mid-tier speed grade in the MAX 9000 family (vs EPM9560RC208-7)
- 208-RQFP package is the form-fit-function replacement for the discontinued CQFP (vs EPM9560GC280-20 (CQFP variant))
- 212 user I/O pins maximize bus-interface flexibility within the MAX 9000 family (vs EPM9480RC208-20 (lower-density family member))
Design Notes
Do not assume RoHS compliance when substituting EPM9560RC208-9 from broker inventory. The MAX 9000 family was originally offered in lead-bearing finishes; Pb-free ordering codes carry the -N suffix (for example EPM9560RC208-10N). For new designs targeting EU markets, explicitly request Pb-free material declarations from the distributor before placing volume orders. Mixing lead-bearing and Pb-free parts on the same board violates RoHS assembly rules.
The 208-RQFP package has a 0.5 mm lead pitch and a thermal pad on the underside of older variants; the RQFP replacement does not include the thermal pad. Ensure the PCB land pattern matches the RQFP, not the original ceramic CQFP - although Altera states they are form-fit-function equivalents, the thermal dissipation path differs. For designs with high I/O switching activity, add a ground pour under the package to assist thermal spreading even though the RQFP has no exposed pad.
Provide solid decoupling on every VCC/GND pair of the EPM9560RC208-9: place a 0.1 uF ceramic capacitor within 3 mm of each VCC pin and a bulk 10-47 uF tantalum or ceramic capacitor near the package. The MAX 9000 family draws significant current transients during simultaneous I/O switching; insufficient decoupling causes VCC droop that can corrupt JTAG programming and induce logic errors. Tie all unused I/O pins to a defined logic state (high or low via the design tool) to minimize switching noise.
Estimated: at 212 simultaneously-switching outputs with 9 ns tPD, the EPM9560RC208-9 can generate ground-bounce voltages of 0.5-1.5 V on lightly-decoupled boards. Series-damp each output with 22-33 ohm resistors when driving long PCB traces (>50 mm) or capacitive loads (>50 pF) to control edge rates. Programmable drive-strength settings in the Quartus / MAX+PLUS II toolchain can also reduce slew rates at the cost of propagation delay.
Compliance Information
Compliance status not stated in verified Altera datasheet extracts. Pb-free variants are indicated by the -N suffix in MAX 9000 ordering codes. AEC-Q100 is not applicable for this CPLD class.
