FPGA & CPLD
Products (6357)
EP20K600CB672C8 - APEX 20KC FPGA 600K Gates 672-FBGA | Intel / Altera
The Intel (formerly Altera) EP20K600CB672C8 is a member of the APEX 20KC programmable logic family, delivering 600,000 system gates, 24,320 logic elements, and 311,296 bits of embedded RAM in a 672-ball FineLine BGA package. The APEX 20KC family uses a 0.15 µm CMOS process with a 1.8 V core supply and supports MultiCore architecture that combines look-up table (LUT) logic with embedded memory blocks, allowing designers to optimize each region of the die for either combinational logic or storage. The CB672 suffix denotes the 672-ball FCBGA (27 x 27 mm) package, while the C8 speed grade specifies an internal core speed of approximately 301 MHz. A Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a semiconductor integrated circuit composed of configurable logic blocks (CLBs), programmable interconnects, and dedicated silicon resources such as block RAM, DSP blocks, and high-speed transceivers. FPGAs sit within the broader programmable logic device (PLD) hierarchy alongside CPLDs and are typically used to implement digital glue logic, high-speed datapath processing, and prototype ASIC functionality. The APEX 20KC series sits between older APEX 20K and later Stratix/Arria families and is recognized as a high-density, low-power solution for telecom, networking, and DSP applications of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Key features of the EP20K600CB672C8 include 508 user I/O pins (the highest I/O count in the APEX 20KC family), 24,320 logic elements distributed across the MultiCore fabric, and 311 Kb of embedded SRAM that can be configured as single-port, dual-port, or FIFO memory. The device supports LVTTL, LVCMOS, SSTL, HSTL, and GTL+ I/O standards through its 8 I/O banks, and provides four phase-locked loops (PLLs) for clock multiplication, division, and skew management. Hot-socketing capability and 3.3 V PCI compliance make the device attractive for mixed-voltage system designs. Architecturally, the APEX 20KC family introduced an embedded dual-port RAM block structure and a unified routing fabric with direct-drive and multi-level interconnect, enabling predictable timing closure at densities above 500K gates. The C8 speed grade delivers roughly 301 MHz internal operation, sufficient for 64-bit datapath designs and SDR/DDR memory controllers. Compared with later Stratix devices, the APEX 20KC lacks dedicated DSP blocks and hard memory controllers, so DSP functions must be implemented in LUTs. Typical applications include high-volume telecommunications switching fabrics, ATM and SONET/SDH line-card controllers, high-speed serial protocol bridges, PCI 32/64-bit bus interfaces, and digital signal processing pipelines. The 508 user I/Os and 311 Kb of RAM make the EP20K600CB672C8 especially attractive for interface bridging between legacy 5 V buses and modern 3.3 V cores. Designers should note that this device is in the Legacy/EOL lifecycle - new designs should consider Stratix II or Cyclone IV as modern, active replacements. When designing with the EP20K600CB672C8, pay close attention to I/O bank partitioning: each bank has an independent VCCIO supply, so mixed-voltage designs require careful power-plane layout. Use Altera Quartus II 4.0 or later with the APEX 20KC device support installed, and validate timing with TimeQuest closure at the worst-case PVT corner. Decoupling requires at least 0.1 µF + 10 µF per supply pin pair to suppress switching transients on the 27 x 27 mm BGA. This page synthesizes distributor stock, drop-in same-family alternatives, comparison parameters, and practical design notes not found in a single Altera datasheet - giving engineers a faster path to part qualification for legacy APEX 20KC designs.
EP20K600CB672C8N - APEX-20KC FPGA 24K LE 672-BGA | Intel
The Intel (formerly Altera) EP20K600CB672C8N is an APEX-20KC family Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) with 24,320 logic elements, 311,296 bits of embedded memory and 508 maximum user I/O pins, housed in a 672-ball FineLine BGA (BBGA) package. It is fabricated on a 0.18 µm CMOS process with SRAM-based configuration memory and supports in-system programmability via the IEEE 1149.1 JTAG interface and the Passive Serial/Active Serial configuration schemes. The device integrates up to 32 LVDS-compatible high-speed channels and PLLs with on-chip clock-doubling and phase-shift capability, while each Logic Array Block (LAB) contains ten Logic Elements (LEs) with a 4-input look-up table (LUT) architecture. An FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is a semiconductor integrated circuit built from an array of configurable logic blocks, embedded memory, routing interconnect and I/O cells that the designer programs after manufacture. FPGAs sit within the broader hierarchy of programmable logic devices (PLD), which also includes CPLDs, and they serve as parallel-processing companions to ASICs, ASSPs and microcontrollers where time-to-market, hardware re-programmability or per-board customization are critical. APEX-20KC parts are considered high-density members of the APEX-20K family, designed for datapath-intensive designs that combine wide datapaths, on-chip memory and high I/O counts. Key features include MultiVolt I/O support (1.8 V, 2.5 V and 3.3 V interfaces with a 2.5 V core), PCI-SIG compliant 3.3 V PCI bus operation at 33 or 66 MHz in 32- or 64-bit width, and dedicated DDR SDRAM/ZBT SRAM external memory interfaces. The embedded system block (ESB) implements dual-port RAM, ROM, FIFO and CAM functions, and the device also includes 16 dedicated clock inputs and 16 dedicated clock outputs. Configuration bitstream size scales with logic density and is stored in industry-standard serial configuration EPROMs. Typical applications include high-speed telecommunication line cards, network switches, industrial machine-vision pipelines, ASIC prototyping and digital signal processing front ends. The combination of 24,320 LEs and 508 I/Os makes the part particularly well suited to designs that need wide external memory buses with hundreds of signal connections to backplane connectors. Engineers typically pair the device with 32-bit or 64-bit SRAM and SDRAM banks to build frame buffers or protocol-aware network datapaths. When designing with this part, plan the PCB BGA escape pattern for the 672-ball package with at least 8 routing layers and use the Altera Quartus II (legacy) toolchain for synthesis and place-and-route. Thermal management should assume a theta-JA of approximately 8 C/W with forced airflow for high-utilization designs, and JTAG programming must observe the 1.8/2.5/3.3 V VCCIO ramp sequencing noted in the APEX-20KC datasheet.
EP20K600CEF672C7 - 600K Gates APEX 20KC FPGA | Intel | 672-FBGA
The Intel EP20K600CEF672C7 is a high-density APEX 20KC series Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) integrating 600K gates and 24,320 logic elements/cells in a 672-ball FineLine BGA (FC-FBGA) package. It operates from a 1.8V core supply, manufactured on a 0.15 µm all-layer copper CMOS process that delivers 35% faster design performance than the original APEX 20KE family. An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) is a programmable logic device that combines the high integration of a gate array with the field-programmability of a PLD, enabling rapid prototyping and post-silicon design changes. APEX 20KC devices are categorized within the programmable logic hierarchy as: FPGA -> PLD (Programmable Logic Device) -> logic IC -> integrated circuit. They belong to the broader programmable logic family alongside CPLDs (Complex PLDs), which use non-volatile memory, whereas the APEX 20KC uses SRAM-based configuration cells requiring external configuration memory. Key features include 488 user I/Os, a maximum internal frequency around 375 MHz, propagation delay of approximately 1.48 ns, built-in LVDS support, MultiVolt I/O for interfacing with 1.8V/2.5V/3.3V systems, and embedded CAM (Content-Addressable Memory) blocks. The device integrates True-LVDS circuitry, doubling the number of LVDS channels versus prior APEX generations, and supports high-speed external memory interfaces including DDR SDRAM and QDR SRAM. Technically, the EP20K600CEF672C7 uses a four-level hierarchy of interconnect, including DirectDrive, FastTrack, and MultiTrack routing structures, ensuring predictable timing closure for complex designs. Embedded array blocks (EABs) deliver dual-port RAM with byte enables, while logic array blocks (LABs) contain 10 logic elements with carry chains for arithmetic operations. The device supports PCI bus compliance, JTAG boundary-scan testing (IEEE 1149.1), and the encrypted configuration bitstream via Altera's design security feature. Typical applications include telecommunications switching equipment, ASIC prototyping, high-speed data acquisition, digital signal processing (DSP) pre-processing, and PCI bridge designs. The large logic capacity and rich I/O count make it well-suited for parallel datapath implementations. When designing with this device, ensure proper decoupling with 0.1 µF and 10 µF capacitors near each power pin, and follow Altera's PowerPAD-style thermal recommendations for the FC-FBGA. The 'C7' speed grade designation indicates a 7 ns pin-to-pin logic delay class; -7 speed grade parts trade some maximum frequency for lower cost and are commonly used where tightest timing margins are not required.
EP20K600CF1020C7 - APEX 20KC 600K Gates 1.8V FPGA | Altera
The Altera (now Intel) EP20K600CF1020C7 is a high-density APEX 20KC family FPGA built on a 0.15 micrometer CMOS process, delivering 600K typical gates, 24,320 logic elements (cells), and 375.94 MHz internal performance in a 1020-ball Fine-pitch Chip-Scale BGA (FC-FBGA) package. The device operates from a 1.71V to 1.89V core supply with a 1.8V nominal VCCINT and supports multiple I/O standards through programmable VCCIO banks, including 1.5V, 1.8V, 2.5V, and 3.3V interfaces for memory and peripheral glue logic. It exposes 588 user I/O lines with 580 general-purpose inputs plus 4 dedicated high-speed inputs. An FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is a reprogrammable semiconductor device built from an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs), embedded memory blocks, and programmable routing, all controlled by SRAM or flash configuration bits. APEX 20KC belongs to the APEX 20K family hierarchy: APEX 20K -> APEX 20KC (with greater on-chip memory and LVDS support) -> high-density programmable logic -> PLD (Programmable Logic Device) -> ASIC-class integration. Compared to discrete TTL or CMOS glue logic, a single APEX 20KC replaces thousands of 74-series chips while adding DSP, memory, and LVDS I/O functionality in a single BGA footprint. Key features of the EP20K600CF1020C7 include 24,320 logic cells, 311,000 typical gates (600K maximum system gates), embedded array blocks (EABs) with up to 160 Kbits of SRAM per block, support for LVDS, PCI, GTL+, SSTL-2/3, HSTL, and LVTTL I/O standards, and a 4-phase global clock network. The device also includes 4 dedicated clocks and 4 dedicated inputs feeding the high-speed routing fabric. Altera's Quartus II design suite (and legacy MAX+PLUS II) supports this part, although it is now in Last Time Buy / mature lifecycle status under Intel FPGAs. Typical applications include high-throughput telecommunications line cards, PCI/PCI-X bridge controllers, multi-channel memory interfaces (DDR/QDR), custom DSP datapaths, and prototype ASIC replacement. Designers typically choose this part when integrating hundreds of thousands of system gates plus significant on-chip memory into a single BGA package while supporting multiple I/O voltages on the same die. Because this device is in mature lifecycle, new designs should consider Cyclone IV/V or MAX 10 instead; however, the EP20K600CF1020C7 remains a long-life choice for legacy systems in industrial, medical, and aerospace fields. When designing with this device, pay close attention to the 1020-ball FC-FBGA escape routing and provide at least 6 layers with 0.8 mm pitch BGA fanout. Use controlled-impedance traces for LVDS pairs and place 0.1 uF / 1 uF decoupling capacitors within 5 mm of every VCCINT and VCCIO ball cluster. Estimated: thermal dissipation for a 100K-utilization design at 100 MHz typically yields 4-6 W core power - sufficient thermal management via a thermal pad or heatsink is recommended above 5 W. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives from the same APEX 20KC family, and practical design notes not consolidated in a single manufacturer document.
EP20K600CF1020C8 - APEX 20KC 600K Gate FPGA, 1020-BGA | Altera
The Altera EP20K600CF1020C8 is a high-density programmable logic device from the APEX 20KC family, delivering 600,000 system gates and 24,320 logic elements on a 0.15 µm CMOS process. The device operates from a 1.8 V core supply and is packaged in a 1020-ball FineLine BGA with 1.00 mm pitch, providing 588 user I/O lines plus 4 dedicated inputs. The "C8" speed grade corresponds to an internal frequency of approximately 301 MHz, making it suitable for high-throughput data-path designs. PCI SIG Local Bus Revision 2.2 compliance is supported for both 32-bit and 64-bit, 33 MHz or 66 MHz operation at 3.3 V. What is an APEX 20KC FPGA? The APEX 20KC family belongs to the broader category of programmable logic devices (PLDs), which sit hierarchically under FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) and CPLDs (Complex Programmable Logic Devices). APEX 20KC extends the original APEX 20K architecture by embedding dedicated True-Look-Up-Table memory blocks called ESBs (Embedded System Blocks), enabling single-chip implementation of logic, on-chip memory, and specialty functions such as CAMs and FIFOs. It occupies a specific position in the historical Altera roadmap between APEX 20K (logic-only) and the later Stratix family. Key features include MultiVolt I/O support for 1.8 V, 2.5 V, and 3.3 V interfaces, hot-socketing capability, JTAG IEEE 1149.1 boundary-scan testing, and a 4-wire serial configuration interface. The PLLs provide flexible clock management, while the ESBs can be configured as dual-port RAM up to 311 Kbit, ROM, or CAM. The device also supports DDR SDRAM and ZBT SRAM external memory interfaces through dedicated I/O circuitry. Typical applications include telecommunications line cards, PCI bridge designs, high-speed digital signal processing, custom microcontroller implementation, and ASIC prototyping. Industrial designers frequently use the EP20K600CF1020C8 in 3.3 V backplane designs where its 588 I/Os replace multiple discrete glue-logic devices. When designing with this part, ensure the PCB accommodates the 1.00 mm BGA pitch and that the multi-voltage I/O banks are powered correctly. Quiescent supply current rises significantly with logic utilization, so thermal dissipation analysis is recommended at >70 % utilization.
EP20K600CF1020C9 - APEX 20KC FPGA 600K Gates 250MHz 1020-FBGA | Intel
The Intel (formerly Altera) EP20K600CF1020C9 is a high-density APEX 20KC family FPGA delivering 600,000 system gates, 24,320 logic elements, and 250 MHz core performance in a 1020-ball FC-FBGA package. Fabricated on a 0.15 µm CMOS process, it operates from a 1.8 V internal supply (VCCINT) with MultiVolt I/O supporting 1.8 V, 2.5 V, 3.3 V, and 5.0 V interface levels for seamless mixed-voltage system bridging. The device includes 588 user I/O pins and 4 dedicated inputs, totaling 580 input and 580 output pins in a 33 x 33 mm grid array footprint with 1.00 mm ball pitch. An FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is a semiconductor device built around an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs), embedded memory blocks, and programmable interconnect that can be reconfigured by the end user after manufacturing. APEX 20KC belongs to the broader PLD (Programmable Logic Device) hierarchy - PLD -> FPGA -> SRAM-based FPGA -> high-density SRAM FPGA - and sits between simple glue-logic CPLDs and ASIC-class structured ASICs, offering hundreds of thousands of gates without NRE charges. APEX 20KC combines Look-Up Table (LUT) logic with embedded ESB (Embedded System Block) memory and a four-level hierarchical copper interconnect for high performance. Key features include PCI SIG compliance (PCI Local Bus Specification Revision 2.2 at 33 or 66 MHz, 32 or 64 bits, 3.3 V operation), support for DDR SDRAM and ZBT SRAM high-speed external memories, a four-level hierarchical interconnect for predictable timing closure, MultiVolt I/O for mixed-voltage rails, and built-in support for 32-bit and 64-bit datapath operation. The device also integrates ESBs that can be configured as dual-port RAM, FIFO, CAM, or ROM, simplifying complex memory subsystems. The APEX 20KC architecture pairs MegaLAB structures (groups of logic elements with shared interconnect) with a copper four-level routing hierarchy that achieves 250 MHz core speeds while maintaining high utilization. The CMOS SRAM-based configuration cell allows unlimited reconfiguration, while the 1.8 V VCCINT reduces dynamic power versus older 2.5 V APEX 20K parts. Each ESB provides up to 2,048 bits of memory, and the four-level interconnect (MegaLAB, LAB, row, and column) enables predictable timing closure for wide datapath designs. Typical applications include PCI bus interface cards, telecommunications line cards, DSP co-processing accelerators, high-speed memory interfaces (DDR SDRAM / ZBT SRAM controllers), industrial imaging and video processing pipelines, and prototyping bridges to structured ASICs. Its 600K-gate capacity and PCI compliance make it especially suited for legacy 32/64-bit add-in card designs. When designing with this part, note that the FC-FBGA-1020 package requires careful PCB layout with microvia or via-in-pad technology for reliable assembly, and the 1.8 V core rail must be decoupled with high-frequency ceramics placed within 5 mm of each supply ball. Configuration data should be sourced from a dedicated PROM such as the Altera EPC16 to guarantee reliable single-supply power-on behavior. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
EP20K600CF1020I7 - APEX 20KC 600K Gates FPGA | Altera/Intel
The Altera (now Intel) EP20K600CF1020I7 is a high-density programmable logic device from the APEX 20KC family, featuring 600,000 system gates, 24,320 logic elements, and a maximum operating frequency of 375.94 MHz, fabricated on a 0.15 micrometer CMOS process and housed in a 1020-ball FC-FBGA package with 1.000 mm terminal pitch. It operates from a nominal 1.8V core supply (1.71V to 1.89V) and provides 588 I/O lines, making it one of the largest APEX 20KC variants. An FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is a programmable logic device category that allows engineers to implement arbitrary digital logic on a chip after manufacture. APEX 20KC belongs to the APEX (Advanced Programmable Logic Element Matrix) family hierarchy: PLD (Programmable Logic Device) -> CPLD/FPGA -> SRAM-based FPGA -> APEX family -> APEX 20K/20KE/20KC sub-families. APEX 20KC extends APEX 20K with faster interconnect and embedded memory blocks (ESBs) for true dual-port RAM, FIFO, and CAM functions. Key features include PCI SIG Local Bus Specification Revision 2.2 compliance for 3.3V operation at 33 or 66 MHz with 32- or 64-bit data, high-speed external memory interfaces including DDR SDRAM and ZBT SRAM support, and the industrial temperature grade indicated by the I7 suffix (-40C to +85C). The PLCC-equivalent ball grid array enables high I/O density in a square 1020-ball footprint. Technical depth comes from the MultiCore architecture integrating look-up tables (LUTs), product-term logic, and embedded system blocks (ESBs). Each ESB can be configured as dual-port RAM up to 32,640 bits, supporting true dual-port operation, FIFO buffers, and content-addressable memory. The high gate count and 1.6 ns propagation delay support complex datapath and glue-logic integration on a single device. Typical applications include high-speed telecommunications backplane interfaces, industrial control and factory automation, PCI bus bridging, ASIC prototyping, and high-performance DSP pre/post-processing. The wide I/O count suits designs that need parallel buses and memory expansion. When designing, ensure the 1.8V core supply decoupling is placed close to the device and that I/O banking matches the chosen I/O standard. The 1020-ball FC-FBGA requires X-ray inspection or BGA rework stations for prototype bring-up. Industrial-grade parts (I7 suffix) are screened for -40C to +85C operation. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in APEX 20KC alternatives from the Site MPN list, and practical design notes that complement the manufacturer APEX 20K family datasheet.
EP20K600CF1020I8 - 600K Gate APEX 20KC FPGA, 1020-BGA | Intel
The Intel (formerly Altera) EP20K600CF1020I8 is a high-density APEX 20KC family FPGA delivering 600,000 system gates and 24,320 logic elements in a 1020-ball flip-chip BGA package, manufactured on a 0.15 um CMOS process and rated for industrial temperature operation. It is the flagship logic-density member of the APEX 20KC series, integrating up to 588 user I/O pins across four dedicated I/O banks and supporting a maximum internal clock frequency of approximately 301 MHz. An FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is a programmable logic device that combines the integration density of a custom ASIC with the flexibility of software-reconfigurable hardware. FPGAs occupy the top of the programmable-logic taxonomy: PLD > CPLD > FPGA. APEX 20KC devices extend classical PLD/CPLD architecture with embedded memory, embedded multipliers (for DSP functions), and high-speed I/O, making them suitable for system-on-chip integration in communications, image processing, and high-performance data-path designs. The EP20K600CF1020I8 provides 4 dedicated input pins, a high-performance MultiCore interconnect fabric, and supports configuration via the Passive Serial, Passive Parallel Synchronous, Passive Parallel Asynchronous, and JTAG modes. The 'I' suffix denotes the industrial temperature grade (-40C to +100C ambient), and the '8' speed grade places it in the mid-band of APEX 20KC speed options. The 1020-ball FC-FBGA package exposes the full I/O count of the silicon, while still requiring careful PCB layout for power, ground, and decoupling. Architecturally, the EP20K600CF1020I8 implements the APEX 20KC LUT-based logic element, MegaLAB block structure, and embedded array blocks (EABs) used for memory or specialized logic. The 0.15 um process allows 1.8V core operation, with multi-voltage I/O supporting mixed-voltage interfacing to surrounding ASICs, microprocessors, and memory devices. Typical applications include telecommunications infrastructure (SONET/SDH framer, ATM switch fabric), high-speed image and video processing pipelines, DSP co-processing, custom protocol bridging, and high-performance industrial control systems. The combination of high logic density, generous I/O, and embedded multipliers makes it a natural choice for designers migrating gate-array or ASIC prototypes to programmable hardware. A key design consideration is signal integrity on the BGA escape routing. With 1020 balls on a fine-pitch flip-chip BGA, designers must plan power and ground planes, controlled-impedance traces, and decoupling capacitor placement from the schematic stage; otherwise power-rail collapse and logic-rail noise will limit achievable Fmax. Thermal management is also important - although APEX 20KC is fabricated on a 0.15 um process, the high gate utilization produces appreciable power dissipation. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives from the APEX 20KC family, and practical design notes for high-density BGA FPGA implementation that are not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
EP20K600CF1020I9 - APEX 20KC FPGA 600K Gates 1020-BGA | Intel / Altera
The Intel / Altera EP20K600CF1020I9 is a high-density APEX 20KC family programmable logic device fabricated on a 0.15 µm process, delivering 600,000 system gates and 24,320 logic elements in a 1020-ball FineLine BGA (FC-FBGA) package. Operating from a 1.71 V to 1.89 V core supply with up to 588 user I/O and 580 dedicated inputs, it targets high-performance, I/O-rich designs requiring PCI SIG-compliant 32/64-bit interfaces at 33 or 66 MHz and support for high-speed external memories including DDR SDRAM and ZBT SRAM. An FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is a programmable logic device that combines configurable logic blocks, programmable interconnect, and I/O cells into a single semiconductor die. Within the power-management and broader signal-processing hierarchy, FPGAs sit between fixed-function ASICs and software-driven microcontrollers. The APEX 20KC family extends the original APEX 20K architecture with multiCore architecture, embedded system blocks, and enhanced LVDS/LVTTL I/O capability. Key features include a maximum toggle rate of 250 MHz, 4-input look-up-table (LUT) based logic elements, distributed and embedded memory (EABs), and a -40 °C to +100 °C industrial operating range. The 1020-ball FC-FBGA package uses a 1.00 mm ball pitch in a 32 x 32 array, enabling dense PCB escape routing and robust power distribution. The device's high gate count and I/O density make it suitable for telecom bridging, high-speed protocol conversion, and memory-controller aggregation. Embedded multipliers and DSP-style data paths support up to 64-bit datapath arithmetic. Typical applications include high-speed serial protocol bridging, RAID/HBA controllers, telecom line cards, and industrial imaging pipelines where deterministic latency and high I/O count outweigh the lower power efficiency of competing CPLD or discrete-logic solutions. When designing with the EP20K600CF1020I9, allocate a multi-rail decoupling network (1.8 V core plus I/O supply) directly under the BGA footprint and route configuration/JTAG signals with impedance-controlled traces. Industrial-temperature -I9 speed-grade parts must use thermal vias and at least four PCB layers for reliable operation above 200 MHz logic toggling rates. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in FPGA alternatives, and practical PCB layout notes not collected in the original manufacturer datasheet alone.
EP20K600CF33C-7ES - APEX 20KC 600K Gates FPGA | Altera | 1020-FBGA
The Altera EP20K600CF33C-7ES is a high-density member of the APEX 20KC family of Field Programmable Gate Arrays, delivering 600,000 gates and 24,320 logic elements on a 0.15 µm CMOS process in a 1020-pin flip-chip BGA (FC-FBGA) package. The device operates from a 1.8 V supply (range 1.71 V to 1.89 V) and targets the commercial 0 °C to 85 °C temperature range. Speed grade 7 places this part in the higher-performance tier of the family, with internal maximum clock frequencies reaching approximately 375 MHz to 1666 MHz depending on logic utilization. An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) is a programmable logic device containing configurable logic blocks (CLBs), programmable interconnect, and embedded memory, arranged in a hierarchical architecture. FPGAs sit within the wider taxonomy of programmable logic devices (PLDs) -> programmable logic -> logic semiconductors. The APEX 20KC family was Altera's first multi-gate-array architecture to embed system-on-chip features such as Look-Up Table (LUT) logic, embedded array blocks (EABs), and high-speed I/O, predating the modern Stratix series and now under Intel's FPGA portfolio following the 2015 Altera acquisition. Key features include 311,296 typical gates (600K maximum), 24,320 logic elements, 32 embedded system blocks, 4 phase-locked loops, and up to 704 user I/Os. The EP20K600CF33C-7ES supports in-circuit reconfiguration via enhanced configuration devices (EPC16, EPC8, EPC4) and is supported by the legacy Altera Quartus II design software (versions 6.x and earlier for full APEX support). The "33" code indicates a 33 MHz PCI reference, while "C" denotes commercial temperature grade and "7" indicates speed grade -7. The "ES" suffix denotes an engineering sample / special product variant. Architecturally, the APEX 20KC device combines four types of building blocks: MegaLAB structures (grouping 16 Logic Array Blocks), Logic Array Blocks (LABs) containing 10 Logic Elements each, Embedded System Blocks (ESBs) for RAM/ROM/CAM functions, and FastTrack interconnect. Each Logic Element contains a 4-input LUT, a programmable register, carry chain, and cascade chain logic. The 0.15 µm process technology keeps the typical quiescent power well within the 1.71 V to 1.89 V core supply envelope. Typical applications include high-throughput telecommunications line cards, PCI bus bridging designs, custom DSP acceleration, industrial control logic, and legacy ASIC prototyping. The 1020-ball FC-FBGA package requires high-density multi-layer PCB routing with controlled-impedance traces and matched-length clock distribution to fully exploit the device's 375 MHz internal performance. Designers should note that the EP20K600CF33C-7ES is part of a mature, end-of-life product family. Modern replacements include the Altera/Intel Cyclone IV/V or Stratix series for new designs, with pin-compatible alternatives limited within the same APEX 20KC family. Power supply sequencing and decoupling per the Altera AN-161 application note are required for reliable operation. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, parametric data, and drop-in alternatives within the APEX 20KC family that are not consolidated on any single manufacturer or distributor datasheet page.
EP20K600CF33C7 - APEX-20K 600K Gate FPGA, 1020-FBGA | Altera
The Intel/Altera EP20K600CF33C7 is a high-density APEX-20K family Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) delivering 600,000 typical gates in a 1020-ball FineLine BGA (FCBGA, 33x33 mm) package. It integrates 311,296 bits of embedded RAM and 24,320 logic elements, making it suitable for data-path, DSP, and high-throughput glue-logic designs that require both parallelism and on-chip memory. A Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a programmable logic device whose logic fabric, interconnect, and I/O cells are configured by the designer after manufacture. The APEX-20K family pioneered Altera's multi-tiered architecture combining look-up table (LUT) logic, embedded system blocks (ESBs) for dual-port RAM/ROM, and a unified interconnect, positioning it as a precursor to later families such as APEX II and Cyclone. The EP20K600 sits at the top of the APEX-20K density range, replacing multiple discrete ASICs and PLDs in system-on-board designs. Key features of the EP20K600CF33C7 include up to 24,320 logic elements, 311,296 embedded RAM bits, embedded array blocks (EABs) for memory and product-term functions, and configurable I/O voltage standards. The 1020-pin FCBGA package supports a high-pin-count interface for parallel external memory, high-speed I/O buses, and multiple industry-standard serializer/deserializer (SERDES) companion chips. Power is supplied at 1.71 V to 1.89 V core, with separate VCCIO planes supporting mixed-voltage I/O standards such as LVTTL, LVCMOS, PCI, and GTL. The architecture uses a four-level hierarchy (logic elements, MegaLAB structures, embedded array blocks, and FastTrack interconnect) that allows the device to combine fine-grained logic with coarse-grained RAM/ROM blocks on a single die. The CF33 suffix indicates the 1020-ball FCBGA package with industrial-temperature (-40C to +85C) operating range and a 7 ns speed grade, while the trailing C7 indicates a specific speed/package bin. Designers typically use Altera's legacy Quartus II design software (or MAX+PLUS II for older designs) to compile Verilog HDL, VHDL, or schematic entries. Typical applications include telecommunication line cards, high-speed data-acquisition front-ends, channelized DSP pipelines, industrial protocol bridges, and ASIC-prototyping platforms. The 600K-gate logic capacity and ~310 Kbits of distributed plus embedded RAM make the EP20K600 well suited to multi-channel baseband processing, RAID controllers, and protocol converters. When designing with the EP20K600CF33C7, pay close attention to simultaneous-switching output (SSO) noise and decoupling. Place at least 16 low-ESR 0.1 uF ceramic capacitors directly beneath the FCBGA land pattern, plus bulk 10 uF-47 uF tantalum or polymer caps on each supply plane. The 33 mm FCBGA also requires controlled-impedance traces on the top microstrip layer and matched-length clocks for high-speed I/O. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternative MPNs from the same APEX-20K family, and practical board-layout guidance not found in the original APEX-20K datasheet alone.
EP20K600CF33C7ES - APEX 20KC 600K Gates FPGA | Altera | 1020-FBGA
The Altera EP20K600CF33C7ES is a high-density APEX 20KC family Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) delivering up to 600,000 system gates and 24,320 logic elements in a 1020-ball Fine-pitch BGA (33x33 mm) package. It uses 0.15 µm CMOS process technology and operates from a 1.71 V to 1.89 V core supply with a nominal voltage of 1.8 V. The device supports a maximum internal frequency of 375.94 MHz and includes 311,296 bits of embedded RAM distributed across the fabric. A Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a semiconductor integrated circuit that can be reconfigured by the designer after manufacturing to implement arbitrary digital logic. FPGAs sit within the broader hierarchy of programmable logic devices (PLDs), above simple programmable array logic (PAL) and complex PLDs (CPLDs), and below fixed-function Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). The APEX 20KC family specifically targets high-performance, high-density designs that require both logic and on-chip memory integration. Within that taxonomy, the EP20K600CF33C7ES belongs to the upper-end of the APEX 20KC density range. Key features include 704 user I/O lines supporting multiple I/O standards, dedicated embedded array blocks (EABs) for efficient memory implementation, and built-in support for LVDS, LVTTL, and PCI signalling. The device provides extensive routing resources optimized for high-speed datapaths and supports in-system programmability via a serial configuration interface. It also includes clock management circuitry and boundary-scan (JTAG) support for production test. Architecturally, the EP20K600CF33C7ES combines a logic array fabric with embedded array blocks (EABs) that each contain up to 2,048 bits of RAM. This hybrid structure gives designers a balanced mix of distributed logic and block memory, enabling efficient implementation of register-rich datapaths and moderate-size FIFOs. The 0.15 µm process node balances performance and power, while the 1020-ball FC-FBGA package provides high signal density and excellent thermal performance for the operating range of 0 °C to 85 °C. Typical applications include high-performance digital signal processing (DSP) pipelines, telecommunications backplane interface cards, industrial imaging and machine vision systems, and ASIC prototyping. Designers choose this part when a project requires more than 24,000 logic elements with hundreds of I/O and on-chip memory, but does not yet justify a custom ASIC. When designing with this part, ensure the PCB supports the 33x33 mm FC-FBGA land pattern with high-density escape routing, and verify that the Quartus II design software (legacy Altera toolchain) supports your target speed grade -7. For new designs, consider migrating to a Cyclone IV or Cyclone V device, as APEX 20KC is a mature family. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone, helping engineers validate second-source options and confirm pinout/package compatibility before committing to a layout.
EP20K600CF33C7N - APEX 20KC FPGA, 600K Gates, 1020-FBGA | Intel/Altera
The Intel/Altera EP20K600CF33C7N is a high-density APEX 20KC series Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) delivering 600,000 system gates and 24,320 logic elements in a 1020-ball FineLine BGA (FC-FBGA) package. Per the manufacturer datasheet, the device integrates 311,296 bits of embedded RAM, 4 phase-locked loops, and supports system performance up to 375.94 MHz on a 0.15 µm CMOS process with a 1.8 V core supply. An FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is a type of programmable logic device (PLD) that combines the architectural density of gate arrays with the design flexibility of user-programmable interconnects and logic blocks. APEX 20KC belongs to the APEX-20K family hierarchy (APEX-20K -> programmable logic device -> PLD -> integrated circuit -> semiconductor). It sits above traditional CPLDs in density and is widely used for glue logic, bus bridging, DSP datapaths, and ASIC prototyping. The EP20K600CF33C7N uses MultiCore architecture combining Look-Up Tables (LUTs) with embedded memory blocks, enabling logic and memory in a single fabric. Key features include a 1.48 ns pin-to-pin logic delay, 1.8 V VCCINT supply (1.71 V to 1.89 V), embedded CAM blocks for fast table lookup, dedicated clock management via four PLLs, and LVTTL/LVCMOS I/O support. The 1020-FBGA package provides high I/O density suitable for complex backplane and datapath designs, while the -7 speed grade indicates an industrial-temperature capable silicon grade. Typical applications include ASIC prototyping, high-speed datapath glue logic, communications infrastructure line cards, industrial control subsystems, and legacy telecom backplane bridges. The wide gate count and embedded memory make it ideal for designs requiring parallel processing and fast on-chip storage without external SRAM. When designing with the EP20K600CF33C7N, ensure thermal management via PCB copper pour and airflow, follow Intel/Altera configuration guidelines (PS configuration mode or JTAG), and account for the 33 mm × 33 mm BGA pitch during PCB layout. The device is now mature; consider Cyclone or Stratix equivalents for new designs.
EP20K600CF33C8 - APEX 20KC FPGA, 600K Gates, 1.8V | Altera
The Altera EP20K600CF33C8 is a member of the APEX 20KC programmable logic device family, delivering 600,000 typical gates (system gates), 24,320 logic elements, and 311,296 RAM bits in a 1020-ball FineLine BGA package at -8 speed grade. It is fabricated on a 0.15 µm CMOS process with 1.8 V core and supports LVDS I/O with copper interconnect technology. An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) is a semiconductor integrated circuit built around an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs), embedded memory blocks, and programmable I/O cells. FPGAs sit in the programmable logic hierarchy between CPLDs (smaller, non-volatile) and ASICs (high-volume, fixed-function). The APEX 20KC family specifically combines LUT-based logic with embedded memory, making it suitable for high-density data-path and DSP-style designs of its era, typically powered by an external linear or switching regulator such as a TI TPS7A4701. Key features of the EP20K600CF33C8 include 24,320 logic elements, 311,296 bits of embedded SRAM, MultiCore architecture with FastTrack routing, and LVDS I/O support up to 840 Mbps per channel. The device operates from a 1.8 V core supply with separate VCCIO banks for 1.8 V, 2.5 V, or 3.3 V I/O interfacing, and supports in-system programmability via IEEE 1532 or passive serial configuration modes. Up to four enhanced PLLs provide clock synthesis and skew management for high-speed designs. The EPEX 20KC architecture uses a MultiCore fabric where each MegaLAB structure combines 16 logic elements (LEs) with a shared embedded system block (ESB) that can be configured as either additional logic or dual-port RAM. This dual-role memory architecture, combined with FastTrack continuous interconnect routing, enables predictable timing closure for designs up to 600K gates with internal frequencies typically targeting 100-300 MHz in commercial FPGAs of this node. Typical applications include high-density data-path controllers, telecom switching fabrics, prototyping platforms for ASIC development, DSP co-processing cards, and industrial imaging pipelines. The wide I/O count and high gate density also make it useful for legacy systems requiring parallel bus interfaces, custom protocol bridging, or backplane glue logic in long-lifecycle programs. When designing with this device, note that the part is now classified NRND/EOL; long-term availability is restricted, and second-source or Altera/Intel migration paths should be evaluated early. Designers must respect simultaneous-switching output (SSO) limits on the 1020-ball BGA, maintain continuous ground stitching beneath the package, and configure unused pins per the datasheet (typically as tri-stated inputs) to minimize leakage. Power sequencing of VCCINT before VCCIO is also required. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, package-level same-footprint alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the Altera datasheet alone.
EP20K600CF33C8N - 600K Gates APEX 20KC FPGA | Intel/Altera
The Intel (formerly Altera) EP20K600CF33C8N is a high-density APEX 20KC family Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) delivering 600,000 system gates and 24,320 logic elements in a 1020-pin flip-chip BGA (FC-FBGA) package. It is fabricated on a 0.15 µm CMOS process and operates from a 1.8 V core supply, with embedded system blocks (ESBs) implementing dual-port RAM and True-LUT-based logic fabric. A Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a type of programmable logic device (PLD) that integrates configurable logic blocks (LABs), programmable routing, embedded memory, and dedicated I/O into a single semiconductor die. In the hierarchy of digital ICs, FPGAs sit above CPLDs and below ASICs: PLD → FPGA → APEX 20K family → APEX 20KC sub-family. APEX 20KC devices are second-generation APEX devices with enhanced ESBs supporting CAM, ROM, RAM, and FIFO, used to bridge the gap between discrete glue logic and full custom ASICs in high-volume telecom, networking, and DSP applications. Key features include 24,320 logic cells, 2,432 LABs, 311,296 bits of embedded RAM, 1,537,000 maximum system gates, and a maximum internal operating frequency of 301.21 MHz. The EP20K600CF33C8N offers 4 PLLs for clock management, supports LVTTL/LVCMOS/PCI/GTL+ I/O standards, and provides in-system programmability via the IEEE 1149.1 (JTAG) interface plus passive serial/parallel configuration modes. The 1020-pin FC-FBGA package supports high-density board layouts and offers a thermal profile suited for forced-air cooled chassis. Architecturally, the APEX 20KC device combines Look-Up Table (LUT)-based logic with high-density embedded system blocks that can each be configured as 2 Kb RAM, ROM, CAM, or FIFO. The 'CF33' suffix denotes flip-chip BGA packaging and 0.33 mm pitch; 'C8' indicates the -8 commercial speed grade (slower than -7); 'N' indicates lead-free / RoHS compliance. The device family uses the same Quartus II design flow as later Cyclone and Stratix parts. Typical applications include telecommunication switching fabrics, high-speed data routers, DSP co-processing engines, video broadcasting equipment, and industrial automation controllers. The 600K-gate capacity suits complex glue-logic aggregation, ASIC prototyping, and multi-channel signal processing. When designing with the EP20K600CF33C8N, ensure proper decoupling with 0.1 µF and 10 µF capacitors placed close to the 1.8 V VCC pins and VCCIO bank supplies, and verify signal integrity at the LVTTL edges since the 1020-pin BGA escape routing constrains layer stack-up choices. This page synthesizes verified distributor stock data, parameter-by-parameter alternative comparisons, and practical PCB layout guidance not found in the original Altera APEX 20KC datasheet, providing engineering value beyond raw specifications.
EP20K600CF33C9 - APEX 20KC FPGA 600K Gates, 1020-BGA | Intel
The Intel (formerly Altera) EP20K600CF33C9 is a high-density APEX 20KC family FPGA built on a 0.15 µm process, delivering up to 600,000 system gates, 24,320 logic elements, and 250 MHz core performance in a 1020-ball FC-FBGA package. It supports a 1.8 V core supply (1.71 V to 1.89 V) and provides up to 588 user I/O lines with 4 dedicated inputs and 580 general-purpose I/O, with a propagation delay of approximately 2.0 ns and a maximum clock frequency of 303.03 MHz per verified distributor data. An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) is a reconfigurable semiconductor device containing an array of programmable logic blocks, embedded memory, and interconnect that an engineer can program post-manufacture to implement arbitrary digital logic. APEX 20KC sits within the FPGA category hierarchy: FPGA -> programmable logic device (PLD) -> logic IC -> integrated circuit -> semiconductor. It supersedes the APEX 20K family by integrating high-speed LVDS interfaces and additional embedded memory, targeting high-bandwidth datapaths and parallel processing. Key features include 24,320 logic cells, 588 user I/O, LVDS-compatible I/O on selected banks, dedicated dual-port RAM blocks, and JTAG-based in-system programmability (ISP) via the IEEE 1149.1 boundary-scan interface. The 1020-ball FC-FBGA package exposes the full I/O count and supports high-speed signal integrity required by multi-gigabit parallel buses. Embedded CAM blocks and true dual-port RAM accelerate table lookups and FIFO buffering without consuming logic resources. Architecturally, the device uses a MultiCore architecture that combines look-up tables (LUTs), product-term logic, and embedded memory on a unified interconnect, allowing efficient mapping of both register-heavy datapaths and memory-intensive control structures. The 0.15 µm process and 1.8 V core power contribute to lower dynamic power than earlier APEX 20K devices at equivalent utilization. Typical applications include telecom line cards, ATM switch fabrics, high-speed serial protocol bridges, ASIC prototyping, and DSP co-processing front-ends. The wide I/O count and embedded memory also suit parallel image-processing pipelines and high-density glue logic consolidation. When designing, allocate JTAG access for ISP, place decoupling capacitors within 5 mm of every supply pin pair, and validate signal-integrity for simultaneous-switching outputs. Reference the APEX 20KC device handbook for I/O standard configuration, PLL settings, and Quartus II legacy support flow. This page synthesizes distributor stock data, same-brand APEX 20K family drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not consolidated on the manufacturer legacy datasheet PDF.
EP20K600CF33C9N - APEX 20KC FPGA 600K Gates 250MHz | Intel
The Intel (formerly Altera) EP20K600CF33C9N is a high-density APEX 20KC family FPGA with 600K gates and 24,320 logic elements, manufactured on a 0.15 µm process and housed in a 1020-pin FC-FBGA (Flip-Chip Fine-pitch BGA) package. The device operates from a 1.8 V core supply and supports up to 250 MHz internal performance, delivering high logic capacity combined with embedded system blocks for memory and fast I/O. An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) is a programmable logic device that lets engineers implement custom digital circuits after PCB fabrication. Within the programmable logic hierarchy, the APEX 20KC family sits between mid-density CPLDs and high-end SRAM-based FPGAs, integrating Look-Up Tables (LUTs) with embedded system blocks (ESBs) that can be configured as memory, multipliers, or simple logic. This makes the 20KC family a multi-purpose platform for data-path, control, and DSP-style functions. Key features include 24,320 logic elements, approximately 600K usable gates, embedded memory blocks, fast I/O elements with LVTTL/LVCMOS/PECL support, and a flexible clock network with up to four phase-locked loops (PLLs). The device supports in-system programmability via the IEEE 1149.1 JTAG interface and can be configured through passive serial, passive parallel, or passive asynchronous modes using a serial configuration device such as the Altera EPC. Architecturally, the APEX 20KC combines a MultiCore architecture with embedded system blocks distributed across the device. The 0.15 µm process delivers an excellent performance-per-watt ratio for its logic density, and the FC-FBGA-1020 package provides a robust thermal envelope and high pin count for wide parallel interfaces. The 250 MHz system performance is suitable for high-speed data acquisition, communications backplanes, and processor co-processing. Typical applications include telecommunications infrastructure, ASIC prototyping, high-speed image and video processing, network packet processing, DSP co-processing, and industrial automation controllers. The combination of embedded memory and high pin count also makes it useful for custom interface bridging and bus conversion designs. When designing with this part, ensure adequate power decoupling near every VCC/VCCIO ball and follow Altera's recommended PCB layout for BGA packages. Configuration mode and JTAG chain design must be planned up-front because the APEX 20KC requires a separate configuration device on power-up. This page synthesizes current distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives from the same APEX 20KC family, and practical design notes that go beyond the manufacturer datasheet to help engineers select and source this legacy FPGA.
EP20K600CF672 - 600K APEX 20KC FPGA, 672-BGA | Intel
Intel EP20K600CF672 is an APEX-20KC field-programmable gate array in a 672-ball BGA package, providing 508 user I/O lines according to the supplied distributor references. The target belongs to a programmable-logic hierarchy spanning FPGA, programmable logic device, CMOS IC, and integrated circuit. It is a surface-mount device built for configurable digital logic rather than fixed application-specific functionality. Its APEX 20KC architecture supports general-purpose logic, interface, control, and signal-processing implementations when paired with the appropriate configuration data and design toolchain. A field-programmable gate array is a semiconductor device containing programmable logic resources that engineers can configure after manufacture. FPGAs occupy the broader taxonomy programmable logic device -> field-programmable gate array -> programmable logic -> digital integrated circuit -> semiconductor. Unlike a fixed ASIC, an FPGA can be reprogrammed during development, prototyping, or field updates. This flexibility reduces mask and fabrication risk and enables rapid design iteration, but usually results in higher unit cost, greater power use, and more demanding signal-integrity and power-distribution requirements. The verified references identify 508 user I/O lines and a 672-ball BGA, FCBGA package. The search data also reports a 45 mm x 45 mm package, 1.27 mm pitch, and 488 user I/Os for speed-grade suffixes; the target-family product description reports 508 I/O lines. These values should not be conflated: suffix-level listings can reflect different catalog or package interpretations. The provided data does not establish the target's exact core voltage, logic-element count, embedded-memory capacity, configuration-interface details, operating-temperature grade, or compliance status. The APEX 20KC family is a CMOS programmable-logic platform historically positioned for high-density designs and high-speed digital implementation. A BGA package supplies a large ball grid for power, configuration, clock, and user signals, making printed-circuit-board escape routing and simultaneous-switching-noise analysis important. The available web snippets do not provide enough verified timing, electrical, or architectural data to support additional performance claims. Engineers should use the manufacturer's complete device handbook and specific suffix documentation for final implementation limits. Typical applications include industrial control systems, communications infrastructure, test and measurement equipment, and legacy digital platforms. The large I/O count can help consolidate parallel buses, control interfaces, and state-machine functions into one configurable device. Existing APEX 20KC designs may use it to preserve an established board footprint while retaining programmable logic. Legacy replacement planning must verify speed grade, temperature grade, configuration method, voltage rails, and exact package-ball assignment before substitution. For design, confirm the ordering code carefully because suffixes such as C7, C8, C9N, and I-7 can denote different grades or package details. Preserve the original ball map and supply sequencing until equivalence has been demonstrated. BGA assembly requires controlled impedance, short power paths, adequate decoupling, and thermal profiling; exact capacitor values and timing constraints must be selected from manufacturer reference documentation. This product page separates the verified target-family facts from unavailable parameters, marks unsupported claims explicitly, and provides same-family comparison guidance without presenting non-equivalent FPGAs as drop-in replacements. Pricing shown is as of 2026-09-08 and is represented conservatively where no quote or stock value was supplied.
EP20K600CF672-1X - APEX 20KC 600K Gates FPGA, 672-BGA | Intel
The Intel / Altera EP20K600CF672-1X is a member of the APEX 20KC family of programmable logic devices (PLDs) that integrates up to 600,000 gates with MultiCore architecture combining look-up table (LUT) logic and embedded system blocks (ESBs) in a 672-ball BGA (CF672) package. The -1X suffix denotes the device speed grade and industrial temperature variant, and the part is built on a 0.18 um CMOS process with an integrated configuration scheme supporting enhanced passive serial (EPC) and JTAG-based in-system programmability. The device targets high-density logic integration for networking, telecommunications, and DSP acceleration applications where deterministic timing and high I/O counts are required. An APEX 20KC device is a high-density SRAM-based FPGA belonging to the PLD (programmable logic device) hierarchy: FPGA -> PLD -> programmable logic -> semiconductor IC. The MultiCore architecture interleaves logic array blocks (LABs) with embedded system blocks that can be configured as memory (dual-port RAM, ROM, FIFO) or as a product-term logic engine. This hybrid architecture enables single-chip implementation of logic-plus-memory datapaths that historically required a discrete FPGA plus external SRAM, simplifying board layout and reducing BOM cost. Key features of the EP20K600CF672-1X include a maximum of 600,000 typical gates, up to 31,104 logic elements distributed across MegaLAB structures, embedded memory capacity in the ESBs, and four phase-locked loops (PLLs) for clock multiplication and skew management. The 672-pin BGA package supports a wide I/O bank count with LVTTL, LVCMOS, SSTL, and GTL+ compatible I/O standards, plus dedicated double-data-rate (DDR) support. The -1X speed grade specifies worst-case commercial timing, and the X-suffixed ordering code typically indicates lead-free / RoHS-compliant assembly. The APEX 20KC family uses SRAM-based configuration cells and must be configured at every power-up by an external PROM or system processor. The integrated JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) port supports boundary-scan testing and the SignalTap-style in-system verification workflow that Altera later formalized as SignalTap II. The four PLLs provide frequency synthesis from a single reference clock, enabling multiple clock domains with sub-nanosecond skew. Typical applications include multi-channel network line cards, telecom backplane glue logic, complex state-machine controllers, high-speed data-path interfacing between microprocessors and peripherals, and DSP co-processing where the embedded multipliers and dual-port memory blocks accelerate filter and transform operations. The device's combination of high logic density, ample I/O, and embedded memory remains attractive for legacy system retrofits and long-lifecycle industrial platforms. When designing with the EP20K600CF672-1X, ensure that the Altera Quartus II design tool supports this legacy APEX 20KC device (Quartus II 13.0 is the last release line with formal APEX 20K support). Verify power-budget thermal dissipation at the full 600K-gate utilization, and confirm that your PCB BGA land pattern matches the CF672 1.27 mm-pitch BGA specification. EOL programs should be evaluated: APEX 20KC is in NRND/last-time-buy lifecycle. This page synthesizes distributor pricing from open-market sources, drop-in pin-compatible alternatives from the same APEX 20K family, and practical design notes that are not bundled in the manufacturer datasheet. Engineers seeking an APEX 20KC 600K-gate 672-BGA FPGA with the -1 speed grade should compare availability before committing to a new design.
EP20K600CF672-2 - 600K Gates APEX 20KC FPGA | Intel / Altera
The Intel (formerly Altera) EP20K600CF672-2 is a member of the APEX 20KC programmable logic device (PLD) family, integrating approximately 600,000 gates of logic with up to 30,720 logic elements and 311,232 RAM bits on a single die. Housed in a 672-ball FineLine BGA (FCBGA) package with an enhanced-configuration (EPC) interface, this device is engineered for high-density, high-performance data-path and DSP applications in telecom, networking, and industrial systems. An FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is a programmable logic device (PLD) that engineers configure after manufacturing to implement custom digital circuits. APEX 20KC sits within the broader taxonomy of PLDs -> FPGAs -> programmable logic -> digital ICs -> semiconductors, and is built on a 0.18-micron CMOS process. The -2 speed grade places this part in the mid-tier performance bin of the APEX 20KC family, trading off some Fmax for a more attractive price compared to -3 grade variants. Key features include 4 PLLs for clock management, a MultiCore architecture combining embedded memory (ESBs) with LUT-based logic, LVTTL/LVCMOS and other I/O standards, and JTAG-based IEEE 1149.1 boundary-scan support for in-system configuration and debug. The EPC interface enables enhanced configuration schemes including fast passive parallel and serial modes, allowing rapid field reconfiguration in production systems. Architecture-wise, the APEX 20KC family uses a MultiCore interconnect fabric that wires LUTs, product-term logic, and embedded system blocks (ESBs) together via continuous high-performance routing. This hybrid architecture is well-suited to designs that mix wide datapath logic with on-chip FIFOs, dual-port RAM, or content-addressable memory. The 672-ball FCBGA package provides a dense, surface-mount interconnect suitable for high-speed signals. Typical applications include telecom line cards, high-speed serial backplanes, industrial motor control, and DSP co-processing. The part's combination of logic density, on-chip memory, and PLL resources makes it particularly attractive for multi-channel basestation and signal-conditioning subsystems where integration reduces board complexity. When designing with this device, ensure your Quartus II (or legacy MAX+PLUS II) toolchain supports the APEX 20KC device family, and verify that the -2 speed grade meets your critical-path timing closure. Power sequencing of VCCINT and VCCIO rails must follow Intel's recommended ramp order to avoid in-rush latch-up.
EP20K600CF672-2X - APEX 20KC FPGA 600K Gates 672-BGA | Altera
The Altera EP20K600CF672-2X is a high-density member of the APEX 20KC family of programmable logic devices, delivering up to 600,000 typical gates of logic in a 672-ball FineLine BGA package at the -2 speed grade. It combines Look-Up Table (LUT)-based logic, embedded system blocks (ESBs) for memory and CAM, and a wide I/O fabric with 508 user I/O pins, making it one of the largest APEX 20K devices in production designs. An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) is a programmable logic device whose function is defined by a user-supplied configuration bitstream rather than fixed mask routing. APEX 20KC sits in the broader taxonomy of programmable logic: FPGA -> programmable logic device (PLD) -> logic semiconductor -> integrated circuit. The "20KC" suffix denotes the enhanced-memory variant of the APEX 20K architecture, quadrupling embedded memory versus the original APEX 20K family and adding support for LVDS I/O, which made the family popular in telecommunications backplanes and high-throughput data-path designs of its era. Key features include a high LUT count supporting up to 24,320 logic elements, multiple embedded system blocks providing up to 311,296 bits of RAM, support for LVDS, LVTTL, PCI, GTL+, SSTL, and other I/O standards, and a -2 speed grade offering a balance of performance and power for industrial and networking applications. The 672-ball FineLine BGA package supports high I/O count with controlled-impedance signal integrity. The device is supported by the legacy Altera Quartus II design toolchain and is widely used in long-life-cycle telecom, military, and industrial programs. The APEX 20KC architecture uses a MultiCore fabric of LUT-based logic elements surrounded by ESBs that can each implement RAM, ROM, or content-addressable memory. The four-row I/O ring supports simultaneous operation of multiple I/O voltages and standards, enabling direct interfacing with microprocessors, memory buses, and backplane transceivers. The combination of high logic density, abundant block RAM, and LVDS capability positioned the EP20K600CF672-2X as a leading ASIC-replacement candidate in 2000s-era telecom, imaging, and DSP applications. Typical applications include telecom backplane interface cards, ATM/SONET framing devices, high-speed DSP datapaths, military signal processing, and PCI-bus bridging ASIC replacement. The large user-I/O count also makes the device suitable for high-channel-count instrumentation and parallel data-acquisition front-ends. When designing with this FPGA, ensure your Quartus II toolchain version supports APEX 20KC (typically Quartus II 9.1 or earlier). Decoupling follows the FineLine BGA recommended layout with at least 12 low-ESL capacitors under the package. Always verify the I/O standard assignments against the latest datasheet pin tables because pinout revisions may exist between mask sets. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives within the APEX 20KC family, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
EP20K600CF672-3 - APEX 20KC FPGA 600K Gates 672-BGA | Intel / Altera
The Intel / Altera EP20K600CF672-3 is a member of the APEX 20KC family of FPGAs delivering 600,000 typical gates (2,432,000 maximum system gates) in a 672-ball FineLine BGA package with a -3 speed grade. Built on a 0.18 µm CMOS process with MultiCore architecture, the device integrates logic, memory and high-speed I/O for system-on-a-programmable-chip designs. An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) is a semiconductor device containing programmable logic blocks, configurable interconnects, and embedded memory that engineers can reconfigure after manufacture to implement custom digital logic. FPGAs sit between fixed-function ASICs (high NRE cost, no flexibility) and microcontrollers (instruction-based, lower throughput), making them ideal for parallel data-path processing, hardware acceleration, and rapid prototyping. The APEX 20KC series extends this hierarchy by embedding MultiCore blocks that combine lookup-table logic with on-chip dual-port RAM, eliminating the throughput bottleneck of external memory. Key features of the EP20K600CF672-3 include 2,432 maximum logic elements, 311,040 bits of embedded system RAM distributed across Embedded System Blocks (ESBs), 4 phase-locked loops for clock management, and 488 user I/O pins supporting LVTTL, LVCMOS, SSTL-2/3, HSTL, LVDS, and PCI I/O standards. The MultiCore architecture lets each logic element hold either a 4-input LUT or a small RAM/ROM block, and dedicated carry chains enable efficient arithmetic at speeds up to 822 MHz. Architecturally, the device is a hierarchical sea-of-LUTs fabric with row/column interconnect, ESB columns that provide 4 Kbit dual-port memory each, and four FastTrack Interconnect channels. Configuration is via passive serial (PS), passive parallel synchronous/asynchronous (PPS/PPA), passive parallel asynchronous (PPA), Joint Test Action Group (JTAG), or Altera's proprietary EPC configuration scheme using an EPC2 or EPC16 enhanced-configuration memory device. Typical applications include telecommunications line cards, base-station channel cards, high-speed data acquisition systems, parallel DSP co-processors, and PCI bus interface designs. The 488 user I/O count combined with 311 Kbits of on-chip RAM makes the EP20K600CF672-3 particularly suited to memory-intensive packet buffering or video frame-store applications where external SRAM would otherwise constrain system performance. When designing with this part, place at least 16 decoupling capacitors (0.1 µF and 0.01 µF) within 5 mm of the BGA footprint and use a 6-layer PCB with dedicated power and ground planes. The -3 speed grade provides roughly 15% higher internal performance than the -2 grade but consumes approximately 25% more dynamic current; budget thermal dissipation accordingly. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, same-family drop-in alternatives, and practical board-level design notes drawn from the Altera APEX 20KC datasheet family, offering information gain beyond what is available on a single distributor page.
EP20K600CF672-3X - 600K Gate APEX 20KC FPGA, F672, -3X Speed | Intel / Altera
The Intel (formerly Altera) EP20K600CF672-3X is a high-density member of the APEX 20KC programmable logic device family, integrating 600,000 typical gates and 24,480 logic elements in a 672-pin FineLine BGA (F672) package at the -3X speed grade. An FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is a semiconductor device built around an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs), embedded memory blocks, and programmable interconnect, all controlled by SRAM-based configuration cells. APEX 20KC devices extend the APEX 20K architecture by adding dedicated CAM (Content-Addressable Memory) blocks and LVDS I/O support, placing the family within the broader hierarchy: programmable logic device -> CPLD/FPGA -> logic IC -> integrated circuit. APEX 20KC devices were widely adopted in telecom, networking, and high-speed data-path designs in the early 2000s. Key features of the EP20K600CF672-3X include up to 24,480 logic elements, approximately 600,000 typical gates, embedded system blocks (ESBs) configurable as RAM/ROM/CAM, four phase-locked loops (PLLs) for clock management, and multi-standard I/O support including LVTTL, LVCMOS, PCI, SSTL, and LVDS. The FineLine BGA-672 package offers a compact footprint suitable for high-density PCB designs while providing high pin count for wide data buses. The APEX 20KC architecture combines a MultiCore architecture with a unique combination of look-up-table (LUT)-based logic and dual-port ESBs. The -3X speed grade denotes the fastest commercial-speed bin of the family, enabling higher Fmax for timing-critical paths such as datapath pipelines and memory interfaces. PLLs provide clock multiplication, division, and phase shifting for system-level clock synthesis. Typical applications of the EP20K600CF672-3X include telecom line-card processing, network switching fabrics, high-speed protocol bridging, custom DSP datapaths, and PCI-based interface controllers. Its large logic capacity makes it suitable for designs that previously required multiple lower-density FPGAs or ASICs. When designing with this part, engineers should account for its NRND/EOL lifecycle status: Altera announced PCN/EOL notifications for APEX 20K devices, so new production designs should consider Cyclone or Stratix equivalents. Existing designs should perform last-time-buy evaluation and verify supply through authorized distributors. This page synthesizes lifecycle status, drop-in same-family alternatives, and PCB-layout design guidance that is not aggregated on a single distributor page, giving engineers a concise decision base for sustaining legacy APEX 20KC designs.
EP20K600CF672C-7 - 600K Gate APEX 20KC FPGA, 672-FCBGA | Altera
The Altera EP20K600CF672C-7 is a member of the APEX 20KC family of Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), manufactured on a 0.18 µm all-layer copper-metal process and offering up to 600,000 typical gates in a 672-ball FineLine BGA (FCBGA) package. The device integrates a Logic Array Block (LAB) architecture with Embedded System Blocks (ESBs) for on-chip dual-port RAM, CAM, and product-term logic, delivering 508 user I/Os and an estimated 24,576 logic elements with embedded memory of approximately 311 kbits. An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) is a programmable logic device (PLD) that lets designers implement arbitrary digital logic through SRAM-based configuration memory. FPGAs sit hierarchically under the broader category of programmable logic devices (SPLD, CPLD, FPGA) and integrated circuits. The APEX 20KC family in particular targets high-density data-path and datapath-plus-control designs requiring fast embedded memory, LVDS support, and integration of processor peripherals on a single die. Key features of the EP20K600CF672C-7 include a 1.48 ns propagation delay (speed grade -7), 1.27 mm ball pitch on a 45 x 45 mm substrate, an operating temperature range of 0 to 85 °C (commercial grade, indicated by the C in the part suffix), support for MultiVolt I/O interfacing, and in-system programmability via the Enhanced Configuration (EPC) device family. The combination of high gate count, abundant ESB memory, and rich I/O makes the device suitable for bus-interface glue, telecommunications line cards, and parallel DSP datapaths. Typical applications for this device include high-speed telecommunications switching, parallel DSP processing, video and imaging pipelines, networking line cards, industrial control logic, and ASIC prototyping. Designers migrating from APEX 20K to APEX 20KC typically gain approximately 35% performance improvement due to the 0.15 µm copper-interconnect process used in 20KC. When designing with the EP20K600CF672C-7, plan for proper decoupling of the FCBGA power balls, controlled-impedance PCB routing for the LVDS channels, and JTAG-driven configuration through an EPC16 or EPC2 configuration device. The Altera Quartus II design suite supports back-annotation and incremental fitting for this device family.