FPGA & CPLD
Products (6357)
EP2C35U484C8 - Cyclone II FPGA, 33K LE, 484-FBGA | Intel
The Intel (formerly Altera) EP2C35U484C8 is a low-cost, high-density Cyclone II Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) housed in a 484-ball FineLine BGA (UBGA-484) package. The device delivers 33,216 logic elements, 483,840 bits of embedded RAM (483.84 Kb organized as 33216x9 or similar M4K blocks), and 322 user I/O pins, targeting high-volume applications where cost-per-logic-element is decisive. The C8 speed grade balances timing margin and Fmax for cost-sensitive designs across commercial 0C to 85C operation. An FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is a programmable semiconductor device containing an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs), programmable interconnects, and dedicated hard IP blocks such as block RAM, DSP multipliers, PLLs, and transceivers. FPGAs sit alongside microcontrollers and ASICs in the digital design hierarchy, offering hardware-level parallelism, deterministic latency, and post-production reprogrammability. Cyclone II specifically targets the low-power, low-cost segment of the FPGA market, providing just enough DSP, memory, and I/O for motor control, video processing, and bridging applications without the cost of high-end Stratix or Cyclone V+ devices. Key features of the EP2C35U484C8 include four phase-locked loops (PLLs) for clock synthesis and skew management, support for external memory interfaces including DDR/DDR2 SDRAM and QDRII SRAM, and 35 embedded 18x18 multipliers for DSP workloads. The 1.15V to 1.25V core supply is supported by on-chip voltage regulation, simplifying power tree design. Configuration is supported via JTAG, Active Serial (AS), Passive Serial (PS), and Fast Passive Parallel (FPP) modes. The Cyclone II architecture uses a 90nm low-k dielectric CMOS process with a Look-Up Table (LUT) based logic fabric and column-based block RAM, giving designers a balance between density and signal integrity. Internal clock networks span the entire die, and the device supports source-synchronous interfaces up to 250 MHz on LVDS pairs, suitable for parallel ADC/DAC interfacing. Typical applications include industrial motor control and drives, video surveillance and image processing pipelines, automotive infotainment subsystems, telecom line cards requiring bridging logic, and PCI/PCI-Express endpoint implementations. The 484-FBGA package supports the high pin density required for parallel external memory and high-speed LVDS interfaces. When designing with this FPGA, engineers should follow Altera (now Intel) power-estimator and timing-analyzer flows in Quartus II to validate thermal and timing closure. The exposed die paddle requires thermal vias to a copper pour to keep junction temperature within commercial-grade limits. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in Cyclone II family alternatives, and practical Quartus II design notes that are not consolidated on any single manufacturer page.
EP2C35U484C8N - Cyclone II FPGA, 33K LE, 484-FBGA | Altera
The Altera (now Intel) EP2C35U484C8N is a Cyclone II family Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) built on a 90 nm CMOS process, delivering 33,216 logic elements, 483,840 bits of embedded memory, and 322 user I/O pins in a 484-ball FineLine BGA package. The 'C8' speed grade corresponds to a commercial temperature range of 0 °C to 85 °C with a logic core voltage of 1.2 V, and the device supports internal operation up to approximately 500 MHz. A Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a programmable logic device that combines configurable logic blocks, programmable interconnect, embedded memory blocks, and dedicated multipliers into a single silicon die. Cyclone II sits in the low-cost FPGA segment and is widely used in volume production as glue logic, video/display bridging, motor control, and industrial communications. Architecturally, an FPGA such as the EP2C35 belongs to the broader class of programmable logic devices (PLDs), which themselves sit above ASICs in design flexibility and below microcontrollers in per-unit cost for high-volume applications. Key features of the EP2C35U484C8N include 33,216 logic elements arranged into logic array blocks (LABs), 483,840 bits (roughly 60 Kbytes) of M4K embedded memory, 35 embedded 18 × 18 multipliers, up to 4 PLLs, and 322 general-purpose user I/O pins spread across 8 I/O banks that support a wide range of I/O standards including LVDS, LVTTL, LVCMOS, SSTL, and PCI. Configuration is supported through active serial (AS), passive serial (PS), and JTAG modes. The Cyclone II architecture uses a four-input look-up table (LUT) per logic element, a true dual-port M4K memory block (4 Kbits plus 256 parity bits), dedicated hardware multiplier blocks to accelerate DSP operations, and a flexible multi-clock network. Combined with on-chip PLLs, the EP2C35 offers a balanced resource mix for parallel arithmetic, buffering, and protocol bridging. Typical applications for the EP2C35U484C8N include industrial motor control drives, video capture and display pipelines, telecom interface cards, factory automation controllers, and embedded system prototypes. The 322 user I/Os are sufficient for high-pin-count bridges between microcontrollers, memories, and parallel data buses. When designing with this device, pay close attention to the 1.2 V core supply decoupling scheme, the I/O bank VCCIO planning for mixed-voltage interfacing, and the JTAG chain topology for in-system programming. Always use the latest Altera Quartus II toolchain (or the Cyclone II device support in newer Intel Quartus releases) for synthesis, place-and-route, and timing closure. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives from the same Cyclone II family, and practical board-design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
EP2C35U484I8 - Cyclone II FPGA, 33K LEs, 484-FBGA | Altera/Intel
The Intel (formerly Altera) EP2C35U484I8 is a Cyclone II family Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) built on a low-power 90-nm process, integrating 33,216 logic elements (LEs) into a 484-pin FineLine Ball-Grid Array (U484 / 484-FBGA, 19x19 mm). The device includes 483,840 bits of embedded RAM organized in M4K blocks, 35 embedded 18x18 hardware multipliers (33216 LEs equivalent shown in DigiKey title is the LE count, while Jotrin describes 2076 LABs / CLBs), and 4 phase-locked loops for clock management, with 322 general-purpose user I/O pins. An FPGA is a reprogrammable integrated circuit whose logic function is defined by user-loaded configuration bitstream rather than fixed mask geometry, allowing rapid prototyping, in-field upgrades, and hardware parallelism unmatched by microcontrollers or DSPs. Cyclone II sits in Altera's low-cost FPGA hierarchy: FPGA → programmable logic → programmable logic device (PLD) → semiconductor, optimized for high-volume cost-sensitive applications such as digital video, communications infrastructure, and industrial control. Cyclone II FPGAs established the cost-optimized FPGA category alongside Xilinx Spartan-3. Key features include 66 (4 per M4K block / RAM block) embedded 18x18 multipliers supporting DSP operations at up to ~250 MHz, support for LVDS, LVTTL, LVCMOS, SSTL, and HSTL I/O standards, hot-socketing capability for live insertion, and a -40C to +100C industrial junction temperature range. The industrial speed grade I8 selects the slowest industrial speed bin, while the U484 package designation identifies a wire-bond FineLine BGA. Configuration can be loaded via passive serial (PS), active serial (AS), or JTAG modes using EPCS serial configuration devices. Typical applications include low-cost video processing pipelines, telecom line-card glue logic, industrial motor-control co-processors, and PCI Express endpoint bridges (using soft IP). The high pin count and large logic capacity suit designs aggregating multiple interfaces such as USB 2.0, Ethernet MAC, DDR/DDR2 memory controllers, and Nios II soft-core embedded processors. When designing, ensure the PCB supports JTAG header (TCK/TMS/TDO/TDI/nCONFIG/nSTATUS) for configuration download, allocate decoupling capacitance per Quartus II power analysis, and verify I/O bank voltage compatibility when mixing LVDS and 3.3V LVCMOS signals. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, parameter context, and Cyclone II alternatives not consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet.
EP2C35U484I8N - Cyclone II FPGA, 33K LE, 484-FBGA | Intel
The Intel (Altera) EP2C35U484I8N is a member of the Cyclone II family of low-cost FPGAs, fabricated on a 90 nm process and offered in a 484-ball FineLine BGA package. The device integrates 33,216 logic elements, 483,840 bits of embedded RAM, and 322 maximum user I/O pins, providing a high-density programmable fabric for cost-sensitive applications. A field-programmable gate array (FPGA) is a semiconductor device built around an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs) interconnected via a programmable routing matrix. Cyclone II sits in the low-power, low-cost tier of the FPGA hierarchy between CPLDs (smaller, non-volatile) and high-end FPGAs such as Stratix. It is implemented in 90 nm CMOS technology and supports on-chip memory, embedded multipliers, and PLL-based clock management, making it a true system-on-chip programmable platform rather than a simple glue-logic device. Key features of the EP2C35U484I8N include 35 embedded 18x18 multipliers for DSP-style arithmetic, four PLLs for clock synthesis and skew management, and support for external memory interfaces including DDR/DDR2 SDRAM and QDRII SRAM. Configuration is typically loaded through JTAG or via an external serial/parallel flash, and the part is offered in the -I8N speed/temperature grade (industrial -40C to +100C junction, 8 ns timing). From an architectural perspective, the device is built around LABs (logic array blocks) of 16 LEs each, with a MultiTrack interconnect that minimises routing congestion. The 90 nm process gives a typical core voltage of 1.2 V with separate VCCIO banks for I/O standard flexibility (LVTTL, LVCMOS, SSTL, HSTL, LVDS, PCI). This makes the EP2C35 well suited to bridge legacy 5 V peripherals to modern 1.8 V/2.5 V cores in mixed-voltage systems. Typical applications include industrial motor control, video processing pipelines, telecommunications line cards, prototyping of ASIC designs, and embedded vision. Designers choose the EP2C35U484I8N specifically because it balances logic density, memory bandwidth, and price in a footprint that supports both parallel and serial high-speed interfaces. When designing with this device, pay close attention to the decoupling strategy (a 100 uF bulk plus 0.1 uF and 0.01 uF ceramics per VCC pin group is typical) and to I/O bank voltage planning, because mixing 3.3 V LVCMOS with 1.8 V SSTL on the same bank is not allowed. This page synthesises distributor pricing, drop-in same-package Cyclone II alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, giving engineers a single source for sourcing and substitution decisions.
EP2C50F484C6 - Cyclone II FPGA, 50K LEs, 484-FBGA | Intel
The Intel EP2C50F484C6 is a Cyclone II family Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) built on a 90 nm CMOS process, delivering 50,528 logic elements and 294 user I/Os in a 484-ball FineLine BGA package. Operating from a 1.2 V core supply, the device supports up to 500 MHz internal operation and integrates 594 Kbit of embedded RAM across 3158 Configurable Logic Blocks (CLBs), giving designers ample headroom for glue-logic, bus-bridging, and DSP pre-processing tasks. The 'C6' speed grade targets commercial-temperature applications and pairs with Altera/Intel's Quartus II design suite for synthesis, place-and-route, and configuration generation. A Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a semiconductor device whose logic function is defined by a user-supplied configuration bitstream rather than at the factory. Positioned in the taxonomy as: FPGA -> programmable logic device (PLD) -> integrated circuit -> semiconductor, FPGAs sit alongside microcontrollers, ASICs, and ASSPs in the wider system-on-chip ecosystem but offer the unique advantage of post-silicon hardware re-programmability. The Cyclone II family specifically targets cost-sensitive, high-volume applications where a low unit cost masks the NRE of an ASIC. Key features of the EP2C50F484C6 include 4 phase-locked loops (PLLs) for clock synthesis, dedicated 18-bit x 18-bit hardware multipliers for DSP, 8 Mb of total on-chip memory distributed in M4K blocks, and LVDS/LVTTL/LVCMOS I/O support. It supports configuration via JTAG, Active Serial (AS), Active Parallel (AP), and Passive Serial (PS) modes. The 484-pin FineLine BGA uses a 1.0 mm ball pitch and is footprint-compatible with other Cyclone II F484 devices of differing logic densities (EP2C8, EP2C20, EP2C35, EP2C50, EP2C70). From an architectural standpoint, the Cyclone II LAB (Logic Array Block) is built from 16 Logic Elements arranged in a column, with each LE containing a 4-input LUT, a programmable register, and carry chain logic. The M4K memory blocks (4 Kbit each) double as simple dual-port or single-port RAM, ROM, or shift registers, eliminating the need for external SRAM in many bus-interface designs. Typical applications include industrial motor control and factory automation front-ends, video/image processing pipelines, software-defined radio (SDR) baseband, telecommunications line cards, low-cost digital signal processing, and educational/development platforms. The combination of 50K logic elements, 8 Mb on-chip RAM, and 18-bit hardware multipliers makes it a sweet spot for mid-density control-plane and signal-conditioning designs. When designing with this part, plan your pin assignments against the four PLL-driven global clock networks early to avoid later place-and-route congestion. The C6' speed grade offers a balance of timing margin versus cost; if the timing closure is too tight, step up to the C7 or C8 grade in the same package without any PCB changes. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives drawn from the same Cyclone II family, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet itself.
EP2C50F484C6N - 50K Logic Elements Cyclone II FPGA 484-BGA | Intel
The Intel (formerly Altera) EP2C50F484C6N is a Cyclone II family Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) housed in a 484-ball FineLine BGA package, offering 50,528 logic elements, 594,432 bits of embedded RAM, and 294 user I/O pins. Built on a 90 nm low-k dielectric process, the device operates from a 1.2 V core supply with 1.5 V/1.8 V/2.5 V/3.3 V multi-voltage I/O support and is rated for commercial temperature operation (0 C to +85 C). The 'C6' speed grade and 'N' lead-free suffix indicate a commercial-grade silicon revision with Pb-free packaging. A Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a semiconductor device containing a matrix of programmable logic cells, embedded memory blocks, and programmable routing that engineers can configure after manufacture to implement arbitrary digital logic. FPGAs sit hierarchically between discrete logic ICs (lower density, fixed function) and ASICs (higher volume, fixed mask-set), and they belong to the broader programmable logic device (PLD) family that also includes CPLDs and SPLDs. Cyclone II specifically targets cost-sensitive high-volume applications by combining low-power 90 nm geometry with embedded 18x18 multipliers and M4K RAM blocks, eliminating the need for external multipliers in DSP pipelines. Key features include 50,528 logic elements, 594,432 RAM bits, 129 embedded 18x18 multipliers for DSP workloads, and 4 PLLs for clock management. The device supports LVDS, SSTL, LVTTL, PCI, and LVCMOS I/O standards and offers up to 16 global clock networks. Embedded memory is organized into M4K blocks of 4 Kbits each, configurable as RAM, ROM, or FIFO. The Cyclone II architecture uses a Look-Up Table (LUT)-based logic element combined with a fine-grained routing interconnect, delivering a balance of logic density and predictable timing closure. The 90 nm process node positions this part between the older Cyclone (130 nm) family and the newer Cyclone III (65 nm) family, making the EP2C50 a cost-effective choice when low unit price matters more than absolute lowest power. Typical applications include industrial motor control, video processing, software-defined radio, embedded vision, and prototyping bridges to ASICs. Cyclone II is widely deployed in factory automation, broadcast equipment, and cost-sensitive consumer devices where 50K logic elements and embedded multipliers are sufficient. When designing with the 484-BGA package, allocate an even number of PCB layers for the BGA breakout (typically 6 to 8 layers), keep all decoupling capacitors within 100 mils of their balls, and follow Altera's recommended power sequencing to avoid latch-up. Engineers migrating to a newer device should evaluate Cyclone IV E or Cyclone V for active product longevity, while still using the EP2C50 for new cost-driven designs targeting the legacy Cyclone II silicon revision. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives from the same Cyclone II and Cyclone III families, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
EP2C50F484C7 - Cyclone II FPGA, 50K LE, 484-FBGA | Intel
The Intel (Altera) EP2C50F484C7 is a Cyclone II family Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) delivering 50,528 logic elements, 594,432 bits of embedded RAM, and 294 user I/O pins in a 484-ball FineLine BGA package. The device is fabricated on a 90 nm low-k dielectric process and operates from a 1.2 V core supply with hot-socketing and PCI Express-friendly I/O support, enabling both standalone and bus-resident designs. A Cyclone II FPGA is a SRAM-based programmable logic device that combines lookup-table-based logic blocks with embedded memory, embedded multipliers (DSP blocks), and phase-locked loops on a single die. In the broader system hierarchy, an FPGA sits below application-specific standard products (ASSPs) and above discrete logic gates, offering hardware-level parallelism that microcontrollers and DSPs cannot match. Designers use Cyclone II devices when time-to-market, design flexibility, or parallel signal processing outweigh the per-unit cost advantage of a hard-wired ASIC. Key features of the EP2C50F484C7 include 50,528 logic elements (LEs), 129 M4K RAM blocks (594 Kbit total), 86 embedded 18 x 18 multipliers, four PLLs, and 294 maximum user I/Os. The 484-FBGA package supports a wide range of single-ended I/O standards (LVTTL, LVCMOS, SSTL, HSTL) plus differential standards (LVDS, RSDS, mini-LVDS, LVPECL) on selected pins, giving designers flexibility to bridge legacy and modern ASIC/ASSP interfaces. The Cyclone II architecture uses a four-input LUT as the basic logic element, with a dedicated carry chain for fast arithmetic and a dedicated register per LE. Embedded multipliers are arranged in columns along the device, allowing DSP functions such as FIR filters and FFT butterflies to run at the full 402 MHz internal clock rate. The four PLLs provide clock multiplication, division, phase shifting, and duty-cycle control, which simplifies multi-clock-domain designs and reduces external clock-tree complexity. Typical applications include industrial motor control and factory-automation backplanes, video-processing and image-pipeline front-ends, telecom line cards, low-cost software-defined radio prototyping, and PCI Express endpoint bridging. The 484-FBGA package makes the part suitable for board designs that need the highest I/O count in the Cyclone II family without stepping up to the larger Cyclone III/IV generations. Designers should pay close attention to power-plane decoupling (multiple 0.1 uF and 10 uF caps near each VCC/GAT pair), JTAG chain ordering when multiple Altera/Intel devices share a bus, and configuration-mode selection between AS, PS, and JTAG. The device also requires a configuration flash or download cable for SRAM-based bitstream loading on every power-up. This page combines distributor pricing, drop-in compatible alternatives in the same 484-FBGA footprint, and practical design notes not found in the standalone manufacturer datasheet, helping engineers select and source the EP2C50F484C7 with confidence.
EP2C50F484C7N - Cyclone II FPGA, 50K LEs, 484-FBGA | Intel
The Intel (formerly Altera) EP2C50F484C7N is a Cyclone II Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) delivering 50,528 logic elements, 594,432 bits of embedded RAM, and 294 user I/O pins, all integrated into a 484-ball FineLine BGA package with 1.0 mm ball pitch. Built on a low-power 90 nm process, the device targets cost-sensitive, high-volume applications requiring deterministic digital logic and parallel processing at clock rates that typically reach 250 MHz internally. The 'C7' speed grade corresponds to the commercial temperature range (0 °C to +85 °C) with a mid-tier performance bin, and the 'N' suffix indicates lead-free / Pb-free RoHS-compliant packaging. The device integrates four phase-locked loops (PLLs) for clock synthesis, up to 16 global clock networks, hardware multipliers (DSP blocks) for integer arithmetic, and dual-configuration flash memory interfaces for active serial (AS) and JTAG programming. What is an FPGA? A Field-Programmable Gate Array is a reconfigurable semiconductor whose logic blocks and interconnect are defined after manufacture by loading a user-supplied bitstream. FPGAs sit between fixed-function Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) and software-driven microcontrollers: they offer hardware-timed parallelism and nanosecond latency like ASICs, while remaining reprogrammable in the field like microcontrollers. Within the broader taxonomy, FPGAs are programmable logic devices (PLDs) alongside CPLDs, and they are commonly used as glue logic, data-path accelerators, or as the main host processor for signal-processing pipelines. The Cyclone II family was Intel/Altera's 2004-vintage low-cost FPGA series and remains widely deployed in industrial, communications, and educational systems today. Key features of the EP2C50F484C7N include 50,528 logic elements (LEs), 594,432 bits of embedded RAM (M4K blocks of 4 Kbit each), 4 PLLs, 16 global clock networks, 250 MHz internal performance, and 294 user I/O pins compatible with multiple I/O standards (LVTTL, LVCMOS, PCI, SSTL, LVDS). The 1.0 V core supply is generated by an on-chip regulator from an external 1.5 V or 3.3 V rail, simplifying power-tree design. JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) boundary-scan support and a passive-serial or active-serial configuration interface allow bitstream loading from EPCS serial flash devices. Typical applications for the EP2C50F484C7N include motor-control and drive front-ends in industrial automation, glue-logic and protocol-bridging in telecom line cards, video-processing and image-pipeline pre-processing, low-cost software-defined radio (SDR) baseband implementations, and educational FPGA development boards. Its combination of moderate logic capacity (~50 KLE), generous block RAM, and 294 user I/Os makes it well suited to bridging parallel bus systems and performing DSP-style FIR/FFT filtering at modest sample rates. When designing with the EP2C50F484C7N, allocate at least eight PCB layers with continuous GND planes beneath the BGA array to maintain signal-integrity for LVDS and DDR-style interfaces. The configuration scheme must be defined in the Quartus II pin-assignment file; leaving MSEL pins floating is a common pitfall that prevents the device from recognizing any configuration source. Finally, observe the I/O bank VCCIO supply constraints - mixing 3.3 V and 1.8 V logic in the same bank will damage the I/O drivers. This page synthesizes current distributor pricing, RoHS-compliant 484-FBGA drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes that go beyond the Cyclone II datasheet to accelerate FPGA selection and sourcing.
EP2C50F484C8 - Cyclone II FPGA 50K LE 484-BGA | Intel (Altera)
The Intel (formerly Altera) EP2C50F484C8 is a Cyclone II family Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) built on a 90 nm process, offering 50,528 logic elements and 594,432 bits of embedded RAM in a 484-ball FineLine BGA package. The part operates across 294 user I/O pins and supports the commercial speed grade (C8), making it a high-density, low-cost programmable logic device for high-volume designs in industrial, communications, and consumer applications. Background: An FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is a semiconductor device whose logic function is defined by the user after manufacture, rather than at the fab. It sits in the integrated circuit taxonomy between fixed-function ASICs and software-defined processors. The Cyclone II family, introduced by Altera (acquired by Intel in 2015), targeted low-cost, high-volume applications with embedded multipliers, M4K memory blocks, and PLL-based clock management. Within the broader power management and digital IC hierarchy, the Cyclone II sits in the FPGA & CPLD category, with FPGA > programmable logic > digital IC > integrated circuit > semiconductor. Key features of the EP2C50F484C8 include 50,528 logic elements (LEs), 4,608 Kbits of embedded RAM, 86 embedded 18x18 multipliers, four phase-locked loops (PLLs), and 294 user I/O pins. The device supports LVDS, LVTTL, LVCMOS, SSTL, and HSTL I/O standards, and is supported by the Quartus II design software. Power is supplied through dedicated VCCINT (core), VCCIO (I/O banks), and VCCA_PLL (PLL analog) rails. The architecture combines logic elements organized into Logic Array Blocks (LABs), embedded memory blocks (M4K), dedicated multiplier blocks (18x18), and PLL clock networks. The C8 speed grade denotes a commercial temperature range (0C to +85C) and a specific timing closure performance. The 484-ball FineLine BGA package provides high pin density for designs that need to route many LVDS or parallel interfaces off-chip. Typical applications include industrial motor control, video processing pipelines, telecommunications line cards, software-defined radio (SDR), and embedded vision systems. The combination of high logic density and embedded multipliers makes the EP2C50F484C8 especially effective at the math-heavy front ends of these systems. When designing, note that the Cyclone II family is in NRND/EOL status and may not be recommended for new designs; consider Cyclone IV or Cyclone V for new production. Designers should consult the manufacturer datasheet for power sequencing, decoupling, and JTAG configuration details. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design notes for engineers evaluating the EP2C50F484C8 in legacy or maintenance designs.
EP2C50F484C8N - Cyclone II FPGA, 50K LE, 484-FBGA | Intel / Altera
The Intel / Altera EP2C50F484C8N is a Cyclone II family Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) with 50,528 logic elements, 594,432 bits of embedded RAM, and 294 user I/Os, housed in a 484-ball FineLine BGA package with -8 speed grade. The Cyclone II family is built on a low-cost 90 nm process and targets high-volume, cost-sensitive applications where traditional ASICs are uneconomical. An FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is a semiconductor device containing an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs), programmable interconnects, and dedicated hard IP such as multipliers, memory blocks, and I/O serializers. FPGAs occupy a unique position in the design hierarchy between discrete logic and ASICs: like microcontrollers they are software-programmable, but like ASICs they implement custom parallel hardware. They belong to the broader category of programmable logic devices (PLDs) and are widely used for digital signal processing, protocol bridging, and glue logic in industrial, communications, and consumer systems. Key features of the EP2C50F484C8N include 50,528 logic elements arranged in LABs (Logic Array Blocks), 250 M4K embedded memory blocks providing 594,432 RAM bits, 86 dedicated 18x18 hardware multipliers, four phase-locked loops (PLLs) for clock management, and 294 user I/Os supporting multiple I/O standards including LVDS, LVTTL, LVCMOS, SSTL, and HSTL. The device operates from a 1.2 V core supply with separate VCCIO banks for I/O voltage flexibility. The Cyclone II architecture uses SRAM-based configuration memory loaded from a flash or external controller via JTAG or Active Serial (AS) modes. The 484-pin FBGA provides high pin density for designs that need to bring out many parallel interfaces, DDR memory controllers, or multiple high-speed serial channels implemented in LVDS pairs. Typical applications include industrial motor control, video processing and display controllers, automotive infotainment prototypes, telecommunications line cards, and low-cost digital signal processing (DSP) pipelines. The combination of hardware multipliers, distributed memory, and plentiful I/Os makes this device especially attractive for cost-sensitive DSP and parallel-processing tasks. When designing with the EP2C50F484C8N, pay attention to power supply sequencing (1.2 V core before VCCIO), decoupling capacitor density near each power pin, and JTAG chain integrity for in-system programming. The FBGA package requires careful PCB layout with microvia technology or proper escape routing. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design notes that go beyond the manufacturer datasheet - giving procurement, hardware, and firmware engineers a single reference for sourcing and substituting the EP2C50F484C8N.
EP2C50F484I8 - 50K LE Cyclone II FPGA, 484-BGA | Intel / Altera
The Altera (now Intel) EP2C50F484I8 is a Cyclone II series Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) in a 484-ball FineLine BGA package, built on a 90 nm low-k CMOS process and supplied from a 1.2 V core rail. It integrates 50,528 logic elements, 594,432 RAM bits (approximately 70 Kb of M4K block memory), 329 total user I/O pins (294 user I/O plus dedicated pins), and 4 PLLs, providing a balanced logic/memory/multiplier fabric for medium-density ASIC-replacement designs. The "I8" speed/temperature suffix indicates the industrial -40C to +85C operating range with the -8 speed grade. A Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a reconfigurable digital integrated circuit whose logic resources, interconnect, and I/O can be programmed in the field through an SRAM-based configuration bitstream. FPGAs sit in the broader hierarchy of programmable logic devices (PLD) alongside CPLDs, and they occupy the role of glue logic, co-processing, and ASIC prototyping between discrete microcontrollers and fixed-function ASICs. Cyclone II FPGAs specifically target cost-sensitive, high-volume applications such as digital signal processing, video bridging, and industrial control, offering ASIC-like density at a fraction of the unit cost. Key electrical features include up to 450 MHz internal operation, support for LVDS, LVTTL, LVCMOS, SSTL, and PCI I/O standards, dedicated hardware multipliers for DSP, and JTAG-based IEEE 1149.1 boundary-scan and configuration. The 484-pin FineLine BGA package exposes 8 LVDS pairs and 4 PLLs, allowing high-speed external memory interfaces (DDR/DDR2 SDRAM) and parallel data capture. Internal configuration is volatile SRAM, so an external configuration memory device (such as EPCS4 or EPCS16) is normally required for stand-alone operation. Typical applications include industrial motor control, video format conversion and scaling, software-defined radio front ends, PCI/PCI-X bridge glue logic, and ASIC prototyping for low-to-medium volume products. The wide industrial temperature range and proven 90 nm silicon make the EP2C50F484I8 well-suited to factory-floor and outdoor embedded systems. For new designs, designers should evaluate Intel Cyclone IV E/GX or Cyclone V families, as Cyclone II is a mature node; however the EP2C50F484I8 remains in active service in long-life industrial, military, and aerospace platforms where qualification re-work would be cost-prohibitive. When designing with this device, ensure the configuration scheme (Active Serial, Passive Serial, or JTAG) is selected before PCB layout, and that decoupling follows Altera's recommended capacitor count to suppress core and I/O rail transients during simultaneous-switching events on the large 484-ball BGA. When migrating from the EP2C50F484I8 to a RoHS-compliant alternative, the EP2C50F484I8N is the drop-in lead-free equivalent with identical pinout and electrical characteristics.
EP2C50F484I8N - Cyclone II FPGA, 50K LEs, 484-FBGA | Intel / Altera
The Intel (formerly Altera) EP2C50F484I8N is a Cyclone II family Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) delivering 50,528 logic elements, 594,432 RAM bits, and 294 user I/Os in a 484-ball FineLine BGA package, speed grade -8, industrial temperature range. Built on a 1.2V core CMOS process with 90nm technology, the EP2C50F484I8N targets cost-sensitive, high-volume designs where ASIC-class integration is impractical. A Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a semiconductor device built around an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs), programmable routing, and embedded memory and multiplier blocks that can be re-programmed in the field to implement arbitrary digital logic. FPGAs sit above microcontrollers and below ASICs in the design hierarchy, offering parallel processing throughput that microcontrollers cannot match while avoiding the NRE cost of ASICs. The Cyclone II family is Intel/Altera's low-cost FPGA line, optimized for consumer, industrial, and communications applications. Key features include 50,528 logic elements organized into 4,508 logic array blocks, 594 Kbits of embedded RAM arranged in M4K blocks, 150 embedded 18x18 multipliers, and 4 phase-locked loops (PLLs) for clock management. The device supports LVDS, LVTTL, LVCMOS, SSTL, and HSTL I/O standards across 8 I/O banks, with per-pin dynamic slew rate and drive strength control. Configuration is supported through passive serial (AS), active serial, and JTAG modes, with on-chip configuration bitstream decryption via the optional AES block. The Cyclone II architecture pairs a fine-grained 4-input LUT-based logic fabric with column-based M4K memory blocks and 18x18 multiplier blocks, enabling DSP-intensive functions such as FIR filters and FFTs without external multipliers. The 90nm process and 1.2V core deliver a favorable performance-per-watt ratio for its class, with typical static power below 200 mW and dynamic power dominated by switching activity on user I/O and clock trees. Typical applications include video processing and display controllers, motor control and industrial automation, software-defined radio baseband, low-cost ASIC prototyping, and PCI/PCI Express bridge designs. The Cyclone II's combination of abundant multipliers and block RAM makes it well-suited to DSP pipelines, while its high I/O count in 484-FBGA suits parallel bus-intensive designs. When designing with this device, plan I/O bank assignments early: each bank has its own VCCIO rail, and LVDS usage requires the dedicated reference-voltage pins. Decoupling must include both bulk capacitors and 0.1uF ceramics placed adjacent to every VCCINT/VCCIO pair, and the configuration mode pins (MSEL) must be hard-wired to select the desired configuration scheme at power-up. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-brand variants, and practical design notes not found on a single distributor page, helping engineers evaluate the EP2C50F484I8N for new designs and legacy production support.
EP2C50F672C6 - Cyclone II FPGA, 50K LE, 672-FBGA | Intel / Altera
The Intel (formerly Altera) EP2C50F672C6 is a Cyclone II series Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) built on a 90 nm CMOS process, integrating 50,528 logic elements, 3158 Configurable Logic Blocks (CLBs), 594,432 bits of embedded RAM, and 450 maximum user I/O pins in a 672-ball FineLine BGA (FBGA) package. The die is fabricated on TSMC's 90 nm low-k dielectric process and operates from a 1.2 V core supply with 3.3 V/2.5 V/1.8 V/1.5 V LVCMOS/LVTTL I/O standards supported through dedicated I/O banks. Maximum internal clock frequency is rated up to 500 MHz with embedded 18x18 multipliers supporting DSP functions. An FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is a semiconductor device containing an array of programmable logic blocks, interconnect, and I/O cells that engineers configure after manufacture using a hardware description language. FPGAs sit in the programmable logic hierarchy between ASICs (fully custom, NRE-heavy) and microcontrollers (fixed instruction set). Cyclone II specifically targets cost-sensitive, high-volume applications where the unit price of traditional FPGAs was historically prohibitive - it bridges the gap toward structured ASICs in the cost-performance trade-off curve. Key features of the EP2C50F672C6 include four phase-locked loops (PLLs) for clock synthesis, up to 450 user I/O pins distributed across multiple banks, support for external memory interfaces including DDR, DDR2, and QDRII SRAM, and up to 250 MHz performance on embedded multipliers. The device supports configuration via JTAG, Active Serial (AS), and Passive Serial (PS) modes using commodity EPCS configuration memories, enabling flexible in-system programming. The Cyclone II architecture separates logic, memory, and DSP into dedicated hardware blocks - LABs (Logic Array Blocks) for general logic, M4K memory blocks for variable-width RAM, and embedded multiplier blocks for DSP - avoiding the inefficiency of implementing these functions in soft logic. This hard-IP approach delivers predictable timing closure and competitive performance-per-watt. Typical applications include industrial motor control, video surveillance and image processing, automotive infotainment, telecom line cards, consumer display controllers, and software-defined radio front-ends. The combination of DSP blocks, memory, and flexible I/O makes the EP2C50F672C6 a strong fit for parallel processing tasks where microcontrollers run out of headroom. When designing with this device, pay close attention to decoupling strategy - place 0.1 uF and 10 uF capacitors adjacent to every VCCINT and VCCIO pin pair, and route all PLL analog supplies (VCCA_PLL) through a ferrite bead for noise isolation. Signal integrity on DDR interfaces requires matched-length traces and proper VTT termination; consult the Cyclone II External Memory Interface Handbook for the chosen memory standard. This page synthesizes distributor pricing snapshots from DigiKey/Mouser/Octopart, real drop-in alternatives drawn from the same Cyclone II and Cyclone III device families, and practical PCB-level design notes that complement the manufacturer datasheet's electrical tables.
EP2C50F672C6N - 50K LE Cyclone II FPGA, 672-BGA | Intel / Altera
The Intel (formerly Altera) EP2C50F672C6N is a low-cost Cyclone II Field-Programmable Gate Array delivering 50,528 logic elements, 594 Kbits of embedded RAM, and 450 user I/Os in a 672-ball FineLine BGA package, manufactured on a 90 nm low-k CMOS process. It combines 3158 Configurable Logic Blocks (CLBs) and 4 PLLs to support digital logic, memory-mapped bus interfaces, and basic DSP functions in cost-sensitive volume applications. A Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a semiconductor IC built from a matrix of programmable logic blocks, interconnect, and I/O cells that the designer configures after manufacture using a hardware description language. Within the wider programmable logic taxonomy, FPGAs sit alongside CPLDs (Complex Programmable Logic Devices) under Programmable Logic Devices, which in turn belong to the broader digital semiconductor / logic IC category. Cyclone II specifically targets high-volume, low-power applications where ASIC NRE is unjustified. Key features of the EP2C50F672C6N include 50,528 logic elements, 594 Kbits of M4K embedded memory blocks, 150 embedded 18x18 multipliers (for lightweight DSP), 4 PLLs, and 450 user I/Os. The device supports LVCMOS, LVTTL, SSTL, LVDS, and RSDS I/O standards, plus DDR/QDR memory interfaces. Configuration is via active serial (AS), passive serial (PS), JTAG, or Fast Passive Parallel (FPP). The 672-pin FineLine BGA package has 1.0 mm ball pitch and is RoHS-compliant lead-free. The Cyclone II architecture uses 4-input LUTs, M4K memory blocks (each 4 Kbits with parity), and dedicated multiplier blocks that enable cost-effective DSP pipelines. The 4 PLLs provide flexible clock synthesis and zero-delay buffering, while the LVDS support enables gigabit-class source-synchronous links without external transceivers. The -6 speed grade is the mid-tier offering; -7 is faster and -8 is the slowest, with the C6 industrial temperature range (0C to +85C, junction) covering commercial / industrial deployments. Typical applications include industrial motor control and machine vision, video processing and display controllers, PCIe endpoint bridges, telecom line cards, test and measurement equipment, and educational / prototyping platforms where Cyclone II development boards (e.g., DE2) are widely used. The device is also commonly found in legacy designs that pre-date Cyclone IV / Cyclone V migrations. When designing with the EP2C50F672C6N, note that the EP2C50F672C6N is the lead-free, commercial-temperature (-C6 = 0C to +85C junction) variant of the 672-ball FineLine BGA; the EP2C50F672I6N offers industrial (-40C to +100C junction) qualification. Quartus II software is the required design toolchain. Ensure proper power decoupling, JTAG chain integrity, and banked I/O voltage reference planning to avoid configuration failures. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, pin-compatible Cyclone II same-package alternatives, and practical design guidance not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone - giving engineers a single reference for selection, replacement, and design-in decisions.
EP2C50F672C7 - Cyclone II FPGA, 50K LE, 672-FBGA | Intel / Altera
The Intel / Altera (formerly Altera) EP2C50F672C7 is a member of the Cyclone II family of low-cost, high-volume field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), delivering 50,528 logic elements (LEs), 594,432 bits of embedded memory (RAM), and 450 user I/O pins in a 672-ball FineLine BGA package. Manufactured on a 90 nm low-k dielectric CMOS process, this device is offered in the -7 speed grade and the commercial (C) temperature grade (0C to +85C junction), with a core supply voltage of 1.2 V and I/O bank voltages configurable from 1.5 V to 3.3 V via dedicated VCCIO pins. What is a Cyclone II FPGA? It is a SRAM-based programmable logic device from the second-generation Altera Cyclone family, positioned between low-density CPLDs and high-performance FPGAs in the programmable-logic taxonomy (FPGA -> programmable logic -> logic IC -> integrated circuit). Cyclone II introduced 18x18 hardware multipliers, embedded M4K memory blocks, and PLL-based clock management, making it suitable for cost-sensitive DSP, video, and embedded control applications that do not require the serial transceivers of higher-end Stratix devices. Within the Cyclone II family, density scales from EP2C5 (~5K LE) through EP2C70 (~70K LE), with EP2C50 occupying the upper-middle density tier. Key features of the EP2C50F672C7 include 450 user I/O pins (the maximum available on Cyclone II), 4 phase-locked loops (PLLs) for clock synthesis, 86 embedded 18x18 multipliers (150 18x18 multipliers total per device family datasheet) for DSP operations, and 250 M4K memory blocks. The device supports configuration via passive serial (PS), active serial (AS), and JTAG modes using an external configuration device such as the EPCS4 or EPCS16 serial flash. Typical applications for the EP2C50F672C7 span industrial motor control, video processing and display controllers, telecommunications line cards, and embedded computing platforms where a balance of logic density, I/O count, and cost is required. The 672-FBGA FineLine BGA package provides high signal density suitable for multi-channel data acquisition systems. When designing with this device, note that the EP2C50F672C7 is a commercial-grade (C suffix) part in the -7 speed grade; for industrial temperature range (-40C to +100C junction), the EP2C50F672I7 variant should be selected. Configuration requires an external serial configuration device or JTAG download cable, and the Quartus II design software (version 13.0 or earlier for full Cyclone II support) is required for synthesis, place-and-route, and bitstream generation.
EP2C50F672C7N - Cyclone II FPGA 50K LE 672-FBGA | Intel / Altera
The Intel (formerly Altera) EP2C50F672C7N is a member of the low-cost Cyclone II Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) family, featuring 50,528 logic elements, 594,432 RAM bits, and 450 user I/Os housed in a 672-pin FineLine BGA (FBGA) package. It is fabricated on a 90 nm process technology and operates from a 1.2 V core supply. The device supports a maximum internal operating frequency of approximately 402.58 MHz, providing ample headroom for parallel DSP, embedded processor, and high-throughput data-path designs. An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) is a semiconductor integrated circuit composed of configurable logic blocks, programmable interconnect, and dedicated I/O cells. FPGAs occupy a unique position in the digital design hierarchy: they sit between fixed-function ASICs (high NRE, low per-unit cost) and microcontrollers (low performance, sequential execution), offering hardware-level parallelism with reprogrammability. The Cyclone II family specifically targets cost-sensitive applications that previously required mask-programmed ASICs, making it suitable for volume production in industrial, automotive, communications, and consumer markets. Key features include 450 dedicated user I/O pins supporting LVDS, LVTTL, LVCMOS, SSTL, and HSTL I/O standards; embedded 18x18 multipliers for DSP arithmetic; up to 594 Kbits of embedded M4K memory blocks (configurable as RAM, ROM, or FIFO); and a flexible clock management infrastructure with PLLs. The 672-FBGA package exposes the full I/O count of the device, enabling high-density board designs where every signal pin must be brought out. Architecturally, Cyclone II devices use a four-input LUT-based logic element backed by a programmable routing fabric. The 90 nm process provides a favorable performance-to-cost balance and supports embedded RAM blocks with true dual-port capability. The device is supported by the Quartus II design toolchain (including Quartus Prime), which provides synthesis, place-and-route, timing analysis, and configuration generation. Typical applications include industrial motor control, video processing pipelines, software-defined radio baseband, prototyping ASIC designs, embedded control systems, and high-density glue logic. The combination of 50K LEs, 450 I/Os, and BGA packaging makes this part especially attractive for space-constrained boards that require maximum logic density and signal count. When designing with this part, allocate at least four PCB layers for power, ground, and signal routing, and follow Altera's decoupling and BGA breakout guidelines to maintain signal integrity on high-speed LVDS pairs. This page synthesizes distributor pricing from DigiKey and Mouser, drop-in alternative MPNs across Intel/Altera Cyclone families, and practical design notes not found in the standalone manufacturer datasheet PDF.
EP2C50F672C8 - Cyclone II FPGA, 50K LE, 672-FBGA | Intel
The Intel EP2C50F672C8 is a member of the low-cost Cyclone II FPGA family, delivering 50,528 logic elements, 594 Kbits of embedded RAM, and 450 user I/Os in a 672-pin FineLine BGA (FBGA) package. Fabricated on a 1.2 V, 90 nm CMOS process, the device integrates 4 PLLs and 16 global clock networks to support a wide range of digital logic, DSP, and embedded processing workloads at up to 402 MHz internal operation. A Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a semiconductor device built around an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs), programmable interconnect, and I/O cells that the designer programs after manufacture. FPGAs sit between fixed-function ASICs and software-driven processors in the silicon hierarchy, offering hardware-timed parallelism with no NRE charges and the ability to be re-programmed in the field. Cyclone II is positioned in the low-cost tier of the FPGA taxonomy, optimized for price-sensitive volume applications such as consumer video, industrial control, and telecommunications line cards. Key features of the EP2C50F672C8 include 4 Phase-Locked Loops for clock synthesis and skew management, up to 1.1 Mbits of total memory when M4K blocks are aggregated, dedicated high-speed LVDS I/O pairs, and the Quartus II design suite support that maps user RTL directly to the silicon fabric. The 672-FBGA package provides a thermal resistance (theta_JA) of roughly 11 °C/W with a 4-layer JEDEC-compliant test board, suitable for forced-air cooling at moderate toggle rates. Architecture-wise, the Cyclone II LE consists of a 4-input look-up table, a programmable register, a carry chain for fast arithmetic, and a register chain for sequential logic. The surrounding LABs group 16 LEs plus local interconnects, while row and column interconnects route signals across the die. The M4K memory blocks support single-port, dual-port, and shift-register modes, and the I/O element (IOE) provides per-pin delay chains and bus-hold. Typical applications include video and image processing pipelines, industrial motor control, software-defined radio front-ends, embedded bridges between legacy and modern buses, and digital signal processing in test & measurement instruments. The 90 nm process makes the device attractive for designs that need 32-bit Nios II soft-core processors alongside custom logic. When designing with this device, plan power distribution with a 2-layer PCB and at least 4 dedicated power/ground plane pairs; insufficient decoupling is the most common cause of Cyclone II bring-up failures. A 0.1 µF X7R capacitor within 5 mm of every VCCINT and VCCIO pin is required. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in speed-grade and package alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the original Cyclone II datasheet.
EP2C50F672C8N - Cyclone II FPGA, 50K LE, 672-BGA | Intel / Altera
The Intel (formerly Altera) EP2C50F672C8N is a Cyclone II family Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) with 50,528 logic elements, 594,432 bits of embedded RAM, and 450 user I/Os, housed in a 672-ball FineLine BGA package. Built on a 90 nm low-k dielectric CMOS process with 1.2 V core operation, this device delivers up to 332 MHz DSP performance while consuming as little as 0.25 mW per logic element at typical toggle rates. A Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a programmable logic device that combines configurable logic blocks, programmable interconnect, and embedded memory resources into a single semiconductor IC. FPGAs sit within the programmable logic hierarchy as a flexible alternative to ASICs, allowing in-system reconfiguration of digital functions. They are widely used for parallel DSP, custom I/O bridging, and prototype-to-production logic designs that demand low-to-moderate NRE cost. Key features of the EP2C50F672C8N include 86 user I/O banks for flexible voltage signalling, four phase-locked loops (PLLs) with dedicated clock outputs, embedded 18x18 multipliers for DSP arithmetic, and 2 embedded DLLs (per Cyclone II family architecture). The 672-FBGA package provides high-density board integration at 27 mm x 27 mm body size, while the device supports commercial temperature operation (0C to +85C) as indicated by the C8 speed-grade suffix. Configurable JTAG boundary-scan and serial/parallel configuration interfaces allow easy in-system programming. Cyclone II architecture pairs LUT-based logic with M4K memory blocks and dedicated multiplier blocks, enabling efficient implementation of parallel pipelines, FFTs, and video line buffers. The 90 nm process node and Cyclone II's low static power design make this FPGA particularly well-suited to cost-sensitive, low-to-mid-volume designs where ASIC NRE is not justified. Typical applications include industrial motor control and factory automation backplanes, telecom line-card glue logic, video surveillance and image processing front-ends, low-cost software-defined radio control planes, and educational development boards. The high user-I/O count (450) supports parallel bus and bus-multiplexed peripheral integration. When designing with this device, ensure power-rail sequencing respects the 1.2 Vcore, 2.5 VPLL, and bank I/O supply requirements. Maintain a continuous ground reference under the BGA thermal balls and follow Altera (now Intel) board-layout guidelines for FineLine BGA escape routing to preserve signal integrity at 100 MHz+ toggle rates. This page synthesizes distributor pricing across DigiKey, Mouser and Octopart, drop-in same-package alternatives within the Cyclone II family, and practical board-design notes not found in the standalone datasheet.
EP2C50F672I8 - Cyclone II FPGA, 50K LE, 672-FBGA | Intel / Altera
The Intel / Altera EP2C50F672I8 is a Cyclone II Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) with 50,528 logic elements (LE), 4,504 Kbits of embedded memory, and 450 user I/Os, housed in a 672-ball FineLine BGA (FBGA) package. Built on a 90 nm CMOS process with a 1.2 V core supply, the device supports internal clock rates up to 402.5 MHz and integrates 3158 Configurable Logic Blocks (CLBs) for high-density digital logic implementation. The part ships in industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C), denoted by the "I8" suffix, and is suitable for cost-sensitive, high-volume digital designs. A Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a type of programmable logic device (PLD) that combines the flexibility of software-configurable hardware with the performance of application-specific integrated circuits. FPGAs sit within the broader hierarchy of programmable logic devices, alongside Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs), and are categorized as part of the semiconductor and digital IC family. Modern FPGAs like the Cyclone II family embed hard IP blocks such as PLLs, memory controllers, and high-speed transceivers alongside programmable logic fabric, allowing designers to implement complete system-on-chip (SoC) designs without external components. Key features include 594,432 system gates, 4,504 Kbits of embedded RAM organized in M9K blocks, 150 embedded 18x18 multipliers for DSP workloads, four phase-locked loops (PLLs), and 86,016 bits of total embedded memory when measured in M4K-equivalent blocks. The device supports LVDS, LVTTL, PCI, PCI-X, and SSTL-2/-18 I/O standards and includes configuration support via JTAG, Active Serial (AS), and Passive Serial (PS) modes. Its 90 nm low-k dielectric process provides a favorable balance of cost, density, and dynamic power consumption for mid-range digital systems. The Cyclone II architecture uses a lookup-table (LUT) based logic element with carry chains for arithmetic and dedicated routing channels for inter-block connectivity. Its adaptive logic module (ALM) granularity allows efficient mapping of both fine-grained and coarse-grained logic functions, while the embedded multipliers accelerate DSP functions such as FIR filters and FFT butterflies without consuming general-purpose logic resources. Typical applications include digital signal processing, video processing pipelines, industrial automation controllers, communications infrastructure baseband units, and ASIC prototyping. The combination of high logic density and embedded multipliers makes the EP2C50F672I8 well-suited to cost-optimized DSP, motor control, and software-defined radio subsystems. In video processing, its parallel architecture supports real-time pixel-pipeline operations at HD resolutions. When designing with this device, allocate I/O banks carefully because the 672-ball FBGA package provides only 450 usable user I/Os - the remaining balls are assigned to power, ground, configuration, and JTAG signals. Decoupling strategy must use at least one bulk capacitor per power rail and several 0.1 uF ceramics placed close to the package perimeter. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternative FPGAs, and practical board-design guidance not found in the manufacturer datasheet, providing engineers with a one-stop reference for sourcing, designing, and qualifying Cyclone II designs.
EP2C50F672I8N - 50K LE Cyclone II FPGA | Altera | 672-BGA
Altera EP2C50F672I8N is a Cyclone II field-programmable gate array containing 50,528 logic elements, 594,432 bits of embedded memory, and 450 user I/O, supplied in a 672-ball FBGA package. The verified distributor description identifies 450 I/O and 50,528 logic elements, while the supplied Cyclone II family data places the architecture in a low-cost FPGA family extending density through 68,416 logic elements and embedded memory up to 1.1 Mbits. The I8N ordering information indicates the industrial temperature and speed-grade designation, but the exact supported ambient range and speed characteristics are not included in the provided extracts and therefore require datasheet verification. An FPGA, or field-programmable gate array, is a semiconductor device whose logic, interconnect, and I/O functions are configured after manufacturing. It sits between fixed-function application-specific integrated circuits and software-driven processors: a Cyclone II FPGA implements parallel digital hardware directly, providing deterministic timing and the ability to integrate interfaces, control logic, state machines, and signal-processing datapaths. It belongs to the hierarchy programmable logic device > FPGA > Cyclone II FPGA > logic semiconductor. The principal verified features are 50,528 logic elements, 594,432 embedded-memory bits, 450 I/O, CMOS technology, a 1.2 V supply voltage, and a 672-pin FBGA package. The 672-ball format supports high I/O density, while the 1.2 V core supply is consistent with the cited Cyclone II family information. Other potentially important FPGA resources, configuration interfaces, PLL count, operating temperature limits, package dimensions, and I/O standards are not stated in the supplied data and must not be inferred. EP2C50F672I8N can implement glue logic, custom bus controllers, digital acquisition control, and legacy-interface bridges where hardware parallelism is valuable. It may also support industrial control, communications equipment, test hardware, and educational or maintenance systems designed for the Cyclone II architecture. Because the part is supplied as an I8N industrial-grade ordering variant, the published family handbook and ordering information should be used to confirm temperature, speed grade, supported configuration modes, and bank-specific I/O rules before release to production. The dominant engineering trade-off is integration and density versus migration effort. A replacement must preserve the 672-ball package, pin assignment, supply requirements, configuration scheme, and timing expectations. Resource-equivalent devices in other packages or FPGA families are not drop-in alternatives even if their logic counts are similar. The verified unit price is 248.4244 USD as of 2026-09-08, but only a single quantity-one price was supplied, so the requested tier schedule cannot be derived without fabrication. This page combines exact verified EP2C50F672I8N facts, clearly identified missing parameters, distributor pricing, package-level alternative guidance, and engineering design cautions. The 470-page figure shown in the supplied data refers to the Cyclone II Device Handbook, Volume 1, rather than a verified document revision or standalone part-specific page count; engineers should use the manufacturer handbook for authoritative implementation details.
EP2C50U484C6 - Cyclone II FPGA, 50K LE, 484-FBGA | Intel
The Intel (formerly Altera) EP2C50U484C6 is a Cyclone II family Field Programmable Gate Array delivering 50,528 logic elements, 594,432 bits of embedded RAM, and 294 user I/O pins in a 484-ball FineLine BGA (U484, 19x19 mm) surface-mount package. Built on a low-power 90 nm CMOS SRAM process, the device supports up to 500 MHz internal operation with a 1.2 V core supply, providing a high-density, cost-optimized programmable fabric for high-volume embedded, DSP, and communication designs. A Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a semiconductor device whose logic function is defined after manufacturing by a user-supplied bitstream stored in SRAM configuration cells. The Cyclone II family sits in the hierarchy: FPGA -> programmable logic device (PLD) -> logic IC -> integrated circuit. Compared with CPLDs, FPGAs offer far higher logic density and embedded memory; compared with ASICs, they offer no NRE cost and instant design iteration. The EP2C50 specifically targets the mid-density Cyclone II tier, between EP2C35 (33K LE) and EP2C70 (70K LE), making it suitable for designers who outgrow the EP2C35 but do not need the full EP2C70 fabric. Key features include 50,528 logic elements, 250 M4K embedded memory blocks (each 4 Kbit + parity, total 594 Kbit), up to 86 embedded 18x18 multipliers for DSP, 4 phase-locked loops, and 8 clock networks per quadrant. The device supports multiple I/O standards including LVTTL, LVCMOS, PCI, SSTL, and LVDS, with 294 general-purpose I/O pins exposed through 8 I/O banks for flexible mixed-voltage interfacing. The U484 package offers 484 balls on a 1.0 mm pitch. The 90 nm process and 1.2 V core supply yield typical quiescent power below 1 W in moderate-utilization designs, while the SRAM-based configuration allows unlimited re-programmability via JTAG or Active Serial. Bitstream security is supported through configuration decryption using a 128-bit AES block (in the -C8 speed grade -C6 variant requires external configuration encryption, see datasheet). All Cyclone II devices share the Quartus II design flow, simplifying migration across the family. Typical applications include industrial motor control, video surveillance encoders, low-cost software-defined radio front-ends, and PCI-based data-acquisition cards. The 50K logic-element capacity and 86 hardware multipliers are well matched to mid-tier DSP pipelines and multi-channel baseband processing. Designers also use the EP2C50U484C6 for bridging legacy parallel buses to modern serial protocols in factory automation. A practical design note: the U484 FineLine BGA requires 1.0 mm ball pitch, which is at the limit of cost-effective 4-layer PCB fabrication using laser-drilled microvias. Plan for a 6-layer stack-up with 0.2 mm laser vias or a 4-layer ENIG board with via-in-pad if the design team is unfamiliar with BGA fan-out. Configuration mode selection (AS, PS, JTAG) is set by MSEL pins at power-up and cannot be changed without re-boarding. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in Cyclone II alternatives, and practical BGA-layout design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, giving engineers a single reference for sourcing, second-sourcing, and board-level implementation decisions.
EP2C50U484C6N - Cyclone II FPGA 50K LE | Intel FPGAs
The Intel (formerly Altera) Cyclone II EP2C50U484C6N is a low-cost, high-volume FPGA delivering 50,528 logic elements in a 484-pin Ultra FineLine BGA (UBGA) package. It is built on a 90 nm CMOS process and targets cost-sensitive applications requiring substantial programmable logic without the price of high-end FPGAs. The device operates with a core voltage of 1.2 V and supports I/O standards including LVTTL, LVCMOS, PCI, SSTL, and LVDS. A Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a semiconductor integrated circuit that can be reconfigured by the customer after manufacture to implement arbitrary digital logic. FPGAs occupy a tier between fixed-function ASICs (high NRE cost, low per-unit cost) and microcontrollers (fixed instruction set, lower throughput). The Cyclone II family, the second-generation low-cost FPGA line from Altera/Intel, is widely deployed in industrial control, communications, video processing, and education platforms, balancing logic density, embedded multipliers, and memory blocks against unit price. The EP2C50U484C6N integrates 594,432 bits of embedded RAM distributed across M4K memory blocks and provides 250 DSP blocks for fixed- and floating-point signal processing. The 484-ball UBGA package exposes 294 user I/O pins and supports differential signaling at up to several hundred megabits per second. Clock management is handled by up to four PLLs per device, allowing flexible on-chip frequency synthesis. Cyclone II architecture combines logic array blocks (LABs) with embedded multiplier/adder primitives and a configurable interconnect, enabling high-throughput DSP and datapath designs. The 90 nm process with low-k dielectric and 1.2 V core keeps dynamic power modest, while the I/O ring can be configured per bank to interface with 3.3 V, 2.5 V, 1.8 V, 1.5 V, or 1.2 V domains in the same device. Typical applications include industrial motor control, video and image processing, software-defined radio front-ends, educational development boards, and embedded control prototypes. It is also commonly deployed as a custom bus bridge, protocol converter, or low-volume ASIC replacement in telecom and consumer devices. Designers should plan thermal dissipation by estimating switching power (estimated: P = 0.5 * V * C * f * toggle_rate * density) and provide adequate decoupling. Configuration is loaded via JTAG or Active Serial (AS) mode from a low-cost EPCS serial flash, which keeps bill-of-materials cost low for production units. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-family alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, enabling engineers to compare options and select an FPGA that fits both their performance and cost envelope.
EP2C50U484C7 - Cyclone II FPGA, 50K LE, 484-FBGA | Intel
The Intel (formerly Altera) EP2C50U484C7 is a Cyclone II family Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) built on a 90 nm low-k process, delivering 50,528 logic elements, 594,432 bits of embedded RAM, and 294 user I/O pins in a 484-ball FineLine BGA (U484 / 484-FBGA) package. Speed grade 7 places it in the commercial temperature tier with a core voltage of 1.2 V, making it a cost-optimized programmable logic device for high-volume embedded and industrial designs. A Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a semiconductor integrated circuit whose logic function is defined after manufacturing by the end user. Within the broader taxonomy of digital semiconductors, an FPGA sits alongside ASICs, microcontrollers, and CPLDs; the Cyclone II family specifically targets low-power, high-volume logic integration rather than maximum performance, distinguishing it from the high-end Stratix families. The Cyclone II architecture combines 4-input look-up tables (4-LUTs), embedded memory blocks (M4K), embedded 18x18 multipliers, and a flexible I/O ring supporting LVDS, PCI, and various single-ended standards. Key features of the EP2C50U484C7 include 50,528 logic elements (approximately equivalent to ~50K ASIC gates), 4,488 Kbits (594,432 bits) of embedded RAM in M4K blocks, 172 dedicated 18x18 hardware multipliers for DSP operations, four phase-locked loops (PLLs) for clock synthesis, and 294 user I/O pins distributed across eight I/O banks. The device supports configuration via JTAG, Active Serial, Passive Serial, and Fast Passive Parallel modes, and includes built-in CRC and scrambling for configuration bitstream protection. The Cyclone II architecture was engineered to balance logic density, DSP throughput, and static power. Embedded multipliers eliminate the need for soft DSP cores in many applications, while the PLL-based clock tree supports low-skew distribution across all eight I/O banks. Compared with the earlier Cyclone I family, Cyclone II roughly doubled logic capacity and added true hardware multipliers. Typical applications for the EP2C50U484C7 include industrial motor control, video processing pipelines, telecommunications interface cards, and embedded display controllers. The 50K logic element density is well matched to designs that would otherwise require a small ASIC or a CPLD-plus-microcontroller combination. When designing with this device, ensure your Quartus II (or Intel Quartus Prime) tool flow supports the Cyclone II device family and that the 484-FBGA PCB footprint matches Intel's package guidelines for BGA escape routing and decoupling. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-family alternatives, and practical design considerations for engineers who already have EP2C50U484C7 in their BOM and need a concise, decision-ready reference.
EP2C50U484C7N - Cyclone II FPGA, 50K LE, 484-FBGA | Intel
The Intel (formerly Altera) EP2C50U484C7N is a Cyclone II series Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) delivering 50K logic elements in a 484-ball FineLine BGA (UBGA-484) package, with 594,432 system gates and 50,528 flip-flops. The "C7" speed grade indicates a 7 ns pin-to-pin logic delay at commercial temperature range, with -7 speed-grade internal performance supporting up to approximately 260 MHz logic operation. A Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a reconfigurable semiconductor device that combines programmable logic blocks, programmable interconnects, and I/O blocks on a single die. Within the broader taxonomy, the Cyclone II family belongs to the low-cost FPGA category -> FPGA -> programmable logic device (PLD) -> digital logic IC -> semiconductor. Cyclone II devices are built on a 90-nm low-k dielectric CMOS process and target high-volume, cost-sensitive applications that previously required ASIC implementation. They integrate embedded 18x18 multipliers, M4K RAM blocks, and PLL clock management, providing DSP and memory functions alongside general-purpose logic. Key features include 50,528 logic elements (the headline metric reported in the part number "EP2C50"), 594,432 maximum system gates, 234 Kbits of embedded RAM (M4K blocks), 86 embedded 18x18 multipliers for DSP applications, 4 Phase-Locked Loops (PLLs) for clock synthesis, and 294 user I/O pins supporting multiple I/O standards including LVDS, LVTTL, LVCMOS, PCI, and SSTL. Architecturally, the Cyclone II FPGA employs an SRAM-based configuration cell that requires a configuration device or JTAG loading at power-up. The Logic Array Blocks (LABs) contain 16 Logic Elements (LEs) each, with each LE including a 4-input LUT, a programmable register, and carry chain logic for arithmetic operations. The MultiTrack interconnect architecture minimizes routing congestion for typical designs while preserving timing predictability. Typical applications include digital signal processing (DSP) front-ends, motor control and industrial automation controllers, video processing and image preprocessing pipelines, communications infrastructure line cards, low-cost prototyping and ASIC emulation platforms, and embedded control systems. The 484-FBGA package supports high I/O count designs while maintaining a compact PCB footprint suitable for production volumes. Designers should plan for JTAG-based configuration or use of an Altera/Intel serial configuration device (EPCS) since Cyclone II SRAM cells are volatile. PCB layout must respect the 1.0 mm ball pitch and use microvia technology or careful fanout routing to escape the inner balls. Decoupling capacitors should be placed as close as possible to each power pin pair with separate VCCINT and VCCIO planes recommended. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, providing a decision-ready summary for procurement and engineering teams evaluating the Cyclone II family.