FPGA & CPLD
Products (6358)
EP1M120F484I5N - Mercury 1.8V FPGA 120K LE | Intel (Altera) | 484-FBGA
The Intel (formerly Altera) EP1M120F484I5N is a high-performance Mercury Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) IC from the Mercury family, featuring 303 user I/O pins in a 484-pin FineLine BGA (FCBGA) package at speed grade 5, in industrial temperature grade. It belongs to a high-density programmable logic family with integrated high-speed transceivers supporting clock data recovery (CDR) up to 1.25 gigabits per second (Gbps). An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) is a type of programmable logic device (PLD) that contains an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs) connected via programmable interconnect. FPGAs occupy a position in the digital design hierarchy between ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits) and microcontrollers, offering hardware-level parallelism with software-level reconfigurability. The Mercury family sits within the broader hierarchy: PLD -> FPGA -> high-speed FPGA with transceivers -> programmable logic IC -> semiconductor. FPGAs are widely used where fixed-function ASICs are too costly or inflexible and where CPU performance is insufficient for parallel workloads. Key features of the EP1M120F484I5N include 1.8V core supply (1.71V to 1.89V), 303 user I/Os providing abundant board-level connectivity, integrated transceivers with CDR to 1.25 Gbps for serial protocols, and an industrial temperature rating (-40C to +100C) suitable for non-automotive harsh environments. The 23x23 mm 484-FBGA package supports high pin density while enabling fine-pitch PCB routing. Speed grade 5 indicates a specific timing closure window. Architecture-wise, the Mercury family combines a CMOS logic fabric with embedded transceiver tiles, RAM blocks, and dedicated clock management. The 'I' suffix denotes industrial temperature grade, while the trailing 'N' indicates lead-free / Pb-free termination. Per the family datasheet, Mercury FPGAs target telecom, networking, and high-speed serial I/O applications. Typical applications include telecom line cards, networking switches with SERDES interfaces, industrial control with high-speed I/O, and prototyping for ASIC replacement. Designers choose Mercury FPGAs when 1.25 Gbps CDR capability, abundant user I/O, and industrial temperature grading are required. A key design consideration is PCB BGA fanout: a 484-pin FBGA at 1.0 mm pitch requires microvia (HDI) PCB technology and matched-length routing for the high-speed transceiver pairs. Plan for at least 4 PCB layers with a dedicated ground plane beneath the BGA. This page synthesizes distributor inventory, parametric datasheet data, drop-in alternatives within the Mercury EP1M120 family, and practical design notes that are not aggregated on a single manufacturer or distributor page.
EP1M120F484I6 - Mercury FPGA 49K LE 303 I/O 484-BGA | Altera
The Altera EP1M120F484I6 is a Mercury family Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) IC from the Mercury programmable logic device (PLD) family, integrating 49,152 logic elements, 480 Kbits of embedded memory, 480 LABs, and 303 user I/Os into a 484-ball FineLine BGA package (FCBGA, 484-BBGA). The part is specified at the -6 speed grade and operates across the industrial 0C to +85C temperature range from a 1.8 V core supply. What is an FPGA? An FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is a class of programmable logic device (PLD) that lets engineers configure digital logic blocks, interconnect, and I/O after fabrication using HDL flows such as VHDL or Verilog. FPGAs sit between fixed-function ASICs (lower cost at volume, but no post-fabrication flexibility) and microcontrollers (sequential software-driven logic) in the digital design hierarchy. The Mercury family specifically adds integrated high-speed transceivers with embedded clock-data-recovery (CDR) supporting data rates up to 1.25 Gbps, which is unusual for this density class and made the part attractive for serial-protocol bridging and telecom line-card designs. Key differentiating features include embedded CDR-based transceivers to 1.25 Gbps, 4 transceiver channels at 1.25 Gbps on EP1M120 devices (with EP1M350 extending up to 8 channels at 1.25 Gbps), 8 channels at 1.0 Gbps or less on remaining links, on-chip memory, and full Quartus II design-flow support including HDL/schematic entry, synthesis, full simulation, worst-case timing analysis, SignalTap logic analysis, and device configuration. The 484-ball FineLine BGA package provides high I/O density for memory-bus-heavy and parallel-interface designs. The Mercury family architecture combines a sea-of-logic fabric with dedicated high-speed serial I/O, allowing a single device to bridge parallel bus logic to multi-gigabit serial links - a pattern commonly seen in early-2000s telecom backhaul, base-station line cards, and storage bridging cards. Quartus II support with worst-case timing closure makes static timing analysis tractable for industrial designs. Typical applications include telecommunications line cards and serial backplanes, industrial networking switches and routers, storage bridging and protocol conversion cards, test and measurement instrumentation with embedded CDR-based serial interfaces, and prototyping or migration paths from ASIC to FPGA. Designers typically pair the part with external PHY devices, DDR memory controllers, and clock-generation ICs such as the Altera CY22150 or IDT ICS clock trees. When designing with the EP1M120F484I6, account for the 1.8 V core supply sequencing, provide clean PLL reference clocks, and respect the BGA escape routing for 303 user I/Os - a 4-to-6 layer PCB with microvia stackups is recommended. The Mercury family has reached end-of-life from Altera/Intel; verify long-term availability and consider Cyclone or newer Altera families for new designs.
EP1M120F484I6M - Mercury FPGA, 120K LE, 484-FCBGA | Altera
The Altera (Intel) EP1M120F484I6M is a high-density Mercury-family Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) delivering 120,000 logic elements, 303 LABs/CLBs, 49,152 flip-flops, and 4,800 Kbits of embedded memory in a 484-ball Fine-pitch Chip-Scale BGA (FCBGA) package at industrial temperature grade with -6 speed grade. The Mercury family targets high-speed serial interface, parallel processing, and ASIC-prototyping designs where deterministic logic density and abundant I/O bandwidth are required. Background: an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is a configurable logic IC that combines programmable logic blocks, programmable interconnect, and dedicated hard IP such as memory blocks, PLLs, LVDS I/O, and (in modern families) transceivers. FPGAs occupy the top of the programmable-logic hierarchy alongside CPLDs, and sit between fixed-function ASICs and software-defined DSPs in the broader semiconductor taxonomy. The Mercury family in particular emphasizes high-speed LVDS I/O and external memory interfaces rather than integrated multi-gigabit transceivers. Key features of the EP1M120F484I6M include 480,000 system gates (typical), 480 Kbits (4,800 Kb) of embedded RAM, support for multiple I/O standards including LVTTL, LVCMOS, SSTL, HSTL, and LVDS, dedicated PLL-based clock management blocks, and a JTAG/IEEE 1149.1 boundary-scan test interface. The -6 speed grade specifies the slowest commercial/industrial timing bin in the Mercury line, while the I suffix denotes the industrial -40C to +100C operating junction temperature range; the trailing M typically denotes a specific mask/revision or lead-free RoHS-compliant variant consistent with Altera's part-number conventions. Architecture: the device is built on a 0.18 um CMOS process with a look-up-table-based logic fabric, distributed and block RAM, and a hierarchical routing network. Performance analysis: the Mercury family achieves system clock rates exceeding 200 MHz in pipelined datapaths and supports external DDR SRAM/SDRAM at full throughput. Typical applications include high-speed serial backplane bridging, telecom datapath processing, ASIC prototyping and emulation, industrial imaging front-ends, and military/aerospace signal-processing boards where the FCBGA package's thermal and pin-density advantages outweigh the cost of fine-pitch PCB assembly. Design consideration: the 484-ball FCBGA uses 1.0 mm pitch which requires high-density PCB stack-up with buried vias, microvia-in-pad or HDI construction, and matched-length routing for LVDS pairs; signal-integrity simulation is mandatory before layout freeze. Power sequencing on Mercury devices requires well-defined 1.5V core / 3.3V aux supply ramp order; consult the manufacturer datasheet before finalizing the power tree. This page synthesizes distributor stock and pricing, mask/revision drop-in alternatives within the Mercury family, and practical board-design notes that supplement the manufacturer datasheet.
EP1M120F484I6N - Mercury FPGA, 120K Gates, 484-FBGA | Intel
The Intel EP1M120F484I6N is a high-performance Mercury-family Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) housed in a 484-ball FineLine BGA (FBGA) package, delivering approximately 120,000 system gates and 4,800 logic elements/cells. The device integrates up to 49,152 RAM bits, 303 user I/Os, and high-speed transceivers supporting clock data recovery (CDR) up to 1.25 Gbps, all operating from a 1.8V core supply with an industrial 0C to +85C temperature grade. A Field Programmable Gate Array is a semiconductor device built around an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs), programmable interconnect, and dedicated I/O and memory resources that engineers can re-program after manufacture. FPGAs sit in the broader hierarchy of programmable logic devices (PLDs) -> programmable logic -> digital logic ICs -> integrated circuits, distinguishing themselves from CPLDs by offering higher logic density, embedded Block RAM, and hardened transceiver/PLL silicon for parallel and serial data-path designs. The Mercury architecture combines Look-Up Table (LUT)-based logic with distributed and block memory, providing 12 LABs (Logic Array Blocks) per row and on-chip CDR-assisted serial channels for low-jitter serial I/O. Embedded PLLs multiply and condition reference clocks, while per-pin LVDS/LVCMOS/LVTTL support and high-speed row-I/O buffers simplify interfacing to DDR-style memory and parallel ADC/DAC buses. The 484-FBGA package exposes the full user-I/O count and high-speed serial channels while keeping board area manageable for high-density designs. Typical applications for the EP1M120F484I6N include high-speed serial-interface bridging, custom protocol conversion, glue logic in DSP pipelines, and parallel data-acquisition front-ends. With 49,152 RAM bits the device can absorb multi-byte FIFOs for rate matching between asynchronous clock domains, and the 1.25 Gbps CDR-capable transceivers enable backplane links, multi-gigabit serial fan-out, and telecom-grade line-card glue logic. A key design consideration is the 0C to +85C commercial/industrial temperature window versus the -40C to +85C extended-industrial grade; pick the EP1M120F484I6N for benign, controlled-thermal environments such as lab instrumentation and indoor telecom shelves, and reserve the wider-grade sibling for outdoor or automotive-adjacent deployments. This page synthesizes Mercury family variant coverage, drop-in alternatives, parametric comparisons, and practical PCB thermal guidance not consolidated in any single manufacturer or distributor datasheet.
EP1M120F484I7 - Mercury FPGA 120K Gates 484-BGA | Altera
The Altera (Intel Programmable Solutions Group) EP1M120F484I7 is a Mercury-family mask-programmed logic device built on a CMOS process, integrating approximately 120,000 usable gates into a 484-ball FineLine BGA package. As a member of the Altera Mercury PLD family, it combines high-density programmable logic with a structured ASIC-style architecture optimized for high-volume cost reduction. The part is specified for industrial temperature operation (-40C to +85C) and is supplied in a 484-ball plastic BGA. What is a Mercury PLD? A Mercury programmable logic device (PLD) is a mask-programmed equivalent of an SRAM-based Altera APEX-class FPGA. Instead of being configured by an external configuration PROM at every power-up, the Mercury device is metal-mask programmed at the wafer fab, so its logic fabric is fixed for the lifetime of the part. This makes Mercury parts cheaper per unit at high volumes and instant-on at power-up, at the cost of zero field reconfigurability. Mercury devices sit in the ASIC replacement layer of the programmable logic taxonomy: programmable logic device (PLD) -> mask-programmed PLD -> Mercury family -> ASIC-equivalent structured array. Key features include approximately 120,000 usable gates, a 484-ball FineLine BGA package, industrial-grade -40C to +85C operating temperature, mask-programmed one-time configuration, and a CMOS core optimized for low static power. The Mercury architecture shares its logic element and routing fabric with the SRAM APEX 20KE family, but converts the SRAM configuration cells into via-mask programmed connections during fabrication. The EP1M120F484I7 is best understood as a cost-down ASIC alternative. Designers develop their logic on the equivalent SRAM-based APEX 20KE device using Quartus, then migrate to a Mercury part for volume production. The mask-programmed routing eliminates the bitstream loader, the configuration PROM, and the long SRAM-configuration power-up delay, simplifying board design. Typical applications include high-volume consumer electronics glue logic, networking line-card control planes, industrial machine controllers, automotive body and chassis ECUs (where instant-on is required), and any high-volume product where the design is finalized and per-unit BOM cost dominates the engineering cost. The industrial temperature grade also supports outdoor telecom and building automation. When designing with this device, plan the mask-program step at the wafer fabrication stage: any logic change after mask generation requires a new mask set and a new part number, so design verification must be fully closed on the SRAM prototype before ordering Mercury parts. Also confirm that the Quartus project targets the APEX 20KE EP1K100 or EP1K50 equivalent so the bitstream-to-mask conversion is unambiguous.
EP1M120F484I7N - Mercury 120K FPGA, 484-BGA | Intel / Altera
The Intel / Altera EP1M120F484I7N is a member of the Mercury PLD family, delivering approximately 120,000 gates of programmable logic in a 484-pin FineLine BGA (FCBGA) package. It is part of Altera's 1.8V low-power FPGA lineup and provides 303 user I/O pins, 49,152 logic elements (LEs), and 4,800 embedded RAM bits, making it suitable for high-density glue-logic and parallel processing tasks. A Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a type of programmable logic device (PLD) - within the broader semiconductor taxonomy: FPGA -> PLD -> logic IC -> integrated circuit. FPGAs contain an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs) connected via programmable interconnect, allowing designers to implement custom digital circuits after manufacturing. Mercury devices specifically target high-speed, low-power applications using a 0.18 µm six-layer metal process with embedded memory and dedicated clock networks. Key features include a 1.8V core supply (VCCINT) with 3.3V/2.5V multi-voltage I/O support, dedicated True-LVDS circuitry, four phase-locked loops (PLLs) for clock management, and support for high-speed interfaces including LVDS, SSTL, and HSTL I/O standards. The device operates over the industrial temperature range (-40C to +100C) with a -7 speed grade. Embedded array blocks (EABs) provide efficient on-chip memory for FIFO, ROM, and RAM functions, while the RAM block capacity supports single-port and dual-port memory configurations. Typical applications include telecommunications line cards, industrial control and factory automation, video processing pipelines, high-speed serial bridging, and ASIC prototyping. The Mercury family's high I/O count and low-power 1.8V operation make it well-suited for I/O-intensive designs where board space and power budget are constrained. When designing with this device, ensure proper decoupling with 0.1 µF and 10 µF capacitors placed close to each power pin. The FineLine BGA package requires careful PCB layout with controlled-impedance traces and matched-length routing for LVDS pairs to maintain signal integrity at high toggle rates.
EP1M120F484I8 - Mercury 120K FPGA, 484-FBGA | Intel / Altera
The Intel / Altera (formerly Altera) EP1M120F484I8 is a Mercury PLD family Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) IC delivering 120,000 typical gates (4,800 Logic Elements / 49,152 RAM bits) in a 484-ball FineLine BGA (FCBGA) package. It is built on a 1.8 V core process with 303 user I/O pins and operates across the industrial temperature range (-40C to +100C) at speed grade 8. An FPGA is a programmable logic device that contains an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs) connected by programmable interconnect, allowing engineers to implement arbitrary digital circuits after manufacturing. FPGAs sit hierarchically above standard logic ICs and below ASICs, offering ASIC-class performance at low NRE cost for prototyping, low-volume production, and rapidly evolving standards. The Mercury family specifically targets high-speed serial I/O applications, integrating up to 18 high-speed transceiver channels supporting data rates up to 1.25 Gbps per channel. Key features of the EP1M120F484I8 include 120,000 typical gates, 49,152 bits of embedded SRAM, 4,800 logic elements, and a maximum of 303 user I/O pins. The device supports multiple I/O standards (LVTTL, LVCMOS, PCI, GTL+, SSTL) and integrates dedicated high-speed transceiver blocks. The 484-ball FineLine BGA package supports industrial-grade thermal and reliability requirements. The 'I8' suffix denotes the industrial temperature grade with speed grade 8, the second-fastest speed bin in the Mercury family. Architecturally, the EP1M120F484I8 uses a SRAM-based configuration cell backed by LUT-based logic elements, with embedded multiplier and memory blocks optimized for DSP and data-path acceleration. The 1.8 V core reduces power consumption relative to earlier 2.5 V families while the transceiver blocks maintain signal-integrity performance up to 1.25 Gbps. Typical applications include high-speed serial interface bridging, telecom backplane aggregation, optical transport networking, and embedded DSP prototyping. The Mercury family's transceiver focus makes the EP1M120F484I8 particularly well suited to protocols such as Gigabit Ethernet, SONET/SDH, and Fibre Channel where multi-channel serial I/O is required. When designing with this part, ensure a configuration source is provided (EPCS serial flash or microcontroller) and that the four transceiver supply rails (VCCA, VCC_PLL, VCC_TX, VCC_RX) are properly decoupled. Designers should also confirm that the industrial temperature profile (-40C to +100C) covers the target application envelope, as commercial parts carry a different operating range. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-family alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
EP1M120F486I6 - 486-Pin Mercury FPGA | Altera | Embedded Logic
Altera EP1M120F486I6 is a Mercury programmable logic device in a 486-ball FineLine BGA package, intended for embedded logic designs requiring reconfigurable digital circuitry. The verified source material identifies the part as an Altera Mercury PLD and associates the EP1M120F486I6 ordering code with the -6 speed grade and an industrial-oriented suffix designation. The available evidence does not provide a verified logic-element count, memory capacity, I/O count, core voltage, operating temperature, or package dimensions for this exact ordering code, so those values remain explicitly marked for validation. A field-programmable gate array is a semiconductor device whose logic functions are defined through programmable configuration rather than fixed mask-level interconnection. FPGAs occupy the programmable-logic branch of digital integrated circuits and provide a hardware hierarchy ranging from configurable logic blocks to programmable interconnect, I/O elements, configuration memory, and system-level interfaces. Mercury devices are presented in the source material as a programmable-logic family; EP1M120F486I6 is the industrial-grade, -6-speed member identified for this product record. The principal verified ordering details are the EP1M120F486I6 MPN, the Altera brand identity, the Mercury PLD family association, the 486-ball FineLine BGA package reference, and the -6 speed-grade notation. The MPN structure is useful during procurement: the family name identifies the device family, F486 indicates the package-related ordering variant, I indicates the industrial-oriented ordering designation in the supplied record, and 6 indicates the speed grade. The supplied search results also identify a 484-BBGA EP1M120F484I6 variant, but it is not treated as a drop-in equivalent because the package designation differs. From a system-design perspective, the device belongs to a programmable-logic architecture and should be evaluated using the manufacturer's complete EP1M120 documentation before schematic release. Configuration methodology, supported I/O standards, available user I/O, embedded memory, clock resources, power sequencing, and package-ball assignments must be confirmed from the official device documentation. The search results provide an EP1M120 datasheet link hosted by AllDataSheet and an Altera-semi PDF result for a related EP1M120F484I6 ordering code; neither source confirms every electrical characteristic of EP1M120F486I6. Typical procurement and design uses include industrial control logic, communications equipment, test hardware, instrumentation, and embedded systems that need field-updatable digital processing. The device is especially relevant where a programmable implementation is preferred over a fixed-function ASIC or where late-stage logic changes are expected. Because exact electrical and timing data are not present in the supplied snippets, a replacement decision should not rely solely on the partial web results. When selecting this part, verify the exact package drawing, ball map, supported configuration interface, voltage rails, thermal limits, and speed-grade timing tables from the manufacturer datasheet. Do not infer that the 484-ball EP1M120F484I6 can replace the 486-ball target without a pin-by-pin and package comparison. This page distinguishes verified ordering information from missing engineering data and avoids presenting cross-package or unverified drop-in substitutions.
EP1M120F48I6 - Mercury FPGA 120K Gates 4800 Cells | Intel/Altera
The Intel/Altera EP1M120F48I6 is a Mercury-family Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) delivering 120,000 system gates and 4,800 logic elements in a 484-ball FineLine BGA (FCBGA) package, operating from the industrial temperature range. Built on a 1.8V core with 0.18µm process technology, this -6 speed grade device is engineered for high-performance, logic-intensive designs requiring embedded memory and high-speed serial I/O. An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) is a type of programmable logic device (PLD) that allows engineers to implement custom digital circuits after manufacturing. FPGAs belong to the hierarchy: FPGA -> Programmable Logic Device -> Logic IC -> Integrated Circuit -> Semiconductor. The Mercury family, released by Altera in the early 2000s, was one of the first Altera FPGAs to integrate dedicated high-speed serial transceiver channels alongside traditional programmable logic fabric, enabling applications such as telecom backplanes, serial Rapid I/O, and custom high-speed interfaces that previously required expensive ASICs. Key features of the EP1M120F48I6 include up to 8 high-speed transceiver channels capable of 1.25 Gbps operation (with the remaining channels supporting up to 1.0 Gbps), 303 user I/O pins, an embedded memory subsystem, and a -6 industrial temperature grade spanning -40°C to +100°C. The device supports multiple I/O standards including LVTTL, LVCMOS, PCI, and LVDS for flexible board-level interfacing. The 484-ball FCBGA package with 1.0mm ball pitch is suitable for high-density PCB designs using standard BGA assembly processes. Architecturally, the Mercury family combines a lookup-table-based logic fabric with embedded transceiver macros, dedicated clock management circuitry, and dual-port RAM blocks. The transceiver macros incorporate serializer/deserializer, clock-data recovery, and word alignment logic, significantly simplifying designs that previously required external PHY chips. Typical applications for the EP1M120F48I6 include telecom line cards, custom serial RapidIO bridges, high-speed serial protocol converters, optical transport equipment, and military/aerospace signal-processing subsystems where industrial temperature grade and reconfigurable logic provide clear advantages over fixed ASIC solutions. When designing with this FPGA, allocate sufficient PCB layers for transceiver routing - the high-speed serial channels require controlled impedance (typically 50Ω differential) and length-matched traces within the same channel group to maintain signal integrity. Decoupling requires multiple bulk and ceramic capacitors placed adjacent to each power pin. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, pin-compatible drop-in alternatives from the same Mercury family, and practical design notes not found in the original manufacturer datasheet.
EP1M350B780C6 - 350K Gate Mercury FPGA 780-Pin BGA | Altera
The Altera EP1M350B780C6 is a member of the Altera Mercury PLD family of programmable logic devices, integrating approximately 350,000 gates of logic fabric in a 780-pin FineLine BGA package. This device targets high-performance, high-bandwidth digital designs where parallel processing and deterministic timing are required. A Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a type of programmable logic device (PLD) that combines logic blocks, programmable interconnect, I/O elements, and embedded memory into a single semiconductor die. FPGAs occupy the upper tier of programmable logic - above CPLDs and SPLDs - and serve as flexible hardware platforms between general-purpose microcontrollers and fixed ASICs. The Mercury family extends this concept by adding dedicated high-speed serial interface circuitry and embedded transceiver blocks optimized for serial backplane and telecom data-path applications. Key features of the EP1M350B780C6 include 350K typical gates (approximately 200K logic elements + dedicated memory and PLL), embedded array blocks (EABs) for RAM/ROM/dual-port memory functions, multiple phase-locked loops (PLLs) for clock management, and high-speed I/O capable of LVDS/LVTTL signalling. The 780-pin FineLine BGA package exposes roughly 488 user I/O pins with rich pin-swappable I/O standards, allowing dense board layouts while preserving signal integrity. The peak reflow temperature rating of 220 C (per the verified distributor records) makes it compatible with standard lead-free SMT assembly profiles. Architecture-wise, the Mercury family uses a Lookup Table (LUT) based logic element array combined with row/column interconnect, similar to other Altera APEX/Stratix-family predecessors, but enhanced with embedded transceiver macros and CDR circuitry for serial data rates up to 1.25 Gbps per channel. The -6 speed grade balances logic throughput versus static power, sitting between -7 (faster, more leakage) and -8 (slower) grades in the family ordering. Typical applications for the EP1M350B780C6 include custom telecom line-card designs, serial backplane aggregation, high-speed protocol bridging (SPI 4.2, UTOPIA, POS-PHY), industrial machine-vision frame grabbers, and high-throughput signal-processing prototypes. Designers also use it in software-defined radio (SDR) front-ends and legacy ASIC-replacement programmes where Altera MAX/Quartus tool flow compatibility matters. When designing with this device, plan power-rail sequencing carefully - the core, I/O, and PLL supplies each require a known-good ramp profile before I/O tri-state is released. Use Altera's Quartus II or MAX+PLUS II tool flow for fitting, place-and-route, and timing closure; older Mercury designs remain supported in Altera/Intel FPGA legacy tool chains. This page synthesizes distributor pricing snapshots, same-family pin-compatible Mercury drop-in alternatives, and practical layout notes that complement the manufacturer datasheet rather than duplicate it.
EP1M350B780C7 - 350K Gates Mercury FPGA, 780-Pin BGA | Altera
The Altera (now Intel) EP1M350B780C7 is a member of the Mercury FPGA family, delivering 350,000 system gates in a 780-ball FineLine BGA package. It is a high-density programmable logic IC designed for high-performance digital signal processing, telecommunications, and embedded compute applications where deterministic logic density and abundant I/O are required. The Mercury family introduced Altera's first-generation multi-gigabit serial transceiver capability integrated into a general-purpose FPGA fabric. A Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a semiconductor IC built around an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs), programmable interconnects, and dedicated hard IP blocks such as transceivers, memory blocks, and DSP slices. Within the broader taxonomy, an FPGA sits under programmable logic devices (PLD), which themselves fall under the integrated circuit (IC) / semiconductor hierarchy. FPGAs occupy a unique design position: they deliver ASIC-class performance and parallel processing throughput while retaining in-system reprogrammability, making them ideal for prototyping, low-volume production, and designs requiring post-deployment field updates. Key features of the EP1M350B780C7 include 350K equivalent system gates, multi-gigabit transceivers operating up to 1.25 Gbps, embedded LVDS-compatible I/O supporting DDR memory interfaces, a maximum user I/O count enabled by the large 780-ball BGA, and a 1.5 V core voltage with 3.3 V I/O tolerance. The device also supports Altera's SOPC Builder and Quartus II development flow, providing toolchain maturity for industrial and telecommunications designs. Technically, the Mercury family pairs a 4-input LUT-based logic fabric with embedded transceiver macros and dual-port RAM blocks. This architecture targets high-speed serial backplane links, protocol bridging, and high-throughput data-path applications. Compared with lower-density ACEX/MAX families, the Mercury family's integrated transceivers eliminate the need for external SERDES components, simplifying board design and reducing BOM cost for multi-gigabit interfaces. Typical applications include multi-gigabit serial backplane links, SONET/SDH framer interfaces, high-speed protocol bridges (PCI-X, RapidIO), telecommunications line cards, and DSP co-processing for wireless base stations. The 780-ball BGA package provides the routing escape and I/O density required for these high-pin-count designs. Designers should note the Mercury family has been in production for a long time and may carry NRND or last-time-buy status at certain distributors. Verify current lifecycle via the manufacturer's PCN search before committing to new designs. Always use the latest Quartus II service pack for bitstream generation to avoid known hardware/software errata. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternative cross-references, and practical design notes not found in the standalone manufacturer datasheet, providing engineers with the cross-shopping context needed for supply chain resilience.
EP1M350B780I6 - Altera Mercury 350 FPGA, BGA-780, -40C/+100C | Altera
The Altera EP1M350B780I6 is a high-density Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) from the legacy Mercury (EP1M) programmable logic family, supplied in a 780-ball FineLine BGA package (designator B780) with industrial temperature grade -40C to +100C (suffix "I6"). It is built on SRAM-based configuration technology with on-chip flash-backed configuration support typical of the Enhanced Configuration Device line, delivering high gate count and rich DSP/embedded-memory resources for high-performance digital signal processing applications. A Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a type of programmable logic device (PLD) that combines configurable logic blocks (CLBs), programmable interconnects, and dedicated silicon resources such as block RAM, multipliers/DSP blocks, and high-speed transceivers into a single semiconductor die. Within the broader component taxonomy, FPGAs sit above generic logic ICs and below Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), occupying the "hardware-reconfigurable" tier of the digital IC hierarchy. The Altera Mercury family specifically targets high-speed signal processing with embedded multiplier blocks and LVDS-capable I/O, suitable for telecom, video, and DSP pipelines. Key features of the EP1M350B780I6 include its 780-ball FineLine BGA package providing high I/O density, an industrial-grade operating temperature window of -40C to +100C (denoted by the "I" temperature designator and "6" speed grade), a peak reflow temperature rating of 220C compatible with lead-free SMT assembly, and configuration support through the Altera Enhanced Configuration scheme (multi-bit serial/parallel, JTAG). The part is qualified for surface-mount production with MSL handling per JEDEC J-STD-020. Mercury-family FPGAs implement a sea-of-LABs architecture with embedded array blocks (EABs) for memory functions and dedicated DSP rows. The configuration controller integrates with Altera's Quartus II design flow, accepting compiled SRAM configuration bitstreams via JTAG, serial, or parallel modes. The on-die flash controller (where present on Mercury variants) enables single-chip, instant-on operation without an external configuration PROM. Typical applications include high-speed DSP datapaths in telecom baseband cards, video processing and imaging front-ends, industrial control and instrumentation, military/aerospace signal processing subsystems, and prototyping bridges for ASIC emulation. The BGA-780 footprint is well-suited to high-density backplane or line-card layouts where LVDS and parallel I/O bandwidth dominate. When designing with this device, ensure the PCB accommodates the 1.0 mm or 1.27 mm pitch BGA land pattern with proper microvia stack-up, and observe the 220C peak reflow limit for lead-free profile compliance. Power estimation should be performed early using Quartus II PowerPlay to size decoupling and thermal relief. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and design notes not consolidated in the original manufacturer datasheet.
EP1M350F672C7 - Mercury PLD FPGA 350K Gates | Intel/Altera
The Altera (now Intel) EP1M350F672C7 is a Mercury-family programmable logic device (PLD) delivering approximately 350,000 system gates of logic capacity in a 672-ball FineLine BGA package. It belongs to Altera's APEX Mercury PLD family, which combines high-density SRAM-based look-up tables (LUTs) with embedded memory and LVDS-capable I/O for high-bandwidth signal processing designs. A Programmable Logic Device (PLD) is a general term for any digital integrated circuit whose logic function is defined by the customer rather than the mask set. The Mercury family is built on a 0.18-micrometer SRAM-based CMOS process with an embedded 4-input LUT architecture and dual-port RAM blocks, allowing logic functions to be reconfigured in-system at any time. FPGAs sit at the top of the digital logic hierarchy: programmable logic > PLD > CPLD > FPGA > SRAM-based FPGA > Mercury family. Key features include up to 350K usable gates, multiple embedded system blocks (ESBs), dedicated LVDS I/O support, and a clock management subsystem with up to four phase-locked loops (PLLs). The 672-pin FineLine BGA package exposes a high pin count to drive wide parallel buses and dozens of high-speed serial links, while the -7 speed grade designates a mid-range timing closure target for cost-sensitive commercial designs. The Mercury architecture pairs logic elements with embedded memory blocks and dedicated multiplier support, allowing DSP-style datapaths to be implemented without consuming logic resources for arithmetic primitives. Multi-voltage I/O banks support interfacing to 3.3V, 2.5V, and 1.8V peripherals on the same die, simplifying mixed-voltage system design. Typical applications include telecom line-card glue logic, high-speed serial protocol bridging, image preprocessing pipelines, and digital test instrumentation backplanes. The wide package makes it suitable as a system controller on PCI, PMC, and custom mezzanine cards in industrial and defense platforms. When designing with this device, plan power sequencing for the 1.5V core and 3.3V I/O rails simultaneously, and ensure the JTAG chain is correctly ordered with any boundary-scan devices on the board. The FineLine BGA requires X-ray or careful optical inspection after reflow to verify sphere collapse. This page consolidates distributor inventory signals, drop-in Mercury-family alternatives, and design notes not duplicated in the manufacturer datasheet, helping engineers shorten sourcing time and avoid cross-package pitfalls.
EP1M350F672C7N - Altera Mercury PLD Configuration Device | 672-BGA
The Altera EP1M350F672C7N is a member of the Mercury PLD family, an enhanced configuration device designed as a single-device, high-speed configuration solution for very high-density SRAM-based FPGAs. Housed in a 672-pin FineLine BGA package, it integrates a dedicated configuration controller with on-chip flash memory, eliminating the need for external boot PROMs in many Altera FPGA designs. The device targets configuration of LUT-based SRAM FPGAs such as the APEX and Mercury device families. A configuration device is a non-volatile memory IC that stores the FPGA bitstream and serially delivers it to the target FPGA at power-up through a standardized configuration interface (typically JTAG or passive serial). Within the broader component hierarchy, configuration devices sit between PROM memory and FPGA companion silicon: they are application-specific flash memories with a state machine optimized for FPGA configuration protocols rather than general-purpose storage. The Mercury family is the enhanced-generation successor to Altera's earlier EPC configuration devices, supporting faster configuration clocks and larger bitstream capacities. Key features include 3.5 Mbit of configuration storage capacity (the '350' designator in the part number), 672-ball FineLine BGA packaging, industrial temperature grade option support, and a 7ns access time tier. The device operates from a 3.3V core supply and supports multi-device daisy-chaining for configuration of multiple FPGAs in parallel. Compared to discrete flash + controller implementations, the EP1M350F672C7N provides a verified single-chip solution that has been characterized by Altera for compatibility with their FPGA configuration engines. Typical applications include configuring Altera APEX 20K, APEX II, and Mercury FPGA families, factory programming of FPGA development boards, and embedded systems requiring field-upgradable FPGA logic via JTAG. The industrial temperature range makes the part suitable for telecom infrastructure and industrial control platforms. When designing with this device, engineers should verify JTAG chain compatibility with the target FPGA, confirm voltage level matching (the EP1M350F672C7N uses 3.3V I/O), and ensure the 672-BGA land pattern is manufacturable on the target PCB. Modern Altera/Intel FPGA families (Cyclone, Arria, Stratix) have moved to different configuration schemes and newer configuration devices such as EPCQ-A, making this part most relevant for legacy and second-source designs.
EP1M350F780-C7 - Mercury 1440-LAB FPGA, 486 I/O, 1.25Gbps CDR BGA-780
The Altera (Intel) EP1M350F780-C7 is a high-performance Mercury-family programmable logic device (PLD) with 1440 logic array blocks, 486 user I/Os, and integrated multi-gigabit transceivers supporting clock data recovery up to 1.25 Gbps, housed in a 780-ball FineLine BGA package. A Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a reconfigurable semiconductor that allows hardware designers to implement custom digital logic after manufacturing. FPGAs sit within the programmable logic hierarchy: PLD -> CPLD -> FPGA -> structured ASIC. Unlike fixed-function ASICs, FPGAs are programmed via configuration bitstreams stored in SRAM cells, enabling rapid prototyping, in-field upgrades, and hardware emulation of complex digital systems such as bus interfaces, DSP pipelines, and high-speed serial links. Key specifications include: 1440 logic array blocks (LABs), 486 user I/Os, integrated high-speed transceivers (CDR) supporting 8 channels at 1.25 Gbps with the remaining 10 channels limited to 1.0 Gbps or less, -7 commercial speed grade, 1.8V core supply, and 0 to 85 degrees C commercial operating temperature range. The device is fabricated on a CMOS process with SRAM-based configuration memory. Architecturally, the Mercury family combines a 4-input look-up table (LUT) fabric with embedded multiplier/accumulator blocks, dedicated LVDS serializer/deserializer (SERDES) channels, and clock management tiles that together provide the throughput needed for telecom backplanes, video bridges, and embedded computing applications. The BGA-780 FineLine package supports 486 usable I/Os while preserving signal integrity at multi-gigabit data rates. Typical applications include high-speed serial interface bridges, telecom line card prototyping, industrial imaging pipelines, and embedded processing subsystems that require parallel logic with selective high-speed serial links. When designing with this device, ensure PCB designers follow the FineLine BGA breakout pattern with matched-length differential routing on all CDR channels, and reserve sufficient decoupling capacitance near every power pin to meet the 1.8V core supply tolerance under dynamic load. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives from the Mercury and ACEX families, and practical design considerations not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
EP1M350F78016 - Mercury PLD FPGA, 780-BGA | Intel / Altera
The Intel (formerly Altera) EP1M350F78016 is a member of the Mercury PLD family of high-performance FPGAs, packaged in a 780-ball FineLine BGA (FCBGA) and rated for industrial temperature operation. It integrates 486 user I/O pins and is fabricated on a sub-micron CMOS process optimized for high-speed logic and memory implementation. The Mercury family targets networking, telecommunications, and high-end DSP applications where deterministic timing and high I/O density are essential. A Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a type of programmable logic device (PLD) that combines a configurable logic block (CLB) array, programmable interconnect, and embedded memory into a single semiconductor IC. FPGAs sit in the taxonomy of digital logic ICs: PLD -> FPGA -> SRAM-based FPGA -> Mercury family. Unlike fixed-function ASICs, FPGAs allow full in-system reconfiguration, making them ideal for prototyping, low-volume production, and applications requiring field upgrades. The Mercury PLD family in particular uses a 4-input look-up table (LUT) architecture with embedded system blocks. Key features of the EP1M350F78016 include 486 I/O pins distributed across multiple I/O banks, support for multiple I/O standards (LVTTL, LVCMOS, PCI, GTL+, HSTL, SSTL), and embedded memory blocks suitable for FIFO and RAM implementations. The device supports in-system programming via the IEEE 1149.1 (JTAG) interface and offers multi-volt core and I/O operation. The 780-BGA package provides high-density interconnect routing with controlled-impedance signal paths. The Mercury architecture separates logic from routing using a segmented interconnect network, which improves timing predictability and reduces signal skew. Designers can implement up to several hundred thousand system gates depending on the specific Mercury variant, and the device supports dedicated multiplier/accumulator blocks for DSP functions. Configuration is loaded from external serial or parallel memory at power-up. Typical applications of the EP1M350F78016 include high-speed network routers and switches, telecommunications line cards, baseband signal processing for wireless infrastructure, and high-performance data acquisition systems. The device is also used in industrial automation controllers requiring deterministic logic and in test equipment where high I/O counts are needed to interface with multiple buses. Compared to older MAX 7000-series CPLDs, the Mercury family offers significantly higher logic density and integrated memory. When designing with the EP1M350F78016, ensure the PCB has matched-length traces and proper impedance termination for high-speed signals, and provide sufficient decoupling (100 nF + 10 uF per power pin cluster). Plan configuration memory selection early, since the device requires a specific configuration bitstream generated by the Altera/Intel Quartus toolchain. This page synthesizes pricing, lifecycle status, and pin-compatible alternatives not consolidated on any single distributor page.
EP1M350F780C5 - 350K LE Mercury FPGA with 1.25 Gbps CDR | Altera
The Altera EP1M350F780C5 is a high-performance programmable logic device from the Mercury device family, integrating 1.25 Gbps clock-data recovery (CDR) transceivers and approximately 350,000 logic elements in a 780-ball FineLine BGA package. It operates from a 1.71 V to 1.89 V core supply and provides 486 user I/O pins, making it suitable for high-speed serial interface bridging and protocol conversion between backplanes and parallel ASIC/ASSP logic. The C5 speed grade delivers the highest performance tier in the family, targeting designs that need both rich LUT-based fabric and multi-gigabit serial links on a single die. An FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is a programmable logic device (PLD) built from an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs), embedded memory blocks, DSP blocks, and a programmable interconnect, all wired up by SRAM configuration bits. FPGAs sit in the broader hierarchy of programmable logic devices -> complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs) -> FPGAs -> SoC FPGAs, and they occupy the high-density, high-performance tier of the semiconductor ecosystem. Unlike ASICs they are fully re-programmable, which makes them ideal for prototyping, low-volume production, and designs where time-to-market outweighs per-unit cost. The Mercury family's distinguishing feature is integrated CDR support up to 1.25 Gbps per channel, eliminating the need for external physical-layer devices in many serial backplane, Fibre Channel, gigabit Ethernet, and RapidIO applications. Combined with the EP1M350F780C5's high LUT count and 486 user I/Os, designers can implement both the physical-layer glue and the application-layer protocol on a single device, reducing board area, BOM cost, and signal-integrity risk from multiple chip-to-chip serial links. The 780-FBGA package (29 mm x 29 mm body, 1 mm ball pitch) is a common footprint in the Mercury family, allowing designers to migrate between densities and speed grades without re-spinning the PCB. The C5 speed grade is the fastest commercial bin, suitable for timing-critical datapaths where setup/hold slack is at a premium. Typical applications include high-speed serial backplane bridges, protocol-conversion cards (e.g., SPI-4.2 to SFI-4.1), gigabit Ethernet switch line cards, Fibre Channel controllers, and telecom aggregation equipment that need both multi-gigabit serial I/O and a large parallel fabric for buffering and packet processing. When designing with this part, pay close attention to power-rail sequencing (the core must come up before or simultaneously with the I/O banks) and thermal management on a 1.8 V core. The 780-FBGA requires a multilayer PCB with buried vias or microvias to escape all balls reliably. This page combines current distributor stock, verified Mercury-family cross-references, and practical design notes that go beyond the manufacturer datasheet to support engineering evaluation.
EP1M350F780C5ES - Mercury FPGA 350K Gates 780-FBGA | Altera
The Altera EP1M350F780C5ES is a Mercury Family programmable logic device (PLD) with 350K equivalent gates, 14,400 logic elements/cells, and integrated high-speed transceivers supporting clock data recovery (CDR) up to 1.25 Gbps. It is supplied from a 1.8V core rail (1.71V to 1.89V) and is housed in a 780-pin flip-chip fine-pitch BGA (FC-FBGA) measuring 29x29 mm. What is a Mercury Family PLD? The Altera Mercury (EP1M) family is a high-performance programmable logic device family from Altera (now Intel PSG) that pairs a 4-input look-up table (LUT) based fabric with embedded CDR-capable transceivers. In the broader taxonomy it sits as: PLD -> FPGA -> programmable logic -> semiconductor. The Mercury family targets high-speed serial I/O and communications infrastructure where multi-gigabit transceivers and FPGA fabric coexist on a single die. Key differentiating features include 1.25 Gbps CDR transceivers, 350K system gates, 14,400 cells, and embedded high-speed I/O optimized for serial backplane and chip-to-chip links. The flip-chip FC-FBGA-780 package provides the high-pin-count interconnect needed for dozens of differential serial channels and hundreds of general-purpose I/Os. The Mercury architecture uses a LUT-based logic fabric with embedded full-duplex serializer/deserializer (SERDES) channels and dedicated CDR circuitry, allowing the same device to perform both glue-logic and PHY functions. This consolidation reduces board area, BOM count, and signal-integrity challenges versus two-chip solutions. Typical applications include multi-gigabit serial backplanes, SONET/SDH and Gigabit Ethernet line cards, fibre-channel and Serial RapidIO bridges, custom SERDES-based interfaces, and high-speed data aggregation in communications equipment. Designers should follow Altera Mercury application notes for PCB layout: 100-ohm differential impedance for serial channels, length-matching within the tolerances in the datasheet, and decoupling with low-ESR ceramic capacitors placed close to each power pin. The 780-BGA requires X-ray inspection or proper BGA rework equipment for prototype bring-up. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives from the same Mercury family, and practical design notes not aggregated on any single manufacturer or distributor page.
EP1M350F780C5N - 350K Gates Mercury FPGA w/ 1.25 Gbps CDR | Intel/Altera
The Intel/Altera EP1M350F780C5N is a high-performance member of the Mercury programmable logic device (PLD) family, providing 350K equivalent gates, 14,400 logic cells, and integrated 1.25 Gbps clock-data-recovery (CDR) transceivers in a 780-ball FineLine BGA package. It operates from a 1.8V core supply and is targeted at communications and high-speed serial-interface applications. A Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a programmable logic device (PLD) that combines configurable logic blocks (LUTs), programmable interconnect, and dedicated hard IP blocks such as transceivers, PLLs, and block RAM. FPGAs sit in the silicon hierarchy between general-purpose logic ICs and ASICs, offering ASIC-class performance and parallelism with mask-set-free time-to-market. The Mercury family specifically targets high-speed serial I/O, integrating CDR-capable transceivers that historically eliminated external PHY chips for protocols in the Gbps range. The EP1M350F780C5N exposes 486 user I/Os (out of 780 BGA pins), giving designers generous board-level fan-out for parallel buses, memories, and backplane interfaces. Its 1.25 Gbps CDR transceivers make it suitable for Gigabit Ethernet, SONET/SDH OC-12, Fibre Channel, and proprietary backplane links. The LUT-based architecture is optimized for high-performance logic and DSP-style datapaths, while embedded memory blocks and PLL resources (specific counts not in the verified data) accelerate common communications and signal-processing functions. Typical applications include telecom line cards, routers and switches, serial backplane aggregation, industrial imaging and video processing, and prototyping for ASIC replacement. Designers choose Mercury when they need integrated CDR on-chip, ample user I/O count, and 1.8V low-power operation in a compact fine-pitch BGA. When laying out the PCB, allocate at least 6 layers with dedicated power and ground planes, place decoupling within 100 mils of every supply pin, and route the high-speed serial differential pairs as 100-ohm impedance-controlled lines matched within 5 mils. Always source a current-generation Quartus toolchain release to ensure Mercury device support and CDR IP availability. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-family alternatives, and practical design notes beyond the manufacturer datasheet summary.
EP1M350F780C6 - Mercury FPGA 486 I/O 780-FBGA | Intel / Altera
The Intel (formerly Altera) EP1M350F780C6 is a high-performance Mercury-family Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) IC delivering 486 user I/Os in a 780-ball FineLine BGA package (29 mm x 29 mm body). It integrates up to 1.25 Gbps clock-data-recovery (CDR) capable high-speed transceivers, on-chip look-up tables (LUTs), and embedded memory blocks, with a core supply of 1.8 V (1.71 V to 1.89 V). An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) is a type of programmable logic device (PLD) that combines the architecture of gate arrays with field programmability. FPGAs sit above general-purpose processors and fixed-function ASICs in the design hierarchy, offering hardware-level parallelism, configurable logic blocks (CLBs), programmable interconnect, and dedicated silicon for memory, transceivers, and DSP. They are used when time-to-market, design flexibility, or low-to-mid volume production economics matter more than the per-unit cost of a fixed-function ASIC. Key features of the EP1M350F780C6 include 486 user I/Os, integrated 1.25 Gbps transceivers with CDR support, a 1.8 V core supply (1.71 V - 1.89 V), commercial operating temperature grade (0 C to 85 C TJ), and CMOS logic family construction. The device is part of Altera's Mercury FPGA family (note: Mercury is a legacy Altera family originally oriented toward high-speed serial I/O applications). The 780-FBGA FineLine BGA package provides a high-density, high-bandwidth interconnect suitable for high-pin-count designs. Architecturally, the Mercury family combines programmable logic elements with hard multi-gigabit transceivers, enabling protocols such as Gigabit Ethernet, SONET, and Fibre Channel to be implemented directly in the FPGA fabric. The on-chip CDR eliminates external clock-recovery components in serial-link designs. Operating temperature is rated 0 C to 85 C (commercial grade), with supply at 1.71 V to 1.89 V (nominal 1.8 V). Typical applications include high-speed serial backplane interfaces, telecom line cards, data communication switches, and protocol bridge designs where integrated transceivers reduce bill of materials. The wide 486-I/O count supports parallel data-path expansion to external memory and bus interfaces. Design tip: route the high-speed serial differential pairs with controlled 100-ohm differential impedance and keep lengths matched within the CDR tolerance window. Place decoupling capacitors as close as possible to each power pin group on the BGA. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in package-compatible alternatives from the same Altera Mercury family, and practical design guidance - information not consolidated on a single manufacturer page.
EP1M350F780C6N - Mercury 350K FPGA, 486 I/O, 780-BGA | Intel (Altera)
The Intel (formerly Altera) EP1M350F780C6N is a 350,000-gate CMOS loadable programmable logic device from the Mercury FPGA family, delivering 14,400 logic cells with 486 user I/Os in a 780-ball fine-line plastic BGA (FC-FBGA) package. It operates from a 1.8 V core supply across a commercial 0 C to 85 C temperature range and integrates high-speed transceivers supporting clock data recovery (CDR) at up to 1.25 Gbps per channel, enabling compact serial-interface bridges without external PHY silicon. What is an FPGA? An FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is a semiconductor integrated circuit built around an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs), programmable interconnect, and I/O cells that an engineer can rewire after manufacturing. FPGAs sit within the broader taxonomy: programmable logic -> logic IC -> integrated circuit -> semiconductor. The Mercury family is an SRAM-based LUT architecture optimized for high-speed serial I/O and short-latency datapaths, and the EP1M350 represents the mid-density tier of that family. Key features include 350K system gates, 14,400 logic cells, 486 user I/O pins, integrated CDR-capable transceivers to 1.25 Gbps, JTAG-based in-system configuration via the IEEE 1149.1 boundary-scan port, and a 1.8 V core supply with multi-voltage I/O support. The 780-ball FC-FBGA package exposes the full I/O count while keeping the board footprint reasonable for backplane and line-card designs. The architecture is LUT-based, with dedicated routing resources for the embedded transceivers and PLLs that synthesize the high-speed serial clocks. By integrating CDR up to 1.25 Gbps, the EP1M350 reduces BOM cost in systems that would otherwise require a separate gigabit transceiver chip, and the LUT fabric keeps logic utilization efficient for glue logic, state machines, and low-latency datapaths. Typical applications include telecom line cards (SONET/SDH aggregation, TDM-to-packet bridges), industrial imaging and video pipeline preprocessing, military/aerospace signal processing, serial backplane bridging (SPI-4.2, RapidIO-lite, custom LVDS links), and legacy ASIC prototyping. Designers typically choose this part when they need a dense, transceiver-rich programmable fabric without migrating to a newer FPGA generation. When laying out a board for the EP1M350F780C6N, follow the FC-FBGA fanout pattern recommended in the Mercury Family Data Sheet and use matched-impedance routing for the 1.25 Gbps serial links. Decouple each transceiver bank locally and keep the 1.8 V core plane uninterrupted beneath the BGA. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, same-package drop-in alternatives from the Mercury family, and design guidance not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
EP1M350F780C7 - Mercury FPGA 350K Gates 486 I/O BGA-780 | Intel
The Altera (Intel) EP1M350F780C7 is a Mercury-family high-performance programmable logic device (PLD) featuring 350,000 system gates in a 780-ball FineLine BGA package, with 486 user I/Os and a 1.8V core supply. The Mercury architecture integrates up to 1.25 Gbps clock-data-recovery (CDR) transceivers and on-chip look-up table (LUT)-based logic, targeting high-speed serial I/O and parallel processing applications. A field-programmable gate array (FPGA) is a type of programmable logic device that combines a matrix of configurable logic blocks (CLBs), programmable interconnects, and I/O cells on a single semiconductor die. FPGAs belong to the broader hierarchy of programmable logic devices (PLDs), which also include complex PLDs (CPLDs) and simple PLDs (SPLDs). Mercury is positioned between the APEX and Cyclone lines, with emphasis on embedded transceiver support and high I/O count. Key features of the EP1M350F780C7 include integrated high-speed transceivers with CDR support to 1.25 Gbps, multi-port memory blocks, and JTAG-based configuration via the Quartus II development system. The 1440 logic array blocks (LABs) provide the density backbone for parallel datapath implementation, while the 486 user I/Os support wide parallel bus interfaces to external memory and ASIC peripherals. The Mercury architecture uses a CMOS process with an SRAM-based configuration cell, enabling in-system reprogrammability through standard JTAG or passive/active serial configuration schemes. Quartus II includes pre-optimized DesignWare libraries from Synopsys for Mercury, simplifying pipelined datapath and DSP-style synthesis. Embedded transceiver blocks reduce bill-of-materials cost by eliminating external SERDES components on multi-gigabit links. Typical applications include telecommunications line-card glue logic, serial backplane aggregation, industrial control bridges, and prototype ASIC replacement. Designers choose Mercury when they need 1.25 Gbps CDR plus moderate logic density in a single device, replacing two-chip SERDES+FPGA designs. When designing with this device, allocate adequate PCB area for the 780-ball FineLine BGA and follow Intel/Altera's recommended decoupling scheme. Confirm Quartus II device support for your target Quartus version, and verify pin assignments against the Mercury pin table for the F780 package variant. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives within the Mercury family, and practical design notes not found in a single manufacturer datasheet, providing a consolidated engineering reference for the EP1M350F780C7.
EP1M350F780C7ES - 486-I/O Mercury FPGA | Intel
Intel EP1M350F780C7ES is a high-performance Mercury FPGA with 486 user I/O, integrated high-speed transceivers supporting data rates up to 1.25 Gbps, and a 1.8 V supply in a 780-pin fine-pitch BGA package. The verified source data identifies the component as a CMOS field-programmable gate array using the FINE LINE BGA-780 package. It is intended for embedded programmable-logic designs requiring substantial interface density, clock-data recovery, and configurable digital signal processing. An FPGA, or Field Programmable Gate Array, is a semiconductor device containing programmable logic, routing resources, memory, and configurable I/O. Its hierarchy extends from configurable logic blocks to programmable logic devices, integrated circuits, and programmable digital hardware. Unlike a fixed-function ASIC, an FPGA can be configured after manufacturing. FPGAs are widely used for communication interfaces, digital signal processing, protocol bridging, test equipment, and embedded control because designers can modify functionality without respinning application-specific silicon. Key verified characteristics include 486 user I/O pins, 780 total package pins, a 1.8 V supply voltage, CMOS logic, and a commercial operating-temperature range of 0 C to 85 C. The device family description also states that any 8 channels can operate at 1.25 Gbps, while the other 10 channels must operate at 1.0 Gbps or less. These figures make the device relevant to high-throughput serial links and systems combining several fast channels with slower peripheral or memory interfaces. The Mercury architecture integrates programmable logic with high-speed transceivers and clock-data recovery. Clock-data recovery extracts clock information from incoming serial data, allowing the FPGA to receive high-speed streams without transmitting a separate clock. The combined programmable fabric, transceiver resources, and 486 user I/O enable a system to implement packet processing, stream aggregation, format conversion, and control logic in one device. Exact logic-element count, transceiver count, embedded-memory capacity, and timing grades are not present in the verified web data and therefore require datasheet verification. Typical applications include communication-interface equipment, digital signal processing, embedded protocol conversion, test and measurement hardware, and high-speed data aggregation. The 780-BGA package is appropriate for dense, high-pin-count systems, but it requires controlled impedance, careful power distribution, and thermal-aware PCB design. The 486 user I/O count provides broad connection flexibility, while the transceiver capability supports applications where serial throughput and deterministic data capture are important. Designers should verify the complete pinout, bank voltage rules, transceiver reference-clock requirements, configuration interface, decoupling network, and supported I/O standards against the manufacturer datasheet before layout release. The verified data does not establish the exact transceiver count, logic-element count, package dimensions, thermal resistance, or compliance status. No safe operating-area chart is applicable because this is a digital FPGA, not a power semiconductor. This page consolidates the verified electrical, package, temperature, and sourcing information for EP1M350F780C7ES with clearly marked data gaps, application guidance, and drop-in-analysis boundaries. Distributor inventory and pricing require direct confirmation because the retrieved data contains no XAIPART price schedule and one distributor stock statement was updated on February 25, 2026.
EP1M350F780C7N - 350K Gate Mercury FPGA 1.25Gbps CDR 780-FBGA
The Intel (formerly Altera) EP1M350F780C7N is a Mercury-family high-performance programmable logic device (PLD) integrating 350,000 gates and 14,400 logic cells in a 780-pin FineLine BGA (FC-FBGA) package. It operates from a 1.8V core supply and features integrated high-speed transceivers with built-in clock data recovery (CDR) support up to 1.25 gigabits per second (Gbps), making it well suited for serial interconnect and embedded communication designs. The C7 speed grade denotes a -7 commercial performance bin, with 486 user I/Os available for external interfacing. A Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a semiconductor integrated circuit that can be configured by the customer after manufacture to implement arbitrary digital logic. FPGAs sit within the programmable logic hierarchy (PLD > CPLD > FPGA) and are commonly used to prototype ASIC functionality, accelerate parallel processing, and bridge high-speed serial protocols. The Mercury device family specifically targets applications that need high-speed serial transceivers integrated with logic fabric, allowing engineers to reduce board area and BOM by eliminating external PHY devices. Key features include 14,400 logic cells backed by a LUT-based architecture optimized for register-rich designs, embedded SRAM, dedicated phase-locked loops (PLLs), and up to eight channels of 1.25 Gbps CDR-capable serial transceivers. The remaining transceiver channels support data rates up to 1.0 Gbps. The 780-pin FC-FBGA package provides 486 user I/Os at a 1.0 mm terminal pitch, supporting robust signal routing for high-pin-count memory buses and parallel interfaces. Architecturally, the EP1M350 uses a CMOS process with embedded transceiver macros and lookup-table (LUT) logic elements. The transceivers integrate serializer/deserializer (SERDES) blocks, clock-data recovery loops, and word-align logic, enabling protocols such as Gigabit Ethernet, PCI Express, RapidIO, and SONET/SDH. Internal PLLs generate the high-frequency clocks required by the transceivers, and on-chip termination simplifies PCB routing by reducing external component count. Typical applications include high-speed serial backplane prototyping, telecommunications line cards, industrial imaging and video processing, embedded DSP co-processing, and ASIC prototyping for networking ASICs. The combination of integrated 1.25 Gbps transceivers and ample logic density makes the EP1M350F780C7N a common choice for designers transitioning from discrete SERDES implementations to a single-chip solution. When designing with the EP1M350F780C7N, pay close attention to PCB layout for the 1.0 mm-pitch BGA - the FC-FBGA package requires via-in-pad or microvia technology for reliable assembly. Decoupling for the transceiver supply rails must follow the Mercury device reference design to meet jitter and noise budgets. Designers should verify signal integrity with IBIS models and constrain high-speed serial channels appropriately. This page synthesizes distributor stock and pricing data, drop-in Mercury-family alternatives that share the 780-FBGA footprint, and practical design guidance not collated in the original Altera Mercury datasheet, providing a single reference for sourcing and substitution.