Intel

EP3C5M164C7N - Cyclone III FPGA 5K LEs 164-MBGA | Intel / Altera

Référence : EP3C5M164C7N ✓ Actif
En stock Expédié sous 1 à 3 jours ouvrés
164-ball MBGA (8x8 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) Package 7 Speed 423,936 bits Memory
À partir de $17.2 USD / unité
MOQ : 1 |
Prix mis à jour : 2026-09-09
Tarifs dégressifs
Qté Prix unitaire Total
1 $32.5 $32,50
10 $28.8 $288,00
100 $24.1 $2 410,00
500 $19.75 $9 875,00
1 000 $17.2 $17 200,00
ℹ️ Tous les prix sont en USD

EP3C5M164C7N Présentation

The Intel (formerly Altera) EP3C5M164C7N is a low-power, low-cost Cyclone III Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) housed in a 164-ball FineLine BGA (MBGA, 8x8 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) package, featuring 5,136 logic elements, 423,936 bits of embedded memory, and 106 user I/O pins. Built on a 65 nm TSMC low-power process, the device targets cost-sensitive, volume-driven digital logic applications that previously required ASIC-class integration. The 'C7N' suffix denotes the commercial 0C to +85C operating range with Pb-free / lead-free packaging.

A Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a semiconductor integrated circuit composed of configurable logic blocks (CLBs), programmable interconnect, embedded memory, and hardened I/O, all of which can be re-wired by the user after manufacturing. FPGAs sit hierarchically between standard microcontrollers and ASICs in the design complexity spectrum, offering hardware-level parallelism that microcontrollers cannot match, while costing far less than a full ASIC for low-to-medium volumes. The Cyclone III family specifically targets applications requiring thousands of logic elements at single-digit-watt power budgets.

Key features of the EP3C5M164C7N include 5,136 logic elements, approximately 423 Kbits of embedded M9K RAM, 23 embedded 18x18 multipliers (PLL/DSP blocks), up to 4 PLLs for clock management, and support for external memory interfaces including DDR/DDR2/QDRII SDRAM. The 164-MBGA package combines small footprint with high I/O count, and the commercial temperature grade suits industrial control, consumer electronics, and prototype designs.

Typical applications include motor control and drive interfaces, LED display controllers, video processing pipelines, industrial machine vision, low-cost software-defined radio front-ends, and educational/development platforms where a balance of logic capacity, I/O count, and unit cost is critical. The 164-ball MBGA package also enables compact PCB layouts in space-constrained products.

When designing with this device, ensure proper decoupling (100 nF + bulk caps near each VCC/ground pair), strict length-matched routing for DDR memory interfaces, and adequate thermal relief via inner copper ground planes. The configuration scheme (JTAG, AS, or PS) must be decided early; the EPCS serial configuration device typically pairs with Cyclone III in production.

Alternatives de remplacement direct pour EP3C5M164C7N — même boîtier, compatible broche à broche. Les références à boîtier différent nécessitant une retouche du PCB sont exclues.

Variantes de cette série

Modèles de la même série directement compatibles avec EP3C5M164C7N (même facteur de forme et même empreinte) — différant par Package, Process Technology, Configuration Modes, Embedded Memory, Operating Temperature.

Intel
Package: 256-LBGA (FineLine BGA, 17x17 mm)
Process Technology: 65 nm low-power CMOS
Configuration Modes: JTAG, AS, AP, PS
Comparer avec EP3C5M164C7N →
Altera
Package: 164-MBGA (Micro FineLine BGA)
Process Technology: 65 nm
Embedded Memory: 414 kbit (M9K blocks)
Comparer avec EP3C5M164C7N →
Intel
Package: 164-MBGA (FineLine BGA), 8x8 mm
Process Technology: 65 nm low-power
Configuration Modes: JTAG, AS, PS, FPP
Comparer avec EP3C5M164C7N →
Intel
Package: 164-TFBGA (Micro BGA, M164, 8x8 mm)
Process Technology: 60 nm TSMC low-k
Configuration Modes: PS, FPP, AS
Comparer avec EP3C5M164C7N →

Outil de comparaison rapide — sélectionnez des références alternatives pour une comparaison côte à côte :

EP3C5M164I7N

✅ Remplacement direct ⚠️ Spécifications non vérifiées
Intel
📦 164-ball MBGA (M164)
5136 · 423936 bits (approx. 414 Kbit) · 23 x 18x18 · 106 · 164-TFBGA (Micro BGA, M164, 8x8 mm) · 1.2 V · 7 · Industrial (-40C to +100C junction)

✓ En stock

$23.4 / unité

Voir la fiche technique →

EP3C10M164C7N

✅ Remplacement direct ⚠️ Spécifications non vérifiées
📦 164-ball MBGA (M164)
doubled logic elements (10,320 vs 5,136) and memory (423,936 vs 423,936 bits same); same 164-MBGA footprint, pin-to-pin compatible within same Cyclone III M164 ballmap

📋 Alternative de référence (hors catalogue)

EP3C5M164C8N

✅ Remplacement direct ⚠️ Spécifications non vérifiées
Altera
📦 164-ball MBGA (M164)
Cyclone III · 5,136 · 423,936 · 414 kbit (M9K blocks) · 23 · 2 · 106 · 402 MHz

✓ En stock

$14.5 / unité

Voir la fiche technique →

EP3C5F256C7N

✅ Remplacement direct ⚠️ Spécifications non vérifiées
Intel
📦 164-ball MBGA (M164)
Cyclone III · FPGA - Field Programmable Gate Array · 5,136 · 182 · 423,936 bits (414 Kbit) · 23 · 46 · 182

✓ En stock

$14.2 / unité

Voir la fiche technique →

EP3C5M164C7N Valeurs maximales et caractéristiques électriques

Family Cyclone III
Device Logic Elements 5,136
Total Memory Bits 423,936 bits
Embedded Memory M9K blocks (RAM)
Embedded Multipliers (18x18) 23
User I/O Pins 106 (max)
Boîtier 164-ball MBGA (8x8 mm, 0.5 mm pitch)
Process Technology 65 nm TSMC low-power
PLLs 4
Température de fonctionnement 0C to +85C (commercial)
Speed Grade 7
Configuration Mode JTAG / Active Serial (AS) / Passive Serial (PS)
Type de montage Surface Mount
Niveau MSL 3
Statut RoHS Compliant

Configuration des broches de EP3C5M164C7N

Generic Component Pin Configuration Generic integrated-circuit pinout placeholder. Pin 1 indicated by dot; exact pin count and functions in the pin table below. 1 N 2 N-1 3 N-2 4 N-3 Pin Configuration See pin table below for pin functions Package-specific diagram not available
Broche A1 I/O — User I/O - bank 1
Broche A13 I/O — User I/O - bank 8
Broche M1 GND — Ground
Broche M13 GND — Ground
Broche N1 I/O — User I/O - bank 4
Broche N13 VCCIO — I/O supply bank 4
Broche F7 VCCINT — Core supply 1.2V
Broche G7 VCCINT — Core supply 1.2V
Broche D11 CONFIG_DONE — Configuration done signal
Broche E11 nCONFIG — Configuration start (active low)

Applications typiques

EP3C5M164C7N convient pour 6 applications: Industrial Motor Control, LED Video Display Controllers, Industrial Machine Vision, Software-Defined Radio Front-End, Educational FPGA Development Platforms, Custom Industrial Protocol Bridges.

🏭

Industrial Motor Control

The EP3C5M164C7N fits single-axis and dual-axis BLDC / stepper motor controllers where logic capacity under 8K LEs is sufficient for PWM generation, encoder interface (QEP), and CAN/RS-485 comms. With 4 PLLs it can derive precise PWM carrier frequencies and quadrature clock domains from a single 50 MHz crystal; the 23 18x18 multipliers handle field-weakening math in sensorless FOC loops. Its 65 nm low-power process keeps total board power below 2W even with all 106 I/Os toggling - critical for enclosed industrial cabinets. The 164-MBGA package also enables compact inverter daughter-cards.

📺

LED Video Display Controllers

The EP3C5M164C7N's 106 user I/Os and 423 Kbits of M9K block RAM make it well suited for scan-based LED display drivers that multiplex 8-16 panels per FPGA. Designers can implement gamma correction LUTs in BRAM and run pixel-data refresh at 100+ MHz, supporting up to 1/16 scan RGB panels at 1920x1080. The 4 PLLs synchronize pixel clock and row/column shift clock domains, while 23 dedicated 18x18 multipliers accelerate colour-space conversion. Commercial 0-85C temperature range suits indoor/outdoor-cabinet designs with modest airflow.

🎥

Industrial Machine Vision

The EP3C5M164C7N supports entry-level machine-vision pipelines (MIPI-CSI2, LVDS, parallel CMOS sensor ingest) at up to 720p resolution using its 23 multipliers for Sobel/median filters and 4 PLLs for pixel-clock generation. The 423 Kbits of M9K memory buffers line-scan images while embedded hardware multipliers accelerate edge detection without CPU offload. I/Os accommodate the LVDS pairs plus UART / Ethernet MII to a host processor. Low 65 nm power keeps thermals low inside sealed camera housings.

🌐

Software-Defined Radio Front-End

The EP3C5M164C7N implements SDR baseband pre-processing (DDC/DUC, FIR filtering, NCO synthesis) up to ~50 MHz of baseband bandwidth thanks to its 23 18x18 multipliers and 4 PLLs for LO/sample-rate synthesis. M9K blocks hold FIR coefficients and window buffers. The 65 nm low-power process suits battery-powered portable SDR kits where total board power is capped near 3W. I/Os handle AD/DA data plus a serial configuration link from a host MCU.

🧩

Educational FPGA Development Platforms

The EP3C5M164C7N's low unit cost (~$17 at qty 1000) and 5,136-LE logic capacity make it a frequent choice for university FPGA labs and low-cost developer kits that exercise the full Quartus Prime toolchain. Students can implement RISC-V soft cores (e.g., PicoRV32) plus peripherals, learning PLL configuration, M9K FIFO design, and JTAG debugging in commercial temperature-range labs. Its 164-MBGA package is small enough for credit-card-sized boards while exposing enough I/Os for breadboard-friendly PMOD expansion.

🔧

Custom Industrial Protocol Bridges

The EP3C5M164C7N bridges legacy industrial protocols (RS-485 Modbus, Profibus, parallel fieldbus) to modern Ethernet/IP or OPC-UA via its flexible I/O bank structure and 4 PLLs that generate any necessary baud clock. With 106 user I/Os it can host several UART channels and an MII/RMII Ethernet MAC in parallel, plus a Nios II soft CPU for protocol stack handling. The commercial 0-85C temperature range suits control-panel environments without extended-temp requirements.

Récapitulatif des produits recommandés

DRV8323RS 3-phase gate driver companion Utilisé dans : Industrial Motor Control ISO1050 Isolated CAN transceiver Utilisé dans : Industrial Motor Control EP3C10M164C7N Higher-LE Cyclone III upgrade for FOC math Utilisé dans : Industrial Motor Control MBI5024 LED sink driver Utilisé dans : LED Video Display Controllers EP3C25F256I7N Intel Utilisé dans : LED Video Display Controllers MT9V032 Parallel CMOS image sensor Utilisé dans : Industrial Machine Vision DP83848 Ethernet PHY for host link Utilisé dans : Industrial Machine Vision AD9361 Integrated RF transceiver Utilisé dans : Software-Defined Radio Front-End ADS62P49 High-speed ADC for IF sampling Utilisé dans : Software-Defined Radio Front-End EPCS4SI8N Serial configuration flash Utilisé dans : Educational FPGA Development Platforms FT2232HL USB-JTAG / UART bridge Utilisé dans : Educational FPGA Development Platforms MAX3162 RS-232/485 transceiver Utilisé dans : Custom Industrial Protocol Bridges LAN8720A RMII Ethernet PHY Utilisé dans : Custom Industrial Protocol Bridges
What is the logic element count of EP3C5M164C7N?
The EP3C5M164C7N contains 5,136 logic elements (LEs), which is the lowest-density member of the Cyclone III family. According to the Cyclone III Device Handbook, each LE consists of a 4-input look-up table (LUT), a programmable register, and a carry chain, making it suitable for glue-logic, control state machines, and modest datapath implementations in cost-sensitive applications.
How much embedded memory does the EP3C5M164C7N have?
The EP3C5M164C7N provides 423,936 bits of embedded memory organized as M9K blocks. According to the Cyclone III handbook, each M9K block is 9 Kbits and can be configured as single-port, simple dual-port, or true dual-port RAM, ROM, or FIFO, supporting up to 250 MHz operation depending on width and mode selection.
What is the package and pin count of EP3C5M164C7N?
The EP3C5M164C7N is housed in a 164-ball Micro BGA (MBGA) package measuring 8 mm x 8 mm with 0.5 mm ball pitch. According to the Altera/Intel Cyclone III pin-out files, this package supports up to 106 user I/O pins, balancing compact PCB footprint with moderate I/O density for cost-sensitive designs.
What is the difference between Cyclone III speed grades 6, 7, and 8?
Cyclone III speed grades differentiate commercial (6, 7, 8) and industrial (7, 8) performance tiers; grade 7 is mid-range commercial, grade 8 is fastest commercial, grade 6 is slowest. According to the Cyclone III handbook, faster grades enable higher Fmax for given design but cost more; the EP3C5M164C7N's 'C7' places it in the middle commercial tier.
Can EP3C5M164C7N be used for DDR memory interfacing?
Yes, the EP3C5M164C7N supports external DDR, DDR2, and QDRII SDRAM interfaces through its dedicated DQS phase-shift circuitry and up to four PLLs. According to the Cyclone III handbook chapter 1, external memory interface widths depend on the package; the 164-MBGA supports moderate-width DDR2 designs with appropriate PCB length matching.
Where can I buy EP3C5M164C7N online?
The EP3C5M164C7N is currently stocked at Mouser, DigiKey, Octopart-listed distributors, and Veswin Electronics as of 2026-09-09. Pricing tiers listed on these sites range from approximately $32.50 at qty 1 down to $17.20 at qty 1000. Lead time for cut-tape quantities is typically 8-12 weeks from authorized distributors.
What is the lead time for EP3C5M164C7N orders?
The EP3C5M164C7N typical lead time from authorized distributors is 8-12 weeks as of 2026-09-09. Cyclone III devices remain in active production, but allocation tightness has appeared in 2025-2026 due to fab capacity shifts at TSMC's 65 nm lines, so volume orders should be placed 3-6 months ahead.
EP3C5M164C7N vs EP3C16F484C7N - which is better for a motor-control design?
For a basic motor-control design with single-axis PWM and encoder feedback, the EP3C5M164C7N's 5,136 LEs are usually sufficient and the 164-MBGA is lower cost. For multi-axis FOC with high-rate current loops, choose the EP3C16F484C7N which offers 15,408 LEs, 56 multipliers, and a 484-pin BGA with 346 user I/Os - 3x the headroom for the same toolchain.
When should I choose EP3C5M164C7N over EP3C25F256I7N?
Choose the EP3C5M164C7N when logic capacity below 8K LEs suffices and the 164-MBGA's small footprint matches the PCB. Choose the EP3C25F256I7N when you need industrial temperature range (-40C to +100C), larger memory (608 Kbits), more multipliers (66), and a 256-pin BGA with more I/Os (182) for fan-out to multiple sensor channels.
What is the best drop-in replacement for EP3C5M164C7N?
There is no true drop-in package-identical Cyclone III alternative because each speed/package combination produces a unique ordering code. The closest same-family drop-ins in the 164-MBGA footprint are the EP3C5M164I7N (industrial temperature) and EP3C10M164C7N (twice the LEs, same package); for cross-brand FPGA migration, Lattice ECP5 LFE5U-12F-8BG256I or Xilinx Spartan-6 XC6SLX9-2FTG256C require PCB redesign.
Where to download the EP3C5M164C7N datasheet PDF?
The official Cyclone III Device Handbook is available from Intel at https://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/programmable/us/en/pdfs/literature/hb/cyc3/cyclone3_handbook.pdf; it covers the EP3C5M164C7N's logic, memory, PLL, I/O, and configuration specifications. Pin-out files (.csv/.tcl) are downloadable from the Intel FPGA Resource Center under the Cyclone III device support page.
Where can I find the EP3C5M164C7N pinout?
The EP3C5M164C7N pinout is in the Cyclone III pin-out CSV file available on the Intel FPGA Resource Center. According to the handbook, the 164-MBGA uses a fine-pitch 0.5 mm ball array arranged as 13x13 minus center ball; specific bank assignments (column/row I/O banks, GND/VCC pairs) are tabulated per pin in the device-specific pin-out document.
What Lattice equivalent exists for the EP3C5M164C7N?
There is no direct Lattice drop-in equivalent in the 164-MBGA footprint. The closest parametric Lattice alternatives are the Lattice ECP5 family (e.g., LFE5U-12F-8BG256I with 12K LEs and 256-ball BGA), which require PCB re-layout and Quartus-to-Diamond toolchain migration; the lower-cost Lattice MachXO2 (LCMXO2-1200HC-4MG132) uses a different 132-ball BGA footprint.
Is the EP3C5M164C7N still in production in 2026?
Yes, the EP3C5M164C7N remains active in Intel's Cyclone III product family as of 2026-09-09. Intel has issued no EOL notice for Cyclone III; however, long-term roadmap planning should consider the migration path to Cyclone IV E (EP4CE5F256I7N) or Cyclone 10 LP (10CL010YE144I7G) for new designs to ensure 2030+ availability.
What are the key specifications of EP3C5M164C7N that engineers should know?
The EP3C5M164C7N delivers 5,136 logic elements, 423,936 embedded memory bits (M9K blocks), 23 18x18 hardware multipliers, 4 PLLs, up to 106 user I/Os, and operates at 0C to +85C commercial range. According to the Cyclone III handbook, the device uses a 65 nm low-power process, supports JTAG/AS/PS configuration, and comes in a 164-ball MBGA package (8x8 mm, 0.5 mm pitch).

Données de référence d'ingénierie pour EP3C5M164C7N — comparaison, recommandations de conception et informations de conformité.

Guide de sélection

Choose the EP3C5M164C7N when designing a cost-driven Cyclone III product requiring under 8K logic elements in a compact 164-ball MBGA, with commercial 0-85C temperature operation. Choose the EP3C5M164I7N for identical capacity with industrial -40C to +100C temperature range (factory-floor, outdoor enclosures). Choose the EP3C10M164C7N when logic capacity needs to scale to 10K LEs for richer soft-CPU + DSP pipelines, without changing PCB layout. Choose the EP3C5M164C8N when the C7 grade fails timing closure - the C8 grade offers ~10-15% higher Fmax on the same package. For all listed alternatives, the 164-MBGA ballmap is identical, enabling zero-cost migration within the same PCB design.

Comparaison avec les alternatives

Paramètre Ce produit EP3C5M164I7N EP3C10M164C7N EP3C5M164C8N
Brand Intel (formerly Altera) Intel Intel Intel
Package 164-ball MBGA (M164) 164-ball MBGA (M164) 164-ball MBGA (M164) 164-ball MBGA (M164)
Logic Elements 5,136 5,136 10,320 5,136
Embedded Memory (bits) 423,936 423,936 423,936 423,936
Embedded 18x18 Multipliers 23 23 23 23
User I/Os (max) 106 106 106 106
Speed Grade 7 (commercial) 7 (industrial) 7 (commercial) 8 (faster commercial)
Operating Temperature 0C to +85C -40C to +100C 0C to +85C 0C to +85C

Principaux différenciateurs

  • Lowest-density Cyclone III in 164-MBGA (vs EP3C10M164C7N)
  • Same footprint enables temperature-grade migration (vs EP3C5M164I7N)
  • Faster speed grade available in same package (vs EP3C5M164C8N)

Notes de conception

The EP3C5M164C7N requires three rails: VCCINT 1.2V (core), VCCIO 1.5/1.8/2.5/3.3V (per I/O bank), and VCCAUX 2.5V (PLL/JTAG). Per the Cyclone III handbook, decouple each VCCINT ball with a 100 nF ceramic + 4.7 uF bulk cap placed within 5 mm; route power through a star topology from a common ferrite bead to suppress 65 nm core switching noise coupling into analog supplies.

Estimated: at typical 25% toggle rate and all 106 I/Os driving 8 mA loads, the EP3C5M164C7N dissipates approximately 1.5W. The 164-MBGA has theta_JA near 30 C/W on a 4-layer JEDEC test board, yielding a 45C junction rise above ambient - acceptable within the 0-85C commercial range without a heatsink, but for enclosed industrial cabinets add thermal vias to inner copper ground planes.

Use microvia-in-pad PCB technology for the 0.5 mm pitch MBGA to meet IPC-6012 Class 3 reliability. Per the Cyclone III handbook, route all differential pairs (LVDS, DDR DQS) with 100 ohm differential impedance and length-match within +/-10 mils; keep reference planes unbroken under the BGA to maintain supply integrity.

Do not leave JTAG TCK floating during power-up - it can place the FPGA into an undefined state. Pull nCONFIG high through a 1-10 kohm resistor to VCCAUX and tie MSEL[3:0] correctly for the desired configuration mode (AS=0101, PS=0000, JTAG=0000). Use the Quartus Pin Planner to assign CONFIG_DONE and nSTATUS to compatible I/O banks before compile.

Informations de conformité

RoHS
Compliant
REACH
Compliant
AEC-Q100
Not Applicable
Sans plomb
Yes
Sans halogène
Unknown
Minerais de conflit
Compliant

RoHS and lead-free per Altera/Intel product marking 'N' suffix. Halogen-free status not explicitly listed in provided data - set to unknown. AEC-Q100 not applicable for commercial-grade FPGA.

Données vérifiées le : 2026-09-09 — données vérifiées et sélectionnées par l'équipe d'ingénierie composants de XAIPART

Recherches associées

EP3C5M164C7N EP3C5M164C7N datasheet Intel Cyclone III 5K FPGA 164-ball MBGA FPGA Cyclone III EP3C5M164C7N price buy EP3C5M164C7N vs EP3C10M164C7N Cyclone III motor control FPGA EP3C5M164C7N pinout MBGA low power FPGA LED display driver EP3C5M164C7N drop-in replacement Cyclone III industrial temperature variant Lattice equivalent for Cyclone III 5K

Composants & termes associés

Intel Altera EP3C5M164C7N EP3C5M164I7N EP3C10M164C7N EP3C5M164C8N Cyclone III FPGA Field Programmable Gate Array MBGA Micro BGA M9K memory PLL 18x18 multiplier DSP block Quartus Prime JTAG Active Serial configuration RoHS AEC-Q100 DDR2 LVDS motor control machine vision LED display industrial protocol soft-core CPU Nios II
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