EP3C16U256C6
EP3C16U256C6 - 15,408 LEs, 256-LFBGA Cyclone III FPGA
The Altera EP3C16U256C6 is a Cyclone III field-programmable gate array (FPGA) containing 15,408 logic elements, 168 I/O, and 516,096 bits of embedded memory in a 256-ball low-profile FBGA package. The device is positioned for general-purpose programmable logic, embedded control, communications, industrial automation, and test-equipment designs that require a reusable hardware architecture and parallel programmable I/O. Distributor listings identify it as the EP3C16U256C6 Cyclone III FPGA and provide current sourcing information as of 2026-10-30.
A field-programmable gate array is a semiconductor whose digital logic, interconnect, and I/O behavior can be configured after fabrication. The FPGA category belongs to programmable-logic devices and sits within the broader semiconductor and embedded-systems hierarchy. Unlike a fixed-function application-specific integrated circuit, an FPGA allows designers to implement parallel interfaces, state machines, protocol controllers, signal processing, and control logic in one configurable device, potentially reducing board count and shortening product-development cycles.
The verified device data identifies three headline characteristics: 15,408 logic elements, 168 I/O, and 516,096 bits of memory. These resources support moderately complex parallel designs and make the EP3C16U256C6 relevant to control systems, data-acquisition equipment, communications interfaces, industrial controllers, and embedded protocol bridges. Its 256-LFBGA package provides a high pin count in a compact surface-mount footprint, although the dense ball pitch demands careful PCB layout, inspection, and assembly planning.
The Cyclone III architecture is based on configurable logic elements connected by programmable routing resources. Each logic element supports combinational and registered Boolean functions, while dedicated input and output paths connect the programmable core to package balls. The listed memory quantity is 516,096 bits, equivalent to 64,512 bytes when interpreted as binary memory. This embedded storage can support buffers, lookup tables, packet queues, and other on-chip data structures without relying entirely on external RAM.
Typical uses include industrial automation and factory control, communications and network-interface equipment, instrumentation, embedded control, and general-purpose digital prototyping. The 168 available I/O are particularly useful when a design includes multiple parallel buses, status signals, capture inputs, or differential interface groups. Actual design suitability still depends on the required I/O standard, logic utilization, memory demand, timing closure, clocking architecture, power budget, and device programming method.
Designers should treat BGA assembly and signal integrity as first-order concerns. The 256-ball package requires an HDI-capable PCB stack-up, exact land-pattern geometry, controlled impedance routing, and assembly-process qualification. Power rails should be decoupled close to the device, clock and high-speed nets should use short return paths, and unused balls should follow the manufacturer’s prescribed connectivity. Toolchain and board-support packages must also be checked against the exact Cyclone III device before committing the design.
This page consolidates the verified distributor identity, package, logic-resource, I/O, memory, pricing, and sourcing data into an engineering-oriented product reference. It also distinguishes verified facts from unavailable electrical details and identifies same-brand, same-family drop-in candidates that require final validation against timing, temperature, lifecycle, and assembly requirements.
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