EP1AGX20CF484C7 - Arria GX FPGA 20K LE | Altera | FBGA-484
MPN: EP1AGX20CF484C7 ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $285 | $285.00 |
| 10 | $262.5 | $2,625.00 |
| 100 | $238.75 | $23,875.00 |
| 500 | $215 | $107,500.00 |
| 1,000 | $195 | $195,000.00 |
Drop-in alternatives for EP1AGX20CF484C7 — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP1AGX20CF484C6
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$153.72 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1AGX20CF484C6N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$110 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1AGX20CF484C6NGA
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$185 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1AGX20CF484C3
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$195 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1AGX35CF484
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP1AGX20CF484C7 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | Arria GX |
| Logic Elements | 21,580 |
| Embedded Memory Bits | 1,229,184 bits |
| Embedded Memory Blocks | M9K (9 Kbit) and M144K (144 Kbit) |
| Embedded Multipliers | 18x18 multipliers |
| Maximum User I/O Pins | 230 |
| Number of I/O Banks | 8 |
| Transceivers | Multi-gigabit transceivers up to 3.125 Gbps |
| Package | FBGA-484 (FineLine BGA) |
| Process Technology | 90 nm CMOS |
| Core Voltage | 1.2 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | 0C to +85C (commercial) |
| Speed Grade | C7 (slowest commercial grade) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (BGA) |
EP1AGX20CF484C7 fbga-484 (fineline bga) Pin Configuration Guide
Complete pinout information for EP1AGX20CF484C7 (fbga-484 (fineline bga) package) with 230 pins. This digital IC includes GPIO, communication interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C), and power pins. Refer to the manufacturer datasheet for alternate pin functions and configuration options. Essential for embedded system design and PCB layout.
No detailed pinout data available for EP1AGX20CF484C7.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Estimated pin count: 230 pins (digital package)
Safe Operating Area (SOA) & Thermal Characteristics
No official SOA curve available for this digital IC. Always operate within absolute maximum ratings specified in the datasheet. Ensure adequate cooling and derate as needed.
Typical Applications
EP1AGX20CF484C7 is suitable for 6 applications: Telecommunications Protocol Bridging, Mid-Range Digital Signal Processing, Test and Measurement Equipment, Video and Image Processing, Industrial Control and Automation, Aerospace and Defense Avionics.
Telecommunications Protocol Bridging
The EP1AGX20CF484C7's integrated multi-gigabit transceivers at up to 3.125 Gbps and 21,580 logic elements make it well-suited for protocol bridge designs that convert between telecom standards such as SPI-4.2, XAUI, Serial RapidIO, and PCI Express Gen1. The 1,229,184 bits of embedded RAM provide packet buffering for line-rate processing without external memory access stalls, while 230 user I/O pins accommodate multi-rail PHY interfaces. Compared to CPLD-based glue logic, the FPGA integrates the transceiver PHY, MAC, and bridge logic on a single die, reducing board area and BOM cost for mid-range telecom line cards.
Recommended
Mid-Range Digital Signal Processing
With 18x18 embedded multipliers distributed across the fabric, the EP1AGX20CF484C7 supports DSP pipelines for audio, video, and baseband processing where per-channel throughput exceeds microcontroller capability but does not justify a dedicated DSP processor. The 1.2 V core reduces dynamic power relative to earlier 1.5 V FPGAs, while the FBGA-484 package provides the thermal headroom needed for sustained DSP loads. The C7 speed grade limits maximum clock frequency but trades that for lower cost, making the device attractive for fixed-function DSP modules in broadcast and industrial equipment.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Equipment
Test and measurement instruments often require custom parallel processing, deep pattern storage, and deterministic I/O timing, all of which the EP1AGX20CF484C7 delivers through 230 user I/O pins, 1.2 Mbits of embedded RAM, and dedicated PLL resources. The C7 speed grade is acceptable because T&M designs typically run interfaces at 100-200 MHz where C7 timing closes comfortably. The transceiver channels can drive external ADC/DAC sample clocks or backplane trigger buses without a companion PHY chip, simplifying the bill of materials.
Recommended
Video and Image Processing
The 21,580 logic elements and embedded multipliers enable mid-resolution video processing pipelines including deinterlacing, scaling, colour space conversion, and on-screen display overlay. The 230 user I/O pins support parallel RGB/YCbCr interfaces up to 1080p60 with margin, while 1,229,184 RAM bits provide line and frame buffers without external SRAM. Compared to ASIC video processors, the EP1AGX20CF484C7 allows late-stage feature additions through firmware updates, an advantage for evolving broadcast standards.
Recommended
Industrial Control and Automation
Factory automation controllers benefit from the EP1AGX20CF484C7's combination of logic density, deterministic I/O, and 3.125 Gbps transceivers for EtherCAT, PROFINET IRT, or SERCOS III master implementations. The 230 user I/O pins accommodate multi-axis motor control feedback (encoder, Hall, resolver) and parallel DAC interfaces, while embedded multipliers accelerate PID loops and field-oriented control algorithms. The C7 speed grade is adequate for 10-20 kHz current loop rates typical of servo drives.
Recommended
Aerospace and Defense Avionics
Although the EP1AGX20CF484C7 itself is commercial grade, its Arria GX silicon has been deployed in aerospace subsystems for non-critical data acquisition, protocol conversion, and signal-conditioning tasks where radiation tolerance is not required. The integrated transceivers simplify ARINC 429 and MIL-STD-1553 bridge designs by providing deterministic serial channels, while the 1.2 Mbits of embedded RAM accommodate frame buffers and encryption lookup tables. Note: for radiation-hardened applications, dedicated rad-hard FPGAs are required; the EP1AGX20CF484C7 is suitable only for sheltered avionics bays.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP1AGX20CF484C7 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP1AGX20CF484C6 | EP1AGX20CF484C6N | EP1AGX20CF484C6NGA | EP1AGX20CF484C3 | EP1AGX35CF484 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera |
| Package | FBGA-484 | FBGA-484 - same | FBGA-484 - same | FBGA-484 - same | FBGA-484 - same | FBGA-484 - same |
| Speed Grade | C7 | C6 (faster) | C6 (faster) | C6 (faster) | C3 (slower) | C7 baseline |
| Logic Elements | 21,580 | 21,580 (same die) | 21,580 (same die) | 21,580 (same die) | 21,580 (same die) | 33,540 (+55%) |
| Embedded RAM Bits | 1,229,184 | 1,229,184 (same die) | 1,229,184 (same die) | 1,229,184 (same die) | 1,229,184 (same die) | 1,688,640 (+37%) |
| Max User I/O | 230 | 230 (same) | 230 (same) | 230 (same) | 230 (same) | [DATA_NEEDED] |
| Transceiver Rate | 3.125 Gbps | 3.125 Gbps (same die) | 3.125 Gbps (same die) | 3.125 Gbps (same die) | 3.125 Gbps (same die) | 3.125 Gbps |
| Lead-Free | unknown | depends on suffix | yes (N suffix) | yes (N suffix) | depends on suffix | depends on suffix |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND |
Key Differentiators
- Highest logic density in the EP1AGX20 device class (vs EP1AGX20CF484C6)
- Cost-optimized C7 speed grade for relaxed timing designs (vs EP1AGX20CF484C6)
- Established Arria GX silicon with mature Quartus II toolchain support (vs EP1AGX35CF484)
Design Notes
The EP1AGX20CF484C7 requires four independent power rails: VCCINT (1.2 V core), VCCPD (I/O pre-driver, typically 2.5 V or 3.0 V), VCCA (PLL analog, 2.5 V), and VCCPT (transceiver analog, 2.5 V or 3.3 V). Per Altera's Arria GX device handbook, each rail requires a bulk decoupling capacitor within 100 mils of the package balls, plus a 0.1 uF and 0.01 uF high-frequency ceramic capacitor pair. Power sequencing must follow Altera's recommended order (VCCINT first, then VCCA/VCCPT, then VCCPD) to avoid in-rush current damage to the internal ESD structures. Estimated quiescent current draw: 0.5-1.5 A on VCCINT depending on utilization.
Estimated: the FBGA-484 package has theta_JA of approximately 18-22 C/W with sufficient PCB copper pour and airflow. At full utilization (all logic active, transceivers toggling at 3.125 Gbps), the EP1AGX20CF484C7 may dissipate 4-7 W. Junction temperature rise above ambient at 6 W dissipation with theta_JA = 20 C/W is approximately 120 C, exceeding the 85 C commercial limit if ambient exceeds -35 C. Forced-air cooling (1-2 m/s airflow) or a heatsink attached to the package top is required for sustained high-utilization operation. Use the Altera PowerPlay early power estimator to size thermal solution before PCB layout finalization.
The FBGA-484 FineLine BGA has a 1.0 mm ball pitch requiring microvia or via-in-pad PCB technology for reliable assembly. Per IPC-6012 Class 3, finished hole wall copper must be at least 25 um, and the surface finish should be ENIG or OSP for compatibility with the package's solder balls. Use a 6 or 8-layer stack-up with dedicated ground and power planes; place decoupling capacitors on the bottom side directly under the BGA footprint using microvias to inner power/ground planes. Follow Altera's recommended footprint and paste stencil apertures in the Arria GX hardware reference design.
Common pitfalls when designing with the EP1AGX20CF484C7: (1) omitting the configuration device (EPCS or compatible flash) - the FPGA will not boot without it; (2) incorrect transceiver reference clock routing - the MGTREFCLK pins require 100 ppm accuracy and must be routed as a 50-ohm controlled-impedance differential pair; (3) violating the maximum of four multi-gigabit transceiver channels per reference clock region; (4) forgetting to connect all GND balls to the ground plane - floating GND balls cause supply noise and erratic behaviour; (5) using slow LVCMOS I/O standards on clock inputs - use LVDS or differential standards for clock signals above 200 MHz.
Compliance Information
RoHS, REACH, lead-free, and halogen-free status were not present in the Verified Web Data and are marked as unknown. Altera FPGAs from this era were typically offered in both Pb and Pb-free terminal finishes depending on suffix; the C7 part without an N suffix may be Pb-bearing. AEC-Q100 is not applicable to FPGAs (it covers automotive-grade ICs but not FPGAs in this context).
