EP1C3T144C7N - 2,910 LEs Cyclone FPGA 144-LQFP | Intel
MPN: EP1C3T144C7N โ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $24.5 | $24.50 |
| 10 | $22.05 | $220.50 |
| 100 | $19.6 | $1,960.00 |
| 500 | $17.85 | $8,925.00 |
| 1,000 | $16.2 | $16,200.00 |
Drop-in alternatives for EP1C3T144C7N โ same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool โ Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP1C3T144C8N
โ Drop-Inโ In Stock
$14.1 / Unit
View Datasheet โEP1C3T144C6N
โ Drop-Inโ In Stock
$11.94 / Unit
View Datasheet โEP1C3T144I7N
โ Drop-Inโ In Stock
$54.8 / Unit
View Datasheet โEP1C3T144I8N
โ Drop-In๐ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP1C3T100C8N
โ Drop-Inโ In Stock
$14.2 / Unit
View Datasheet โEP1C3T144C7N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Series | Cycloneยฎ |
| Family | Cyclone I |
| Logic Elements (LEs) | 2,910 |
| Embedded RAM Bits | 59,904 |
| Logic Array Blocks (LABs) | 291 |
| User I/Os | 104 |
| PLLs | 1 |
| Process Technology | 130 nm |
| Core Voltage | 1.5 V |
| Speed Grade | 7 |
| Package | 144-LQFP (T144) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +85C (Commercial) |
| Lead Pitch | 1.0 mm |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
EP1C3T144C7N Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 1) |
| Pin 2 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 1) |
| Pin 3 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 1) |
| Pin 4 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 1) |
| Pin 5 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 1) |
| Pin 6 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 1) |
| Pin 7 | VCCINT โ Core supply (1.5 V) |
| Pin 8 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 1) |
| Pin 9 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 1) |
| Pin 10 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 1) |
| Pin 11 | GND โ Ground |
| Pin 12 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 1) |
| Pin 13 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 1) |
| Pin 14 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 1) |
| Pin 15 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 2) |
| Pin 16 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 2) |
| Pin 17 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 2) |
| Pin 18 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 2) |
| Pin 19 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 2) |
| Pin 20 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 2) |
| Pin 21 | VCCIO1 โ I/O Bank 1 supply |
| Pin 22 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 2) |
| Pin 23 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 2) |
| Pin 24 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 2) |
| Pin 25 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 2) |
| Pin 26 | GND โ Ground |
| Pin 27 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 2) |
| Pin 28 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 2) |
| Pin 29 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 2) |
| Pin 30 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 2) |
| Pin 31 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 3) |
| Pin 32 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 3) |
| Pin 33 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 3) |
| Pin 34 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 3) |
| Pin 35 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 3) |
| Pin 36 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 3) |
| Pin 37 | VCCIO2 โ I/O Bank 2 supply |
| Pin 38 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 3) |
| Pin 39 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 3) |
| Pin 40 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 3) |
| Pin 41 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 3) |
| Pin 42 | GND โ Ground |
| Pin 43 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 3) |
| Pin 44 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 3) |
| Pin 45 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 3) |
| Pin 46 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 3) |
| Pin 47 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 4) |
| Pin 48 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 4) |
| Pin 49 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 4) |
| Pin 50 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 4) |
| Pin 51 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 4) |
| Pin 52 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 4) |
| Pin 53 | VCCIO3 โ I/O Bank 3 supply |
| Pin 54 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 4) |
| Pin 55 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 4) |
| Pin 56 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 4) |
| Pin 57 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 4) |
| Pin 58 | GND โ Ground |
| Pin 59 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 4) |
| Pin 60 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 4) |
| Pin 61 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 4) |
| Pin 62 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 4) |
| Pin 63 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 1) |
| Pin 64 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 1) |
| Pin 65 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 1) |
| Pin 66 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 1) |
| Pin 67 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 1) |
| Pin 68 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 1) |
| Pin 69 | VCCIO4 โ I/O Bank 4 supply |
| Pin 70 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 1) |
| Pin 71 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 1) |
| Pin 72 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 1) |
| Pin 73 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 1) |
| Pin 74 | GND โ Ground |
| Pin 75 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 1) |
| Pin 76 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 1) |
| Pin 77 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 1) |
| Pin 78 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 1) |
| Pin 79 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 2) |
| Pin 80 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 2) |
| Pin 81 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 2) |
| Pin 82 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 2) |
| Pin 83 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 2) |
| Pin 84 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 2) |
| Pin 85 | VCCINT โ Core supply (1.5 V) |
| Pin 86 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 2) |
| Pin 87 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 2) |
| Pin 88 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 2) |
| Pin 89 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 2) |
| Pin 90 | GND โ Ground |
| Pin 91 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 2) |
| Pin 92 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 2) |
| Pin 93 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 2) |
| Pin 94 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 2) |
| Pin 95 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 3) |
| Pin 96 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 3) |
| Pin 97 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 3) |
| Pin 98 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 3) |
| Pin 99 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 3) |
| Pin 100 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 3) |
| Pin 101 | VCCIO1 โ I/O Bank 1 supply |
| Pin 102 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 3) |
| Pin 103 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 3) |
| Pin 104 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 3) |
| Pin 105 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 3) |
| Pin 106 | GND โ Ground |
| Pin 107 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 3) |
| Pin 108 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 3) |
| Pin 109 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 3) |
| Pin 110 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 3) |
| Pin 111 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 4) |
| Pin 112 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 4) |
| Pin 113 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 4) |
| Pin 114 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 4) |
| Pin 115 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 4) |
| Pin 116 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 4) |
| Pin 117 | VCCIO2 โ I/O Bank 2 supply |
| Pin 118 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 4) |
| Pin 119 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 4) |
| Pin 120 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 4) |
| Pin 121 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 4) |
| Pin 122 | GND โ Ground |
| Pin 123 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 4) |
| Pin 124 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 4) |
| Pin 125 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 4) |
| Pin 126 | I/O โ User I/O pin (Bank 4) |
| Pin 127 | TDI โ JTAG Test Data In |
| Pin 128 | TMS โ JTAG Test Mode Select |
| Pin 129 | TCK โ JTAG Test Clock |
| Pin 130 | nCONFIG โ Configuration (active-low) |
| Pin 131 | nSTATUS โ Configuration Status (active-low) |
| Pin 132 | CONF_DONE โ Configuration Done |
| Pin 133 | DCLK โ Configuration Clock |
| Pin 134 | DATA0 โ Configuration Data |
| Pin 135 | nCE โ Chip Enable (active-low) |
| Pin 136 | MSEL0 โ Configuration Mode Select 0 |
| Pin 137 | MSEL1 โ Configuration Mode Select 1 |
| Pin 138 | VCCIO3 โ I/O Bank 3 supply |
| Pin 139 | GND โ Ground |
| Pin 140 | PLL_VCC โ PLL Analog Supply (1.5 V) |
| Pin 141 | PLL_GND โ PLL Analog Ground |
| Pin 142 | CLK0 โ Clock Input 0 / PLL Clock Input |
| Pin 143 | CLK1 โ Clock Input 1 |
| Pin 144 | VCCIO4 โ I/O Bank 4 supply |
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
EP1C3T144C7N is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Control and Sensor Aggregation, Low-Cost Video Bridging (ITU-R BT.656), Consumer Electronics Glue Logic, Communications Line-Card Glue Logic, FPGA-Based Peripheral Controller Prototyping, Legacy Design Maintenance and Long-Life Programs, Education and FPGA Training Platforms.
Industrial Control and Sensor Aggregation
The EP1C3T144C7N's 2,910 LEs and 104 user I/Os make it a strong fit for industrial PLC front-ends and multi-sensor aggregation hubs. The 130-nm Cyclone LE fabric comfortably handles 32-bit register maps, Modbus/CAN bus bridging, and deterministic glue logic between ADCs and an ARM-class host MCU. Quartus Prime synthesis with TimeQuest timing closure typically meets 50-80 MHz fMAX in 4-LUT logic-heavy designs. Its 144-LQFP commercial-temperature rating suits IP54 indoor enclosures; the EP1C3T144I7N variant is the drop-in choice for -40C outdoor cabinets.
Recommended
Low-Cost Video Bridging (ITU-R BT.656)
With 59,904 RAM bits arranged as M4K blocks and dual-port memory up to 200 MHz, the EP1C3T144C7N can absorb ITU-R BT.656 (27 MHz, 8/10-bit parallel) video streams and re-format them for HDMI, LVDS, or USB 3.0 bridges. The single PLL generates pixel clocks from a 27 MHz crystal, while 104 I/Os accept the parallel video plus I2C sideband control. Designers typically allocate 30-40% of LEs for line buffers and FIFO state machines, leaving headroom for colour-space conversion (BT.601 to RGB) in roughly 1,200 additional LEs.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics Glue Logic
For set-top boxes, smart-home hubs, and white-goods controllers, the EP1C3T144C7N provides the timing-flexibility and I/O count of an FPGA at the BOM cost of a CPLD. Typical use-cases include I2S-to-S/PDIF audio muxing, GPIO expansion, and PWM generation for backlight drivers. The 1.5 V core and LVCMOS/LVTTL I/O standards mate directly with common audio codecs without external level shifters. Quartus Prime Qsys integration with a Nios II soft-core enables small display-control or keypad-scan microcontrollers on the same die.
Recommended
Communications Line-Card Glue Logic
In telecom line cards and small-cell base stations, the EP1C3T144C7N bridges RapidIO, SPI, and I2C between baseband ASICs, FPGAs, and microcontrollers. The single PLL synthesises line-rate clocks from a 38.88 MHz reference, while 104 LVDS-capable I/Os handle sub-rate SERDES links up to 640 Mbps. Designers implement protocol-framer state machines in roughly 800-1,200 LEs and dedicate 8-16 M4K blocks to elastic FIFOs for clock-domain crossing. Commercial 0C-85C operation matches typical indoor telecom thermal envelopes.
Recommended
FPGA-Based Peripheral Controller Prototyping
Engineers prototyping peripheral controllers (SD card, USB device, Ethernet MAC) often use the EP1C3T144C7N as a flexible I/O and bus-arbitration engine alongside a fixed-function microcontroller. The 2,910 LEs implement DMA engines, scatter-gather lists, and interrupt controllers that can be re-compiled per project. Quartus Prime's Platform Designer instantiates a Nios II/e soft-core at ~600 LEs, leaving 2,000+ LEs for custom logic. JTAG-based in-system programming via USB-Blaster simplifies board bring-up.
Recommended
Legacy Design Maintenance and Long-Life Programs
The EP1C3T144C7N remains in long-life programs for industrial, medical, and aerospace systems that were certified with Cyclone I silicon. Its NRND status does not prevent last-time-buy procurement; Intel continues to ship the device through authorised distributors. Drop-in same-package alternatives such as the EP1C3T144C8N (lower cost) and EP1C3T144I7N (industrial temperature) cover most re-spin scenarios without requiring PCB respin. Migration to Cyclone IV E (EP4CE6E22C8N in 144-EQFP) requires footprint review.
Recommended
Education and FPGA Training Platforms
The EP1C3T144C7N's low unit cost, 144-LQFP hand-solderable footprint, and free Quartus Prime Web Edition toolchain make it a popular target for university digital-logic and embedded-systems courses. The 2,910 LEs comfortably host full Nios II/s processor subsystems with SDRAM and Ethernet MAC reference designs from the Intel University Program. Students can JTAG-program the board via the Altera USB-Blaster and iterate Verilog/VHDL designs without external PROM.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP1C3T144C7N โ comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP1C3T144C8N | EP1C3T144C6N | EP1C3T144I7N | EP1C3T144I8N | EP1C3T100C8N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 144-LQFP (T144) | 144-LQFP (T144) - same | 144-LQFP (T144) - same | 144-LQFP (T144) - same | 144-LQFP (T144) - same | 100-TQFP (T100) - different |
| Brand | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel |
| Logic Elements | 2,910 | 2,910 | 2,910 | 2,910 | 2,910 | 2,910 |
| Embedded RAM Bits | 59,904 | 59,904 | 59,904 | 59,904 | 59,904 | 59,904 |
| User I/Os | 104 | 104 | 104 | 104 | 104 | 65 (100-pin reduces I/O count) |
| Speed Grade | 7 | 8 (slower) | 6 (faster) | 7 (same) | 8 (slower) | 8 |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +85C (Commercial) | 0C to +85C (Commercial) | 0C to +85C (Commercial) | -40C to +100C (Industrial) | -40C to +100C (Industrial) | 0C to +85C (Commercial) |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND |
Key Differentiators
- Cyclone I series - lowest-cost FPGA family in Intel portfolio (vs EP4CE6E22C8N (Cyclone IV E))
- 144-LQFP hand-solderable footprint (vs EP1C3T100C8N (100-TQFP))
- Commercial 0C-85C temperature range (vs EP1C3T144I7N (industrial -40C to +100C))
Design Notes
The EP1C3T144C7N requires a clean 1.5 V supply on VCCINT pins (pins 7, 85) and a separate VCCIO supply on each I/O bank (VCCIO1/2/3/4 at pins 21/37/53/69/101/117/138/144). Estimated: total ICCINT current at typical 100 MHz fMAX and 70% utilisation is roughly 200-400 mA. Place 100 nF and 10 uF decoupling capacitors within 5 mm of each VCCINT pin and at every VCCIO pin, with a ferrite bead isolating PLL_VCC (pin 140) from digital VCCINT to minimise PLL jitter.
Route all four I/O bank VCCIO rails separately to allow mixed-voltage I/O standards (e.g. 3.3 V LVCMOS on Bank 1 and 2.5 V SSTL on Bank 2). The 144-LQFP has 0.5 mm lead pitch, allowing escape on 4 inner layers with 0.2 mm vias. Connect the exposed thermal pad to a continuous ground pour with at least 8 thermal vias (0.3 mm drill) to keep junction-to-ambient theta_JA below 30 C/W.
Do not confuse Cyclone I with Cyclone II/III/IV/V - the configuration bitstream is NOT compatible. The EP1C3T144C7N must be programmed with a Cyclone I .sof or .pof generated by Quartus Prime 13.0sp1 or earlier (later Quartus versions dropped Cyclone I device support). For JTAG programming, use a USB-Blaster or ByteBlaster II cable with TCK (pin 129) pulled weakly to GND through 1 kohm for noise immunity.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Intel product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - this is a commercial-temperature FPGA not intended for automotive safety-critical applications.
