EP1C6F256C7N - Cyclone FPGA 5980 LE 256-FBGA | Intel
MPN: EP1C6F256C7N ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $32.17 | $32.17 |
| 10 | $28.95 | $289.50 |
| 100 | $24.4 | $2,440.00 |
| 500 | $20.85 | $10,425.00 |
| 1,000 | $18.2 | $18,200.00 |
EP1C6F256C7N Overview
An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) is a semiconductor device built around an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs), embedded memory, and programmable routing that the designer implements after fabrication. FPGAs sit within the broader hierarchy of programmable logic devices (PLD) -> FPGA -> SRAM-based FPGA -> low-cost FPGA family. Compared with ASICs, FPGAs offer rapid prototyping, in-field re-programmability, and NRE-free development at the expense of unit cost and static power. The Cyclone family specifically targets cost-sensitive volume applications by trimming high-speed transceivers and emphasizing logic density per dollar.
Key features of the EP1C6F256C7N include 5,980 logic elements (LEs), 92,160 total RAM bits distributed across M4K memory blocks, two PLLs for clock multiplication and phase shifting, and 185 user I/O pins supporting LVTTL, LVCMOS, SSTL, and differential I/O standards. The device supports up to four Delay-Locked Loops for source-synchronous memory interfaces such as DDR SDRAM. Configuration is loaded through passive serial (PS), active serial (AS), or JTAG modes, enabling flexible boot from EPCS configuration flash.
The Cyclone architecture uses a 4-input look-up table (LUT) per logic element, with embedded multiplier support implemented in soft logic for low DSP workloads. Internal signal integrity is maintained through a hierarchical routing architecture with predictable timing closure at the -7 speed grade. Static power is minimized by the 1.5 V core, while dynamic power scales with toggle rate and clock frequency. The 256-FBGA package provides a compact 17 mm x 17 mm footprint suitable for space-constrained embedded boards.
Typical applications include industrial control and factory automation, video processing pipelines, motor control and motion drive interfaces, low-cost prototyping for ASIC replacement, and glue-logic consolidation around processors. The Cyclone family is widely used in display controllers, telecom line cards, and test-and-measurement front-ends where 5K-10K LE designs dominate.
When designing with this device, ensure that your Quartus II project targets the EP1C6Q256C7 device symbol, that the I/O bank voltages match the chosen standard, and that the configuration flash (EPCS4 or EPCS16) is sized for the .pof file. Note that the EP1C6 series is mature; lead times can vary and the part is increasingly sourced through brokers for new designs.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in Cyclone-family alternatives, and Quartus II configuration guidance not found in a single distributor product page.
Drop-in alternatives for EP1C6F256C7N — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with EP1C6F256C7N (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Speed Grade, Operating Temperature, RoHS Status, Process Technology.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP1C6F256C8N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$21.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1C6F256C6N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$21.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1C6F256I7N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$27.94 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1C6F256C7
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$17.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1C12F256C7N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$27.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP1C6F256C7N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Series | Cyclone |
| Manufacturer | Intel (formerly Altera) |
| Logic Elements (LE) | 5,980 |
| Total RAM Bits | 92,160 |
| User I/O Count | 185 |
| Number of PLLs | 2 |
| Core Voltage | 1.5 V |
| Process Technology | 0.13 µm SRAM, all-layer copper |
| Speed Grade | -7 (C7) |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +85C (commercial) |
| Package Type | 256-ball FineLine BGA (FBGA-256) |
| Package Dimensions | 17 mm x 17 mm |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Configuration Mode | Passive Serial (PS), Active Serial (AS), JTAG |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
EP1C6F256C7N 17 mm x 17 mm Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP1C6F256C7N (17 mm x 17 mm package). 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 EP1C6F256C7N.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP1C6F256C7N is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control and Factory Automation, Video Processing and Display Controllers, Motor Control and Motion Drive Interfaces, ASIC Prototyping and Logic Consolidation, Telecom Line Cards and Network Glue Logic, Test and Measurement Front-Ends.
Industrial Control and Factory Automation
The EP1C6F256C7N fits industrial control designs where 5K logic elements are sufficient for PLC scan engines, sensor fusion glue logic, and EtherCAT or Modbus protocol bridging. With 185 user I/O and 1.5 V low static power, it consolidates multiple 74HC/74LVC discrete logic ICs onto a single programmable device, reducing board area and BOM count. The two on-chip PLLs allow deterministic clock synthesis for motor-control PWM and encoder feedback loops. Industrial designers should pair the EP1C6F256I7N variant when the cabinet ambient exceeds 70C, since the C7N is commercial-grade only. Quartus II supports industrial IP libraries for EtherCAT, Profibus, and CAN, making it a mature platform for factory-floor integration where the 256-FBGA's 17x17 mm footprint fits inside compact DIN-rail enclosures.
Recommended
Video Processing and Display Controllers
The EP1C6F256C7N is widely used in mid-resolution video pipelines where its 5,980 LEs and 92 Kbit RAM support line buffers, color-space conversion, and on-screen display overlay. The 185 user I/O accept 18-bit or 24-bit RGB buses plus control signals at 65 MHz pixel clock, matching standard SXGA and 720p panel timing. The two PLLs synthesize pixel clocks from a 27 MHz reference, eliminating external clock generators. For 1080p or higher bandwidth, designers should evaluate the EP1C12F256C7N which provides 12K LEs for larger frame buffers. Cyclone remains a low-cost choice for kiosk displays, digital signage controllers, and medical-imaging front-ends where FPGA fabric provides deterministic latency unavailable in general-purpose processors.
Recommended
Motor Control and Motion Drive Interfaces
Motor drive designers select the EP1C6F256C7N for resolver-to-digital conversion, PWM generation, and field-oriented control state machines. The 185 user I/O connect directly to 3-phase gate drivers, encoder quadratures, and Hall sensors with LVTTL or LVDS signalling, while the 92 Kbit RAM captures current-loop sample streams at 10-20 kHz. Cyclone's deterministic fabric provides sub-microsecond latency for torque-loop updates, outperforming MCU-based solutions at lower cost than DSP alternatives. Designers should choose the EP1C6F256I7N for under-hood automotive or outdoor cabinet installations where ambient exceeds 85C. The 256-FBGA package's 17x17 mm footprint fits inside IPM modules and integrated servo drive PCBs.
Recommended
ASIC Prototyping and Logic Consolidation
Designers use the EP1C6F256C7N as a low-cost prototyping vehicle for ASIC tape-outs in the 5K-10K gate range, validating state machines, bus arbiters, and memory controllers before committing to mask costs. The 256-FBGA package exposes all 185 I/O to 3.3 V LVCMOS or SSTL-II, enabling direct connection to DDR or QDR SRAM for system-level emulation. Quartus II synthesis reports accurate timing closure at the -7 speed grade, allowing correlation with downstream ASIC synthesis flows. For ASIC replacement volumes under 10K units per year, the EP1C6F256C7N often replaces a custom mask with zero NRE. Migration to the EP1C12F256C7N is pin-compatible if the prototype grows beyond 6K LEs during validation.
Recommended
Telecom Line Cards and Network Glue Logic
Telecom OEMs deployed the EP1C6F256C7N as a glue-logic aggregator on T1/E1 line cards, DSLAM backplanes, and PTN tributary interfaces where it bridges microprocessors to framer ICs and serializer-deserializer chips. The 5,980 LEs accommodate HDLC controllers, timeslot crossbars, and bit-error-rate testers, while the 92 Kbit RAM holds jitter buffers. The 185 user I/O support LVTTL and LVDS for direct connection to TDM buses without external transceivers. The two PLLs synthesize E1 (2.048 MHz), T1 (1.544 MHz), and N x 8 kHz reference clocks from a single 19.44 MHz system oscillator. Legacy telecom equipment still ships with Cyclone I silicon because of its long-life-cycle status and proven reliability in carrier-grade environments.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Front-Ends
The EP1C6F256C7N serves as a programmable stimulus/response engine in benchtop test equipment, arbitrary waveform generators, and logic analyzer probes. With 185 user I/O, the device routes pattern data at up to 250 MHz LVDS to DUT pins, while embedded RAM holds deep stimulus vectors that exceed microcontroller memory limits. The 92 Kbit RAM supports 2048-sample deep patterns at 18-bit width, suitable for DDR memory margining and protocol compliance testing. Quartus II's SignalTap II logic analyzer provides on-chip debug visibility without external scope channels, accelerating bring-up. The 256-FBGA footprint integrates into compact PXI and USB-form-factor instruments where board area is at a premium.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP1C6F256C7N — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP1C6F256C8N | EP1C6F256C6N | EP1C6F256I7N | EP1C12F256C7N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Intel (Altera) | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel |
| Package | 256-FBGA (17x17 mm) | 256-FBGA - same | 256-FBGA - same | 256-FBGA - same | 256-FBGA - same |
| Logic Elements | 5,980 | 5,980 | 5,980 | 5,980 | 12,060 |
| Speed Grade | C7 | C8 (faster) | C6 (slower) | I7 (industrial) | C7 |
| Temperature Grade | Commercial 0C to +85C | Commercial | Commercial | Industrial -40C to +100C | Commercial |
| User I/O | 185 | 185 | 185 | 185 | 185 |
| Total RAM Bits | 92,160 | 92,160 | 92,160 | 92,160 | 239,616 |
| PLLs | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Core Voltage | 1.5 V | 1.5 V | 1.5 V | 1.5 V | 1.5 V |
Key Differentiators
- Balanced mid-density 5,980 LE capacity with 185 user I/O (vs EP1C3T144C7N)
- Pin-compatible migration to higher density EP1C12F256C7N (vs EP1C12F256C7N)
- Long-life mature silicon with active legacy support (vs Lattice ECP2-6)
Design Notes
Estimated: at 100% toggle rate across 5,980 LEs and 185 I/O toggling at 100 MHz, the EP1C6F256C7N draws roughly 500-700 mA from the 1.5 V core rail and 100-200 mA from the I/O banks. Decouple the core with at least four 4.7 µF bulk caps plus 0.1 µF X7R ceramics distributed around the BGA footprint. PLL analog supplies (VCC_PLL1/2) require isolated ferrite beads and 10 µF + 0.1 µF filtering per Cyclone handbook Chapter 11.
The 256-FBGA 17x17 mm package uses 1.0 mm ball pitch with full-array ball layout. PCB design requires microvia or via-in-pad technology on at least 4 routing layers to escape the inner rows; standard 0.2 mm vias on 0.4 mm pads work only on outer rows. Maintain a continuous ground plane on layer 2 beneath the BGA to control return paths and provide thermal dissipation; the exposed center balls are GND for thermal relief.
Quartus Prime (starting v14.0) does not officially support Cyclone I; use Quartus II 13.0sp1 or earlier for the EP1C6 family. Do not confuse the EP1C6 (Cyclone) with EP1C20 (Cyclone, higher density) or EP1AGX (Arria GX) - the device symbol in the .qsf file must exactly match EP1C6F256C7. For configuration, MSEL[2:0] pins must be tied to select AS (011), PS (000), or JTAG (101) mode per Cyclone Handbook Chapter 11.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Arrow.com EU RoHS declaration. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - select a Cyclone IV/V automotive-grade part for new automotive programs. Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in the verified data.
