Intel

EP1K50FC484-1N - 50K-Gate ACEX-1K FPGA 250MHz 484-BGA | Intel

MPN: EP1K50FC484-1N ✗ End of Life
In Stock Ships in 1-3 business days
2.5 V Vdss 484-ball FineLine BGA (FBGA) Package 250 MHz Speed 40,960 Memory
From $21.4 USD / Unit
MOQ: 1 |
Price updated: 2026-09-06
Volume Pricing
Qty Unit Price Extended
1 $38.5 $38.50
10 $34.2 $342.00
100 $28.9 $2,890.00
500 $24.6 $12,300.00
1,000 $21.4 $21,400.00
ℹ️ All prices are in USD

Drop-in alternatives for EP1K50FC484-1N — 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:

EP1K50FC484-1

✅ Drop-In
Intel
📦 484-FBGA
ACEX-1K · 2,880 · 50,000 · 10 (each 4,096 bits) · 40,960 bits · 360 · 249 · 484-ball FineLine BGA (FBGA-484)

✓ In Stock

$26.4 / Unit

View Datasheet →

EP1K50FC484-2N

✅ Drop-In
Intel
📦 484-FBGA
ACEX 1K · 2,880 · 50,000 · 360 · 40,960 · 249 · 2.5 V · 0.22 µm

✓ In Stock

$26.4 / Unit

View Datasheet →

EP1K50FC484-3N

✅ Drop-In
Intel
📦 484-FBGA
ACEX-1K · 2880 · 50,000 · 40,960 bits · 360 · 249 · 166.67 MHz · 0.22 um CMOS

✓ In Stock

$19.5 / Unit

View Datasheet →

EP1K100FC484-1N

✅ Drop-In
Intel
📦 484-FBGA
ACEX-1K · Intel (formerly Altera) · 4,992 · 624 · 49,152 · 333 · 100,000 · 2.375 V to 2.625 V (core, 2.5 V nominal)

✓ In Stock

$58.4 / Unit

View Datasheet →

EP1K100FC484-2N

✅ Drop-In
Intel
📦 484-FBGA
ACEX-1K · 4,992 · 100,000 · 49,152 bits · 333 · 484-ball FBGA · 2.5 V · 0.22 µm SRAM

✓ In Stock

$58.4 / Unit

View Datasheet →

EP1K50FC484-1N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics

Family ACEX-1K
Manufacturer Intel (formerly Altera)
Logic Elements (LEs) 2,880
Typical System Gates 50,000
Maximum User I/O Pins 249
Logic Array Blocks (LABs) 360
Embedded Array Blocks (EABs) 12
Embedded Memory (Bits) 40,960
Maximum Internal Clock Frequency 250 MHz
Process Technology 0.22 µm CMOS
Core Supply Voltage (VCCINT) 2.5 V
Package 484-ball FineLine BGA (FBGA)
Mounting Type Surface Mount
Speed Grade -1 (commercial)
Configuration Method SRAM, JTAG (IEEE 1149.1)
RoHS Status Compliant (lead-free "N" suffix)

EP1K50FC484-1N 484-ball fineline bga (fbga) Pin Configuration Guide

Complete pinout information for EP1K50FC484-1N (484-ball fineline bga (fbga) package) with 249 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.

484-ball fineline bga (fbga) package pinout diagram for EP1K50FC484-1N

No detailed pinout data available for EP1K50FC484-1N.

Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.

Estimated pin count: 249 pins (digital package)

Safe Operating Area (SOA) & Thermal Characteristics

Safe Operating Area Chart Default safe operating area chart for EP1K50FC484-1N Drain-to-Source Voltage (Vds) Drain Current (Id)

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

EP1K50FC484-1N is suitable for 6 applications: Communications Infrastructure Glue Logic, Industrial Control & Instrumentation, PCI / Local-Bus Bridging, Test & Measurement Backplanes, Low-Volume Custom DSP Pre/Post-Processing, Legacy Peripheral & Protocol-Conversion Cards.

🌐

Communications Infrastructure Glue Logic

The EP1K50FC484-1N's 50K gates and 249 user I/O in a 484-FBGA package make it a strong fit for telecom glue-logic cards that bridge standard buses and protocol converters. Its 250 MHz internal clock and PCI-compatible I/O let it absorb protocol adaptation between legacy TDM backplanes and packet-based fabrics without external bus switches. The 12 EABs (40,960 bits of dual-port RAM) handle small cell buffers and lookup tables in place of an external SRAM, reducing BOM cost. Compared with a CPLD, the EP1K50 absorbs wider parallel buses in one device.

🏭

Industrial Control & Instrumentation

With 249 I/O pins and multi-standard I/O support (3.3 V LVTTL/LVCMOS, PCI, GTL+), the EP1K50FC484-1N is well-suited to industrial controllers that must interface parallel ADC/DAC banks, motor-control PWMs, and field-bus bridges in a single device. The 2.5 V core is tolerant of industrial 24 V supply rails after step-down, and the JTAG boundary-scan interface simplifies in-system programming on the production line. The device is commercial-grade (0 °C to +70 °C); for harsher industrial thermal ranges, select the I-temp variant or migrate to Cyclone IV.

🖥️

PCI / Local-Bus Bridging

The EP1K50FC484-1N's PCI-compatible I/O pins and 50K-gate capacity let it act as a transparent bridge between a 32-bit/33 MHz PCI bus and a proprietary peripheral bus, eliminating the need for an expensive PCI bridge ASIC. Its 12 EABs (40,960 bits) can implement small FIFO buffers in dual-port mode, smoothing burst transfers across clock domains. The 484-FBGA package exposes enough user I/O to break out both 32-bit PCI and a 32-bit local bus simultaneously. Quartus IP cores provide ready-made PCI target controllers.

🔧

Test & Measurement Backplanes

The EP1K50FC484-1N serves well in test-and-measurement backplanes where multiple parallel data streams (LVTTL/LVCMOS) must be multiplexed, framed, and forwarded to a host processor. The 360 LABs and 12 EABs support pattern generation, error counters, and small DSP pre-processing pipelines up to 250 MHz. The 484-FBGA package enables compact PCB layouts with controlled-impedance routing for high-speed LVDS-style signals. JTAG scan chains enable board-level boundary-scan test integration on production testers.

📺

Low-Volume Custom DSP Pre/Post-Processing

For low-volume designs requiring custom DSP pipelines (FIR filters, FFT pre-processing, codec rate conversion), the EP1K50FC484-1N delivers 50K gates and 12 EABs of memory at a fraction of ASIC NRE cost. The 250 MHz internal clock supports video-rate DSP at common pixel clock frequencies. Compared with a discrete DSP processor, the FPGA allows bit-width customization and parallel datapaths. Quartus DSP IP and Megafunctions simplify filter and FFT instantiation.

🎥

Legacy Peripheral & Protocol-Conversion Cards

The EP1K50FC484-1N is a typical solution for legacy peripheral cards that must translate between obsolete parallel protocols (VME, ISA, PC/104) and modern serial interfaces. Its wide I/O count (249 pins) accommodates several legacy buses simultaneously, and its EAB-based dual-port RAM acts as a rate-matching buffer between asynchronous domains. For long-life-cycle industrial and defense systems that must remain in production for decades, the EP1K50FC484-1N's mature tooling (Quartus II) and broad second-source availability remain an advantage.

Recommended Products Summary

What is the EP1K50FC484-1N?
The EP1K50FC484-1N is a member of Intel's (formerly Altera's) ACEX-1K FPGA family, featuring 50,000 system gates, 2,880 logic elements, 40,960 bits of embedded SRAM, and 249 user I/O pins in a 484-ball FineLine BGA package. According to the ACEX-1K datasheet family, the "FC484" suffix denotes the FBGA-484 package, "-1" indicates the commercial speed grade, and "N" indicates a lead-free / RoHS-compliant finish.
What is the maximum operating frequency of EP1K50FC484-1N?
The EP1K50FC484-1N is rated for up to 250 MHz internal performance in the -1 speed grade. Real-world clock frequency depends on design complexity, place-and-route timing closure, and I/O standard used; consult Quartus timing analysis for your specific design. Higher-speed EP1K50 variants use the -2 or -3 speed grade suffix.
What is the difference between EP1K50FC484-1N and EP1K50FC484-2N?
Both are EP1K50 ACEX-1K devices in the same 484-FBGA package and pin-compatible. The -1N suffix denotes the slower commercial speed grade, while -2N is a faster speed grade. According to the FindIC comparison, the -1N runs at up to 250 MHz and the -2N is speed-binned higher. The "N" on both indicates lead-free RoHS compliance.
How much on-chip memory does EP1K50FC484-1N have?
The EP1K50FC484-1N integrates 12 Embedded Array Blocks (EABs) totaling 40,960 bits of dual-port RAM or ROM. Each EAB provides 4,096 bits and can be configured as RAM, ROM, or used as a logic resource. This makes the EP1K50 suitable for small FIFOs, lookup tables, and coefficient stores.
What is the core supply voltage of EP1K50FC484-1N?
The EP1K50FC484-1N requires a 2.5 V VCCINT core supply. The I/O banks (VCCIO) can be driven at multiple voltages depending on the I/O standard selected (3.3 V LVTTL, 2.5 V LVCMOS, 3.3 V PCI, etc.). Always consult the ACEX-1K datasheet to confirm VCCIO compatibility for your chosen I/O standard.
Where can I buy EP1K50FC484-1N today?
The EP1K50FC484-1N is listed as obsolete / end-of-life on distributor pages and is sourced primarily through the secondary market. DigiKey (Digi-Key part 1084882), Mouser, Octopart, Heisener, and Microchip USA all list inventory; pricing as of 2026-09-07 is roughly $38.50 at qty 1, dropping to $21.40 at qty 1000. Lead time is generally stock-to-2 weeks from authorized distributors.
What is the price of EP1K50FC484-1N in production quantities?
As of 2026-09-07, EP1K50FC484-1N distributor pricing tiers are approximately $38.50 (qty 1), $34.20 (qty 10), $28.90 (qty 100), $24.60 (qty 500), and $21.40 (qty 1000). The part is obsolete at Intel, so prices reflect excess inventory and may fluctuate. Request a quote from Heisener or Microchip USA for spot/bulk availability.
Is EP1K50FC484-1N in stock and what is the lead time?
Heisener reports approximately 5,920 pieces in stock as of 2026-09-07 with estimated delivery of Dec 10 - Dec 15 for in-stock quantities. DigiKey ships immediately for verified orders. Because the part is discontinued by Intel, lead times can stretch when distributor stock is depleted - confirm with your supplier before scheduling a build.
EP1K50FC484-1N vs EP1K100FC484-1N - which is better for my application?
Both share the 484-FBGA package and are pin-compatible within the ACEX-1K family. Choose EP1K50FC484-1N when your design fits 50K gates / 2,880 LEs / 40 Kbits of RAM (lower cost). Choose EP1K100FC484-1N when you need 100K gates / 4,992 LEs / 49,152 bits of RAM for higher logic density. Both run on 2.5 V VCCINT and are footprint-compatible.
What is the best drop-in replacement for EP1K50FC484-1N?
The closest drop-in same-package replacements are the speed-grade and density variants within the ACEX-1K family in the same 484-FBGA footprint: EP1K50FC484-1 (non-lead-free), EP1K50FC484-2N (faster speed grade), EP1K50FC484-3N (fastest speed grade), and EP1K100FC484-1N (higher-density 100K-gate part). For migration to active silicon, the Intel Cyclone II family (e.g., EP2C50F484) is a software-compatible successor, but is not pin-compatible and requires PCB rework.
Can EP1K50FC484-1N be replaced with an Xilinx equivalent?
Yes, but only as a functional equivalent — not a pin-compatible drop-in. Intel ACEX-1K FPGAs are programmed with Quartus and have no direct Xilinx pin-compatible equivalent in the same 484-FBGA. Common functional alternatives are Xilinx Spartan-II XC2S50 or Spartan-3 XC3S50, but they require PCB rework and a new bitstream. Verify I/O standard and voltage compatibility before migrating.
Where can I download the EP1K50FC484-1N datasheet PDF?
The official ACEX-1K family datasheet is hosted by Intel at https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/programmable/documentation/lit-hb/external/ds/ds_ex10k.html (refer to it generically as the manufacturer datasheet; the legacy Altera document number is not reproduced here verbatim). Datasheet mirrors are also available at A-Datasheet (adatasheet.com/pdf/ep1k50fc4841n-ad173356571), altera.com archive mirrors, and the Veswin distributor page.
What is the pinout of EP1K50FC484-1N?
The EP1K50FC484-1N uses a 484-ball FineLine BGA (FBGA) package. The complete BGA ball map (signals, JTAG, configuration pins, VCCINT, VCCIO, GND) is provided in the manufacturer datasheet pinout section. The top of the package is marked with a dot indicating ball A1; signal pins are arranged in a grid following JEDEC FineLine BGA conventions. Use the Quartus pin planner for automated assignment.
Is EP1K50FC484-1N suitable for new designs in 2026?
No - the EP1K50FC484-1N is listed as obsolete / end-of-life by Intel. For new designs, choose an active Intel FPGA family such as Cyclone IV (EP4CE50) or Cyclone V (5CEBA4) in the same 484-FBGA footprint. For existing designs, the EP1K50FC484-1N remains serviceable from secondary-market stock but is not recommended for new production.
What is the key specification that engineers should know about EP1K50FC484-1N?
The three headline specifications engineers must know are: 50,000 typical system gates (logic capacity), 2,880 logic elements (basic building block count), and 249 maximum user I/O pins in a 484-FBGA package. The 2.5 V VCCINT core supply, 250 MHz internal clock, and 40,960 bits of embedded SRAM round out the headline performance envelope of this 2000-vintage ACEX-1K device.
Hey Google, what can replace EP1K50FC484-1N if it is out of stock?
If the EP1K50FC484-1N is out of stock, the immediate same-footprint replacements are EP1K50FC484-1 (non-lead-free), EP1K50FC484-2N (faster speed grade, same 484-FBGA), and EP1K50FC484-3N (fastest speed grade). For higher logic density in the same package, choose EP1K100FC484-1N (100K gates). For new designs migrating to active silicon, use EP2C50F484 from the Intel Cyclone II family — but plan for non-pin-compatible PCB rework.

Engineering reference data for EP1K50FC484-1N — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.

Selection Guide

Choose the EP1K50FC484-1N when your design needs ~50K gates of glue-logic capacity, 249 user I/O in a single 484-FBGA package, and at least 40 Kbits of EAB-based dual-port memory. Prefer the -2N or -3N speed grade if your timing closure is tight. If your design exceeds 50K gates, step up to the pin-compatible EP1K100FC484-1N or EP1K100FC484-2N. For new designs targeting active silicon, evaluate Cyclone IV (EP4CE40/50) which is software-compatible but requires PCB rework. Avoid the EP1K50FC484-1N (no N suffix) if RoHS compliance is required for sale into the EU.

Comparison with Alternatives

Parameter This Product EP1K50FC484-1 EP1K50FC484-2N EP1K50FC484-3N EP1K100FC484-1N EP1K100FC484-2N
Brand Intel (formerly Altera) Intel (formerly Altera) Intel (formerly Altera) Intel (formerly Altera) Intel (formerly Altera) Intel (formerly Altera)
Package 484-FBGA (FineLine BGA) 484-FBGA (same) 484-FBGA (same) 484-FBGA (same) 484-FBGA (same) 484-FBGA (same)
Family ACEX-1K ACEX-1K ACEX-1K ACEX-1K ACEX-1K ACEX-1K
Typical System Gates 50,000 50,000 50,000 50,000 100,000 (+100%) 100,000 (+100%)
Logic Elements 2,880 2,880 2,880 2,880 4,992 (+73%) 4,992 (+73%)
Embedded Memory (bits) 40,960 40,960 40,960 40,960 49,152 (+20%) 49,152 (+20%)
Maximum User I/O 249 249 249 249 333 333
Speed Grade -1 -1 -2 (faster) -3 (fastest) -1 -2 (faster)
Lead-Free / RoHS Yes (N) No (no N suffix) Yes (N) Yes (N) Yes (N) Yes (N)

Key Differentiators

  • Wide 249-I/O 484-FBGA package with embedded memory (vs EP1K30FC256-3N)
  • Higher logic capacity in the same 484-FBGA footprint (vs EP1K50FC484-1N vs EP1K100FC484-1N)
  • Mature Quartus II toolchain with abundant legacy IP (vs Xilinx Spartan-II XC2S50)

Design Notes

The EP1K50FC484-1N requires a 2.5 V VCCINT core supply separate from VCCIO I/O bank supplies. Estimate Iccint at approximately 5-15 mA per MHz of internal toggle rate plus static EAB/IO contribution; use a low-noise LDO such as an LT3021-2.5 or TPS7A45 followed by a 22 µF + 0.1 µF ceramic decoupling network. I/O bank VCCIO must match the chosen I/O standard (3.3 V LVTTL, 2.5 V LVCMOS, 3.3 V PCI, etc.).

The 484-FBGA package requires multilayer PCB escape routing. Use microvias (laser-drilled, 6 mil pad) on at least 4 routing layers if possible, with the top layer dedicated to fan-out and inner layers for signal routing. Keep all decoupling capacitors within 100 mils of their respective supply balls and stitch GND vias on every BGA corner ball. Controlled-impedance traces (50 Ω single-ended) are mandatory for clocks and high-speed I/O.

ACEX-1K FPGAs use SRAM configuration cells, so they must reconfigure on every power-up. Provide a configuration source: a serial configuration PROM (EPC2LC20 / EPC4 / EPC8) in PS or AS mode, JTAG, or a microcontroller driving DCLK/DATA. Failure to populate the configuration source results in a non-functional board. JTAG chain integrity (TCK, TMS, TDI, TDO) must be verified with the Quartus programmer before board bring-up.

The 484-FBGA package has a θJA of approximately 15-20 °C/W (with proper PCB thermal design). For typical designs running at moderate toggle rates, junction temperature rise above ambient is under 10 °C. For high-utilization designs (>80% LE usage, high EAB bandwidth), verify thermal performance in the Quartus PowerPlay tool and add thermal vias under the BGA if needed.

Compliance Information

RoHS
Compliant
REACH
Unknown
AEC-Q100
Not Applicable
Lead Free
Yes
Halogen Free
Unknown
Conflict Minerals
Unknown

RoHS / lead-free status inferred from the "N" suffix in the MPN per Altera / Intel naming convention. REACH, halogen-free, and conflict-mineral declarations are not present in the verified web data; consult Intel's product compliance declarations for confirmation.

Data verified on: 2026-09-07 — data verified and curated by XAIPART's component engineering team

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Related Components & Terms

Intel Altera EP1K50FC484-1N ACEX-1K FPGA Field-Programmable Gate Array Logic Element Logic Array Block Embedded Array Block SRAM EAB FineLine BGA FBGA-484 0.22 µm CMOS 2.5 V VCCINT VCCIO LVTTL LVCMOS PCI JTAG IEEE 1149.1 RoHS lead-free Quartus II EPC2LC20 serial configuration PROM Cyclone II Cyclone IV Spartan-II
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