EP20K100CT144C7 - APEX-20K FPGA, 100K Gates, 144-TQFP | Intel
MPN: EP20K100CT144C7 β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $18.5 | $18.50 |
| 10 | $16.2 | $162.00 |
| 100 | $13.85 | $1,385.00 |
| 500 | $11.4 | $5,700.00 |
| 1,000 | $9.75 | $9,750.00 |
Drop-in alternatives for EP20K100CT144C7 β same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP20K100CT144C8
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―β In Stock
$185 / Unit
View Datasheet βEP20K100CF144C7
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―β In Stock
$28.4 / Unit
View Datasheet βEP20K100CF144C8
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―β In Stock
$36 / Unit
View Datasheet βEP20K100CF144C9
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―β In Stock
$49 / Unit
View Datasheet βEP20K100ET144C7
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP20K100ET144C8
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP20K100CT144C7 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Series | APEX-20K |
| Family | APEX-20K (formerly Altera) |
| Typical Gates | 100,000 |
| System Gates | 53,248 |
| Logic Elements | 4,160 |
| Flip-Flops | 53,248 |
| Maximum Memory Bits | 53,248 |
| User I/O Pins | 93 |
| Package | 144-LQFP / 144-TQFP |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Process Technology | 0.18 um CMOS |
| Core Voltage | 1.8 V |
| I/O Voltage Support | 1.8V / 2.5V / 3.3V (multi-voltage I/O) |
| Speed Grade | C7 (commercial) |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +85C (commercial) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (per distributor listings) |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
EP20K100CT144C7 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 2 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 3 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 4 | VCCIO1 β I/O bank 1 supply voltage |
| Pin 5 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 6 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 7 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 8 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 9 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 10 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 11 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 12 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 13 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 14 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 15 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 16 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 17 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 18 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 19 | VCCINT β Core supply voltage 1.8V |
| Pin 20 | I/O β User I/O bank 2 |
| Pin 21 | I/O β User I/O bank 2 |
| Pin 22 | I/O β User I/O bank 2 |
| Pin 23 | I/O β User I/O bank 2 |
| Pin 24 | I/O β User I/O bank 2 |
| Pin 25 | I/O β User I/O bank 2 |
| Pin 26 | I/O β User I/O bank 2 |
| Pin 27 | I/O β User I/O bank 2 |
| Pin 28 | I/O β User I/O bank 2 |
| Pin 29 | I/O β User I/O bank 2 |
| Pin 30 | VCCIO2 β I/O bank 2 supply voltage |
| Pin 31 | I/O β User I/O bank 2 |
| Pin 32 | I/O β User I/O bank 2 |
| Pin 33 | I/O β User I/O bank 2 |
| Pin 34 | I/O β User I/O bank 2 |
| Pin 35 | I/O β User I/O bank 2 |
| Pin 36 | I/O β User I/O bank 2 |
| Pin 37 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 38 | VCCINT β Core supply voltage 1.8V |
| Pin 39 | I/O β User I/O bank 3 |
| Pin 40 | I/O β User I/O bank 3 |
| Pin 41 | I/O β User I/O bank 3 |
| Pin 42 | I/O β User I/O bank 3 |
| Pin 43 | I/O β User I/O bank 3 |
| Pin 44 | I/O β User I/O bank 3 |
| Pin 45 | I/O β User I/O bank 3 |
| Pin 46 | I/O β User I/O bank 3 |
| Pin 47 | I/O β User I/O bank 3 |
| Pin 48 | VCCIO3 β I/O bank 3 supply voltage |
| Pin 49 | I/O β User I/O bank 3 |
| Pin 50 | I/O β User I/O bank 3 |
| Pin 51 | I/O β User I/O bank 3 |
| Pin 52 | I/O β User I/O bank 3 |
| Pin 53 | I/O β User I/O bank 3 |
| Pin 54 | I/O β User I/O bank 3 |
| Pin 55 | I/O β User I/O bank 3 |
| Pin 56 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 57 | VCCINT β Core supply voltage 1.8V |
| Pin 58 | CLK0 β Dedicated clock input 0 |
| Pin 59 | CLK1 β Dedicated clock input 1 |
| Pin 60 | I/O β User I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 61 | I/O β User I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 62 | I/O β User I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 63 | I/O β User I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 64 | I/O β User I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 65 | I/O β User I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 66 | I/O β User I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 67 | I/O β User I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 68 | I/O β User I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 69 | VCCIO4 β I/O bank 4 supply voltage |
| Pin 70 | I/O β User I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 71 | I/O β User I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 72 | I/O β User I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 73 | I/O β User I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 74 | I/O β User I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 75 | I/O β User I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 76 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 77 | VCCINT β Core supply voltage 1.8V |
| Pin 78 | I/O β User I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 79 | I/O β User I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 80 | I/O β User I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 81 | I/O β User I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 82 | I/O β User I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 83 | I/O β User I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 84 | I/O β User I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 85 | I/O β User I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 86 | I/O β User I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 87 | nCONFIG β Configuration start (active low) |
| Pin 88 | nSTATUS β Configuration status (active low) |
| Pin 89 | CONF_DONE β Configuration complete |
| Pin 90 | TCK β JTAG test clock |
| Pin 91 | TMS β JTAG test mode select |
| Pin 92 | TDI β JTAG test data in |
| Pin 93 | TDO β JTAG test data out |
| Pin 94 | DEV_CLRn β Device clear (active low) |
| Pin 95 | DEV_OE β Device output enable |
| Pin 96 | MSEL0 β Configuration mode select 0 |
| Pin 97 | MSEL1 β Configuration mode select 1 |
| Pin 98 | I/O β User I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 99 | I/O β User I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 100 | VCCIO4 β I/O bank 4 supply voltage |
| Pin 101 | I/O β User I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 102 | I/O β User I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 103 | I/O β User I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 104 | I/O β User I/O bank 4 |
| Pin 105 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 106 | VCCINT β Core supply voltage 1.8V |
| Pin 107 | CLK2 β Dedicated clock input 2 |
| Pin 108 | CLK3 β Dedicated clock input 3 |
| Pin 109 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 110 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 111 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 112 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 113 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 114 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 115 | VCCIO1 β I/O bank 1 supply voltage |
| Pin 116 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 117 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 118 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 119 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 120 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 121 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 122 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 123 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 124 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 125 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 126 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 127 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 128 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 129 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 130 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 131 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 132 | VCCIO1 β I/O bank 1 supply voltage |
| Pin 133 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 134 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 135 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 136 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 137 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 138 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 139 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 140 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 141 | VCCINT β Core supply voltage 1.8V |
| Pin 142 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 143 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
| Pin 144 | I/O β User I/O bank 1 |
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
EP20K100CT144C7 is suitable for 6 applications: ASIC Prototyping and Validation, Telecommunications Infrastructure, Industrial Control and Automation, DSP Preprocessing and Glue Logic, Custom Peripheral Controllers, Legacy Computing Platform Glue Logic.
ASIC Prototyping and Validation
The EP20K100CT144C7's 100K typical gates and 4,160 logic elements make it a strong ASIC prototyping vehicle for mid-complexity gate-array emulation. Engineers map RTL designs into APEX-20K ESB blocks and LUT-based MegaLAB structures to validate functionality before committing to mask NRE. The 93 user I/O pins allow real-world pin-bound ASIC validation, and the C7 speed grade is acceptable for functional verification where timing closure is enforced by the prototype, not the silicon. Compared to simulation, hardware emulation in this FPGA runs 100x-1000x faster and exposes clock-domain issues that RTL simulation cannot. The 144-TQFP package remains thermally manageable for bench-top validation, and Quartus synthesis flows are well-documented for ASIC-equivalent constraint files.
Recommended
Telecommunications Infrastructure
The EP20K100CT144C7 was widely deployed in legacy telecom infrastructure for protocol bridging, glue-logic consolidation, and custom serial-interface controllers. Its multi-voltage I/O (1.8V/2.5V/3.3V) allows direct interfacing to TTL and CMOS peripherals common in telecom backplane designs, while the ESB blocks implement FIFOs and protocol state machines efficiently. The 53,248 flip-flops provide sufficient sequential density for serial-bit processing and packet-header parsing. Telecom equipment typically runs in environmentally controlled racks, so the commercial 0C to +85C operating range of this part is acceptable. Legacy systems still in service today may require this FPGA for repair and refurbishment when original stock is unavailable.
Recommended
Industrial Control and Automation
Industrial control systems use the EP20K100CT144C7 to consolidate discrete logic, implement custom motor-control state machines, and bridge legacy fieldbus protocols. The 93 user I/O pins accommodate multiple encoder channels, opto-isolated inputs, and PWM outputs commonly required by PLC and motion-control designs. The on-chip ESB blocks can implement CAM tables for part-number lookup or product-routing, replacing external parallel PROMs and reducing BOM cost. The 144-TQFP package supports through-hole and surface-mount assembly processes used in industrial-grade PCB manufacturing. For new industrial designs, an extended-temperature variant like the EP20K100ET144C7 should be considered to operate reliably in -40C factory-floor environments.
Recommended
DSP Preprocessing and Glue Logic
The EP20K100CT144C7 served as a DSP co-processor and glue-logic consolidator between microprocessors, DSP chips, and analog front ends. Its logic-element density supports up to 53,248 flip-flops, sufficient for implementing custom FIR filter datapaths, gain-control loops, and signal-routing matrices. The ESB blocks can be configured as dual-port RAM for sample buffering between ADC and DSP blocks, eliminating external SRAM. Multi-voltage I/O allows direct connection to legacy 5V DSPs without level shifters. Designers frequently pair this FPGA with TI TMS320C6x or Analog Devices SHARC DSPs in audio equipment, sonar processing, and radar preprocessing pipelines where it remains in service today.
Recommended
Custom Peripheral Controllers
Engineers built custom peripheral controllers with the EP20K100CT144C7 for legacy PCI, ISA, and VME bus architectures, where its logic density allows full bus-master state machines and DMA engines in a single chip. The 144-TQFP package was preferred over BGA alternatives for prototype boards using through-hole assembly or low-cost 4-layer PCB processes. Bus-cycle timing could be precisely tuned using the C7 speed grade's predictable setup/hold characteristics, and the JTAG port simplified board-level bring-up. Legacy industrial PCs, medical imaging systems, and military embedded platforms still rely on this device for backward-compatible peripheral designs.
Recommended
Legacy Computing Platform Glue Logic
The EP20K100CT144C7 was a popular glue-logic device in late-1990s and early-2000s computing platforms, consolidating address decoding, wait-state generation, interrupt prioritization, and bus arbitration that previously required multiple 74-series TTL chips. Its 4,160 logic elements can absorb what would have been a board full of discrete gates, reducing board area, improving reliability, and easing design changes via firmware updates. Modern computing platforms no longer use this device, but it remains in service in legacy point-of-sale terminals, avionics test equipment, and military command-and-control systems where redesign certification cost is prohibitive. Engineers maintaining these systems rely on authorized aftermarket supply chains.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP20K100CT144C7 β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP20K100CT144C8 | EP20K100CF144C7 | EP20K100CF144C8 | EP20K100CF144C9 | EP20K100ET144C7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Intel (formerly Altera) | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel |
| Package | 144-LQFP / 144-TQFP | 144-TQFP - same | 144-TQFP - same | 144-TQFP - same | 144-TQFP - same | 144-TQFP - same |
| Logic Elements | 4,160 | 4,160 | 4,160 | 4,160 | 4,160 | 4,160 |
| Typical Gates | 100,000 | 100,000 | 100,000 | 100,000 | 100,000 | 100,000 |
| Speed Grade | C7 | C8 (faster) | C7 | C8 (faster) | C9 (fastest) | C7 |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +85C (commercial) | 0C to +85C | 0C to +85C | 0C to +85C | 0C to +85C | -40C to +100C (extended) |
| User I/O Pins | 93 | 93 | 93 | 93 | 93 | 93 |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- C7 speed grade at the cost-optimized end of the APEX-20K spectrum (vs EP20K100CT144C8)
- Commercial temperature range matches standard industrial environments (vs EP20K100ET144C7)
- Mid-density APEX-20K with 93 user I/O in 144-TQFP (vs EP20K100CQ208)
Design Notes
The APEX-20K family is not supported by Quartus Prime 17+ - use MAX+PLUS II 10.23 or Quartus II Service Pack 2 (legacy). Synthesizing with newer Quartus will fail at the analysis stage. Confirm tool availability before starting a design or maintenance project, as Intel does not officially support these tools on current operating systems. Virtual machines running Windows XP or Windows 7 may be required to host MAX+PLUS II for bitstream generation.
The EP20K100CT144C7 requires separate VCCINT (1.8V core) and VCCIO (1.8V/2.5V/3.3V I/O bank) supplies. All four VCCINT pins and all VCCIO pins must be properly decoupled with 0.1uF ceramic capacitors placed within 5mm of each supply pin, plus a 10uF bulk capacitor per rail. Missing decoupling causes configuration failures and unreliable JTAG communication. Power sequencing is not required between VCCINT and VCCIO for the APEX-20K family, simplifying supply design.
Estimated: The 144-TQFP package has a thermal resistance theta_JA of approximately 35 C/W on a 4-layer JEDEC test board with 1oz copper. At maximum static power dissipation of approximately 0.5W under typical use (1.8V core, ~30% utilization), the junction rises only 17.5C above ambient, well within commercial temperature limits. No external heatsink is required. For dense designs approaching full logic utilization, ensure the PCB has at least 4 signal layers with internal ground planes beneath the device for heat spreading.
Configure JTAG chain on the board so that the EP20K100CT144C7 is accessible in-system via TCK/TMS/TDI/TDO. Pull TMS high through a 1kohm resistor to VCCIO1 to keep the TAP controller in reset during power-up. Connect nCONFIG to VCCIO1 via 1kohm pull-up and to a configuration source. The CONF_DONE pin must be open-drain capable (the device drives it low during configuration) and pulled high through a 1kohm resistor for reliable boot.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance confirmed via distributor listings (DigiKey, Mouser). REACH, halogen-free, and conflict-minerals status not specifically documented in verified sources; treat as unknown. AEC-Q100 is not applicable - this is a commercial-grade FPGA, not an automotive-qualified part.
