EP20K100FC144-3 - APEX-20K 100K Gate FPGA, 93 I/O, 144-LQFP | Intel/Altera
MPN: EP20K100FC144-3 β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $85 | $85.00 |
| 10 | $76.5 | $765.00 |
| 100 | $68 | $6,800.00 |
| 250 | $63.75 | $15,937.50 |
| 500 | $59.5 | $29,750.00 |
Drop-in alternatives for EP20K100FC144-3 β same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
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EP20K100FC144-2
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View Datasheet βEP20K100FC144-3 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Series | APEX-20K |
| Number of Logic Elements | 4,160 |
| Number of Logic Array Blocks (LABs) | 416 |
| Total RAM Bits | 53,248 |
| Typical Gates | 100,000 |
| Number of User I/O Pins | 93 |
| Number of PLLs | 4 |
| Package | 144-LQFP (144-TQFP) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Speed Grade | -3 |
| Configuration Method | SRAM (volatile, in-system programmable) |
| Core Voltage | 2.5 V |
| I/O Standards Supported | LVTTL, LVCMOS, PCI, SSTL |
EP20K100FC144-3 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 2 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 3 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 4 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 5 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 6 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 7 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 8 | VCCINT β Core supply (2.5 V) |
| Pin 9 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 10 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 11 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 12 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 13 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 14 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 15 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 16 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 17 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 18 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 19 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 20 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 21 | VCCIO1 β I/O bank 1 supply voltage |
| Pin 22 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 23 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 24 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 25 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 26 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 27 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 28 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 29 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 30 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 31 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 1) |
| Pin 32 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 33 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 34 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 35 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 36 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 37 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 38 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 39 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 40 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 41 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 42 | VCCINT β Core supply (2.5 V) |
| Pin 43 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 44 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 45 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 46 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 47 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 48 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 49 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 50 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 51 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 52 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 53 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 54 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 55 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 56 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 57 | VCCIO2 β I/O bank 2 supply voltage |
| Pin 58 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 59 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 60 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 61 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 62 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 63 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 64 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 2) |
| Pin 65 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 66 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 3) |
| Pin 67 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 3) |
| Pin 68 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 3) |
| Pin 69 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 3) |
| Pin 70 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 3) |
| Pin 71 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 3) |
| Pin 72 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 3) |
| Pin 73 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 3) |
| Pin 74 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 3) |
| Pin 75 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 3) |
| Pin 76 | VCCINT β Core supply (2.5 V) |
| Pin 77 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 3) |
| Pin 78 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 3) |
| Pin 79 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 3) |
| Pin 80 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 3) |
| Pin 81 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 3) |
| Pin 82 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 3) |
| Pin 83 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 3) |
| Pin 84 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 3) |
| Pin 85 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 3) |
| Pin 86 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 87 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 3) |
| Pin 88 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 3) |
| Pin 89 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 3) |
| Pin 90 | VCCIO3 β I/O bank 3 supply voltage |
| Pin 91 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 92 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 93 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 94 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 95 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 96 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 97 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 98 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 99 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 100 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 101 | VCCINT β Core supply (2.5 V) |
| Pin 102 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 103 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 104 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 105 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 106 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 107 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 108 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 109 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 110 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 111 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 112 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 113 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 114 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 115 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 116 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 117 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 118 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 119 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 120 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 121 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 4) |
| Pin 122 | VCCIO4 β I/O bank 4 supply voltage |
| Pin 123 | CLK0 β Dedicated clock input 0 |
| Pin 124 | CLK1 β Dedicated clock input 1 |
| Pin 125 | TDI β JTAG test data input |
| Pin 126 | TMS β JTAG test mode select |
| Pin 127 | TCK β JTAG test clock |
| Pin 128 | TDO β JTAG test data output |
| Pin 129 | nSTATUS β Configuration status (open-drain) |
| Pin 130 | nCONFIG β Configuration start (active-low) |
| Pin 131 | CONF_DONE β Configuration complete (open-drain) |
| Pin 132 | DCLK β Configuration clock |
| Pin 133 | DATA0 β Configuration data input |
| Pin 134 | nCE β Chip enable (active-low) |
| Pin 135 | nCEO β Chip enable out (for multi-device config) |
| Pin 136 | DEV_OE β Device-wide output enable |
| Pin 137 | DEV_CLR β Device-wide clear |
| Pin 138 | MSEL0 β Configuration mode select 0 |
| Pin 139 | MSEL1 β Configuration mode select 1 |
| Pin 140 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 141 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 5) |
| Pin 142 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 5) |
| Pin 143 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 5) |
| Pin 144 | I/O β User I/O pin (bank 5) |
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
EP20K100FC144-3 is suitable for 7 applications: ASIC Prototyping and Emulation, Telecommunications Infrastructure, Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Front-End, Industrial Control and Automation, Network Router and Switch Glue Logic, Test and Measurement Instrumentation, Legacy PCI Bus Interface Cards.
ASIC Prototyping and Emulation
The EP20K100FC144-3's 100K typical gates and 4,160 logic elements make it a flexible platform for ASIC prototyping, allowing engineers to validate complex logic designs before committing to mask-set fabrication. The 144-LQFP package is hand-solderable on prototype boards and supports in-system JTAG programming via Quartus II for rapid design iteration. Unlike fixed-function ASICs, the FPGA's reconfigurable fabric lets designers partition designs, validate timing closure, and re-spin logic in hours rather than weeks. The four PLLs and 93 I/O pins handle common ASIC peripherals such as DDR-style memory interfaces, PCI, and LVDS-style buses. For new ASIC emulation projects, however, designers should evaluate modern alternatives like the Cyclone IV family, which offers higher density and longer lifecycle support.
Recommended
Telecommunications Infrastructure
The EP20K100FC144-3 suits telecommunications infrastructure applications including DSLAM line cards, SONET/SDH framer interfaces, and ATM switching fabric glue logic. Its four PLLs generate the multiple clock domains required in TDM (time-division multiplexing) systems, while the 53,248 bits of embedded RAM implement small FIFOs for data rate buffering between backplane and line-card domains. The 93 user I/O pins accommodate multi-standard backplane buses like H.110 or H-MVIP for CTI applications. The APEX architecture's combination of LUT logic and product-term logic enables efficient implementation of bus-interface state machines alongside DSP datapaths. For new designs, Xilinx Spartan-6 or Altera Cyclone IV are recommended due to the EP20K100FC144-3's obsolete status and limited long-term availability.
Recommended
Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Front-End
The EP20K100FC144-3 supports DSP front-end applications including FIR filters, FFT pre-processors, and baseband demodulators where the embedded system blocks (ESBs) provide 53,248 RAM bits for coefficient storage and sample buffering. With 4,160 logic elements and 93 I/O, the device can implement 8-16 bit parallel DSP datapaths at sample rates up to ~50 MSPS, sufficient for audio processing and moderate-rate communications front-ends. The four PLLs generate the multiple clock phases required for quadrature downconversion and symbol-rate sampling. Engineers often pair this FPGA with external ADCs like the AD9226 or DACs like the AD9764 in software-defined radio designs. For new designs requiring higher throughput, the Altera Cyclone III/IV families provide 3-10x more logic and dedicated DSP blocks.
Recommended
Industrial Control and Automation
The EP20K100FC144-3's industrial applications include PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) custom I/O modules, motor-control drive interfaces, and protocol-bridging logic for factory-automation networks. The 93 user I/O pins support multi-axis stepper/servo interfaces, quadrature encoder inputs, and field-bus connections like CAN, DeviceNet, or Profibus. The APEX-20K's combination of LUT and product-term logic is well-suited to state-machine-heavy control logic such as traffic-light controllers, conveyor sorters, and HVAC regulators. Designers should note that the part's operating temperature range is not specified in the verified web data; for harsh industrial environments, confirm the operating temperature rating against the manufacturer's datasheet or request a characterization report from the distributor.
Recommended
Network Router and Switch Glue Logic
The EP20K100FC144-3 serves as glue logic in mid-density network routers and switches, bridging between PHY devices, network processors, and switch fabrics. Its 53,248 bits of embedded RAM implement cell/buffer FIFOs between line cards, while the 93 I/O pins accommodate GMII/RGMII-style Ethernet interfaces at 10/100 Mbps and 1 Gbps with external SERDES. The four PLLs generate the multiple clock phases required for asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) segmentation and reassembly. The APEX-20K's high-speed interconnect supports system clock rates of 100-180 MHz, sufficient for OC-3 (155 Mbps) and basic OC-12 (622 Mbps) interfaces. Modern network designs should use Altera Cyclone V or Xilinx Artix-7 for longer lifecycle support.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Instrumentation
The EP20K100FC144-3 implements custom test and measurement logic such as pattern generators, protocol analyzers, and ATE (Automatic Test Equipment) pin electronics. The 4,160 logic elements and 93 I/O support parallel test vectors at 50-100 MHz, suitable for legacy bus protocols like PCI, VME, or custom industrial buses. The four PLLs provide programmable test-clock generation with sub-nanosecond jitter, while the embedded RAM stores expected-response patterns for at-speed comparison. Engineers can implement JTAG boundary-scan controllers and mixed-signal test sequencers on a single device. For new designs requiring higher logic density or analog integration, modern FPGA platforms with built-in ADC blocks (e.g., MAX 10) offer significant board-area and BOM savings.
Recommended
Legacy PCI Bus Interface Cards
The EP20K100FC144-3 implements 32-bit/33 MHz PCI bus target and initiator interfaces for legacy add-in cards, especially in industrial PCs, medical imaging systems, and factory automation where PCI slots persist. The APEX-20K's 3.3V-tolerant LVTTL I/O natively supports the PCI 3.3V signaling environment without external transceivers, and the 53,248 RAM bits provide buffer storage for DMA transfers. Engineers use the device for custom data-acquisition cards, motion-control interfaces, and protocol-analyzer plug-in boards where the PCI host must communicate with proprietary peripherals. Designers must ensure the FPGA's I/O bank voltage matches the 3.3V or 5V PCI signaling environment via the VCCIO configuration. New PCI Express designs should consider Altera Cyclone IV GX or Xilinx Spartan-6 LXT families.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP20K100FC144-3 β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP20K100FC144-2 | EP20K100FC144-2X | EP20K100FC144-1X | EP20K100CF144C8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 144-LQFP (144-TQFP) | 144-LQFP (144-TQFP) - same | 144-LQFP (144-TQFP) - same | 144-LQFP (144-TQFP) - same | 144-LQFP - same |
| Brand | Intel (formerly Altera) | Intel (formerly Altera) | Intel (formerly Altera) | Intel (formerly Altera) | Intel (formerly Altera) |
| Series | APEX-20K | APEX-20K - same | APEX-20K - same | APEX-20K - same | APEX-20K - same |
| Logic Elements | 4,160 | 4,160 - same | 4,160 - same | 4,160 - same | 4,160 - same |
| User I/O | 93 | 93 - same | 93 - same | 93 - same | 93 - same |
| Speed Grade | -3 (fastest) | -2 (slightly slower) | -2 lead-free | -1 (slowest) | -8 (commercial, much slower) |
| RAM Bits | 53,248 | 53,248 - same | 53,248 - same | 53,248 - same | 53,248 - same |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- Highest speed grade in the APEX-20K FC144 family (vs EP20K100FC144-2)
- Embedded System Blocks (ESBs) with dual-port RAM support (vs Legacy FLEX 10K family (EPF10K100))
- 144-LQFP package enables hand-solderable prototypes and lower-cost assembly (vs EP20K100EQC240 (240-pin PQFP))
Design Notes
The EP20K100FC144-3 requires three distinct power rails: VCCINT (2.5 V core supply) for internal logic and ESBs, VCCIO1-4 (3.3 V typical, but per-bank configurable to 1.8 V / 2.5 V / 3.3 V for mixed-voltage I/O interfacing), and a separate VCCPD (3.3 V) rail for the configuration/JTAG logic. Decoupling strategy per the Altera AN75 (Power Supply Design for APEX Devices): place 0.1 uF X7R ceramic bypass capacitors within 5 mm of every VCCINT and VCCIO pin, plus 10 uF bulk tantalum or ceramic caps every 4-6 pins along each power rail. Total decoupling budget for a fully-loaded EP20K100 design is approximately 30-40 caps, including 4-6 bulk capacitors on each rail.
The 144-LQFP package has a thermal resistance (theta_JA) of approximately 28-32 C/W without airflow, depending on PCB copper area. For designs that toggle I/O at >50 MHz or run internal logic utilization above 70%, calculate the worst-case junction temperature using the Altera PowerPlay Early Power Estimator (EPE) tool or post-route PowerPlay Power Analyzer. A typical EP20K100 design at 100 MHz toggling 80% of resources dissipates 1.5-2.5 W; for sustained high-power operation, provide thermal vias under the die and a copper pour of at least 4 square inches on top/bottom layers connected to GND for additional heat spreading.
The 144-LQFP package has 0.5 mm lead pitch, requiring careful PCB layout. Per IPC-7351 guidelines, use a land pattern with 0.30 mm pad width and 0.20 mm toe extension; avoid solder mask defined (SMD) pads which can lead to tombstoning during reflow. For the JTAG chain (TDI, TDO, TMS, TCK), keep traces under 50 mm and add a 10 kohm pull-up on TCK and TMS to prevent floating signals that could inadvertently enter test mode. Place the configuration device (EPC2, EPC4, or EPC8) within 25 mm of the FPGA's DCLK and DATA0 pins to maintain signal integrity during in-system programming.
Three common pitfalls to avoid when designing with the EP20K100FC144-3: (1) MSEL pin configuration - the FPGA samples MSEL0/MSEL1 at power-up to determine configuration mode (AS, PS, JTAG); incorrect values result in configuration failure. (2) nCONFIG and nSTATUS are open-drain signals requiring external 10 kohm pull-ups; floating these pins causes intermittent configuration errors. (3) The APEX-20K uses volatile SRAM configuration - design MUST include a configuration memory device (EPC2 or compatible) for non-volatile bitstream storage, or the design will lose configuration on every power cycle. Also note: the Quartus II legacy version (13.0sp1) is the last officially-supported toolchain; newer Quartus releases do not support APEX-20K.
For multi-clock designs, use the FPGA's four dedicated PLL outputs (PLL_OUT[0-3]) rather than deriving clocks through LUT logic, which introduces jitter. The APEX-20K PLLs support multiplication from 1x to 32x and division from 1x to 32x of the input reference, with output frequencies up to 200 MHz. Place clock input pins (CLK0, CLK1) on the dedicated clock input pads and route them with controlled impedance (50 ohm microstrip or stripline) and length matching across parallel clock traces. For LVDS signaling, the EP20K100 supports LVDS via the DIFFIO pins on specific bank locations - consult the APEX-20K pin table for the exact DIFFIO pin assignments on the FC144 package.
Compliance Information
The EP20K100FC144-3 was originally released by Altera before RoHS took effect and was not transitioned to lead-free finish as part of the APEX-20K family's end-of-life. The X-suffix variants (e.g., EP20K100FC144-1X, EP20K100FC144-2X) are lead-free and may meet RoHS - verify with distributor documentation. The non-X variants are likely non-compliant for new EU-market products. AEC-Q100 is not applicable for this general-purpose FPGA.
