EP4CE30F23C8N - 28.8KLE Cyclone IV E FPGA, 484-FBGA | Altera
MPN: EP4CE30F23C8N ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $38.5 | $38.50 |
| 10 | $34.2 | $342.00 |
| 100 | $29.85 | $2,985.00 |
| 250 | $27.1 | $6,775.00 |
| 500 | $24.65 | $12,325.00 |
| 1,000 | $22.4 | $22,400.00 |
EP4CE30F23C8N Overview
A field-programmable gate array (FPGA) is a semiconductor device built around an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs) interconnected by a programmable switch matrix. Within the broader taxonomy, an FPGA is a type of programmable logic device (PLD), which is itself a subset of digital logic ICs and ultimately of integrated circuits. The Cyclone IV E family targets high-volume, low-power applications, and the EP4CE30 variant represents the mid-density tier of the family with sufficient logic, memory, and multiplier resources to implement mid-range signal processing, control, and bridging functions without the cost of higher-end FPGA families.
Key features include 1803 logic array blocks (LABs), 4 PLLs, 328 maximum user I/O pins, support for LVDS, LVCMOS, SSTL, and other single-ended and differential I/O standards, and a dedicated DDR/DDR2/NOR/NAND flash interface with hardware multiplier blocks. The C8 speed grade corresponds to a -8 speed designator; C6 (-6) and I8 (-8 industrial) variants exist for cost or temperature optimization. The 484-pin package counts CBGA-484 (23 mm x 23 mm, 1.0 mm pitch) and is RoHS compliant with a lead-free / halogen-free build.
Architecture depth: the Cyclone IV E family uses a 60 nm process and a logic-structure based on 4-input lookup tables (LUTs) and dedicated memory blocks. The M9K memory blocks can be configured as RAM, ROM, shift registers, or FIFO buffers. The device supports configuration via JTAG, Active Serial (AS), Passive Serial (PS), and Fast Passive Parallel (FPP) modes, with built-in decompression for bitstream reduction and design security via 256-bit AES encryption.
Typical applications include industrial motor control and factory automation, video processing and image filtering, communication bridge and protocol conversion, low-cost ASIC prototyping, and education / development platforms. The combination of mid-density logic, embedded multipliers, and abundant I/O makes it well-suited for motor control, video bridging, and embedded processing co-designs.
Design consideration: when planning a Cyclone IV E design, verify that I/O bank voltage, PLL count, and routing resources match your pinout using the Quartus II Pin Planner. The 484-FBGA package counts CBSPB or similar variants and requires a 4 or 6-layer PCB with microvia fan-out. Designers migrating from C8 to C6 speed grade should re-time their design because Fmax changes.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-family alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the standalone datasheet PDF.
Drop-in alternatives for EP4CE30F23C8N — 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 EP4CE30F23C8N (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Speed Grade, Package, Operating Temperature, Logic Elements, Configuration Modes.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP4CE30F23C6N
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP4CE30F23I7N
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP4CE30F23C8LN
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EP4CE40F23C8N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$52.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CE55F23C8N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$74 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP4CE30F23C8N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Series | Cyclone IV E |
| Logic Elements | 28,848 LE |
| Number of Logic Array Blocks (LABs) | 1803 LAB |
| Embedded Memory (M9K) | 594 Kbit |
| Embedded Multipliers (18x18) | 66 |
| Maximum User I/O | 328 |
| Number of PLLs | 4 |
| Maximum Operating Frequency | 200 MHz |
| Core Supply Voltage | 1.2 V |
| Speed Grade | C8 (commercial, -8) |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +85C (commercial) |
| Package | 484-FBGA (F23, 23x23 mm, 1.0 mm pitch) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 3 (per JEDEC J-STD-020) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free / Halogen-Free | Yes / Yes |
| Configuration Modes | JTAG, PS, AS, FPP |
EP4CE30F23C8N Pin Configuration
| Pin A1 | IO — User I/O (varies by pin map - refer to Quartus II Pin Planner) |
| Pin A2 | IO — User I/O |
| Pin A3 | VCCIO1 — I/O bank 1 supply |
| Pin A4 | IO — User I/O |
| Pin A5 | GND — Ground |
| Pin A6 | IO — User I/O |
| Pin A7 | VCC — Core supply (1.2 V) |
| Pin A8 | IO — User I/O |
| Pin B1 | IO — User I/O |
| Pin B2 | GND — Ground |
| Pin B3 | IO — User I/O |
| Pin B4 | IO — User I/O |
| Pin B5 | IO — User I/O |
| Pin B6 | VCCIO2 — I/O bank 2 supply |
| Pin B7 | IO — User I/O |
| Pin B8 | GND — Ground |
| Pin C1 | VCCIO3 — I/O bank 3 supply |
| Pin C2 | IO — User I/O |
| Pin C3 | IO — User I/O |
| Pin C4 | GND — Ground |
| Pin C5 | VCCIO4 — I/O bank 4 supply |
| Pin C6 | IO — User I/O |
| Pin C7 | IO — User I/O |
| Pin C8 | VCCIO5 — I/O bank 5 supply |
| Pin D1 | IO — User I/O |
| Pin D2 | GND — Ground |
| Pin D3 | IO — User I/O |
| Pin D4 | TCK — JTAG clock (dedicated) |
| Pin D5 | TDO — JTAG data out (dedicated) |
| Pin D6 | IO — User I/O |
| Pin D7 | GND — Ground |
| Pin D8 | IO — User I/O |
| Pin E1 | IO — User I/O |
| Pin E2 | TMS — JTAG mode select (dedicated) |
| Pin E3 | VCC — Core supply (1.2 V) |
| Pin E4 | TDI — JTAG data in (dedicated) |
| Pin E5 | nCONFIG — Configuration control (dedicated) |
| Pin E6 | VCC — Core supply (1.2 V) |
| Pin E7 | IO — User I/O |
| Pin E8 | CLK0 — PLL clock input 0 (dedicated) |
| Pin F1 | IO — User I/O |
| Pin F2 | GND — Ground |
| Pin F3 | IO — User I/O |
| Pin F4 | VCCIO6 — I/O bank 6 supply |
| Pin F5 | nSTATUS — Configuration status (dedicated) |
| Pin F6 | GND — Ground |
| Pin F7 | IO — User I/O |
| Pin F8 | CLK1 — PLL clock input 1 (dedicated) |
| Pin G1 | VCCIO7 — I/O bank 7 supply |
| Pin G2 | IO — User I/O |
| Pin G3 | IO — User I/O |
| Pin G4 | GND — Ground |
| Pin G5 | VCCIO8 — I/O bank 8 supply |
| Pin G6 | IO — User I/O |
| Pin G7 | IO — User I/O |
| Pin G8 | VCC — Core supply (1.2 V) |
Typical Applications
EP4CE30F23C8N is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Motor Control, Video Processing & Image Filtering, Communication Bridge & Protocol Conversion, ASIC Prototyping & Emulation, Education & Development Platforms, LED Display & Signage Controllers.
Industrial Motor Control
The EP4CE30F23C8N's 28,848 logic elements, 66 embedded 18x18 multipliers, and 4 PLLs make it well-suited for field-oriented control (FOC) and PWM generation in industrial motor drives. The 66 multipliers handle the inverse Park/Clarke transforms and PID calculations needed for three-phase BLDC and AC servo control loops with sufficient headroom. Its 1.2 V core and 328 user I/Os support up to 4 independent motor axes with encoder feedback on a single device. The C8 commercial grade suits factory-floor equipment within 0-85C environments; for harsher industrial temperature ranges choose the I7 variant. The 594 Kbit M9K RAM provides ample buffer space for sine tables, dead-time compensation, and current-loop state variables. Engineers typically pair the FPGA with isolated gate drivers (e.g., DRV8303EFMDR or DRV8308RHAT) to build a complete digital motor controller.
Recommended
Video Processing & Image Filtering
With 66 embedded 18x18 multipliers and 594 Kbit M9K RAM, the EP4CE30F23C8N can implement real-time video filtering pipelines including 2D convolution, Sobel edge detection, and motion estimation at modest resolutions. The 328 user I/Os accommodate parallel video buses such as ITU-R BT.656 / BT.1120 and LVDS display interfaces. Designers typically use the M9K blocks as line buffers for 3x3 or 5x5 kernel convolution; 594 Kbit supports a few scan lines of buffer memory at QVGA / VGA resolutions. The 4 PLLs generate the precise pixel-clock frequencies needed for HDMI bridging or camera serializer interfaces. Compared to a dedicated video ASSP, the Cyclone IV E adds flexibility for custom algorithms and product differentiation while keeping unit cost low.
Recommended
Communication Bridge & Protocol Conversion
The EP4CE30F23C8N is well-suited for industrial communication bridge applications such as UART/SPI/I2C to CAN, Ethernet, or Profibus conversion, because of its flexible I/O (328 pins supporting LVCMOS 1.2V-3.3V and LVDS) and 4 PLLs. The 28,848 logic elements are sufficient to implement soft IP cores for UART, SPI, I2C, CAN 2.0B, and even lightweight Ethernet MACs. The 594 Kbit M9K RAM buffers protocol packets at typical industrial baud rates without external memory for short frames. Industrial gateway and protocol-converter designs frequently use this Cyclone IV E device as the central protocol engine.
Recommended
ASIC Prototyping & Emulation
Mid-range ASIC prototyping and pre-silicon validation is a classic use case for the Cyclone IV E family. The EP4CE30F23C8N provides 28,848 logic elements and 594 Kbit M9K RAM, which together can host mid-complexity ASIC blocks for functional verification before tape-out. Quartus II supports incremental compilation so multiple designers can partition and integrate blocks. Designers can use 4 PLLs and 66 multipliers to emulate mixed-signal interfaces or DSP-intensive IP. For larger ASIC prototypes, multiple EP4CE30F23 devices can be cascaded through LVDS side-band interconnect.
Recommended
Education & Development Platforms
Universities and training centers use the EP4CE30F23C8N on development boards because it offers enough logic density for coursework (CPU cores, signal processing labs, computer architecture exercises) at a price point accessible to educational budgets. The 484-FBGA package is mounted on commercial DE0-Nano-style boards; students learn HDL design, timing closure, and configuration flows with Quartus II. The 4 PLLs and 66 multipliers provide enough resources to demonstrate digital signal processing and clock-domain crossing concepts. The C8 speed grade is forgiving for student designs that may not meet aggressive Fmax targets.
Recommended
LED Display & Signage Controllers
Large LED video walls and digital signage controllers use the EP4CE30F23C8N to drive high-channel-count LED matrices with brightness correction and gamma mapping. The 328 user I/Os can address multiple shift-register chains driving RGB LEDs; the 594 Kbit M9K RAM holds lookup tables for gamma correction and color calibration. The 66 embedded 18x18 multipliers accelerate brightness/contrast processing. The 4 PLLs synthesize pixel clocks for varied display interfaces (HUB75, SPI daisy-chain). Compared to microcontrollers, the FPGA delivers deterministic pixel refresh at high bit-depth without CPU overhead.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP4CE30F23C8N — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP4CE30F23C6N | EP4CE30F23I7N | EP4CE30F23C8LN | EP4CE40F23C8N | EP4CE55F23C8N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera |
| Package | 484-FBGA (F23, 23x23 mm) | 484-FBGA (F23) - same | 484-FBGA (F23) - same | 484-FBGA (F23) - same | 484-FBGA (F23) - same | 484-FBGA (F23) - same |
| Logic Elements | 28,848 LE | 28,848 LE | 28,848 LE | 28,848 LE | 39,600 LE | 55,856 LE |
| Embedded M9K RAM | 594 Kbit | 594 Kbit | 594 Kbit | 594 Kbit | 1,134 Kbit | 2,340 Kbit |
| Embedded 18x18 Multipliers | 66 | 66 | 66 | 66 | 116 | 154 |
| Maximum User I/O | 328 | 328 | 328 | 328 | 328 | 328 |
| Speed Grade | C8 (commercial) | C6 (commercial, faster) | I7 (industrial, -40C to +100C) | C8L (commercial, low power) | C8 (commercial) | C8 (commercial) |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +85C (commercial) | 0C to +85C | -40C to +100C (industrial) | 0C to +85C | 0C to +85C | 0C to +85C |
| Core Voltage | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V |
Key Differentiators
- Mid-density logic capacity for cost-sensitive designs (vs EP4CE40F23C8N)
- Standard C8 speed grade for general commercial use (vs EP4CE30F23C6N)
- Same 484-FBGA F23 footprint across Cyclone IV E family (vs EP4CE30F23C6N / EP4CE40F23C8N / EP4CE55F23C8N)
- Commercial temperature grade at lower cost (vs EP4CE30F23I7N)
Design Notes
The 484-FBGA F23 package uses a 1.0 mm ball pitch and 23 mm x 23 mm body, requiring 4 or 6-layer PCB with microvia fan-out. Use a 0.5 oz copper outer layer plus 1 oz inner layers. Decoupling: per the Cyclone IV Device Handbook, place 0.1 uF and 0.01 uF ceramic capacitors within 50 mils of every VCC/VCCIO/GND pair. Use wide power planes for VCCINT and GND; avoid routing signals over split planes. The thermal pad series BGA center balls are GND; ensure a stitched via array for thermal dissipation.
The Cyclone IV E EP4CE30 at full utilization draws up to approximately 1.0-1.5 A from the 1.2 V VCCINT rail during typical operation. Designers should budget a 3 A power supply with 5% tolerance. Power-on sequence per datasheet: VCCINT ramps first, then VCCA (2.5 V PLL analog), then VCCIO banks. Hold nCONFIG low during power stabilization. Estimated: at typical 30-50% utilization, average current is 0.4-0.7 A from VCCINT and 50-200 mA from VCCIO banks depending on toggle rate.
Common design pitfalls: (a) using C8 vs C6 speed grade interchangeably without re-running timing analysis; (b) not specifying I7 industrial temperature grade for outdoor or factory-floor deployments; (c) exceeding 328 user I/Os when migrating logic registers but forgetting the pinout is package-specific, not die-specific; (d) failing to provide proper JTAG chain pull-ups on TCK/TMS/TDO; (e) omitting the AS configuration flash (e.g., EPCS16) when AS mode is intended. Always run the Quartus II Pin Planner and fitter reports before tape-out.
Use a 4-layer stack-up with dedicated GND and VCC planes. Differential pairs (LVDS) require 100 ohm differential impedance and matched length within 50 mils. JTAG chain TCK should be routed with a 50 ohm characteristic impedance and 10 kOhm pull-up to VCCIO3. CLK0/CLK1 dedicated clock inputs should be routed with matched length and isolated from switching signals. Reference the Cyclone IV Device Handbook, Chapter 7 (Pin Connection Guidelines), for the complete checklist.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Altera product page. Lead-free / halogen-free per device family datasheet. Cyclone IV product line guaranteed active through at least 2040 per Intel March 2024 announcement.
