EPF81500ARC240-4 - 16K Gates Flex 8000 FPGA | Intel | 240-RQFP
MPN: EPF81500ARC240-4 β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $38.5 | $38.50 |
| 10 | $34.2 | $342.00 |
| 100 | $28.9 | $2,890.00 |
| 500 | $23.4 | $11,700.00 |
| 1,000 | $19.75 | $19,750.00 |
Drop-in alternatives for EPF81500ARC240-4 β same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
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View Datasheet βEPF81500ARC240-4 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | Flex 8000 |
| Usable Gates | 16,000 |
| Logic Elements (Cells) | 1,296 |
| Registers | 1,500 |
| User I/O Pins | 181 |
| Package | 240-RQFP (RQFP-240) |
| Package Type | BQFP Exposed Pad |
| Process Technology | 0.42 Β΅m CMOS |
| Supply Voltage | 5 V |
| Speed Grade | -4 (slowest) |
| Maximum Operating Frequency | 125 MHz |
| In-Circuit Reconfigurability | Yes (ICR) |
| Configuration Memory | SRAM |
| JTAG Boundary Scan | IEEE 1149.1 compliant |
| Multiplication Blocks | Built-in MAC blocks |
EPF81500ARC240-4 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 | VCCIO β I/O 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 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 12 | I/O β User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 13 | I/O β User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 14 | I/O β User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 15 | VCC β Core supply voltage (5 V) |
| Pin 16 | I/O β User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 17 | I/O β User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 18 | I/O β User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 19 | I/O β User I/O (bank 2) |
| 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 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 30 | I/O β User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 31 | I/O β User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 32 | I/O β User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 33 | VCC β Core supply voltage (5 V) |
| Pin 34 | I/O β User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 35 | I/O β User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 36 | I/O β User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 37 | I/O β User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 38 | I/O β User I/O (bank 3) |
| 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 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 49 | I/O β User I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 50 | I/O β User I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 51 | I/O β User I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 52 | I/O β User I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 53 | I/O β User I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 54 | I/O β User I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 55 | VCCIO β I/O supply voltage |
| Pin 56 | I/O β User I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 57 | I/O β User I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 58 | I/O β User I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 59 | I/O β User I/O (bank 4) |
| 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 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 65 | I/O β User I/O (bank 5) |
| Pin 66 | I/O β User I/O (bank 5) |
| Pin 67 | I/O β User I/O (bank 5) |
| Pin 68 | I/O β User I/O (bank 5) |
| Pin 69 | VCC β Core supply voltage (5 V) |
| Pin 70 | I/O β User I/O (bank 5) |
| Pin 71 | I/O β User I/O (bank 5) |
| Pin 72 | I/O β User I/O (bank 5) |
| Pin 73 | I/O β User I/O (bank 5) |
| Pin 74 | I/O β User I/O (bank 5) |
| Pin 75 | I/O β User I/O (bank 5) |
| Pin 76 | I/O β User I/O (bank 5) |
| Pin 77 | I/O β User I/O (bank 5) |
| Pin 78 | I/O β User I/O (bank 5) |
| Pin 79 | I/O β User I/O (bank 5) |
| Pin 80 | I/O β User I/O (bank 5) |
| Pin 81 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 82 | I/O β User I/O (bank 6) |
| Pin 83 | I/O β User I/O (bank 6) |
| Pin 84 | I/O β User I/O (bank 6) |
| Pin 85 | I/O β User I/O (bank 6) |
| Pin 86 | I/O β User I/O (bank 6) |
| Pin 87 | I/O β User I/O (bank 6) |
| Pin 88 | I/O β User I/O (bank 6) |
| Pin 89 | VCCIO β I/O supply voltage |
| Pin 90 | I/O β User I/O (bank 6) |
| Pin 91 | I/O β User I/O (bank 6) |
| Pin 92 | I/O β User I/O (bank 6) |
| Pin 93 | I/O β User I/O (bank 6) |
| Pin 94 | I/O β User I/O (bank 6) |
| Pin 95 | I/O β User I/O (bank 6) |
| Pin 96 | I/O β User I/O (bank 6) |
| Pin 97 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 98 | I/O β User I/O (bank 7) |
| Pin 99 | I/O β User I/O (bank 7) |
| Pin 100 | I/O β User I/O (bank 7) |
| Pin 101 | I/O β User I/O (bank 7) |
| Pin 102 | I/O β User I/O (bank 7) |
| Pin 103 | VCC β Core supply voltage (5 V) |
| Pin 104 | I/O β User I/O (bank 7) |
| Pin 105 | I/O β User I/O (bank 7) |
| Pin 106 | I/O β User I/O (bank 7) |
| Pin 107 | I/O β User I/O (bank 7) |
| Pin 108 | I/O β User I/O (bank 7) |
| Pin 109 | I/O β User I/O (bank 7) |
| Pin 110 | I/O β User I/O (bank 7) |
| Pin 111 | I/O β User I/O (bank 7) |
| Pin 112 | I/O β User I/O (bank 7) |
| Pin 113 | I/O β User I/O (bank 7) |
| Pin 114 | I/O β User I/O (bank 7) |
| Pin 115 | I/O β User I/O (bank 7) |
| Pin 116 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 117 | I/O β User I/O (bank 8) |
| Pin 118 | I/O β User I/O (bank 8) |
| Pin 119 | I/O β User I/O (bank 8) |
| Pin 120 | I/O β User I/O (bank 8) |
| Pin 121 | I/O β User I/O (bank 8) |
| Pin 122 | I/O β User I/O (bank 8) |
| Pin 123 | I/O β User I/O (bank 8) |
| Pin 124 | I/O β User I/O (bank 8) |
| Pin 125 | I/O β User I/O (bank 8) |
| Pin 126 | I/O β User I/O (bank 8) |
| Pin 127 | I/O β User I/O (bank 8) |
| Pin 128 | I/O β User I/O (bank 8) |
| Pin 129 | VCCIO β I/O supply voltage |
| Pin 130 | I/O β User I/O (bank 8) |
| Pin 131 | I/O β User I/O (bank 8) |
| Pin 132 | I/O β User I/O (bank 8) |
| Pin 133 | I/O β User I/O (bank 8) |
| Pin 134 | I/O β User I/O (bank 8) |
| Pin 135 | I/O β User I/O (bank 8) |
| Pin 136 | I/O β User I/O (bank 8) |
| Pin 137 | I/O β User I/O (bank 8) |
| Pin 138 | I/O β User I/O (bank 8) |
| Pin 139 | I/O β User I/O (bank 8) |
| Pin 140 | I/O β User I/O (bank 8) |
| Pin 141 | I/O β User I/O (bank 8) |
| Pin 142 | I/O β User I/O (bank 8) |
| Pin 143 | I/O β User I/O (bank 8) |
| Pin 144 | I/O β User I/O (bank 8) |
| Pin 145 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 146 | I/O β User I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 147 | I/O β User I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 148 | I/O β User I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 149 | I/O β User I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 150 | I/O β User I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 151 | I/O β User I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 152 | I/O β User I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 153 | I/O β User I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 154 | I/O β User I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 155 | I/O β User I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 156 | I/O β User I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 157 | VCC β Core supply voltage (5 V) |
| Pin 158 | I/O β User I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 159 | I/O β User I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 160 | I/O β User I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 161 | I/O β User I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 162 | I/O β User I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 163 | I/O β User I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 164 | I/O β User I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 165 | I/O β User I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 166 | I/O β User I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 167 | I/O β User I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 168 | I/O β User I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 169 | I/O β User I/O (bank 1) |
| Pin 170 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 171 | I/O β User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 172 | I/O β User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 173 | I/O β User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 174 | I/O β User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 175 | I/O β User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 176 | I/O β User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 177 | I/O β User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 178 | I/O β User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 179 | I/O β User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 180 | I/O β User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 181 | I/O β User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 182 | I/O β User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 183 | I/O β User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 184 | I/O β User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 185 | I/O β User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 186 | VCCIO β I/O supply voltage |
| Pin 187 | I/O β User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 188 | I/O β User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 189 | I/O β User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 190 | I/O β User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 191 | I/O β User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 192 | I/O β User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 193 | I/O β User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 194 | I/O β User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 195 | I/O β User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 196 | I/O β User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 197 | I/O β User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 198 | I/O β User I/O (bank 2) |
| Pin 199 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 200 | I/O β User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 201 | I/O β User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 202 | I/O β User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 203 | I/O β User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 204 | I/O β User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 205 | I/O β User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 206 | I/O β User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 207 | I/O β User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 208 | I/O β User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 209 | I/O β User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 210 | I/O β User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 211 | I/O β User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 212 | I/O β User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 213 | VCC β Core supply voltage (5 V) |
| Pin 214 | I/O β User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 215 | I/O β User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 216 | I/O β User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 217 | I/O β User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 218 | I/O β User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 219 | I/O β User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 220 | I/O β User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 221 | I/O β User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 222 | I/O β User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 223 | I/O β User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 224 | I/O β User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 225 | I/O β User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 226 | I/O β User I/O (bank 3) |
| Pin 227 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 228 | I/O β User I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 229 | I/O β User I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 230 | I/O β User I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 231 | I/O β User I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 232 | I/O β User I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 233 | I/O β User I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 234 | I/O β User I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 235 | I/O β User I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 236 | I/O β User I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 237 | I/O β User I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 238 | I/O β User I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 239 | I/O β User I/O (bank 4) |
| Pin 240 | I/O β User I/O (bank 4) |
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
EPF81500ARC240-4 is suitable for 6 applications: PCI Bus Bridge and Interface Logic, Industrial Automation Controllers, Telecommunications Line Cards, Legacy ASIC Replacement in Long-Lifecycle Equipment, Peripheral Controllers and Custom I/O Expanders, Educational and Development Platforms.
PCI Bus Bridge and Interface Logic
The EPF81500ARC240-4's 16,000 usable gates and 181 user I/O pins make it an ideal glue-logic device for PCI bus bridges and interface controllers in legacy computing platforms. With a 5 V supply matching the original PCI specification, the device can implement target and master state machines, address decoding, and bus arbitration without external TTL. The 125 MHz fMAX in the -4 speed grade comfortably supports 33 MHz PCI clock domains while leaving margin for wait-state insertion. Built-in PCI-compliant I/O buffers simplify board design, and the 1,500 registers provide ample pipelining for FIFO-based DMA controllers. Engineers often pair this part with the i386/i486 era southbridge chips where it replaces 4-6 discrete PAL/GAL devices with a single reprogrammable IC, reducing PCB area and inventory SKUs.
Recommended
Industrial Automation Controllers
In industrial automation, the EPF81500ARC240-4 serves as a flexible logic core for PLC backplanes, motor-control signal conditioning, and custom serial-protocol converters. The 5 V supply tolerance aligns with legacy 24 V-to-5 V industrial power rails without requiring level shifters. The Flex 8000 family's embedded array blocks (EABs) can implement dual-port RAM for axis-position tables, while the 1,500 registers support state-machine sequencing of stepper-motor phases. The exposed thermal pad on the 240-RQFP package aids heat spreading in sealed industrial enclosures where ambient temperatures can reach 70 Β°C. JTAG boundary-scan (IEEE 1149.1) enables in-system programming and production test of assembled boards, critical for high-mix automation lines.
Recommended
Telecommunications Line Cards
The EPF81500ARC240-4 is widely deployed in telecommunications line-interface cards where it performs framing, channel-association, and protocol-conversion functions between T1/E1 framers and backplane buses. Its 16K gates can absorb the entire HDLC controller, time-slot interchanger, and alarm-scanner logic for a single-span line card, eliminating dozens of discrete 74-series logic chips. The 181 I/O pins comfortably support parallel bus interfaces to framers, transceivers, and microcontrollers. The in-circuit reconfigurability (ICR) feature allows remote firmware upgrades via external configuration devices, essential for telecom equipment deployed in unmanned central offices. The -4 speed grade is adequate for 1.544/2.048 MHz line rates with substantial timing margin.
Recommended
Legacy ASIC Replacement in Long-Lifecycle Equipment
Medical, aerospace, and defense systems often require production runs spanning 15-25 years, far exceeding the lifecycle of modern FPGAs. The EPF81500ARC240-4, though obsolete in mainstream catalogs, remains in distributor and broker stock specifically for these long-tail applications. Designers use the part to replace end-of-life ASICs in ultrasound front-ends, avionics displays, and naval communication systems, where revalidation cost would dwarf component cost. The SRAM-based configuration memory allows last-minute design changes during compliance testing, and the Flex 8000 architecture's deterministic timing simplifies DO-254 and FDA verification documentation.
Recommended
Peripheral Controllers and Custom I/O Expanders
The EPF81500ARC240-4 functions as a versatile peripheral controller in embedded computing platforms, implementing custom parallel ports, SCSI termination logic, and proprietary sensor interfaces. With 16K gates and 1,500 registers, a single device can replace multiple discrete controllers while exposing programmable behavior via SRAM-based configuration. The 5 V I/O tolerance matches vintage peripheral chips, and the 181 user I/O pins provide generous headroom for multiplexed address/data buses. Engineers use the in-circuit reconfigurability to fix bugs discovered in field returns without board respins, an enormous advantage in long-lifecycle industrial products.
Recommended
Educational and Development Platforms
The EPF81500ARC240-4 is frequently found in university digital-logic laboratories and FPGA training kits because it is well-documented, pin-compatible with faster speed grades, and inexpensive on the surplus market. Students learn HDL synthesis, timing-closure concepts, and JTAG programming on real silicon at a low entry cost. The 240-RQFP package is large enough to be hand-soldered with practice, making it ideal for through-hole-style prototyping boards. The -4 speed grade's relaxed timing constraints help beginners close timing on early designs without fighting fMAX violations, building confidence before moving to modern high-density FPGAs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPF81500ARC240-4 β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPF81500ARC240-3 | EPF81500ARC240-2A | EPF81500ARC240-2 | EPF81500AQC240-4 | EPF81500AQC240-3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 240-RQFP | 240-RQFP - same | 240-RQFP - same | 240-RQFP - same | 240-RQFP - same | 240-RQFP - same |
| Brand | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel |
| Usable Gates | 16,000 | 16,000 | 16,000 | 16,000 | 16,000 | 16,000 |
| Speed Grade | -4 (slowest) | -3 (mid) | -2A (fast) | -2 (fastest) | -4 (slowest, Q-temp) | -3 (mid, Q-temp) |
| User I/O Pins | 181 | 181 | 181 | 181 | 181 | 181 |
| Supply Voltage | 5 V | 5 V | 5 V | 5 V | 5 V | 5 V |
| Logic Elements (Cells) | 1,296 | 1,296 | 1,296 | 1,296 | 1,296 | 1,296 |
| Temperature Range | Commercial | Commercial | Commercial | Commercial | Q-temp (extended) | Q-temp (extended) |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest cost in the Flex 8000 family for the same die (vs EPF81500ARC240-2)
- Wider temperature options through Q-temp siblings (vs EPF81500ARC240-3)
- More gates than the 81188 family siblings (vs EPF81188ARC240-4)
Design Notes
The EPF81500ARC240-4 operates from a 5 V supply on a 0.42 Β΅m CMOS process, drawing significantly more core current than modern 28 nm or 14 nm FPGAs. Decouple each VCC pin with a 0.1 Β΅F ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the package, and add bulk 10-47 Β΅F tantalum or aluminum-polymer capacitors on each supply plane. The exposed thermal pad on the RQFP-240 must be soldered to a copper pour with multiple thermal vias to spread heat - idle current alone can exceed 200 mA in a typical 80% utilization design, and I/O switching currents add to this on each clock edge.
The 240-RQFP package has 0.5 mm pitch gull-wing leads on all four sides, requiring a 4-layer PCB with 0.2 mm-wide traces and solder-mask-defined pads to avoid tombstoning during reflow. Route all 5 V and GND traces on inner planes with stitching vias every 5 mm to control return-path inductance. Keep high-speed Flex 8000 I/O traces under 50 mm to avoid transmission-line effects - this is a 5 V part, not a 1.8 V LVDS part, so impedance matching is forgiving but skew accumulation across parallel buses still demands matched-length routing within Β±2 mm.
Configuration memory in the EPF81500ARC240-4 is volatile SRAM, so the bitstream must be reloaded on every power-up from an external EPC configuration PROM or via JTAG. Forgetting this is the most common failure mode for engineers used to non-volatile CPLDs. Also note that the Flex 8000 JTAG TAP is separate from the IEEE 1149.1 boundary-scan on the user I/O - both must be enabled in the Quartus (or MAX+PLUS II) software for full test access. Finally, do not hot-plug the device with signals applied; the 5 V tolerant I/O was not designed for live insertion.
Compliance Information
Compliance status for the EPF81500ARC240-4 is not explicitly stated in the verified web data. The Flex 8000 family predates widespread RoHS adoption; non-RoHS variants are common. AEC-Q100 is not applicable to FPGAs in the traditional sense.
