EPF8636ALI84-4N - FLEX 8000 FPGA 6K Gates 84-PLCC | Intel / Altera
MPN: EPF8636ALI84-4N ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $42.5 | $42.50 |
| 10 | $38.25 | $382.50 |
| 100 | $33.1 | $3,310.00 |
| 500 | $28.4 | $14,200.00 |
| 1,000 | $24.95 | $24,950.00 |
Drop-in alternatives for EPF8636ALI84-4N — 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:
EPF8636ALI84-4
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$16.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF8636ALC84-4N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF8636ALC84-4
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$24.3 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF8636ALC84-3
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$18.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPF8636ALI84-4N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | FLEX 8000 |
| Logic Elements (LEs) | 504 |
| Usable Gates | 6,000 (typical) |
| Logic Array Blocks (LABs) | 63 |
| User I/Os | 68 |
| Flip-Flops | 636 |
| Process Technology | 0.42 µm CMOS |
| Supply Voltage | 5 V |
| Internal Performance | 125 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to 70 °C (commercial, -4N grade) |
| Package | 84-pin PLCC (Plastic Leaded Chip Carrier, J-lead) |
| Terminal Form | J-Bend (PLCC) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (PLCC socket compatible) |
| Configuration Memory | CMOS SRAM |
| Configuration Device Support | EPC1, EPC1064, EPC1213, EPC1441 |
| In-Circuit Reconfigurability | Yes (SRAM-based) |
| Logic Family | CMOS |
| ECCN | EAR99 |
EPF8636ALI84-4N 84-pin plcc (plastic leaded chip carrier, j-lead) Pin Configuration Guide
Complete pinout information for EPF8636ALI84-4N (84-pin plcc (plastic leaded chip carrier, j-lead) package). 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.
No detailed pinout data available for EPF8636ALI84-4N.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
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
EPF8636ALI84-4N is suitable for 6 applications: 5V Telecom Line Card Glue Logic, Industrial Control and Machine Interface Logic, Legacy ISA / VME Bus Interface Card, 5V Military / Avionics Subsystem Upgrade, Video Processing Front-End (Legacy Standard-Definition), Medical Imaging Interface Board.
5V Telecom Line Card Glue Logic
The EPF8636ALI84-4N's 5V tolerant I/O and 68 user pins make it ideal for telecom line-card glue logic, replacing multiple 74-series TTL devices with a single PLCC-84 socket. The 504 logic elements comfortably absorb address decoding, FIFO control, and bus arbitration functions typical of T1/E1 line cards. Its 125 MHz performance supports backplane speeds up to 50 MHz with margin. Designers port legacy MAX+PLUS II schematics to consolidate board real estate while retaining 5V compatibility with legacy line interface units (LIUs) and framer ICs that lack 3.3V tolerance.
Recommended
Industrial Control and Machine Interface Logic
The EPF8636ALI84-4N delivers robust industrial-grade performance for PLCs, machine controllers, and HMI interface boards where its 5V I/O directly drives 5V optocouplers, relay drivers, and LED indicators. The 504 LEs and 68 I/Os handle multi-axis stepper coordination, encoder counters, and keypad scanning without external logic. The PLCC socket allows easy firmware updates and field replacement, and the obsolete-but-available stock supports long-life industrial programs. The FLEX 8000 in-circuit reconfigurability enables factory-floor design iteration without re-soldering, reducing retrofit cost.
Recommended
Legacy ISA / VME Bus Interface Card
The EPF8636ALI84-4N's 68 I/Os and 5V tolerance are well-matched to legacy 16-bit ISA and VMEbus interface cards, where it bridges the host bus to custom peripherals, DSPs, or memory subsystems. The PLCC-84 footprint fits standard Eurocard form factors and ISA prototype cards. FLEX 8000 timing closure with the FastTrack interconnect gives predictable bus-cycle timing, and the 636 flip-flops accommodate address-latch, data-buffer, and interrupt-control registers. Designers can implement ISA bus mastering logic or VMEbus slave interfaces with a single chip, replacing 4-6 discrete TTL packages.
Recommended
5V Military / Avionics Subsystem Upgrade
The EPF8636ALI84-4N extends the service life of 5V avionics and military subsystems by replacing discrete TTL and early PAL/GAL devices with a single reprogrammable FPGA. The 0.42 µm CMOS process and SRAM configuration support rapid field upgrades, and the industrial temperature variant (EPF8636ALC84-4N) handles -40 °C to +85 °C environments. The 84-pin PLCC package withstands vibration better than QFP leads when properly socketed, and the 5V I/O directly interfaces legacy MIL-STD-1553 transceivers and ARINC 429 bus drivers without level translation.
Recommended
Video Processing Front-End (Legacy Standard-Definition)
The EPF8636ALI84-4N supports legacy standard-definition video front-end designs (NTSC/PAL decoders, genlock circuits, broadcast routers) where its 5V I/O interfaces directly to analog video ADCs and sync separators. The 504 LEs implement line-locked pixel clocks, color-space conversion matrices, and on-screen display generators. The 68 user I/Os provide parallel video buses (8/16-bit) and I2C/SPI control channels for tuner and decoder ICs. The PLCC-84 socket enables rapid design iteration when tuning chroma and luma processing paths.
Recommended
Medical Imaging Interface Board
The EPF8636ALI84-4N serves medical imaging interface boards (ultrasound front-ends, patient monitor displays) where 5V tolerance and long-term availability through brokers are critical. The 504 LEs handle ultrasound beamformer control, ADC-to-host data packing, and LCD timing generation. The 68 user I/Os accommodate parallel ADC buses (10-12 bit) plus SPI/I2C control for analog front-end ICs. Designers use the SRAM-based in-circuit reconfigurability to update beamforming coefficients and timing parameters without disassembling the equipment, simplifying field calibration.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPF8636ALI84-4N — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPF8636ALI84-4 | EPF8636ALC84-4N | EPF8636ALC84-4 | EPF8636ALC84-3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) | Intel (Altera) |
| Package | 84-pin PLCC (J-lead) | 84-pin PLCC (J-lead) - same | 84-pin PLCC (J-lead) - same | 84-pin PLCC (J-lead) - same | 84-pin PLCC (J-lead) - same |
| Logic Elements | 504 | 504 | 504 | 504 | 504 |
| User I/Os | 68 | 68 | 68 | 68 | 68 |
| Speed Grade | -4 (commercial) | -4 | -4 (industrial) | -4 (industrial) | -3 (industrial) |
| Temperature Grade | Commercial (0C to 70C) | Commercial (0C to 70C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) |
| Supply Voltage | 5 V | 5 V | 5 V | 5 V | 5 V |
| Internal Performance | 125 MHz | 125 MHz | 125 MHz | 125 MHz | [DATA_NEEDED: lower -3 grade frequency] |
| Configuration Memory | SRAM | SRAM | SRAM | SRAM | SRAM |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- Native 5V I/O tolerance (vs EPF8636ALI84-4)
- Commercial temperature grade (-4N) (vs EPF8636ALC84-4N)
- FLEX 8000 architecture with FastTrack interconnect (vs EPF8636ALC84-3)
Design Notes
Decouple every VCC pin with a 0.1 µF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the package pin. The PLCC-84 has 4-6 VCC pins distributed around the package perimeter; each requires an independent decoupling cap. Add a single 10 µF tantalum or electrolytic bulk capacitor at the board's 5V supply entry point. The FLEX 8000 family has moderate inrush current during configuration - the bulk cap prevents supply sag. Estimated: at 125 MHz with all 68 I/Os toggling, ICC approaches 150 mA; with margin, size the 5V regulator for at least 250 mA per EPF8636 device.
Use a machined-pin PLCC-84 socket (e.g., 3M Textool or equivalent) rated for at least 100 insertion cycles when the design will be reprogrammed or prototyped. For production volumes, reflow-solder the PLCC directly to the PCB using standard J-lead profile. Provide 2 oz copper on inner power planes to handle the inrush during configuration. Keep configuration traces (nSTATUS, CONF_DONE, nCONFIG, DCLK) short and away from switching signals to avoid spurious reconfiguration during power-up transients.
Three common pitfalls when designing with the EPF8636ALI84-4N: (1) Forgetting that FLEX 8000 is SRAM-based - without a configuration device, the FPGA is unconfigured at every power-up and all I/Os are tri-stated; always include an EPC1/EPC1064/EPC1213/EPC1441 in the design. (2) Selecting the wrong configuration mode - verify MSEL pin strapping matches the chosen configuration source (PS, AS, or JTAG). (3) Assuming -4 speed grade parts can be substituted for -3 without timing re-analysis - the -4 grade is faster but timing closure on existing -3 designs must be reverified.
Route the JTAG chain (TCK, TMS, TDI, TDO) as a daisy-chain with 10 kΩ pull-ups on TCK and TMS to prevent spurious JTAG state transitions. Place JTAG header near the board edge for bed-of-nails test access. Separate analog and digital ground planes if the board mixes video or audio with the FPGA, joining at a single point near the 5V regulator. The 0.42 µm CMOS process of FLEX 8000 is sensitive to ESD - add TVS diodes on all user I/O pins that exit the board.
Compliance Information
Per GlobalSpec datasheet record, the EPF8636ALI84-4N is halogen-free compliant. RoHS, REACH, lead-free, and conflict-minerals status were not explicitly stated in the verified web data - [DATA_NEEDED] for those values. ECCN is EAR99.
