EPM3256AQC208-10N - 256-Macro MAX 3000A 3.3V CPLD | Altera
MPN: EPM3256AQC208-10N β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.17 | $7.17 |
| 10 | $6.45 | $64.50 |
| 100 | $5.74 | $574.00 |
| 500 | $5.1 | $2,550.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.62 | $4,620.00 |
Drop-in alternatives for EPM3256AQC208-10N 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:
EPM3256AQC208-10
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View Datasheet βEPM3256AFC256-10N
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View Datasheet βEPM3256AQC208-10N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Series | MAX 3000A |
| Programmable Type | In-System Programmable (EEPROM) |
| Number of Macrocells | 256 |
| Number of Logic Elements/Blocks | 16 LABs |
| Usable Gates | 10,000 |
| Number of I/O Pins | 161 (158 user I/O per Arrow listing) |
| Propagation Delay (tpd) | 10 ns (max) |
| Maximum Counter Frequency | 227.3 MHz |
| Supply Voltage - Internal | 3.0 V to 3.6 V (3.3 V typical) |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (Commercial) |
| Package / Case | 208-BFQFP / 208-PQFP (28x28 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| ISP Compliance | IEEE Std. 1532 |
| Boundary Scan | IEEE Std. 1149.1 (JTAG) |
| I/O Tolerance | 5 V tolerant, MultiVolt interface |
EPM3256AQC208-10N Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | I/O β User I/O pin (LAB assignment per datasheet) |
| Pin 2 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 3 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 4 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 5 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 6 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 7 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 8 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 9 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 10 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 11 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 12 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 13 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 14 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 15 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 16 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 17 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 18 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 19 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 20 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 21 | VCCIO β I/O supply voltage |
| Pin 22 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 23 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 24 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 25 | I/O β User I/O pin |
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| Pin 28 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 29 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 30 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 31 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 32 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 33 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 34 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 35 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 36 | I/O β User I/O pin |
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| Pin 40 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 41 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 42 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 43 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 44 | VCCINT β Internal core supply voltage |
| Pin 45 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 46 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 47 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 48 | I/O β User I/O pin |
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| Pin 53 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 54 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 55 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 56 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 57 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 58 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 59 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 60 | I/O β User I/O pin |
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| Pin 64 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 65 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 66 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 67 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 68 | VCCIO β I/O supply voltage |
| Pin 69 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 70 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 71 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 72 | I/O β User I/O pin |
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| Pin 74 | I/O β User I/O pin |
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| Pin 76 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 77 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 78 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 79 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 80 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 81 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 82 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 83 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 84 | I/O β User I/O pin |
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| Pin 88 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 89 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 90 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 91 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 92 | VCCINT β Internal core supply voltage |
| Pin 93 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 94 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 95 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 96 | I/O β User I/O pin |
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| Pin 102 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 103 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 104 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 105 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 106 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 107 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 108 | I/O β User I/O pin |
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| Pin 114 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 115 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 116 | VCCIO β I/O supply voltage |
| Pin 117 | I/O β User I/O pin |
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| Pin 126 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 127 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 128 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 129 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 130 | I/O β User I/O pin |
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| Pin 137 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 138 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 139 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 140 | VCCINT β Internal core supply voltage |
| Pin 141 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 142 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 143 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 144 | I/O β User I/O pin |
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| Pin 150 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 151 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 152 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 153 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 154 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 155 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 156 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 157 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 158 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 159 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 160 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 161 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 162 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 163 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 164 | VCCIO β I/O supply voltage |
| Pin 165 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 166 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 167 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 168 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 169 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 170 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 171 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 172 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 173 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 174 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 175 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 176 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 177 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 178 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 179 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 180 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 181 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 182 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 183 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 184 | TDI β JTAG Test Data In (IEEE 1149.1) |
| Pin 185 | TMS β JTAG Test Mode Select (IEEE 1149.1) |
| Pin 186 | TCK β JTAG Test Clock (IEEE 1149.1) |
| Pin 187 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 188 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 189 | VCCINT β Internal core supply voltage |
| Pin 190 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 191 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 192 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 193 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 194 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 195 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 196 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 197 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 198 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 199 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 200 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 201 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 202 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 203 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 204 | TDO β JTAG Test Data Out (IEEE 1149.1) |
| Pin 205 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 206 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 207 | I/O β User I/O pin |
| Pin 208 | I/O β User I/O pin |
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
EPM3256AQC208-10N is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Glue Logic, Legacy Peripheral Interface Bridging, Power Sequencing and Reset Distribution, Motor Control and Drive Logic, ASIC Prototyping and Pre-Production Validation, Legacy Telecom Backplane Replacement.
Industrial Control Glue Logic
The EPM3256AQC208-10N fits industrial control boards as deterministic glue logic for address decoding, I/O expansion, and bus arbitration. Its 256 macrocells can absorb the entire decoding map of a legacy 16-bit or 32-bit microprocessor bus, replacing dozens of 74-series TTL parts. The 10 ns tpd is comfortably below typical ISA-style bus cycle times, and the 0C to 70C commercial range covers most indoor control cabinets. MultiVolt I/O allows direct connection to both 5 V microcontrollers and 3.3 V ASICs without level shifters.
Recommended
Legacy Peripheral Interface Bridging
Use the EPM3256AQC208-10N to bridge legacy parallel peripherals (e.g., ISA, PC/104, VME) to modern microcontrollers and SoCs that lack those interfaces. The 161 user I/Os handle wide parallel buses without external muxes, while the 3.3 V core plus 5 V-tolerant I/O interface preserves compatibility with older logic families. ISP via JTAG (IEEE 1532) lets field engineers reprogram bus-protocol glue without desoldering, which is critical for long-life industrial equipment.
Recommended
Power Sequencing and Reset Distribution
The EPM3256AQC208-10N is well-suited to multi-rail power sequencing in telecom and networking hardware. Its 256 macrocells can implement state-machine-based sequencing for 8-12 rails with programmable delays, and the open-drain I/O option supports wired-OR power-good signaling. Deterministic 10 ns propagation enables tight reset-window timing, while the EEPROM-based configuration stores the sequence state through power loss without external boot memory.
Recommended
Motor Control and Drive Logic
In motor drive boards, the EPM3256AQC208-10N implements PWM generation, fault handling, and encoder decoding as a single integrated block, replacing discrete timers and logic. The 227.3 MHz internal counter frequency supports high-resolution PWM at standard motor PWM frequencies (4-32 kHz), while the 5 V-tolerant I/O accepts encoder signals directly from industrial 24 V sensors via external dividers. The 208-pin PQFP package provides ample I/O for multi-axis drives.
Recommended
ASIC Prototyping and Pre-Production Validation
Designers frequently use the EPM3256AQC208-10N as a rapid-turnaround ASIC prototype. The IEEE 1532 ISP chain lets design changes be downloaded in seconds, the 256 macrocells emulate sub-million-gate ASIC blocks, and the deterministic timing matches ASIC behavior closely enough for functional validation. Multiple devices can be JTAG-chained to emulate larger ASICs, and the EEPROM bitstream remains intact through board power-cycles, simplifying lab bring-up.
Recommended
Legacy Telecom Backplane Replacement
For maintaining legacy telecom backplanes that depend on discontinued ASICs, the EPM3256AQC208-10N provides a pin-compatible logic replacement when paired with adapter boards. The MultiVolt I/O supports older 5 V backplane levels, the 161 I/Os accommodate wide address and data buses, and the wide commercial temperature range suits climate-controlled central offices. As original parts become harder to source, this CPLD often bridges systems until full board redesigns are scheduled.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPM3256AQC208-10N β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPM3256AQC208-10 | EPM3256AQC208-7N | EPM3256AQI208-10N | EPM3256AFC256-10N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Altera (Intel) | Altera (Intel) - same brand | Altera (Intel) - same brand | Altera (Intel) - same brand | Altera (Intel) - same brand |
| Package | 208-PQFP (28x28 mm) | 208-PQFP - same | 208-PQFP - same | 208-PQFP - same | 256-FBGA - DIFFERENT (not drop-in) |
| Macrocells | 256 | 256 | 256 | 256 | 256 |
| Speed Grade (tpd) | 10 ns | 10 ns | 7 ns (30% faster) | 10 ns | 10 ns |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to 70C (Commercial) | 0C to 70C | 0C to 70C | -40C to 85C (Industrial) | 0C to 70C |
| Lead-Free Finish (N suffix) | Yes (N suffix) | No (leaded) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum Counter Frequency | 227.3 MHz | 227.3 MHz | 227.3 MHz | 227.3 MHz | 227.3 MHz |
| Unit Price (USD, as of 2026-09-12) | 7.17 | [DATA_NEEDED] | [DATA_NEEDED] | [DATA_NEEDED] | [DATA_NEEDED] |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- Highest macrocell density in the MAX 3000A family (vs EPM3256AQC208-10 (same family, lower suffix variant))
- 5V-tolerant MultiVolt I/O on a 3.3V core (vs MAX II EPM1270T144C5N)
- 161 user I/Os in a single 208-pin PQFP package (vs EPM3256AFC256-10N (256-FBGA))
Design Notes
The EPM3256AQC208-10N requires a clean 3.3 V supply on all VCCINT pins (4 distributed across the package) and all VCCIO pins (8 distributed across the package). Estimated: total quiescent current is typically 30-50 mA in standby and up to 200 mA during high-toggle ISP programming, so place 0.1 uF ceramic decoupling within 5 mm of every VCC pin and a single 10 uF bulk tantalum or ceramic near the package. Add a ferrite bead on the 3.3 V rail feeding the device if the upstream regulator is shared with switching converters. The MultiVolt I/O pins tolerate 5 V inputs only when VCCIO is at 3.3 V; do not exceed 3.6 V on VCCIO.
Although the EPM3256AQC208-10N is a CMOS device with modest power dissipation (estimated 0.5-1.0 W typical), the 208-pin PQFP package (28x28 mm body, 0.5 mm pitch) concentrates heat at the die. Ensure at least 1 square inch of inner copper pour on each side of the package, stitched with thermal vias to the opposite plane. For industrial-temperature variants operating near 85C ambient, add airflow or a small clip-on heatsink. The commercial-temperature -10N is rated only to 70C, so plan the cabinet thermal budget accordingly.
The 208-pin PQFP uses 0.5 mm pitch gull-wing leads; route the escape with 0.15 mm (6 mil) traces on 0.20 mm (8 mil) spaces and use via-in-pad with 0.30 mm (12 mil) capture pads for inner-layer fan-out. Place at least one ground via adjacent to every VCC pin to minimize lead inductance. The JTAG chain (TCK, TMS, TDI, TDO) should be routed as a daisy chain with 22-33 ohm series termination at TCK if the chain exceeds 50 mm total length. Match trace lengths across the four JTAG signals within 10 mm to avoid setup/hold violations during ISP.
Three common pitfalls when designing with the EPM3256AQC208-10N: (1) Using the -10N as a drop-in replacement for the -10 part requires RoHS-compatible reflow profiles; (2) Driving JTAG lines with multi-drop fan-out will cause ISP failures - keep the JTAG chain single-drop; (3) Configuring unused I/O pins as outputs driving against each other will source/sink high currents - always set unused pins to input-tri-state in the Quartus pin assignment. Additionally, do not enable open-drain output mode without an external pull-up resistor, or the line will float when not driven.
For high-speed signals above 50 MHz on the EPM3256AQC208-10N, use 22-33 ohm series termination at the driver to control ringing on the 208-pin PQFP's lead inductance (estimated 5-10 nH per pin). Keep the 227.3 MHz counter clock trace under 25 mm and isolate it from asynchronous I/O with a ground guard trace on both sides. The MultiVolt I/O interface can create ground-bounce on mixed 5 V/3.3 V buses; add 10 ohm damping resistors in series on lines crossing between voltage domains.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliance inferred from the 'N' lead-free suffix per Altera/Intel part-numbering convention. AEC-Q100 not applicable (industrial/legacy use, not automotive). Halogen-free and conflict-mineral declarations not explicitly stated in verified web data - set to 'unknown' rather than fabricate.
