EPM5128GC-2 - 128-Macrocell MAX 5000 CPLD, 50MHz, 5V | Altera
MPN: EPM5128GC-2 ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $18.5 | $18.50 |
| 10 | $15.2 | $152.00 |
| 100 | $12.75 | $1,275.00 |
| 500 | $10.4 | $5,200.00 |
| 1,000 | $8.95 | $8,950.00 |
Drop-in alternatives for EPM5128GC-2 — 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:
EPM5128GC-1
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View Datasheet →EPM5064LC-2
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View Datasheet →EPM5064LC-1
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View Datasheet →EPM5064LC
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View Datasheet →EPM5128GC-2 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | MAX 5000 |
| Logic Elements / Gates | 2,500 usable gates |
| Macrocells | 128 |
| Number of Usable Gates | 2,500 |
| Maximum Operating Frequency | 50 MHz |
| Propagation Delay (tPD) | Approx. 25 ns (typical, -2 speed grade) |
| Supply Voltage (VCC) | 5 V (nominal) |
| Package Type | 68-pin PGA (Pin Grid Array) |
| Package Code (per Partstack) | WPGA |
| Number of Terminals | 68 |
| Programming Technology | UV-erasable EPROM |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (commercial) |
| Grade (per Partstack) | COMMERCIAL |
| Terminal Form | PIN/PEG |
| Configuration Memory | Non-volatile, one-time programmable (erasable via UV) |
EPM5128GC-2 wpga Pin Configuration Guide
Complete pinout information for EPM5128GC-2 (wpga 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 EPM5128GC-2.
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
EPM5128GC-2 is suitable for 6 applications: 5V Industrial Glue Logic Replacement, Legacy ISA/VME Address Decoding, State-Machine Replacement in Motor Control, Aerospace & Defense Long-Lifecycle Boards, Educational Logic-Design Kits, Retrofit / Drop-in Maintenance of Legacy Boards.
5V Industrial Glue Logic Replacement
The EPM5128GC-2 is a strong fit for 5V industrial glue logic replacement because it integrates 128 macrocells and 2,500 usable gates in a single 68-pin PGA package, consolidating what previously required several 74LS/74HC chips. Its 50 MHz toggle frequency (per the -2 speed grade) and 5V VCC tolerance let it interface directly with legacy TTL/CMOS buses without level shifters. Engineers deploy it in programmable address decoders, bus arbitrators, and custom peripheral controllers on ISA, VME, and STD backplanes where deterministic timing and 5V rails are mandatory.
Recommended
Legacy ISA/VME Address Decoding
The EPM5128GC-2 excels at ISA/VME address-decoding tasks because its 128 macrocells can implement multiple sum-of-products decoders in parallel, supporting 16- or 24-bit address-bus decoding with chip-select outputs. The MAX 5000 deterministic timing (tPD ~25 ns typical at -2 grade) avoids the metastability hazards of asynchronous logic. Its 5V I/O and 68-pin PGA footprint match legacy backplane daughtercards, allowing drop-in repair or capacity expansion of existing boards.
Recommended
State-Machine Replacement in Motor Control
The EPM5128GC-2 is well-suited for state-machine replacement in motor-control subsystems because it can hold multiple Moore/Mealy state machines, PWM sequencers, and fault-handling logic in a single non-volatile device. Its 5V VCC matches industrial H-bridge driver interfaces, and the 128 macrocells easily absorb encoder decoding, commutation tables, and watchdog functions. The UV-erasable EPROM gives one-time-programmable security that prevents firmware cloning in production controllers.
Recommended
Aerospace & Defense Long-Lifecycle Boards
The EPM5128GC-2 remains in demand for aerospace and defense programs because the MAX 5000 family has established long-lifecycle status and qualified BOMs in legacy avionics, ground-station, and radar subsystems. Per distributor catalog data, the part is still listed for retrofit and maintenance contracts despite Altera's obsolete classification. Engineers use it to repair 20- to 30-year-old boards where PCB redesign is not feasible and 5V logic compatibility is mandatory.
Recommended
Educational Logic-Design Kits
The EPM5128GC-2 is a popular teaching vehicle in university logic-design and computer-architecture labs because its 128 macrocells let students implement complete CPUs, ALUs, and bus arbiters in a single non-volatile device. The 68-pin PGA is easy to socket on a breadboard-style training board, and UV erasure makes re-use simple between cohorts. Per Altera legacy notes, MAX 5000 family devices remain supported in Altera/Intel MAX+PLUS II design software for educational continuity.
Recommended
Retrofit / Drop-in Maintenance of Legacy Boards
The EPM5128GC-2 is the canonical maintenance part for industrial automation, CNC controllers, and medical-imaging boards originally designed around the MAX 5000 family. Its 68-pin PGA footprint matches legacy sockets, and the 5V VCC and TTL-compatible I/O eliminate PCB rework. When the original CPLD fails in the field, swapping in a fresh EPM5128GC-2 (or its -1/-0 speed-grade siblings) restores the board without retooling, preserving long-life-cycle assets and avoiding costly retrofits.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPM5128GC-2 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPM5128GC-1 | EPM5128GC | EPM5064LC-2 | EPM5064LC-1 | EPM5064LC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 68-pin PGA (WPGA) | 68-pin PGA (WPGA) - same | 68-pin PGA (WPGA) - same | 68-pin footprint - same | 68-pin footprint - same | 68-pin footprint - same |
| Brand | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera |
| Family | MAX 5000 | MAX 5000 | MAX 5000 | MAX 5000 | MAX 5000 | MAX 5000 |
| Macrocells | 128 | 128 | 128 | 64 (-50%) | 64 (-50%) | 64 (-50%) |
| Usable Gates | 2,500 | 2,500 | 2,500 | 1,250 (-50%) | 1,250 (-50%) | 1,250 (-50%) |
| Speed Grade | -2 (fMAX ~50 MHz) | -1 (slower) | Standard (slower) | -2 | -1 (slower) | Standard (slower) |
| Supply Voltage | 5 V | 5 V | 5 V | 5 V | 5 V | 5 V |
| Programming Memory | UV-EPROM | UV-EPROM | UV-EPROM | UV-EPROM | UV-EPROM | UV-EPROM |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- Highest macrocell count in the MAX 5000 family (vs EPM5064LC-2)
- Highest speed grade among EPM5128GC variants (vs EPM5128GC-1)
- Ceramic PGA package with UV-erasable window (vs EPM5128GC-1)
Design Notes
Estimated: at 50 MHz toggle on all 128 macrocells with 50% utilization, the EPM5128GC-2 draws on the order of 200-300 mA from a 5V rail. The 68-pin ceramic PGA exposes all VCC/GND pins for low-impedance distribution; use at least 4 VCC pins and 4 GND pins, decouple each pair with 0.1 uF + 10 uF bulk caps placed within 5 mm of the package. Avoid powering from a 3.3V rail — the device is not 3.3V tolerant and will not program reliably below 4.75V.
Use a PGA socket (e.g., machined-pin or PCB-headers) when designing serviceable boards, since the ceramic PGA is not field-solderable. Route I/O signals on inner layers with controlled impedance only if the design drives high-speed edges; for 50 MHz operation standard 50 ohm microstrip or stripline is acceptable but not mandatory. Keep programming pins (DCLK, CONF_DONE, nCONFIG, nSTATUS, DATA0) accessible for in-system programming via Altera ByteBlaster/MV-compatible tools.
Do not assume the EPM5128GC-2 is in-system reprogrammable — it uses UV-erasable EPROM and the ceramic 'GC' package has a quartz window that requires 20-30 minutes of UV exposure for erasure. Plastic non-windowed 'PC' variants are truly one-time programmable. Also note that MAX 5000 design files use legacy MAX+PLUS II syntax; newer Quartus projects will not synthesize this part, so retain an archived MAX+PLUS II toolchain for legacy support.
Compliance Information
Specific RoHS/REACH status not stated in current distributor data for the EPM5128GC-2 marking; MAX 5000 family is a legacy Altera product line and may use lead-bearing terminations. Verify compliance with the supplier before RoHS-restricted deployment.
