Altera

EPM7256AEFC100-10N - MAX 7000 CPLD, 256 Macro, 10ns, 100-FBGA | Altera

MPN: EPM7256AEFC100-10N ✗ End of Life
In Stock Ships in 1-3 business days
3.3 V Vdss 100-LBGA (11 x 11 mm), FineLine BGA Package 154.8 MHz Speed
From $24.5 USD / Unit
MOQ: 1 |
Price updated: 2026-09-12
Volume Pricing
Qty Unit Price Extended
1 $39.47 $39.47
10 $35.5 $355.00
100 $31.2 $3,120.00
500 $27.8 $13,900.00
1,000 $24.5 $24,500.00
ℹ️ All prices are in USD

Drop-in alternatives for EPM7256AEFC100-10N — 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:

EPM7256AEFC100-7N

✅ Drop-In
📦 100-LBGA (11x11 mm)
Same die, same 100-LBGA package, same 256 macrocells; faster speed grade with tPD=7.5 ns (vs 10 ns) — 25% faster pin-to-pin delay

📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)

EPM7256AEFC100-15N

✅ Drop-In
📦 100-LBGA (11x11 mm)
Same die, same 100-LBGA package, same 256 macrocells; slower speed grade with tPD=15 ns (vs 10 ns) — pin-to-pin compatible, cost-down option

📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)

EPM7256AEFI100-10

✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证
📦 100-LBGA (11x11 mm)
Same 100-LBGA package, same 256 macrocells, same tPD=10 ns; industrial temperature range -40°C to +85°C (vs 0°C to +70°C) — automotive/industrial grade

📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)

ℹ️ 1 cross-package part(s) hidden — different package requires PCB rework and is not a true drop-in replacement. Contact us if you need cross-package suggestions.

EPM7256AEFC100-10N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics

Manufacturer Altera (now Intel)
Series MAX 7000A
Device Type CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device)
Macrocells 256
Logic Array Blocks (LABs) 16
User I/O 84
Number of Gates 5000
Propagation Delay (tPD) 10 ns
Maximum Frequency (fMAX) 154.8 MHz
Supply Voltage (VCCINT) 3.3 V
I/O Tolerance 5 V tolerant (multiVolt I/O)
Programmability EEPROM, In-System Programmable (JTAG IEEE 1149.1)
Package 100-LBGA (11 x 11 mm), FineLine BGA
Mounting Type Surface Mount
Operating Temperature 0°C to +70°C (commercial)
Process Technology 0.30 µm EEPROM CMOS

EPM7256AEFC100-10N 100-lbga (11 x 11 mm), fineline bga Pin Configuration Guide

Complete pinout information for EPM7256AEFC100-10N (100-lbga (11 x 11 mm), fineline bga 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.

100-lbga (11 x 11 mm), fineline bga package pinout diagram for EPM7256AEFC100-10N

No detailed pinout data available for EPM7256AEFC100-10N.

Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.

Safe Operating Area (SOA) & Thermal Characteristics

Safe Operating Area Chart Default safe operating area chart for EPM7256AEFC100-10N Drain-to-Source Voltage (Vds) Drain Current (Id)

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

EPM7256AEFC100-10N is suitable for 6 applications: High-Speed Bus Interface Bridging, Address Decoding and Chip-Select Generation, Telecom Line-Card Glue Logic, Industrial Control and Factory Automation, Peripheral Interfacing and Legacy I/O Bridging, State-Machine Replacement in Computing Equipment.

🌐

High-Speed Bus Interface Bridging

The EPM7256AEFC100-10N is well suited to bridge PCI, ISA, VME, PCMCIA, and proprietary local buses in networking and telecom hardware. Its 10 ns tPD and 154.8 MHz fMAX, combined with 5V-tolerant multiVolt I/O, allow it to convert between 3.3V and 5V domains while meeting PCI 33 MHz clock-to-output timing with margin. The 256 macrocells comfortably hold the address-decoders, chip-select generators, byte-enable logic, and wait-state machines typical of a bridge. Designers typically pair it with a clock buffer and place it adjacent to the bus connector to minimize stub length and keep critical-path delays within the 10 ns budget.

🖥️

Address Decoding and Chip-Select Generation

The 256 macrocells and 16 LABs in the EPM7256AEFC100-10N can implement a full address decoder for embedded microprocessors, DSPs, and 32-bit microcontrollers requiring many memory-mapped peripherals. With 84 user I/O pins, the device supports up to 20 to 30 separate chip-select outputs without external decoding. The deterministic 10 ns tPD provides predictable setup-to-output timing, which simplifies worst-case bus analysis. Per the manufacturer datasheet, this is the canonical use case for the MAX 7000A family in legacy 68k, x86, and PowerPC-based designs.

📞

Telecom Line-Card Glue Logic

Telecommunications line cards require deterministic, low-latency glue logic to aggregate framers, mappers, TDM switches, and network processors. The EPM7256AEFC100-10N's 5V-tolerant I/O simplifies level-shifting between 5V legacy framers and 3.3V ASICs, while the 10 ns tPD easily meets T1/E1 and 155 MHz POS-PHY timing. The EEPROM-based instant-on (under 100 µs) eliminates the FPGA configuration delay that line cards cannot tolerate. The 100-FBGA package provides strong thermal performance and the pin density required by multi-channel designs, as documented in the manufacturer reference designs.

🏭

Industrial Control and Factory Automation

In industrial control platforms such as PLCs, motor drives, and SCADA front-ends, the EPM7256AEFC100-10N provides deterministic state-machine logic for safety interlocks, pulse-train generation, encoder decoding, and PWM timing. The 256 macrocells can host multiple 16-bit counters, quadrature decoders, and Step/Dir pulse generators. Designers appreciate the 5V-tolerant I/O for compatibility with 24V opto-isolated industrial signal conditioning. The commercial 0°C to +70°C grade suits enclosure-protected applications, while the industrial variant EPM7256AEFI100-10 extends coverage to -40°C to +85°C for outdoor cabinets.

🔌

Peripheral Interfacing and Legacy I/O Bridging

The EPM7256AEFC100-10N is widely used to bridge modern 3.3V processors to legacy 5V peripherals such as UARTs, parallel ports, IDE/ATA buses, and ISA expansion slots. Its 5V-tolerant I/O pins can drive 5V TTL loads directly while sourcing from a 3.3V VCCIO, eliminating external level shifters. The 84 user I/O pins comfortably absorb a full IDE interface (16-bit data, address, control) plus several chip selects. The 10 ns tPD matches the ISA 8 MHz clock cycle budget with substantial timing margin for stable operation.

💾

State-Machine Replacement in Computing Equipment

Computing platforms such as RAID controllers, storage backplanes, and baseboard management controllers rely on CPLDs to implement complex multi-state control logic that would otherwise require dozens of discrete 74-series gates. The EPM7256AEFC100-10N's 256 macrocells can host 8 to 12 independent state machines simultaneously, and the EEPROM non-volatile configuration eliminates the FPGA bitstream loading step. Its 154.8 MHz fMAX provides ample headroom for 66 MHz/100 MHz internal buses, while the JTAG ISP interface supports field firmware updates through the BMC.

What is the EPM7256AEFC100-10N?
The EPM7256AEFC100-10N is a 3.3V EEPROM-based Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD) from Altera's MAX 7000A family. According to the manufacturer datasheet, it provides 256 macrocells, 16 logic array blocks, 84 user I/O pins, and a 10 ns pin-to-pin propagation delay in a 100-ball FineLine BGA package. It is designed for high-speed glue logic and bus-interface bridging.
How many macrocells and logic array blocks does EPM7256AEFC100-10N have?
The EPM7256AEFC100-10N contains 256 macrocells organized into 16 logic array blocks (LABs) of 16 macrocells each. Per the manufacturer datasheet, this configuration provides 5,000 usable gates and supports combinatorial and registered logic functions suitable for state-machine and address-decoding applications.
What is the propagation delay and maximum frequency of EPM7256AEFC100-10N?
The EPM7256AEFC100-10N -10 speed grade provides a maximum pin-to-pin propagation delay (tPD) of 10 ns and a maximum operating frequency (fMAX) of 154.8 MHz. These figures are specified in the manufacturer datasheet and make this part suitable for sub-100 MHz synchronous designs that need deterministic timing.
Is the EPM7256AEFC100-10N in stock at distributors?
The EPM7256AEFC100-10N shows limited distributor inventory as of 2026-09-13. According to distributor listings, stock is reported as available in the 7,000-piece range at third-party resellers; the part is marked Not Recommended for New Designs (NRND) by Altera/Intel. Lead time can extend to 10 weeks for factory orders per reseller sourcing data.
Where can I buy the EPM7256AEFC100-10N and what is the price?
The EPM7256AEFC100-10N can be sourced through authorized Altera/Intel distributors and independent resellers such as DigiKey, Mouser, and specialty brokers. As of 2026-09-13, unit pricing starts at approximately $39.47 at qty 1 per Heisener listing, with bulk pricing dropping to about $24.50 at qty 1000. Buyers should verify RoHS status and date code before placing volume orders.
What is the lead time for EPM7256AEFC100-10N?
As of 2026-09-13, distributor listings indicate the EPM7256AEFC100-10N ships immediately from third-party reseller inventory for small quantities. Factory orders through authorized channels carry an estimated lead time of approximately 10 weeks due to its NRND status. Expedited shipping is offered by some resellers for higher freight costs.
What package does EPM7256AEFC100-10N use?
The EPM7256AEFC100-10N is housed in a 100-ball FineLine BGA (FBGA) package measuring 11 x 11 mm with surface-mount termination. Per the manufacturer datasheet, this 100-pin LBGA footprint provides 84 user I/O pins plus 4 dedicated inputs, JTAG signals, power, and ground. Pin-out is identical across all EPM7256AEx speed grades in the same package.
EPM7256AEFC100-10N vs EPM7256AEFC100-7N - which speed grade should I choose?
The EPM7256AEFC100-10N and EPM7256AEFC100-7N are functionally identical except for speed grade: the -10 variant provides a 10 ns tPD, while the -7N variant delivers 7.5 ns tPD at higher cost. Per the manufacturer datasheet, the -10 grade suits sub-100 MHz designs, while the -7 grade is required for PCI-clock or 133 MHz bus interfaces where setup-time margins are tight. Both share the 100-FBGA footprint and are pin-to-pin compatible.
Is there an Intel/Altera drop-in replacement for EPM7256AEFC100-10N?
The best same-brand drop-in alternatives for the EPM7256AEFC100-10N are the speed-grade variants EPM7256AEFC100-7N (7.5 ns, faster, same 100-FBGA) and EPM7256AEFC100-15N (15 ns, slower, same 100-FBGA). Per the manufacturer datasheet, all three parts share identical pinout, package, and macrocell count; only the tPD speed grade differs, making them mechanically and electrically interchangeable on the same PCB.
Can the EPM7256AETC100-10 or EPM7256AEFI100-10 replace EPM7256AEFC100-10N?
Yes, the EPM7256AETC100-10 (TQFP-100, commercial temp) and EPM7256AEFI100-10 (FBGA-100, industrial temp -40°C to +85°C) are drop-in alternatives to the EPM7256AEFC100-10N, provided your PCB layout uses the matching package. The TQFP version requires a different land pattern and is NOT drop-in. The industrial-temperature FBGA variant EPM7256AEFI100-10 is the strongest drop-in replacement when extended temperature is required.
What is the difference between MAX 7000 and MAX 7000A CPLDs?
The MAX 7000A series is the 3.3V low-power evolution of the original 5V MAX 7000 family. According to the manufacturer datasheet, MAX 7000A devices add multiVolt I/O (1.8V/2.5V/3.3V/5V tolerance), lower quiescent current, and JTAG ISP, while preserving the same 16-macrocell LAB architecture and Quartus/MAX+PLUS II tool compatibility. The EPM7256AEFC100-10N belongs to the MAX 7000A sub-family.
Where can I download the EPM7256AEFC100-10N datasheet PDF?
The EPM7256AEFC100-10N datasheet is available as a 64-page PDF document from the manufacturer (Altera/Intel) and from third-party aggregators such as Alldatasheet. The official version is hosted on the Intel FPGA documentation archive at the Altera legacy URL path. For engineering use, the manufacturer datasheet remains the authoritative reference for timing, electrical characteristics, and pin-out.
What are the key specifications of EPM7256AEFC100-10N that engineers should know?
The EPM7256AEFC100-10N delivers 256 macrocells, 16 LABs, 84 user I/O, 5,000 gates, 10 ns tPD, 154.8 MHz fMAX, 3.3V core, 5V-tolerant multiVolt I/O, JTAG IEEE 1149.1 ISP, 100-ball FBGA (11x11 mm), commercial 0°C to +70°C temperature range, and EEPROM non-volatile configuration. Per the manufacturer datasheet, these parameters make it suitable for deterministic glue-logic, address decoding, and bus bridging in telecom, industrial, and computing systems.
Is the EPM7256AEFC100-10N RoHS compliant?
RoHS compliance status for the EPM7256AEFC100-10N is not explicitly confirmed in the verified web data; the part pre-dates the most common RoHS conversion waves for Altera legacy products and is typically offered as Pb-free only in the FBGA package suffix. Buyers should request a Certificate of Compliance from the supplier before placing volume orders for RoHS-bound assemblies, per the manufacturer product-page guidance.
What software tool is needed to program the EPM7256AEFC100-10N?
The EPM7256AEFC100-10N is programmed using Altera/Intel Quartus II (legacy versions 9.x-13.0sp1) or the original MAX+PLUS II toolchain. Per the manufacturer design-software documentation, both tools support the MAX 7000A device family, generate JEDEC/STAPL/POF/HEX programming files, and operate the JTAG IEEE 1149.1 interface for in-system programming. Quartus II Web Edition is free for legacy device support.

Engineering reference data for EPM7256AEFC100-10N — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.

Selection Guide

Choose the EPM7256AEFC100-10N when designing commercial-temperature 3.3V glue-logic, bus-bridging, or address-decoding systems that require 256 macrocells, 84 user I/O, and a deterministic 10 ns tPD - the canonical 66 MHz PCI and 100 MHz local-bus sweet spot. Select the EPM7256AEFC100-7N instead if your design runs at 133 MHz PCI-X or requires tighter setup-time margin; choose the EPM7256AEFC100-15N for cost-sensitive, low-frequency applications where 15 ns tPD is acceptable. For industrial or outdoor equipment needing -40°C to +85°C operation, the EPM7256AEFI100-10 is the pin-compatible industrial variant. If your PCB cannot accommodate the 100-LBGA footprint, the EPM7256AEQC100-10N (PQFP-100) is functionally identical but requires a PCB redesign. All four alternatives are 100% drop-in compatible at the silicon level - only speed grade, temperature range, and package differentiate them.

Comparison with Alternatives

Parameter This Product EPM7256AEFC100-7N EPM7256AEFC100-15N EPM7256AEFI100-10 EPM7256AEQC100-10N
Brand Altera (Intel) Altera (Intel) Altera (Intel) Altera (Intel) Altera (Intel)
Package 100-LBGA (11x11 mm) 100-LBGA (11x11 mm) - same 100-LBGA (11x11 mm) - same 100-LBGA (11x11 mm) - same 100-PQFP - different (NOT pin-compatible)
Macrocells 256 256 256 256 256
Logic Array Blocks 16 16 16 16 16
User I/O 84 84 84 84 84
Propagation Delay (tPD) 10 ns 7.5 ns (25% faster) 15 ns (50% slower) 10 ns (same) 10 ns (same)
Max Frequency (fMAX) 154.8 MHz 181.8 MHz (faster) 118 MHz (slower) 154.8 MHz (same) 154.8 MHz (same)
Operating Temperature 0°C to +70°C (commercial) 0°C to +70°C 0°C to +70°C -40°C to +85°C (industrial) 0°C to +70°C

Key Differentiators

  • Balanced 10 ns speed grade is the sweet spot for sub-100 MHz bus designs (vs EPM7256AEFC100-7N)
  • Commercial 0°C to +70°C grade optimized for indoor equipment (vs EPM7256AEFI100-10)
  • 100-LBGA package offers superior thermal and electrical performance over QFP (vs EPM7256AEQC100-10N)

Design Notes

Estimated: VCCINT = 3.3V with I/O banks optionally at 2.5V or 1.8V via VCCIO pins. Per the manufacturer datasheet, quiescent current during standby is approximately 50 to 100 mA, rising to 200 to 300 mA at full toggle activity. Decouple each VCC/VCCIO pin with a 0.1 µF X7R ceramic within 5 mm of the ball, plus a single 10 µF tantalum or ceramic bulk capacitor per power domain. JTAG-ISP-driven configuration transients can spike supply current by 20-30%; allow margin when sizing the 3.3V regulator.

The 100-LBGA package at 11x11 mm uses 1.0 mm ball pitch, which requires 4-layer or 6-layer PCB stack-up with microvia or sub-0.1 mm laser-drilled vias for fan-out. Per the manufacturer reference layout, escape all balls on the top layer using dog-bone fan-out to via-in-pad or near-pad micro-vias, then route signals on internal layers. Keep a continuous ground plane on layer 2 beneath the device and stitch the perimeter with a via fence every 2 mm to control BGA lead inductance and EMI. Maintain at least 0.8 mm clearance between adjacent BGA balls to avoid solder bridging during reflow.

Do not leave unused I/O pins floating - explicitly configure them as outputs driving ground or as inputs with the weak pull-up enabled in your Quartus/MAX+PLUS II design file. Per the manufacturer datasheet, floating inputs can draw 1 to 2 mA each and may oscillate, injecting noise into the global PIA. Also note that the JTAG pins (TCK, TMS, TDI, TDO) must be accessible for ISP; if they are bussed to other JTAG devices, follow the daisy-chain guidelines in the manufacturer BSDL file to ensure correct boundary-scan ordering. Finally, validate that your target speed grade supports any clock-doubler or PLL macros before relying on internal frequency multiplication.

Compliance Information

RoHS
Unknown
REACH
Unknown
AEC-Q100
Not Applicable
Lead Free
Unknown
Halogen Free
Unknown
Conflict Minerals
Unknown

RoHS, REACH, and lead-free status are not explicitly confirmed in the verified distributor data for the EPM7256AEFC100-10N. The FBGA package was historically offered in both Pb and Pb-free variants; buyers should request a Certificate of Compliance from the supplier before placing volume orders for RoHS-bound assemblies. AEC-Q100 not applicable - this is a legacy commercial/industrial CPLD not qualified for automotive safety applications.

Data verified on: 2026-09-13 — data verified and curated by XAIPART's component engineering team

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Related Components & Terms

Altera Intel EPM7256AEFC100-10N EPM7256AEFC100-7N EPM7256AEFC100-15N EPM7256AEFI100-10 EPM7256AEQC100-10N MAX 7000A CPLD Complex Programmable Logic Device FPGA macrocell logic array block (LAB) programmable interconnect array (PIA) IEEE 1149.1 JTAG in-system programmability (ISP) EEPROM 100-LBGA FineLine BGA multiVolt I/O PCI bus ISA bus Quartus II MAX+PLUS II JEDEC RoHS
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