EPM7256AEQI208-7N - 256-Macrocell 3.3V CPLD | Altera
MPN: EPM7256AEQI208-7N ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0 | $0.00 |
| 10 | $0 | $0.00 |
| 100 | $0 | $0.00 |
| 500 | $0 | $0.00 |
| 1,000 | $0 | $0.00 |
Drop-in alternatives for EPM7256AEQI208-7N — 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:
EPM7256AEQI208-7
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EPM7256AEQC208-5N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$11.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPM7256AEFI256-7
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$18.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPM7256AEFC256-5N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$23.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPM7256AEFC100-7
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$15.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPM7256AEFI100-7
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$65.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →EPM7256AEQI208-7N Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | MAX 7000A |
| Macrocells | 256 |
| Usable Gates | 5,000 |
| User I/O Pins | 164 |
| Logic Array Blocks | 16 |
| Pin-to-Pin Propagation Delay (tPD) | 7.5 ns |
| Maximum Internal Frequency | 126.6 MHz |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V |
| Configuration Technology | EEPROM (non-volatile) |
| Package | 208-pin PQFP (FQFP) |
| Number of Terminals | 208 |
| Terminal Form | Gull Wing |
| Package Shape | Square |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature Grade | Industrial |
| Speed Grade | -7 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (N suffix) |
EPM7256AEQI208-7N square Pin Configuration Guide
Complete pinout information for EPM7256AEQI208-7N (square package) with 164 pins. 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 EPM7256AEQI208-7N.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Estimated pin count: 164 pins (digital package)
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
EPM7256AEQI208-7N is suitable for 6 applications: PCI/ISA Bus Interface Logic, Power-Up Sequencing Controller, DSP and Microcontroller Glue Logic, Industrial Control and Automation, Telecom Line Card Logic, Legacy System Replacement and Repair.
PCI/ISA Bus Interface Logic
The EPM7256AEQI208-7N fits PCI and ISA bus interface logic because its 164 user I/O pins and 256 macrocells can absorb the address decoding, wait-state generation, and bus arbitration that would otherwise require dozens of discrete 74-series devices. Its 7.5 ns pin-to-pin delay keeps bus timing within the PCI 33 MHz setup/hold window, and the 3.3 V core with 5 V-tolerant I/O simplifies mixed-voltage backplane design. The EEPROM configuration means the interface logic is active within microseconds of power-up, before the host can issue configuration cycles. A typical implementation places the CPLD between the host bus and a peripheral controller, with the 208-pin PQFP soldered directly to the motherboard. The trade-off versus a modern FPGA is lower logic density, but deterministic timing and no boot device make it attractive for legacy line cards.
Recommended
Power-Up Sequencing Controller
The EPM7256AEQI208-7N is well suited to power-up sequencing because its EEPROM configuration is non-volatile and available immediately at power-on, unlike SRAM-based FPGAs that need a configuration PROM. With 256 macrocells it can implement multi-rail enable sequencing, reset stretching, and fault latching for boards with several voltage domains. The 3.3 V supply matches modern rail voltages, and the industrial temperature rating covers factory-floor environments. In a typical design the CPLD drives enable pins on DC-DC converters and monitors power-good signals, holding downstream devices in reset until all rails are valid. The 7.5 ns propagation delay ensures sequencing edges are crisp and deterministic. The main trade-off is that the CPLD itself must be powered from an always-on rail, so include a small LDO for its 3.3 V supply.
Recommended
DSP and Microcontroller Glue Logic
The EPM7256AEQI208-7N consolidates glue logic around DSPs and microcontrollers, replacing address decoders, chip-select generators, and handshake state machines. Its 256 macrocells and 164 I/O pins can bridge a 16-bit or 32-bit processor bus to multiple peripherals while implementing wait-state logic in the same device. The 126.6 MHz maximum internal frequency comfortably covers typical DSP interface clocks, and the 7.5 ns pin-to-pin delay keeps combinatorial paths short. Because the MAX 7000A architecture uses product-term logic with a programmable interconnect, timing is deterministic and easy to constrain, unlike SRAM FPGA routing. A common implementation places the CPLD between the DSP external memory interface and flash/SRAM, generating chip selects and refresh logic. The trade-off is fixed logic capacity, so budget macrocells carefully.
Recommended
Industrial Control and Automation
The EPM7256AEQI208-7N suits industrial control boards because its industrial temperature grade and EEPROM non-volatile configuration tolerate factory-floor conditions and instant-on requirements. It can implement PLC scan logic, encoder interfaces, and safety interlock state machines with deterministic 7.5 ns timing. The 164 I/O pins allow direct connection to opto-isolators, relay drivers, and sensor front ends without external multiplexing. The 3.3 V core keeps power dissipation low in sealed enclosures, and the 208-pin PQFP is robust for through-hole-adjacent assembly. In a typical design the CPLD sits between a host microcontroller and the field I/O, handling debounce, edge detection, and fault latching. The trade-off versus a modern FPGA is lower density, but for fixed control logic the deterministic timing and no-boot-device simplicity are decisive advantages.
Recommended
Telecom Line Card Logic
The EPM7256AEQI208-7N fits telecom line cards where deterministic timing and non-volatile configuration are essential for always-on operation. Its 256 macrocells can implement TDM timeslot assignment, framer interface logic, and alarm monitoring, while the 164 I/O pins connect to backplane connectors and line interface units. The 126.6 MHz internal frequency supports E1/T1 and SONET overhead processing, and the 7.5 ns pin-to-pin delay keeps backplane timing margins comfortable. EEPROM configuration means the card is functional immediately after hot-swap insertion, without waiting for a configuration download. A typical implementation places the CPLD between the backplane and the framer, handling clock domain crossing and status aggregation. The trade-off is that the MAX 7000A family is legacy, so new designs should evaluate migration to MAX II or MAX V.
Recommended
Legacy System Replacement and Repair
The EPM7256AEQI208-7N is frequently used to repair and sustain legacy systems where the original MAX 7000A CPLD is no longer stocked. Its 208-pin PQFP footprint matches existing boards, and the EEPROM configuration can be reprogrammed from the original JEDEC file, so no board redesign is needed. The 256 macrocells and 164 I/O pins match the original device, and the 7.5 ns speed grade preserves existing timing margins. For repair depots, the key advantage is that the part is a true drop-in for the EPM7256AEQI208-7 and other MAX 7000A variants in the same package. The trade-off is limited and fluctuating stock, so buyers should qualify multiple sources and consider the faster EPM7256AEQC208-5N as a fallback where the industrial temperature rating is not mandatory.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPM7256AEQI208-7N — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPM7256AEQI208-7 | EPM7256AEQC208-5N | EPM7256AEFI256-7 | EPM7256AEFC100-7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 208-pin PQFP (FQFP) | 208-pin PQFP (FQFP) - same | 208-pin PQFP (FQFP) - same | 256-pin FineLine BGA | 100-pin PQFP |
| Brand | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera |
| Macrocells | 256 | 256 | 256 | 256 | 256 |
| User I/O Pins | 164 | 164 | 164 | [DATA_NEEDED: user I/O pins] | approx. 84 |
| Pin-to-Pin Delay (tPD) | 7.5 ns | 7.5 ns | 5 ns | 7.5 ns | 7.5 ns |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial | Industrial | Commercial | Industrial | Commercial |
| RoHS Compliant | Yes (N suffix) | No | Yes | No | No |
| Configuration Technology | EEPROM (non-volatile) | EEPROM (non-volatile) | EEPROM (non-volatile) | EEPROM (non-volatile) | EEPROM (non-volatile) |
Key Differentiators
- RoHS-compliant lead-free construction (vs EPM7256AEQI208-7)
- Industrial temperature rating (vs EPM7256AEQC208-5N)
- 208-pin PQFP footprint with 164 user I/O (vs EPM7256AEFC100-7)
- Non-volatile EEPROM configuration (vs SRAM-based FPGAs)
Design Notes
Decouple every VCC pin of the EPM7256AEQI208-7N with a 0.1 uF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the pin, plus at least one 10 uF bulk capacitor per power plane. The MAX 7000A core draws transient current during macrocell switching, and the 208-pin PQFP has many VCC/GND pairs; missing decoupling on any pair can cause configuration or timing failures. Estimated: at 126.6 MHz with 50% macrocell utilization, core current is on the order of tens of milliamps, so a 3.3 V rail rated for at least 200 mA provides margin.
The 208-pin PQFP uses a 0.5 mm lead pitch, so use a solder mask defined pad geometry and a stencil aperture of 0.25 mm or less to avoid bridging. Route all 164 user I/O traces with controlled impedance if they carry high-speed signals, and keep the EEPROM configuration pins accessible on a test header for in-system reprogramming. Provide a solid ground plane under the device to control return paths.
Do not assume the EPM7256AEQI208-7N is pin-compatible with the 256-pin FineLine BGA variants (EPM7256AEFI256-7, EPM7256AEFC256-5N) - the package and land pattern differ completely. Also verify the speed grade: the -7 suffix means 7.5 ns tPD, and substituting a -10 or -15 part will violate timing. Finally, confirm the 'N' suffix for RoHS compliance if your assembly process requires lead-free soldering.
The EPM7256AEQI208-7N in the 208-pin PQFP has no exposed thermal pad, so heat is removed through the package body and leads. Estimated: at 3.3 V and typical core current of tens of milliamps, power dissipation is well under 1 W, so no heatsink is required in still air below 70 C ambient. Forced airflow is recommended if the board is densely populated or ambient exceeds 85 C.
Compliance Information
The 'N' suffix on EPM7256AEQI208-7N indicates RoHS-compliant lead-free construction per distributor listings. REACH, halogen-free, and conflict-minerals status were not stated in the verified web data and are marked unknown.
