Altera

EPM7256SQC208-7 - 256 Macrocell 5V CPLD | Altera | 208-PQFP

MPN: EPM7256SQC208-7 ✗ End of Life
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5.0 V Vdss 208-pin PQFP (28 x 28 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) Package 128.2 MHz Speed
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Price updated: 2026-09-12
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Drop-in alternatives for EPM7256SQC208-7 — 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:

EPM7256SQC208-10

✅ Drop-In
Intel
📦 208-pin PQFP
MAX 7000S · CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) · 256 · 16 · 5,000 · 164 · 10 ns · Up to 175.4 MHz

✓ In Stock

$11.2 / Unit

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EPM7256SQC208-15

✅ Drop-In
Altera
📦 208-pin PQFP
MAX 7000S · EPM7256 · CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) · 256 · 16 · 5000 · 164 · 15 ns

✓ In Stock

$3.65 / Unit

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EPM7256SQC208-15N

✅ Drop-In
Altera
📦 208-pin PQFP
MAX 7000S · 256 · 164 · 15 ns (speed grade -15) · 5 V · 208-pin PQFP · Surface Mount · EEPROM (non-volatile)

✓ In Stock

Contact for price

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EPM7256SQC208-7N

✅ Drop-In
Altera
📦 208-pin PQFP
MAX 7000S · CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) · 256 · 5,000 · 16 · 164 · -7 (7.5 ns pin-to-pin) · 128.2 MHz

✓ In Stock

$27.2 / Unit

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EPM7256BQC208-7

✅ Drop-In
Intel
📦 208-pin PQFP
MAX 7000B · CPLD - Complex Programmable Logic Device · 5,000 · 256 · 164 · 16 Logic Array Blocks · 126.6 MHz · 7.5 ns (-7 speed grade)

✓ In Stock

$9.75 / Unit

View Datasheet →

EPM7256SQC208-7 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics

Device Family MAX 7000S (EPM7256S)
Macrocells 256
Usable Gates 5,000
User I/O Pins 164
Propagation Delay (tPD) 7.5 ns
Maximum Operating Frequency (fMAX) 128.2 MHz
Supply Voltage (VCC) 5.0 V
Configuration Technology EEPROM (non-volatile)
In-System Programmability Yes (IEEE 1149.1 JTAG)
Package 208-pin PQFP (28 x 28 mm, 0.5 mm pitch)
Mounting Type Surface Mount
Operating Temperature Range Commercial (0C to +70C)
Minimum DC Input Voltage -0.5 V
Input Undershoot Tolerance -2.0 V for <100 mA, <20 ns
Speed Grade -7 (7.5 ns)
Logic Levels 5.0 V CMOS/TTL compatible

EPM7256SQC208-7 208-pin pqfp (28 x 28 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) Pin Configuration Guide

Complete pinout information for EPM7256SQC208-7 (208-pin pqfp (28 x 28 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) 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.

208-pin pqfp (28 x 28 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) package pinout diagram for EPM7256SQC208-7

No detailed pinout data available for EPM7256SQC208-7.

Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.

Estimated pin count: 164 pins (digital package)

Safe Operating Area (SOA) & Thermal Characteristics

Safe Operating Area Chart Default safe operating area chart for EPM7256SQC208-7 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

EPM7256SQC208-7 is suitable for 6 applications: PCI and ISA Bus Interface Logic, Address Decoding and Chip-Select Generation, DSP and Microcontroller Glue Logic, Industrial Control Backplanes, Legacy 5V System Replacement, Test and Measurement Instrumentation.

🖥️

PCI and ISA Bus Interface Logic

The EPM7256SQC208-7 fits PCI and ISA bus interface designs because its 7.5 ns pin-to-pin propagation delay and 128.2 MHz fMAX provide the deterministic timing needed for bus arbitration, target decoding, and wait-state generation. With 256 macrocells and 164 I/O pins, it can absorb the address decode, chip-select, and handshake logic that would otherwise require dozens of discrete 74-series devices. The 5.0 V VCC operation matches legacy PCI/ISA signaling directly, avoiding level shifters. Placed between the host bus and peripheral devices, the CPLD implements configurable target and initiator state machines; the trade-off is that its EEPROM macrocells are coarse-grained, so very wide datapath functions are better mapped to an FPGA.

🏭

Address Decoding and Chip-Select Generation

The EPM7256SQC208-7 is well suited to address decoding and chip-select generation because its 7.5 ns tPD keeps decode latency well inside a single 5 V memory or peripheral bus cycle. The 256 macrocells can implement multiple address comparators, bank decoders, and wait-state generators simultaneously, while the 164 I/O pins allow direct connection to wide address and control buses without external glue. The device is typically placed between the processor address bus and memory/peripheral chip-select inputs, where its non-volatile EEPROM configuration provides instant-on operation at power-up with no boot sequence. The trade-off is fixed product-term logic depth, so extremely complex decode trees may need pipelining.

🔧

DSP and Microcontroller Glue Logic

The EPM7256SQC208-7 serves as glue logic around DSPs and microcontrollers because it consolidates interrupt prioritization, wait-state generation, and peripheral chip-select logic into one 208-pin PQFP device. Its 5.0 V VCC and TTL-compatible I/O interface directly with legacy 5 V DSPs and MCUs, and the 128.2 MHz fMAX supports high-speed host-port and serial-port handshaking. With 256 macrocells, designers can implement multiple independent state machines in a single device, reducing board area and part count. The device is placed between the processor and its peripherals, translating control signals and generating timing strobes; the trade-off is that the EEPROM-based architecture is optimized for control logic rather than arithmetic datapaths.

🏭

Industrial Control Backplanes

The EPM7256SQC208-7 is used in industrial control backplanes because its non-volatile EEPROM configuration provides instant-on operation and immunity to the power glitches common in factory environments. The 164 I/O pins and 256 macrocells can implement backplane arbitration, slot addressing, and handshake logic for multi-card systems, while the 5.0 V signaling matches legacy industrial I/O racks. The device is placed on the controller card, where it manages bus grants and interrupt routing between slots. Its deterministic 7.5 ns timing simplifies worst-case timing analysis compared with SRAM-based FPGAs. The trade-off is commercial temperature rating, so extended-temperature industrial variants should be evaluated for harsh environments.

🔧

Legacy 5V System Replacement

The EPM7256SQC208-7 is a common choice for replacing obsolete 5 V glue-logic boards because it integrates the function of many discrete 74-series and PAL devices into a single 208-pin PQFP. Its 5.0 V VCC and TTL-compatible inputs allow direct drop-in replacement of legacy logic without level shifting, and the EEPROM configuration means no configuration PROM is required. The device is placed on the existing board footprint, where it re-implements address decoding, state machines, and bus interfacing in programmable logic. Because the MAX 7000S family is mature, designers should verify lifecycle status and stock before committing to new production. The trade-off is that the 208-pin PQFP requires a larger land pattern than modern fine-pitch packages.

🔧

Test and Measurement Instrumentation

The EPM7256SQC208-7 is used in test and measurement instrumentation for trigger logic, timing generation, and front-panel interface control. Its 7.5 ns propagation delay and 128.2 MHz fMAX support precise event sequencing, while the 256 macrocells can implement multiple counters, comparators, and state machines in one device. The 5.0 V I/O interfaces directly with legacy instrument buses and discrete front-panel controls. The device is placed on the instrument control board, where it coordinates acquisition timing and host communication. Non-volatile EEPROM configuration ensures the instrument boots immediately without a configuration load. The trade-off is that the commercial temperature grade limits use in environmental chambers without derating.

What is the EPM7256SQC208-7?
The EPM7256SQC208-7 is an Altera MAX 7000S-family CPLD with 256 macrocells, 164 user I/O pins, and 5,000 usable gates in a 208-pin PQFP package. It runs from a 5.0 V supply with a 7.5 ns pin-to-pin propagation delay and a 128.2 MHz maximum operating frequency, according to the Altera MAX 7000 programmable logic device family datasheet.
What is the propagation delay of the EPM7256SQC208-7?
The EPM7256SQC208-7 has a pin-to-pin propagation delay (tPD) of 7.5 ns, which is the defining characteristic of the -7 speed grade. This deterministic timing makes the device suitable for address decoding and bus-interface logic where fixed, predictable delays are required, per the Altera MAX 7000 family datasheet.
How many macrocells and I/O pins does the EPM7256SQC208-7 have?
The EPM7256SQC208-7 provides 256 macrocells and 164 user I/O pins. The 256 macrocells correspond to 5,000 usable gates in the MAX 7000S architecture, and the 164 I/O pins are available in the 208-pin PQFP package, as listed by Mouser and DigiKey product pages.
What is the maximum operating frequency of the EPM7256SQC208-7?
The EPM7256SQC208-7 operates at a maximum frequency (fMAX) of 128.2 MHz. This figure is quoted by distributor listings such as Veswin and reflects the internal counter frequency achievable with the -7 speed grade at 5.0 V VCC.
What package does the EPM7256SQC208-7 use?
The EPM7256SQC208-7 is supplied in a 208-pin Plastic Quad Flat Pack (PQFP) measuring 28 x 28 mm with 0.5 mm lead pitch. The 'QC208' suffix in the part number denotes the 208-pin PQFP package, and the device is surface-mount with gull-wing terminals.
Is the EPM7256SQC208-7 in-system programmable?
Yes, the EPM7256SQC208-7 is in-system programmable (ISP) via the IEEE 1149.1 JTAG interface. The MAX 7000S family uses EEPROM configuration cells, so the device retains its logic configuration without an external boot device and can be reprogrammed on the PCB through the JTAG port.
What is the difference between EPM7256SQC208-7 and EPM7256SQC208-10?
The EPM7256SQC208-7 and EPM7256SQC208-10 are the same 256-macrocell MAX 7000S device in the same 208-pin PQFP package, differing only in speed grade. The -7 offers a 7.5 ns propagation delay, while the -10 is slower at 10 ns. The -7 is the faster, drop-in-compatible option for the same footprint.
What is the difference between EPM7256SQC208-7 and EPM7256SQC208-15?
Both parts are 256-macrocell MAX 7000S CPLDs in the 208-pin PQFP package, but the -7 speed grade has a 7.5 ns propagation delay versus 15 ns for the -15. The -7 supports higher clock rates (128.2 MHz) and is pin-compatible, so it can replace the -15 in the same socket when faster timing is needed.
What is the best drop-in replacement for the EPM7256SQC208-7?
The best drop-in replacements are other MAX 7000S speed grades in the same 208-pin PQFP package, such as the EPM7256SQC208-10 and EPM7256SQC208-15, which are pin-to-pin compatible. The EPM7256SQC208-7N is also a direct equivalent, with the 'N' suffix denoting a lead-free package variant of the same die.
Can the EPM7256SQC208-10 replace the EPM7256SQC208-7?
Yes, the EPM7256SQC208-10 can replace the EPM7256SQC208-7 in the same 208-pin PQFP footprint because both are 256-macrocell MAX 7000S devices with identical pinouts. The trade-off is slower timing: 10 ns tPD versus 7.5 ns, so any design operating near the -7 timing limit must be re-timed before substitution.
Where can I buy the EPM7256SQC208-7?
The EPM7256SQC208-7 is listed by distributors including DigiKey (part number 544-2065-ND), Mouser, Octopart, and WIN SOURCE. Because the MAX 7000S family is mature, availability varies and many listings are quote-based; check current stock and lead time with each distributor before ordering.
What is the price of the EPM7256SQC208-7?
Pricing for the EPM7256SQC208-7 is quote-based as of 2026-09-13 because the MAX 7000S family is a mature, non-stocked line at most distributors. Octopart aggregates bulk discounts from 12 distributors, and several suppliers such as Make-Tronics require an RFQ for current unit price and lead time.
What is the lead time for the EPM7256SQC208-7?
Lead time for the EPM7256SQC208-7 is not published as a fixed figure and is quote-based as of 2026-09-13. Because the MAX 7000S family is mature, availability depends on distributor inventory and broker stock; submit an RFQ to confirm current lead time before scheduling production.
Is the EPM7256SQC208-7 still in production?
The EPM7256SQC208-7 is a mature MAX 7000S-family device and should be treated as NRND (not recommended for new designs). Altera/Intel have moved focus to newer CPLD families, so new designs should evaluate pin-compatible MAX 7000B/7000A variants or a modern CPLD, while existing designs can continue with available stock.
What are the key specifications of the EPM7256SQC208-7 that engineers should know?
The EPM7256SQC208-7 is a 5.0 V EEPROM-based CPLD with 256 macrocells, 164 I/O pins, 5,000 usable gates, 7.5 ns tPD, and 128.2 MHz fMAX in a 208-pin PQFP package. It is in-system programmable via IEEE 1149.1 JTAG and offers non-volatile, instant-on operation with deterministic timing.
What is the Altera equivalent of the EPM7256SQC208-7 in the MAX 7000B family?
The closest MAX 7000B-family equivalent is the EPM7256BQC208-7, which offers the same 256 macrocells and 208-pin PQFP footprint with a 7.5 ns speed grade. The MAX 7000B family is a lower-power 3.3 V-compatible evolution of MAX 7000S, so verify I/O voltage compatibility before using it as a cross-family replacement.

Engineering reference data for EPM7256SQC208-7 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.

Selection Guide

Choose the EPM7256SQC208-7 when you need the fastest 256-macrocell MAX 7000S CPLD in a 208-pin PQFP for 5 V bus-interface, address-decoding, or glue-logic designs where 7.5 ns tPD and 128.2 MHz fMAX provide the required timing margin. Choose the EPM7256SQC208-10 or EPM7256SQC208-15 if your design has relaxed timing and you want a pin-compatible, lower-cost speed grade. Choose the EPM7256SQC208-7N if lead-free assembly is required, since it is the same die and speed grade with an 'N' package suffix. Choose the EPM7256BQC208-7 only after verifying 3.3 V-compatible I/O levels, as it is a different MAX 7000B family with lower power but potentially different voltage requirements. Because the MAX 7000S family is mature, confirm lifecycle status and stock before committing to new production.

Comparison with Alternatives

Parameter This Product EPM7256SQC208-10 EPM7256SQC208-15 EPM7256SQC208-7N EPM7256BQC208-7
Package 208-pin PQFP 208-pin PQFP - same 208-pin PQFP - same 208-pin PQFP - same 208-pin PQFP - same
Brand Altera Altera Altera Altera Altera
Propagation Delay (tPD) 7.5 ns 10 ns 15 ns 7.5 ns 7.5 ns
Macrocells 256 256 256 256 256
User I/O Pins 164 164 164 164 164
Maximum Frequency (fMAX) 128.2 MHz [DATA_NEEDED] [DATA_NEEDED] 128.2 MHz [DATA_NEEDED]
Supply Voltage (VCC) 5.0 V 5.0 V 5.0 V 5.0 V 3.3 V-compatible
Configuration Technology EEPROM (non-volatile) EEPROM (non-volatile) EEPROM (non-volatile) EEPROM (non-volatile) EEPROM (non-volatile)
Speed Grade -7 -10 -15 -7 -7
Lead-Free Variant No No No Yes ('N' suffix) [DATA_NEEDED]

Key Differentiators

  • Fastest speed grade in the 208-pin MAX 7000S family (vs EPM7256SQC208-10)
  • Higher maximum operating frequency (vs EPM7256SQC208-15)
  • Non-volatile EEPROM configuration (vs EPM7256BQC208-7)

Design Notes

Decouple every VCC pin of the EPM7256SQC208-7 with a 0.1 uF ceramic capacitor placed as close to the pin as possible, plus at least one 10 uF bulk capacitor per device. The MAX 7000S family draws transient current during macrocell switching, and the 208-pin PQFP has many VCC/GND pairs distributed around the perimeter; missing decoupling on any one pair can cause ground bounce and erratic JTAG programming. Estimated: at 5.0 V and typical 100 mA dynamic current, total device power is about 0.5 W, so no heatsink is required, but the copper plane under the device should be solid for return-current integrity.

Route the JTAG signals (TCK, TMS, TDI, TDO) as short, matched traces with a continuous ground reference, and keep TCK away from high-speed I/O to avoid clocking spurious JTAG states. Place the JTAG header within a few centimeters of the device and add a 10 kOhm pull-up on TMS and a 10 kOhm pull-down on TCK per the MAX 7000 family programming guidelines. The 208-pin PQFP uses 0.5 mm lead pitch, so verify solder-mask and stencil apertures against IPC land-pattern recommendations before fabrication.

Do not exceed the -0.5 V minimum DC input voltage; the datasheet permits brief undershoot to -2.0 V only for input currents below 100 mA and periods shorter than 20 ns. Series-terminate long I/O traces to control overshoot, especially on 5 V buses with fast edges. Also confirm the speed grade before substitution: replacing a -7 with a -10 or -15 changes tPD from 7.5 ns to 10 ns or 15 ns, which can violate setup/hold margins in bus-interface designs. Estimated: a 2.5 ns timing increase consumes roughly 20 percent of a 12.5 ns budget at 80 MHz.

Compliance Information

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

Compliance data for the EPM7256SQC208-7 was not present in the verified web data. The 'N' suffix variant (EPM7256SQC208-7N) is referenced as a lead-free package option in distributor listings, but RoHS/REACH status for the base part could not be confirmed from the provided sources.

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 EPM7256SQC208-7 EPM7256SQC208-10 EPM7256SQC208-15 EPM7256SQC208-7N EPM7256BQC208-7 MAX 7000S MAX 7000B CPLD complex programmable logic device programmable logic device EEPROM macrocell 208-pin PQFP PQFP family surface mount IEEE 1149.1 JTAG in-system programmable propagation delay maximum operating frequency 5.0 V logic PCI bus interface address decoding glue logic
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