EPM9320GC280-15 - 320-Macrocell MAX 9000 CPLD, 15ns, CPGA-280 | Altera
MPN: EPM9320GC280-15 β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $145 | $145.00 |
| 10 | $132.5 | $1,325.00 |
| 100 | $118.75 | $11,875.00 |
| 500 | $105 | $52,500.00 |
| 1,000 | $92.5 | $92,500.00 |
Drop-in alternatives for EPM9320GC280-15 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:
EPM9320GC280-15N
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EPM9320GC280-20
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―β In Stock
$67 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPM9320GC280-10
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EPM9320BC356-15
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―β In Stock
$31.2 / Unit
View Datasheet βEPM9320GC280-15 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | MAX 9000 (EPM9320) |
| Device Type | CPLD - Complex Programmable Logic Device |
| Architecture | CMOS EEPROM-based, Multiple Array MatriX (MAX) |
| Usable Gates | 6,000 |
| Macrocells | 320 |
| Logic Array Blocks (LABs) | 20 (16 macrocells per LAB) |
| Pin-to-Pin Propagation Delay | 15 ns |
| Maximum Internal Frequency | 117.6 MHz |
| Maximum User I/O Pins | 164 |
| Supply Voltage (VCC) | 4.75 V to 5.25 V |
| I/O Voltage Levels | 3.3 V or 5 V (configurable) |
| Programmability | 5.0-V in-system programmable (ISP) via IEEE 1149.1 JTAG |
| Package | 280-pin Ceramic Pin Grid Array (CPGA-280) |
| Mounting Type | Through-hole (PGA socket) |
| Operating Temperature | 0 C to +70 C (commercial) |
| MSL Level | 3 (168 hours) |
| RoHS Status | ROHS3 compliant (per fpgalink listing) |
| Technology Node | CMOS EEPROM, third-generation MAX |
EPM9320GC280-15 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | I/O β User I/O pin (function determined by design) |
| Pin 70 | I/O β User I/O pin (function determined by design) |
| Pin 140 | I/O β User I/O pin (function determined by design) |
| Pin 210 | I/O β User I/O pin (function determined by design) |
| Pin 280 | I/O β User I/O pin (function determined by design) |
| Pin J1 | TDI β JTAG Test Data In (IEEE 1149.1) |
| Pin J2 | TMS β JTAG Test Mode Select |
| Pin J3 | TCK β JTAG Test Clock |
| Pin J4 | TDO β JTAG Test Data Out |
| Pin GND_PINS | GND β Multiple ground pins distributed across PGA array |
| Pin VCC_PINS | VCC β Multiple 5 V supply pins distributed across PGA array |
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
EPM9320GC280-15 is suitable for 6 applications: High-Density Address Bus Decoder, ISA/PCI Bus Glue Logic, DSP and Microprocessor Peripheral Controller, Industrial Control State-Machine, Telecom Backplane Control Logic, Legacy Industrial Motherboard Replacement.
High-Density Address Bus Decoder
The EPM9320GC280-15's 320 macrocells and 164 user I/O pins make it ideal for decoding wide microprocessor address buses such as 32-bit 68000, VME, or 8086-family interfaces. With a deterministic 15 ns pin-to-pin delay (per the Altera MAX 9000 datasheet), the device generates chip-select and strobe signals well within a 25 MHz bus cycle, and its EEPROM non-volatility eliminates boot-time configuration. Place the EPM9320 adjacent to the memory bank with 100 nF + 10 uF decoupling and route JTAG pins to a 4-pin header for in-field ISP. Compared to discrete 22V10 PAL chains, a single EPM9320 replaces 10-20 PALs, simplifying the BOM.
Recommended
ISA/PCI Bus Glue Logic
Legacy ISA and PCI bus designs use the EPM9320GC280-15 to consolidate scattered 74xx glue logic into a single programmable device. The 164 I/O pins handle all 16-bit ISA address, data, and control signals plus peripheral chip selects, while the 15 ns tPD complies with ISA's 120 ns bus cycle and PCI's 33 MHz timing budget. According to the MAX 9000 datasheet, each macrocell's programmable flip-flop with clear/preset supports registered chip-select behavior without external latches. Designers can drop a single EPM9320 into a socket on the motherboard to recover board space for additional memory or I/O.
Recommended
DSP and Microprocessor Peripheral Controller
The EPM9320GC280-15 frequently sits between a DSP (such as TMS320C30 or ADSP-21xx) and its peripheral set, generating handshake and DMA control signals that would otherwise require a forest of TTL. With 320 macrocells and 117.6 MHz internal frequency, the device easily absorbs full peripheral state machines in a single chip. Its 5.0-V ISP via JTAG allows firmware revision updates without removing the part from the socket, a key benefit for field-deployed DSP boards. According to Altera's MAX 9000 application note AN-119, this glue-logic role typically uses 60-80% of macrocell capacity, leaving headroom for future feature additions.
Recommended
Industrial Control State-Machine
The deterministic 15 ns timing and EEPROM non-volatility of the EPM9320GC280-15 make it ideal for industrial PLC, motor-control, and safety-interlock state machines that must power up in a known state without external boot memory. The 5 V tolerance and 4.75-5.25 V supply margin tolerate the noisy industrial bus environment where 24V transients couple into the logic supply. Its 280-pin CPGA package is socket-friendly, enabling field replacement without desoldering - a major advantage in factory-floor maintenance. Designers can implement 50-80 states with combinational outputs in a single EPM9320, replacing racks of relays and timers.
Recommended
Telecom Backplane Control Logic
In telecom backplane applications, the EPM9320GC280-15 implements line-card interface controllers, alarm/status aggregation, and clock-distribution control where its 164 I/O pins and 320 macrocells drive dozens of low-speed control channels per line card. The deterministic 15 ns propagation delay ensures consistent framing across all line cards regardless of placement, critical for telecom timing budgets. Its JTAG boundary-scan support enables in-system interconnect testing per IEEE 1149.1, replacing expensive bed-of-nails fixtures. According to telecom industry case studies, consolidating backplane glue into a MAX 9000 reduces card BOM cost by 20-30%.
Recommended
Legacy Industrial Motherboard Replacement
The EPM9320GC280-15 is commonly used to repair and sustain legacy 1990s-era industrial motherboards and VMEbus single-board computers where the original CPLD has failed and the surrounding through-hole assembly is otherwise intact. Its CPGA-280 package fits the original PGA socket without board modification, restoring full functionality at a fraction of full-board replacement cost. The 320-macrocell capacity matches or exceeds the original MAX 9000 design footprint, preserving any user-specific logic customization stored in the on-chip EEPROM. As of 2026-09-13, distributors like Jotrin and FPGAkey still stock the part specifically for these legacy-replacement programs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EPM9320GC280-15 β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EPM9320GC280-15N | EPM9320GC280-20 | EPM9320GC280-10 | EPM9320BC356-15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera |
| Package | CPGA-280 | CPGA-280 - same | CPGA-280 - same | CPGA-280 - same | BGA-356 - different package, same silicon |
| Macrocells | 320 | 320 | 320 | 320 | 320 |
| Pin-to-Pin Delay (tPD) | 15 ns | 15 ns | 20 ns | 10 ns | 15 ns |
| Maximum Internal Frequency | 117.6 MHz | 117.6 MHz | 83.3 MHz | 125 MHz (typ) | 117.6 MHz |
| Maximum User I/O | 164 | 164 | 164 | 164 | 164 |
| Supply Voltage | 4.75 V to 5.25 V | 4.75 V to 5.25 V | 4.75 V to 5.25 V | 4.75 V to 5.25 V | 4.75 V to 5.25 V |
| Lead Finish | SnPb (standard) | Pb-free (matte Sn) | SnPb (standard) | SnPb (standard) | SnPb (standard) |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- Same-package drop-in Pb-free variant (vs EPM9320GC280-15N)
- Pin-compatible speed-grade family (vs EPM9320GC280-10)
- Deterministic timing vs SRAM FPGAs (vs General SRAM FPGAs)
Design Notes
The EPM9320GC280-15 requires 100 nF ceramic decoupling at every VCC pin and a single 10 uF bulk capacitor within 1 cm of the package. Estimated: at 117.6 MHz internal frequency with 50% logic toggle, ICC is approximately 200-300 mA typical per Altera MAX 9000 datasheet power tables. Use a star-ground topology from the CPGA socket back to the regulator to avoid ground bounce on JTAG signals.
The CPGA-280 package requires a through-hole PGA socket (e.g., 3M Textool or equivalent). Sockets extend the package height by approximately 6 mm above the PCB; allow clearance for top-side components and a heatsink if used. Because CPGA packages are not reflow-compatible, plan for socketed assembly and rework-friendly placement away from tall heatsinks. The missing-corner pin of the CPGA-280 keyed socket orients pin 1 for correct insertion.
Do not assume EPM9320GC280-15, EPM9320GC280-15N, EPM9320GC280-10, and EPM9320GC280-20 are interchangeable without checking timing - the speed grade affects fMAX and tPD. For 33 MHz PCI designs use only the -10 or -15 speed grade; the -20 violates PCI's 30 ns setup budget. The EPM9320BC356-15 is pin-incompatible despite sharing silicon - using it in a CPGA-280 socket will damage the part and the board.
Route JTAG signals TMS, TCK, TDI, TDO with 4.7 kohm pull-ups on TMS and TDI, and a 4.7 kohm pull-down on TCK as recommended in the MAX 9000 datasheet. Keep JTAG traces < 50 mm and avoid routing parallel to switching signals to preserve signal integrity. Provide a 4-pin 0.1-inch JTAG header or 1.27 mm tag-connect footprint for in-field ISP updates.
For high-fanout outputs (>24 mA), enable the EPM9320's slow slew-rate and ground-bounce control options in MAX+PLUS II to reduce simultaneous-switching noise on the 164 I/O bus. Estimated: with all 164 I/O toggling simultaneously, ground bounce can exceed 1 V if slew is not limited. Splitting registers across multiple LABs and using distributed clock trees (per Altera AN-119) reduces worst-case switching noise by approximately 30%.
Compliance Information
Standard EPM9320GC280-15 uses SnPb lead finish (non-RoHS). For RoHS-compliant applications use the -N suffix variant. AEC-Q100 not applicable - this is a commercial-grade legacy part. ROHS3 compliance listed by fpgalink.com reflects current distributor data for the -15N variant.
