EmbeddedRelated.com
EP3C5F256C8N

ALTEP3C5F256C8N

Altera
Cyclone® III Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) IC 182 423936 5136 256-LBGA
Active29 in stock

Overview

The EP3C5F256C8N is a Cyclone III Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) featuring 5,136 logic elements and 423,936 bits of embedded RAM. Built on a low-power 65nm process, it offers 182 user I/O pins in a compact 256-FBGA package. It is designed to balance power efficiency, performance, and cost for mid-range digital signal processing and logic integration.

Why Choose This Part

The Cyclone III architecture provides a significant ratio of memory-to-logic, making it ideal for data-buffering applications. It supports diverse I/O standards including differential signaling like LVDS and RSDS, while the 1.2V core voltage ensures low static and dynamic power consumption compared to older FPGA generations.

Applications

Video and Image Processing
Implementing custom video pipelines, scaling, and format conversion using internal RAM for buffering.
Industrial Ethernet Gateways
Managing real-time industrial communication protocols like EtherCAT or Profinet with dedicated hardware logic.
Motor Control Acceleration
Offloading complex PWM generation and encoder feedback processing from a host microcontroller.
Protocol Bridging
Interfacing between diverse standards such as LVDS, PCI, and legacy LVCMOS/LVTTL systems.

Key Specifications

Mounting Type Surface Mount
Number of I/O 182
Package / Case 256-LBGA
Total RAM Bits 423936
Voltage - Supply 1.15V ~ 1.25V
Number of LABs/CLBs 321
Operating Temperature 0degC ~ 85degC (TJ)
Supplier Device Package 256-FBGA (17x17)
Number of Logic Elements/Cells 5136

Getting Started

Development is primarily conducted using the Intel Quartus Prime design software, which supports VHDL and Verilog entry. For hardware evaluation, engineers often use the Cyclone III Starter Kit or custom PCB designs adhering to the 1.0mm pitch FBGA footprint. Practical implementation requires a 1.2V core supply and appropriate configuration memory such as an EPCS device.

Also Consider

EP4CE6F17C8N Intel (Altera) - A newer Cyclone IV E alternative offering slightly more logic elements and improved power efficiency in a similar footprint.
XC6SLX9-2FTG256C AMD (Xilinx) - A popular Spartan-6 alternative with 9,152 logic cells for designs requiring higher logic density.