Request a Quote · 10M25SAE144C8G
Intel MAX 10 FPGA Family — 10M25SAE144C8G Architecture Overview
The 10M25SAE144C8G is a non-volatile FPGA from Intel's (formerly Altera) MAX 10 family, fabricated on a 55 nm flash process. With 25,000 logic elements, an integrated dual 12-bit ADC, and internal configuration flash, it eliminates the need for an external configuration device. The 144-pin EQFP package targets board-constrained designs in industrial automation, communications control planes, and sensor-fusion front ends. This article examines its key specifications, internal architecture, and practical design considerations.
Table of Contents
1. Overview and Core Features
The Intel MAX 10 10M25SAE144C8G integrates 25,000 logic elements organized into 1,563 Logic Array Blocks (LABs), each containing 16 adaptive look-up tables. This density positions the device between the entry-level 10M08 and the mid-range 10M40, making it suitable for applications that demand moderate logic capacity with low standby power.
Key differentiators of the "SA" variant include a single-supply analog feature set: the device embeds a dual-channel, 12-bit successive-approximation ADC capable of sampling up to 1 MSPS, along with an analog multiplexer that routes up to nine external analog inputs. This eliminates discrete ADC components in mixed-signal designs such as temperature monitoring, current sensing, and industrial process control.
Instant-on capability is another hallmark. Because configuration data is stored in on-chip flash rather than an external serial NOR, the FPGA initializes within milliseconds of power-up — a critical requirement for system management controllers and safety-interlock circuits. The device supports dual-image configuration, enabling remote field upgrades with a safe fallback image.
2. Specifications and Parameter Table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Part Number | 10M25SAE144C8G |
| Manufacturer | Intel (Altera) |
| Family | MAX 10 (10M25) |
| Logic Elements (LEs) | 25,000 |
| Logic Array Blocks (LABs) | 1,563 |
| Embedded Memory (M9K) | 675 Kbits (691,200 bits) |
| 18 × 18 Multipliers | 45 |
| PLLs | 4 |
| User I/O (E144 Package) | 101 |
| ADC | Dual 12-bit, up to 1 MSPS |
| Internal Flash (Configuration) | Yes — dual-image support |
| User Flash Memory (UFM) | Available |
| Package | 144-EQFP (20 × 20 mm), 0.5 mm pitch |
| Core Voltage | 1.2 V |
| I/O Supply Voltage | 2.85 V – 3.465 V |
| I/O Standards | 3.3 V LVTTL, 1.0–3.3 V LVCMOS, SSTL, HSTL, LVDS |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +85 °C (TJ, Commercial) |
| Speed Grade | 8 |
| Process Technology | 55 nm flash |
| RoHS | Compliant (Green / Lead-free) |
Looking for 10M25SAE144C8G Inventory?
Check our real-time stock levels, pricing, and volume discounts for global distribution.
Check 10M25SAE144C8G Stock3. Architecture and Block Diagram
Internally, the 10M25SAE144C8G follows the standard MAX 10 fabric architecture. The 1,563 LABs are arranged in rows and columns interconnected by a hierarchical routing network. Each LAB contains 16 logic elements, with each LE offering a four-input look-up table, a programmable register, and carry-chain logic for arithmetic operations.
10M25SAE144C8G — 144-EQFP Package Reference
Embedded memory is implemented as M9K blocks, each providing 9,216 bits (including parity). These blocks support true dual-port RAM, single-port RAM, ROM, and FIFO modes in configurable widths from ×1 to ×36. The device also integrates 45 embedded 18 × 18 multiplier-accumulator blocks, enabling efficient DSP pipelines for filter and signal-conditioning tasks without consuming general-purpose logic.
Four general-purpose PLLs provide clock multiplication, division, and phase shifting, supporting up to eight output clocks from a single reference. The analog subsystem routes through a dedicated analog input block with a programmable sequencer, allowing autonomous multi-channel scanning without CPU intervention — useful in Nios II soft-processor deployments.
4. Video: Feature Breakdown
Typical FPGA application board referencing MAX 10 design guidelines
5. Equivalents, Cross-Reference, and Lifecycle
The 10M25SAE144C8G carries an "Active" product status as of early 2026. Within Intel's MAX 10 lineup, direct density equivalents in alternative packages include the 10M25SAF484C8G (484-FBGA) and the 10M25SCE144C8G (without the analog ADC block).
For designers evaluating cross-family alternatives, Lattice Semiconductor's MachXO3LF-25100 provides a comparable logic count in a non-volatile architecture, though it lacks an on-chip ADC. Microchip's PolarFire series offers higher density and lower static power but at a higher price point and different toolchain (Libero SoC).
When sourcing the 10M25SAE144C8G, confirm that the trailing "G" suffix is present — it designates lead-free, RoHS-compliant packaging. Parts without this suffix may use tin-lead solder balls and are restricted under EU RoHS directives.
6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the 10M25SAE144C8G and what family does it belong to?
The 10M25SAE144C8G is a non-volatile FPGA in Intel's MAX 10 family. It contains 25,000 logic elements on a 55 nm flash process and includes an integrated dual 12-bit ADC, making it a single-chip solution for mixed-signal designs that require instant-on operation.
Q2: How many user I/O pins are available on the 10M25SAE144C8G?
In its 144-EQFP package, the device provides 101 user I/O pins. These pins support a range of standards including 3.3 V LVTTL, 1.0–3.3 V LVCMOS, SSTL, HSTL, and LVDS differential pairs, offering flexibility for multi-voltage board designs.
Q3: Does the 10M25SAE144C8G require an external configuration memory?
No. The MAX 10 architecture stores its configuration bitstream in on-chip flash memory, eliminating the need for an external SPI NOR flash or CPLD boot device. It supports dual-image storage, enabling safe remote firmware updates with automatic fallback.
Q4: What development tools are used with the 10M25SAE144C8G?
Intel's Quartus Prime Lite Edition (free) fully supports the MAX 10 family. Designs can be entered in Verilog, VHDL, or schematic capture. The Nios II Embedded Design Suite enables soft-processor integration. On-chip debugging is performed via the Signal Tap Logic Analyzer and JTAG through a USB-Blaster cable.
Q5: What is the operating temperature range and speed grade of the 10M25SAE144C8G?
The "C8G" suffix indicates Commercial temperature grade (0 °C to +85 °C junction temperature) at speed grade 8, which is the standard performance tier. For extended industrial temperature range (−40 °C to +100 °C), the "I7" or "I8" suffixed variants should be specified.
Q6: Can the 10M25SAE144C8G be used for DSP applications?
Yes. The device integrates 45 hardware 18 × 18 multiplier blocks alongside 675 Kbits of embedded M9K RAM, providing dedicated resources for FIR/IIR filters, FFT engines, and signal-conditioning pipelines. Combined with four PLLs for clock management, it handles moderate-throughput DSP tasks without consuming general-purpose logic fabric.
Related components you may also find useful: 10M08SAE144C8G · EP4CE6E22C8N · XC7A200T-2FBG484I
Alan Carter, Senior Hardware Engineer
Alan has over 15 years of experience in embedded systems design, specializing in ARM Cortex architectures, PCB routing for high-speed digital signals, and industrial IoT deployments. He frequently contributes technical teardowns and architecture comparisons.
