EP4CGX150DF27C7N: Datasheet, Pinout & Selection Guide

The EP4CGX150DF27C7N is an Altera Cyclone IV GX FPGA for designs that need programmable logic and integrated serial transceivers. Its ordering code specifies eight transceiver channels, a 672-ball FineLine BGA package, commercial junction temperature operation and speed grade 7. For an existing board, the package, speed grade and configuration image are all part of the purchasing requirement; matching only “Cyclone IV GX 150” is insufficient.

This guide connects the datasheet specifications to pin planning, serial-link design and replacement decisions. Begin with the Cyclone IV Device Handbook, Volume 1 for architecture and ordering information, and Volume 3 for electrical limits. The cited volumes are revised March 2016 and December 2016 respectively; those are document revision dates, not the first product release date.

Decoding EP4CGX150DF27C7N

• EP4C / GX: Cyclone IV family with the GX transceiver architecture.
• 150: the 149,760-logic-element density.
• D: eight transceiver channels.
• F27: FineLine BGA, 672 balls; the package matrix specifies a 27 × 27 mm body and 1.0 mm pitch.
• C7: commercial junction temperature, 0°C to 85°C, with speed grade 7.
• N: lead-free packaging. This suffix does not establish the documentation or condition of an individual shipment.

The temperature rating is a junction limit, not a promise of operation in an 85°C ambient enclosure. Board dissipation, airflow and the implemented design determine the temperature rise. A purchasing specification should retain the entire order code rather than abbreviating the temperature or speed suffix.

Device resources and package limits

A Cyclone IV logic array block contains 16 LEs. These are not the adaptive logic modules used in some other FPGA families. Likewise, an LE count is not a reliable conversion to another vendor’s LUT count. For a migration estimate, synthesize the actual RTL and inspect logic, memory and multiplier utilization separately.

The 393-I/O figure is a package resource count, not the number necessarily free in your design. Clocking, configuration and memory-interface choices consume or constrain pins. A memory’s nominal bit capacity also does not imply that every combination of width, depth, ports and FIFO control logic will fit equally well.

Pinout: use the F672 column

The manufacturer’s EP4CGX150 pin-information document covers F896, F672 and F484 in separate columns. Use F672 for this order code. The following examples help identify the correct column; they are not a complete schematic symbol or footprint.

Build the complete symbol from the pin file, including every supply, ground and dedicated pin. Confirm package orientation against the mechanical drawing before approving a PCB footprint. Then compile the proposed assignments in Quartus Pin Planner. Visual agreement between two BGA drawings is insufficient to establish migration compatibility.

Serial links: line rate, payload and clock allocation

The C7 device can be considered for PCIe Gen1 acquisition adapters, serial protocol bridges and legacy communications interfaces when the required protocol fits its transceiver capabilities. PCIe Gen1 uses 2.5 Gbps per lane; the 3.125 Gbps transceiver ceiling does not make this a PCIe Gen2 device. A complete adapter still needs its application logic, host interface and validated reset/configuration behavior.

For a bandwidth estimate, assume one 3.125 Gbps link with 8b/10b encoding. Multiplying by 8/10 gives 2.5 Gbit/s, or 312.5 MB/s, before protocol framing, idle periods, flow control or application overhead. This is a calculated encoding budget, not measured board throughput. It should not be multiplied by eight and treated as an assured system bandwidth.

Allocate each channel together with its reference clock and PLL resources. The eight PLLs are not eight unrestricted serial-link clock sources: multipurpose PLLs can serve transceivers, and resource sharing depends on the selected modes and placement. Generate the intended transceiver IP configuration and run a trial fit before committing connector assignments or promising a mix of unrelated link rates.

The serial pins also do not replace an Ethernet magnetics/line-interface circuit or guarantee interoperability with an arbitrary camera or optical module. Verify the peer’s signaling levels, encoding, coupling, reference-clock quality and protocol implementation. Select termination and AC-coupling from the applicable interface requirements and manufacturer guidance rather than applying one capacitor value to every link.

Power and configuration planning

Volume 3, Table 1–4 specifies VCCINT = 1.16–1.24 V, nominally 1.2 V. The device also needs the PLL, transceiver, clock-input and I/O supplies appropriate to its pin assignments. VCCD_PLL and VCCL_GXB use nominal 1.2 V supplies; VCCA, VCCA_GXB and VCCH_GXB use nominal 2.5 V supplies. Apply the separate tolerance and connection requirements for each rail rather than treating all analog and digital supplies as one net.

Use the Cyclone IV pin-connection guidelines to develop a rail-by-rail connection checklist. Include unused functions: leaving a block unused does not automatically permit its power pins to be disconnected. Check the configuration-bank voltage restrictions and VCC_CLKIN requirement when using a transceiver reference clock. Choose regulator capacity and decoupling from the estimated design current and permitted voltage ripple; a fixed “one capacitor per ball” rule cannot establish power integrity.

This density supports active serial, passive serial, fast passive parallel and JTAG configuration. Choose the production boot path early and retain JTAG access for debug. For PCIe systems, configuration completion must fit the host’s enumeration timing; the handbook specifically directs EP4CGX150 designs toward FPP configuration to meet the PCIe 100 ms wake-up requirement. Do not assume a working JTAG development session proves the standalone boot path.

A practical design and purchasing workflow

1. Reproduce the target. Select the exact device in a Quartus release with Cyclone IV support installed. Altera’s software edition comparison lists Cyclone IV support in Quartus Prime Lite and Standard; retain the project’s known tool version and IP versions when reproducing an existing design.
2. Fit the difficult interfaces first. Place transceivers, clocks and any external memory interface, then complete the GPIO plan. Read fitter warnings before treating the remaining pin count as available.
3. Constrain timing. Declare clocks, generated clocks, input/output delays and valid clock-domain relationships. Evaluate the C7 timing result for the actual netlist rather than quoting one family-wide “maximum FPGA frequency.”
4. Close the board requirements. Review supply ramps, power estimation, thermal margin, configuration straps, status pull-ups and behavior before configuration. Validate the assembled board’s boot, link training and application performance under its intended conditions.
5. Freeze the procurement identity. Include the full MPN, approved alternatives if any, quantity, documentation requirements and delivery requirement in the RFQ. Ask for written confirmation of the offered condition, availability and terms.

Alternatives: what changes with C8 or I7?

EP4CGX150DF27C8N is not an automatic substitute. In Volume 3, Table 1–21, the C8 transceiver transmit and receive maximum for F484 and larger packages is 2.5 Gbps, versus 3.125 Gbps for C7/I7. A design that uses a 3.125 Gbps link cannot approve C8 merely because its fabric timing passes.

EP4CGX150DF27I7N is a same-density/package industrial-grade candidate, with a specified junction range of −40°C to 100°C. Approval still requires checking the exact order code, applicable timing models, board pin assignments, configuration and system qualification. A wider component temperature range does not by itself extend the rating of the complete board.

Moving to another package, Cyclone family or FPGA vendor requires a separate migration plan. Recheck footprint, supply rails, I/O standards, transceivers, hard IP and configuration architecture; recompile the design and regenerate its programming files. A similar logic capacity is not evidence of electrical or pin compatibility.

Frequently asked questions

Does it retain the design without power?

No. The configuration cells are SRAM. A working product needs a supported way to load its configuration at startup, such as external serial configuration storage or an external controller.

Are all 393 I/O pins general-purpose outputs?

No. The manufacturer’s count includes clock inputs and dual-purpose configuration pins. The usable set depends on the selected interfaces and configuration scheme.

Does N prove a shipment has a particular certification?

No. N identifies lead-free packaging in the order code. Request any required compliance declarations, traceability or inspection documents for the offered material and agree them before ordering.

How should I check availability and lifecycle?

Request an exact-MPN quotation and check current manufacturer notices for the intended sourcing period. A legacy datasheet or an online listing does not establish current inventory, delivery time or a particular lot’s provenance. WWDParts can review an RFQ with the complete part number, quantity and required delivery date; the quotation should state the confirmed commercial terms.