EP2C70F896I8N Description

The EP2C70F896I8N is a high-density FPGA from Altera’s Cyclone II family, designed for cost-effective, low-power applications. Built on 90nm technology, it provides a balance between performance, power efficiency, and logic density. With 68,416 logic elements (LEs) and 250 embedded multipliers, it is suitable for applications requiring high-speed processing, DSP functions, and flexible logic design.

EP2C70F896I8N Features

Technology: 90nm CMOS FPGA

Logic Elements (LEs): 68,416

Embedded RAM: 1.1 Mbits of on-chip memory

Embedded Multipliers: 250 (for DSP and arithmetic functions)

I/O Pins: Up to 622 user I/O pins

Phase-Locked Loops (PLLs): 4

Operating Voltage: Core voltage 1.2V, I/O voltage 1.5V to 3.3V

Package: 896-pin FBGA

Operating Temperature: -40°C to +100°C (Industrial Grade)

Supports JTAG boundary-scan testing

Compatible with Altera’s Quartus II software for design and programming

EP2C70F896I8N Applications

The EP2C70F896I8N is ideal for:

Digital Signal Processing (DSP) – Implementing fast arithmetic operations.

Communications systems – Used in networking, wireless, and fiber-optic systems.

Embedded System Design – Serves as a flexible logic controller.

Automotive Applications – Suitable for real-time processing and control.

Video & Image Processing – Accelerates high-speed computations for multimedia applications.

EP2C70F896I8N Alternatives

If the EP2C70F896I8N is unavailable or you need different specifications, consider:

EP2C35F672I8N – Lower density (34K LEs), smaller package (672 FBGA)

EP3C120F780I7N – Higher logic density (120K LEs), more I/Os

Xilinx XC6SLX75-3FGG676C – Equivalent Spartan-6 FPGA with similar logic resources

Lattice ECP5-85F – Low-power alternative with comparable logic capacity

EP2C70F896I8N Manufacturer

Intel Corporation is one of the world’s largest and most influential semiconductor companies, known for pioneering microprocessor technology and driving innovations in computing. Founded in 1968 by Gordon Moore, Robert Noyce, and Andy Grove, Intel has played a key role in shaping the modern digital world.

Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, Intel initially focused on memory chips but gained prominence with the development of microprocessors, starting with the Intel 4004 in 1971. Today, Intel designs and manufactures a wide range of processors, FPGAs, memory solutions, and networking technologies used in personal computers, data centers, artificial intelligence, and embedded systems.

EP2C70F896I8N FAQs

How does the EP2C70F896I8N handle clock skew and signal integrity?

This FPGA incorporates four PLLs (Phase-Locked Loops) that help reduce clock skew and jitter, ensuring stable clock distribution. The global clock networks also optimize signal integrity by reducing timing variations in large designs.

What power-saving techniques can be applied to the EP2C70F896I8N?

To optimize power consumption:

Use clock gating to disable unused logic sections.

Reduce dynamic power by minimizing signal transitions.

Operate at the lowest required core voltage (1.2V) to decrease static power.

Optimize logic utilization in Quartus II to prevent unnecessary resource usage.

What are the best practices for PCB design with the EP2C70F896I8N?

When designing a PCB with this FPGA:

Use proper decoupling capacitors (e.g., 0.1µF and 10µF) near power pins to minimize noise.

Ensure proper grounding and use a multi-layer PCB with separate power and ground planes.

Route differential signals carefully to maintain signal integrity in high-speed applications.

Follow JTAG routing guidelines for smooth programming and debugging.

How does the EP2C70F896I8N perform in extreme temperature conditions?

As an industrial-grade FPGA (-40°C to +100°C), it is designed for reliability in harsh environments. However, for extended high-temperature operation, consider:

Adding heatsinks or forced-air cooling if operating at high logic utilization.

Ensuring adequate power margining to prevent voltage fluctuations.

Running timing analysis at extreme temperatures to validate signal performance.

How does the EP2C70F896I8N handle in-system programmability (ISP)?

This FPGA supports JTAG-based in-system programming, allowing configuration updates without removing the device from the PCB. However, unlike Flash-based CPLDs, it requires external configuration memory (such as an EPCS device) for non-volatile storage, meaning the FPGA must be reloaded upon power-up.