Q1: What exactly is the EP1C12Q240I7N?
The EP1C12Q240I7N is a Cyclone® FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) from Altera (now Intel), offering 12,060 logic elements (LEs) and 239,616 RAM bits for implementing custom digital logic. It comes in a 240-pin BFQFP package with 173 I/O pins, making it capable of handling a wide variety of signal interfacing tasks.
Q2: What are the standout features of this FPGA?
This FPGA operates on a low 1.5 V core voltage and supports I/O standards like LVTTL, LVCMOS, and even high-speed LVDS up to 640 Mbps. It also includes up to two PLLs (phase-locked loops) for flexible clocking, supports PCI interfaces, and can interface with external memory like DDR SDRAM. The Cyclone family’s architecture is built for cost efficiency and power savings while still enabling reasonably high performance.
Q3: What kinds of applications is it typically used for?
Because of its moderate logic capacity and extensive I/O, the EP1C12Q240I7N is well-suited for industrial control, embedded systems, communications, and custom digital processing tasks. Designers often use it to build prototyping systems, implement signal processing blocks, or integrate custom state machines in equipment like automation controllers, consumer electronics, or test gear.
Q4: Are there other similar FPGAs I could use instead of this one?
Yes. If you need a part with fewer logic elements, you might consider Altera EP1C6Q240C8N (Cyclone I), which provides a smaller LE count but the same 240-pin package. For higher capacity or newer technology, FPGAs like Altera EP3C16Q240C8N (Cyclone III) are an option, although with different architecture and performance trade-offs.
Q5: Why choose the EP1C12Q240I7N over other FPGAs?
This part strikes a good balance between resource density, I/O flexibility, and power consumption. Its legacy Cyclone I design is well supported in tools like Quartus, making it a reliable choice for long-life systems or applications that don’t require the very latest FPGA generation. The generous I/O and logic resources give designers room for growth or for implementing moderately complex logic without moving to more expensive or power-hungry devices.
