EPXA1F484C2ES

Overview

The EPXA1F484C2ES is an Excalibur embedded processor device manufactured by Altera. It integrates an ARM9 processor core with a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) fabric within a single integrated circuit. The component utilizes a 484-pin FineLine BGA package to facilitate system integration. This architecture combines the flexibility of programmable logic with the processing capabilities of an embedded processor, designed for applications requiring high performance and low power consumption in a compact form factor.

Feature Summary

• Integrates an ARM9 processor core directly onto the FPGA die for efficient data processing.
• Provides reconfigurable logic resources to implement custom hardware accelerators and peripheral interfaces.
• Supports embedded memory blocks for local data storage and instruction caching within the fabric.

Applications

• Industrial automation controllers requiring real-time processing and I/O flexibility
• Telecommunications infrastructure equipment needing protocol acceleration
• Medical imaging systems utilizing custom signal processing pipelines

Procurement Notes

Verify the specific suffix 'C2' against official Intel/Altera documentation to confirm temperature grade and speed bin accuracy. Ensure the source document explicitly identifies the manufacturer as Altera or Intel FPGA, as legacy branding may vary. Confirm the package type matches the required PCB footprint specifications before procurement.

Selection Notes

Select this component when a design requires both general-purpose processing and specialized parallel logic execution on a single chip. Evaluate the available logic elements and embedded memory capacity against the target application's resource requirements. Consider the thermal management needs associated with the ARM9 core and FPGA fabric operation under maximum load conditions.

Part Context

This device belongs to the Excalibur family, which represents Altera's early integration of ARM processors into FPGA technology. It serves as a bridge between traditional microcontrollers and pure FPGA solutions, offering a hybrid approach for complex embedded systems. The family was designed to reduce board space and power consumption compared to discrete processor and FPGA combinations.

Replacement Considerations

Public confirmed substitute part numbers are not available in the provided reference material. Verify compatibility with newer Agilex or Cyclone V families if upgrading, noting architectural differences between ARM9 and newer cores.