EPM7032AELC44-4: Altera's High-Performance CPLD for Embedded Systems | 3V 32-Macrocell CPLD

The EPM7032AELC44-4 from Altera (now Intel) represents the pinnacle of Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD) technology, delivering exceptional performance in a compact 44-pin PLCC package. This 3V-powered device features 32 macrocells and 600 equivalent gates, offering designers unparalleled flexibility for implementing complex logic functions. With its industry-leading 4.5ns propagation delay and 36 I/O pins, the EPM7032AELC44-4 excels in time-critical applications while maintaining low power consumption. The in-system programmability feature allows for field updates without physical removal, significantly reducing development cycles and enabling rapid prototyping.

Engineered for reliability, the EPM7032AELC44-4 operates across a commercial temperature range (0 C to 70 C) and features robust EEPROM-based configuration storage. The device's architecture includes two high-speed logic blocks, each containing 16 macrocells with programmable AND/OR arrays and dedicated flip-flops. This structure enables efficient implementation of both combinatorial and sequential logic, supporting clock speeds up to 222MHz. The 3V to 3.6V operating voltage makes it compatible with modern low-power systems while providing sufficient noise margin for industrial environments.

The EPM7032AELC44-4 shines in its I/O capabilities, offering 36 fully configurable pins with individual output enable control. Each I/O supports 3.3V LVTTL/LVCMOS standards and features programmable slew rate control for EMI reduction. The device incorporates advanced security features including 128-bit AES encryption for configuration bitstreams and a built-in JTAG interface for boundary scan testing (IEEE 1149.1). These characteristics make it particularly valuable for applications requiring both high performance and design security, such as proprietary industrial control systems or communication interfaces.

Typical applications for the EPM7032AELC44-4 span multiple industries, including telecommunications (protocol bridging, signal conditioning), consumer electronics (display controllers, input processing), automotive (sensor interfaces, body control modules), and industrial automation (PLC I/O expansion, motor control). The device's combination of speed, density, and reprogrammability makes it ideal for implementing glue logic, state machines, and bus interfaces in space-constrained designs. Its deterministic timing characteristics are particularly valuable for real-time control systems where predictable latency is critical.

Designers working with the EPM7032AELC44-4 benefit from Altera's comprehensive Quartus II development software, which provides schematic entry, VHDL/Verilog synthesis, and advanced timing analysis tools. The device is fully supported by Altera's legacy programming hardware and third-party toolchains, ensuring long-term design maintenance capability. With its optimal balance of performance, power efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, the EPM7032AELC44-4 continues to be a preferred choice for engineers upgrading from discrete logic or smaller PLDs to more sophisticated programmable solutions.