EPM7128AEUC169-5 High-Performance CPLD | Altera EE PLD | 128 Macrocells
The EPM7128AEUC169-5 from Altera (now Intel PSG) is a flagship Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD) designed for high-speed, low-power embedded applications. Built on advanced EE PLD technology, this device features 128 macrocells and 2,500 gates, delivering exceptional logic density for implementing state machines, glue logic, and interface protocols. With a blazing-fast 5ns propagation delay and 100 I/O pins in a compact 169-UBGA package (11x11mm), it excels in space-constrained designs requiring rapid signal processing. The 3.3V core voltage (3V 3.6V range) ensures compatibility with modern low-power systems while maintaining robust performance across industrial temperatures (0 C to 70 C).
Engineers will appreciate the EPM7128AEUC169-5's 8 logic blocks, each with programmable AND/OR arrays and shareable expander terms, enabling efficient resource utilization. The device supports in-system programmability (ISP) via JTAG, allowing field updates without physical removal. Its surface-mountable 169-LFBGA package offers superior thermal dissipation and reliability for high-density PCBs. Altera's Quartus II software provides seamless design integration with HDL support, timing analysis, and pin assignment tools, streamlining development workflows for prototyping and production.
Target applications span industrial automation (PLC I/O control, motor drives), telecommunications (protocol bridging, packet processing), and consumer electronics (display controllers, sensor interfaces). The CPLD's deterministic timing and 5ns pin-to-pin latency make it ideal for real-time systems, while its non-volatile EEPROM configuration retains programming during power cycles. Security features include bitstream encryption to protect intellectual property. As an active product in Altera's MAX 7000AE series, it benefits from long-term availability and ecosystem support.
For designers seeking a balance between FPGA flexibility and ASIC-like performance, the EPM7128AEUC169-5 delivers best-in-class power efficiency (typically 50mA active current) without sacrificing speed. Its macrocell architecture supports registered or combinatorial outputs with individual clock/reset controls, enabling mixed synchronous/asynchronous designs. The device also integrates programmable slew rate and bus-hold circuitry on I/Os to reduce EMI and simplify board layout. With 100% parameter testing and qualification to industrial standards, this CPLD ensures reliability for mission-critical deployments.
Key differentiators include Altera's Proprietary Multiple Array MatriX (MAX) technology, which optimizes interconnect routing for predictable timing closure. The EPM7128AEUC169-5 outperforms competing CPLDs in its class with 35% higher I/O-to-logic ratio, making it perfect for bridging heterogeneous interfaces (e.g., translating between 8-bit microcontrollers and 32-bit processors). Reference designs for PCI bus arbitration, memory controllers, and UARTs accelerate time-to-market. Global distributors stock this device with options for volume pricing, evaluation kits, and lifecycle management support.
