EPM7128AFC100-10 CPLD - High-Performance Programmable Logic Device | Intel (Altera)
The EPM7128AFC100-10 is a cutting-edge Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD) from Intel (formerly Altera), designed for high-performance embedded systems. This 3.3V EE PLD features 128 macrocells and 2,500 equivalent gates, delivering exceptional logic density in a compact 100-FBGA package (11x11mm). With its 5ns maximum propagation delay and 84 programmable I/O pins, it excels in time-critical applications requiring rapid signal processing. The device operates reliably within industrial temperature ranges (0 C to 70 C) and supports in-system programmability, making it ideal for field upgrades and prototyping.
Engineers favor the EPM7128AFC100-10 for its low-power architecture (3V to 3.6V internal supply) and surface-mount compatibility, enabling seamless integration into modern PCB designs. Its 8 logic blocks and electrically erasable technology provide unparalleled flexibility for implementing custom state machines, interface protocols, and glue logic. The device's Fine-Pitch Ball Grid Array (FBGA) packaging ensures robust thermal performance and space efficiency, particularly valuable in automotive and aerospace applications where board real estate is constrained.
Key technical specifications include 5V-tolerant I/Os for mixed-voltage system compatibility, JTAG boundary-scan testing support for enhanced manufacturability, and 10-year configuration retention. The CPLD's architecture supports both combinatorial and sequential logic designs, with dedicated fast input/output registers to optimize timing closure. Designers leverage Quartus II and MAX+PLUS II development tools for streamlined project implementation, benefiting from Altera's proven non-volatile storage technology that eliminates external configuration memory requirements.
The EPM7128AFC100-10 finds extensive application across industries, including industrial automation (PLC control, motor drives), telecommunications (protocol bridging, signal conditioning), and consumer electronics (display controllers, input processing). Its radiation-resistant characteristics make it suitable for medical equipment and avionics, while the automotive-grade variants meet stringent AEC-Q100 standards for engine control units and ADAS systems. The device particularly shines in legacy system upgrades, replacing multiple discrete ICs with a single programmable solution that reduces BOM costs and improves reliability.
As a mature yet highly capable PLD, the EPM7128AFC100-10 continues to serve as a cost-effective alternative to FPGAs in medium-complexity designs. Its deterministic timing (unlike FPGA routing delays) and instant-on operation make it indispensable for power sequencing and system monitoring tasks. With Intel's ongoing lifecycle support and third-party ecosystem of development boards and IP cores, this CPLD remains a future-proof choice for embedded control applications demanding hardware customization without ASIC development overheads.
