EP2C5T144 FPGA Development Board - Cyclone II, 4608 logic elements

Product overview

• Cyclone II FPGA chip with 4608 logic elements
• Clock frequency up to 200 MHz
• 144-pin TQFP package
• 5 V-tolerant inputs for direct level compatibility
• Integrated PLL for clock multiplication and phase shifting
• Embedded memory with a capacity of 119 kilobits

Product description

The Cyclone II is a field-programmable gate array for prototyping and product development. The FPGA makes it possible to implement digital circuits immediately after designing them and modify them as needed without reworking the hardware. The architecture is based on configurable logic blocks and signal connections defined by firmware.

With 4608 logic elements and integrated memory blocks totaling 119 kilobits, complex digital functions can be integrated into a single chip. The clock frequency reaches up to 200 MHz, enabling time-critical applications as well. The 5 V tolerance of the inputs allows direct connection to older or less demanding signal sources without additional level shifting. The integrated PLL flexibly multiplies and shifts the clock signal, which is indispensable when multiple frequencies or phase references need to run in parallel.

Applications range from audio and image processing to digital signal filtering and specialized control circuits for mechanical engineering or measurement technology. If you want to design a digital filter for sensor data or process multiple analog inputs in parallel with low latency, this saves you from using long communication lines to separate processors. The FPGA is also a practical intermediate step for rapidly prototyping interconnected logic functions that could later be manufactured as an ASIC.

The Cyclone II is programmed using common FPGA design tools such as Intel Quartus Prime or open-source alternatives that translate HDL code (Hardware Description Language) into the configuration file. Operation requires only a standardized 3.3 V power supply with regulated output, along with a programmer for uploading the firmware, typically a USB-Blaster interface or a JTAG programmer. Tantalum or ceramic capacitors are required on the target board for voltage stabilization; their exact quantity and ratings are specified in the datasheet.

Safety notice

Static electricity can damage sensitive components, so protective measures against ESD (electrostatic discharge) are required, such as a wrist strap, conductive work surface, or antistatic mat. The module is intended exclusively for building prototypes and for testing and development purposes, not for operation in systems with mains voltage. Work on or near electrical installations is reserved for qualified electricians; if in doubt, consult a qualified electrician before commissioning.

Scope of delivery

• 1x ALTERA FPGA Cyclone II 2 EP2C5T144 Microcontroller Development Board