Part A
5CEFA2F23C7N
Altera
- Lifecycle
- Active
- Stock
- 9580 PCS
- Series
- Embedded - FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Array)
Replacement verdict
Compatible functional replacement candidate
The 5CEFA2F23C7N is not a direct drop-in replacement for the 5CEFA9F23I7N due to significant differences in logic density, speed grade, and temperature range, but it can serve as a functional substitute in less demanding applications where lower resource counts and commercial temperature operation are acceptable. Designers must validate timing closure, resource utilization, and thermal requirements before committing to this substitution.
Logic Density
Validation required
Speed Grade
Validation required
Operating Temperature
Not compatible
Package Type
High match
Parts at a glance
Part B
5CEFA9F23I7N
Intel
- Lifecycle
- Active
- Stock
- 4366 PCS
- Package
- BGA-484
- Series
- Embedded - FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Array)
Key differences
Rows are prioritized by design impact. Highlighted values require attention during substitution.
Key electrical and mechanical differences between the two devices
| Parameter | 5CEFA9F23I7N | 5CEFA2F23C7N | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logic Elements (LE) | 301000 | 25000 | Logic element count determines the maximum complexity of digital designs the FPGA can implement; a large difference means the two devices are not functionally interchangeable for logic-intensive applications. |
| Total Embedded RAM | 14209024 bits | 1945600 bits | On-chip memory capacity limits buffering, FIFO depth, and data storage within the FPGA; a smaller device cannot host designs requiring large memory blocks. |
| Number of 18x18 Multipliers | 684 | 72 | Dedicated multipliers enable efficient DSP functions such as filtering and FFT; fewer multipliers restrict signal-processing throughput and parallelism. |
| Maximum User I/O Pins | 480 | 480 | User I/O count determines how many external signals the FPGA can interface with; matching counts support similar board-level connectivity. |
| PLLs | 8 | 4 | Phase-locked loops generate and synchronize clock domains; fewer PLLs limit the number of independent clock frequencies a design can support. |
| Package | FBGA-484 | FBGA-484 | Package type and pin count must match for physical board compatibility and footprint interchangeability. |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40°C to 100°C (Industrial) | 0°C to 85°C (Commercial) | Temperature grade affects reliability in harsh environments; industrial-grade parts are required for extended-temperature applications where commercial parts may fail. |
| Speed Grade | 7 (Fastest) | 7 (Fastest) | Speed grade determines maximum achievable clock frequency and timing closure; matching grades ensure comparable performance characteristics. |
| Supply Voltage (Core) | 1.1 V | 1.1 V | Core voltage must match the board power design; identical values allow the same power delivery network to be reused. |
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Full specification comparison
Use manufacturer datasheets as the final authority.
| Specification | 5CEFA2F23C7N | 5CEFA9F23I7N |
|---|---|---|
| Series | Cyclone® V E | Cyclone® V E |
| Part Status | Active | Active |
| Digi Key Programmable | Not Verified | - |
| Total RAM Bits | 2002944 | 14251008 |
| Number of I/O | 224 | 224 |
| Voltage - Supply | 1.07V ~ 1.13V | 1.07V ~ 1.13V |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C ~ 85°C (TJ) | -40°C ~ 100°C (TJ) |
| Base Product Number | 5CEFA2 | - |
| Number of Logic Elements / Cells | 25000 | - |
| Number of LA Bs / CL Bs | 9434 | - |
| Number of LABs/CLBs | - | 113560 |
| Number of Logic Elements/Cells | - | 301000 |
Frequently asked questions
What are the key differences between the 5CEFA9F23I7N and the 5CEFA2F23C7N?
The 5CEFA9F23I7N and 5CEFA2F23C7N are both Intel (formerly Altera) Cyclone V FPGAs in the same 484-pin FBGA package (F23). The primary differences are logic density, speed grade, and operating temperature range. The 5CEFA9F23I7N offers significantly higher logic capacity with 301,000 logic elements (LEs), while the 5CEFA2F23C7N provides 25,000 LEs. The 5CEFA9F23I7N is rated for industrial temperature range (I7 speed grade, -40°C to 100°C junction), whereas the 5CEFA2F23C7N is rated for commercial temperature range (C7 speed grade, 0°C to 85°C junction).
Are the 5CEFA9F23I7N and 5CEFA2F23C7N pin-to-pin compatible?
Yes, both devices are offered in the same 484-pin FineLine BGA (FBGA) package designated as F23. However, pin-to-pin compatibility does not guarantee functional equivalence. The 5CEFA9F23I7N and 5CEFA2F23C7N have different logic densities and may have different I/O bank assignments, transceiver configurations, and power requirements. A direct drop-in replacement should only be attempted after verifying pin functions, I/O standards, and power sequencing against the respective Intel Cyclone V device datasheets and pin-out files.
Can the 5CEFA2F23C7N be used as a substitute for the 5CEFA9F23I7N in an existing design?
No, the 5CEFA2F23C7N cannot serve as a direct substitute for the 5CEFA9F23I7N in most designs. The 5CEFA9F23I7N contains 301,000 LEs, while the 5CEFA2F23C7N contains only 25,000 LEs, representing a reduction of over 90% in logic capacity. Additionally, the 5CEFA2F23C7N has a commercial temperature range (0°C to 85°C junction) versus the industrial range (-40°C to 100°C junction) of the 5CEFA9F23I7N. Any substitution would require a complete redesign, recompilation, and validation against the target application requirements.
What are the logic element counts and equivalent density for these two Cyclone V FPGAs?
The 5CEFA9F23I7N features 301,000 logic elements (LEs), 122,880 adaptive logic modules (ALMs), and 13,917 Kbits of embedded memory. The 5CEFA2F23C7N features 25,000 LEs, 9,440 ALMs, and 1,864 Kbits of embedded memory. These parameters are documented in the Intel Cyclone V Device Overview and family datasheets. The 5CEFA9F23I7N also provides significantly more multiplier resources (variable-precision DSP blocks) than the 5CEFA2F23C7N.
What are the operating temperature ranges for the 5CEFA9F23I7N and 5CEFA2F23C7N?
The 5CEFA9F23I7N is specified for industrial temperature operation with a junction temperature range of -40°C to 100°C (I7 speed grade). The 5CEFA2F23C7N is specified for commercial temperature operation with a junction temperature range of 0°C to 85°C (C7 speed grade). These temperature ranges are defined in the Intel Cyclone V device datasheet and must be observed to ensure reliable operation and compliance with Intel's performance specifications.
Do both devices support the same transceiver speeds and high-speed interfaces?
Both the 5CEFA9F23I7N and 5CEFA2F23C7N belong to the Cyclone V E family and support transceiver speeds up to 3.125 Gbps per channel, with PCI Express Gen1 and Gen2 support, depending on the specific device variant. However, the number of available transceiver channels and the allocation of high-speed serial interfaces may differ between the two density variants. Designers must consult the Intel Cyclone V Device Pin-Out Files and Transceiver Protocol Specifications for the exact channel counts and supported protocols for each ordering code.
What power supply voltages are required for the 5CEFA9F23I7N and 5CEFA2F23C7N?
Both devices require a core voltage (VCC) of 1.1 V typical, along with multiple I/O bank voltages (VCCIO) that depend on the selected I/O standards (e.g., 1.2 V, 1.5 V, 1.8 V, 2.5 V, or 3.0 V/3.3 V). Additionally, transceiver power supplies (VCCA, VCCHIP, VCCT) and phase-locked loop (PLL) supplies are required. Exact voltage tolerances, sequencing requirements, and decoupling recommendations are provided in the Intel Cyclone V Device Handbook, Volume 2: Power Supply Requirements. The power requirements are similar between the two devices, but current consumption differs based on logic utilization and operating frequency.
Which device is more suitable for high-volume, cost-sensitive applications?
The 5CEFA2F23C7N is generally more suitable for cost-sensitive, lower-density applications due to its smaller die size, lower logic count, and commercial temperature rating, which typically result in a lower unit price compared to the 5CEFA9F23I7N. The 5CEFA9F23I7N is intended for higher-performance, higher-density applications requiring industrial temperature support and significantly more logic, memory, and DSP resources. Selection between the two should be based on verified requirements for logic capacity, temperature range, and interface count, not solely on cost.