Part numbers
Cyclone IV E: what the L in C8L means
Two Cyclone IV E parts can share a device, package and speed grade and still need different core supplies. The difference is one letter.
Updated 4 min readBased on the Cyclone IV Device Handbook
Short answer
- L suffix
- Low-voltage device: 1.0 V core
- No L
- 1.2 V core
- 1.0 V grades
- C8L, C9L, I8L
- 1.2 V grades
- C6, C7, C8, I7, A7
- VCCINT, 1.0 V parts
- 0.97 to 1.03 V
- VCCINT, 1.2 V parts
- 1.15 to 1.25 V
Reading the part number
A Cyclone IV E ordering code ends with the temperature grade, the speed grade and an optional suffix. In the suffix, L means low-voltage device, N lead-free packaging and ES engineering sample.[1]
These pairs differ only by that letter:
| 1.2 V core | 1.0 V core |
|---|---|
| EP4CE10F17C8N | EP4CE10F17C8LN |
| EP4CE10E22C8N | EP4CE10E22C8LN |
| EP4CE22F17C8N | EP4CE22F17C8LN |
| EP4CE22E22C8N | EP4CE22E22C8LN |
The supplies that change
Two supplies follow the core voltage: VCCINT, which powers the internal logic, and VCCD_PLL, the digital supply for the PLLs.[2]
| Supply | 1.2 V parts | 1.0 V (L) parts |
|---|---|---|
| VCCINT | 1.15 – 1.20 – 1.25 V | 0.97 – 1.00 – 1.03 V |
| VCCD_PLL | 1.15 – 1.20 – 1.25 V | 0.97 – 1.00 – 1.03 V |
Minimum – typical – maximum, from the recommended operating conditions.
Swapping between them is a board change
Which grades are 1.0 V
Altera's data sheet ties the grades to the supply: 1.0 V devices support only C8L, C9L and I8L, and 1.2 V devices only C6, C7, C8, I7 and A7.[2] Speed grade 6 is the fastest; the -9 grade exists only at 1.0 V, and there is no automotive (A) 1.0 V part.
| Temperature (junction) | 1.2 V grades | 1.0 V grades |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial, 0 to 85 °C | C6, C7, C8 | C8L, C9L |
| Industrial, −40 to 100 °C | I7 | I8L |
| Automotive, −40 to 125 °C | A7 | — |
Cyclone IV GX has no L parts: its devices are offered in C6, C7, C8 and I7 at 1.2 V.[1]
Which devices and packages offer L parts
The 1.0 V grades are offered in the EQFP and most FineLine BGA packages, but not in the Micro FineLine BGA or Ultra FineLine BGA packages, or the F324 package.[1]
| Device | Packages with C8L, C9L, I8L |
|---|---|
| EP4CE6 | E144, F256 |
| EP4CE10 | E144, F256 |
| EP4CE15 | E144, F256, F484 |
| EP4CE22 | E144, F256 |
| EP4CE30 | F484, F780 |
| EP4CE40 | F484, F780 |
| EP4CE55 | F484, F780 |
| EP4CE75 | F484, F780 |
| EP4CE115 | F484, F780 |
The Cyclone IV E family page lists every device and part number, and Cyclone IV vs Cyclone V compares the two families.
Frequently asked questions
What does the L mean in a Cyclone IV E part number?
L marks a low-voltage device with a 1.0 V core. EP4CE10F17C8LN is the 1.0 V device; EP4CE10F17C8N, without the L, runs its core at 1.2 V. The L sits in the optional suffix after the speed grade, next to N (lead-free).
Can I replace a C8N Cyclone IV E with a C8LN?
Not without changing the board. The C8LN needs 1.0 V (0.97 to 1.03 V) on VCCINT and VCCD_PLL; the C8N needs 1.2 V (1.15 to 1.25 V). The speed grade number is the same but the core supply is not.
Which Cyclone IV E speed grades are 1.0 V?
C8L, C9L and I8L. Altera's data sheet states 1.0 V devices support only those grades, and 1.2 V devices only C6, C7, C8, I7 and A7. The -9 grade exists only as a 1.0 V part.
Does Cyclone IV GX have 1.0 V parts?
No. Cyclone IV GX devices are offered in C6, C7, C8 and I7 only, with a 1.2 V core supply.
References
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