5CEBA7F23C8N vs 5CEBA4F23C7N

The 5CEBA7F23C8N and 5CEBA4F23C7N are both Intel (formerly Altera) Cyclone V E series FPGAs in the same 484-pin FBGA package (23 mm x 23 mm). The primary differences are logic density and speed grade: the 5CEBA7F23C8N offers approximately 150K logic elements (LEs) with a speed grade of 8, while the 5CEBA4F23C7N offers approximately 49K LEs with a faster speed grade of 7. Both share the same package, I/O count, and transceiver capabilities, but differ in adaptive logic module (ALM) count, embedded memory, and DSP block resources.

Yes, both devices are offered in the same 484-pin FineLine BGA (FBGA) package with identical pinouts as defined by Intel's Cyclone V device pin-out files. However, designers must verify that the specific I/O assignments and dedicated pins (such as transceiver channels, configuration pins, and power pins) are compatible with the target design, because the internal logic resources and speed grades differ even though the physical footprint is the same.

No, a direct drop-in replacement is not possible without design changes. Although both devices share the same 484-pin FBGA package, the 5CEBA7F23C8N has significantly more logic elements (approximately 150K LE) and embedded resources than the 5CEBA4F23C7N (approximately 49K LE). A design that utilizes more than 49K LEs or the additional DSP blocks and memory of the 5CEBA7F23C8N cannot fit into the 5CEBA4F23C7N. Additionally, the speed grade difference (8 vs. 7) affects timing closure and must be re-validated.

The 5CEBA7F23C8N has a speed grade of 8, while the 5CEBA4F23C7N has a speed grade of 7. In Intel's Cyclone V naming convention, a lower speed grade number indicates a faster device. Therefore, the 5CEBA4F23C7N (speed grade 7) offers faster maximum operating frequencies and tighter timing performance than the 5CEBA7F23C8N (speed grade 8), assuming equivalent logic utilization and operating conditions.

Both the 5CEBA7F23C8N and 5CEBA4F23C7N are specified for commercial temperature range operation, typically 0°C to 85°C junction temperature (TJ), as defined in the Intel Cyclone V device datasheet. The suffix "C" in both part numbers indicates commercial grade. Industrial and automotive temperature grades are available under different ordering codes, but these two specific part numbers are commercial-grade devices.

According to Intel's Cyclone V device overview, the 5CEBA7F23C8N contains approximately 150,000 logic elements (LEs), while the 5CEBA4F23C7N contains approximately 49,000 LEs. This difference in logic density is the most significant functional distinction between the two devices and directly impacts the complexity of the digital designs that can be implemented in each FPGA.

Both the 5CEBA7F23C8N and 5CEBA4F23C7N belong to the Cyclone V E family and are housed in the same 484-pin FBGA package. In this package, both devices support the same number of high-speed transceiver channels as defined by the Cyclone V E device family specifications. However, the total available transceiver bandwidth and the number of usable channels may be limited by the specific device density and speed grade. Designers should consult the Intel Cyclone V Device Handbook for the exact transceiver channel count and supported data rates for each ordering code.

The selection depends on the design's logic density, performance, and cost requirements. The 5CEBA7F23C8N should be chosen when the design requires more than 49K logic elements, additional embedded memory, or more DSP blocks, and when the speed grade 8 timing performance is sufficient. The 5CEBA4F23C7N is appropriate for lower-density designs that fit within 49K LEs and benefit from the faster speed grade 7 timing. In both cases, the 484-pin FBGA package allows for a common PCB footprint, but the design must be compiled and timing-verified for the specific device and speed grade selected.