5CEBA4F17C8N vs 5CEBA2F17C6N

The 5CEBA4F17C8N and 5CEBA2F17C6N are both Intel (formerly Altera) Cyclone V E series FPGAs in the same 256-pin FBGA package (17 mm x 17 mm). The primary differences are logic density and speed grade: the 5CEBA4F17C8N offers approximately 49,000 logic elements (LEs) with a speed grade of 8, while the 5CEBA2F17C6N offers approximately 25,000 LEs with a faster speed grade of 6. The 5CEBA4F17C8N also provides more embedded memory, multipliers, and transceiver resources than the 5CEBA2F17C6N.

Yes. Both devices are offered in the same 256-pin FineLine BGA (FBGA) package with the same 17 mm x 17 mm body size and identical pinout for the Cyclone V E family. However, pin-compatibility does not guarantee functional equivalence; designers must verify that all I/O assignments, power pins, and configuration pins meet the target design requirements before substituting one for the other.

Not directly. Although both devices share the same package and pinout, the 5CEBA4F17C8N has higher logic density (approximately 49,000 LEs vs. 25,000 LEs) and a different speed grade (8 vs. 6). A design compiled for the 5CEBA4F17C8N may exceed the resources of the 5CEBA2F17C6N, and timing closure may differ due to the speed grade change. The design must be recompiled and validated for the target device before substitution.

The 5CEBA4F17C8N uses speed grade 8, while the 5CEBA2F17C6N uses speed grade 6. In Intel FPGA nomenclature, a lower speed grade number indicates a faster device. Therefore, the 5CEBA2F17C6N has faster maximum operating frequencies and tighter timing specifications than the 5CEBA4F17C8N, even though it has lower logic density.

Both devices belong to the Cyclone V E family and support standard configuration schemes such as active serial, passive serial, and JTAG. However, the 5CEBA4F17C8N includes more transceiver channels and higher-speed transceiver capabilities than the 5CEBA2F17C6N. Designers should consult the respective device datasheets to confirm the exact transceiver count and supported data rates for each part number.

The 5CEBA4F17C8N is more suitable for high-logic-density applications because it provides approximately 49,000 logic elements, significantly more than the approximately 25,000 logic elements of the 5CEBA2F17C6N. The 5CEBA4F17C8N also offers more embedded memory blocks and digital signal processing (DSP) blocks, making it better suited for complex designs that require greater resource counts.

Yes. The 5CEBA4F17C8N generally consumes more power than the 5CEBA2F17C6N due to its higher logic density and larger resource count. However, actual power consumption depends on the specific design, clock frequencies, I/O usage, and operating conditions. Intel provides the Early Power Estimator (EPE) and PowerPlay Power Analyzer tools to estimate power for each device accurately.

Both the 5CEBA4F17C8N and 5CEBA2F17C6N are offered in a 256-pin FBGA package measuring 17 mm x 17 mm. The "C" in the part number indicates commercial temperature grade, typically 0°C to 85°C junction temperature. Industrial and automotive temperature grades are available under different part number suffixes. Always verify the exact temperature grade from the manufacturer datasheet for the specific ordering code.