Item specifics
Description
10M04SAU169C8G Product Overview
The 10M04SAU169C8G is a low-cost, non-volatile FPGA from Intel's (formerly Altera) MAX 10 series. Built on an advanced 55nm process technology, the 10M04SAU169C8G is the only single-chip FPGA that integrates internal flash memory. The 10M04SAU169C8G features 4,000 logic elements (LEs), 250 logic array blocks (LABs), and 193,536 bits of embedded RAM, making it well-suited for control logic and data acquisition applications in industrial, communications, and consumer electronics.
The MAX 10 series is renowned for its high integration and low cost, and the 10M04SAU169C8G, as a low-to-mid-density member of this family, is housed in a compact 11×11 mm 169-UBGA package, making the 10M04SAU169C8G an ideal solution for applications requiring small PCB footprints. This commercial-grade device supports an operating temperature range of 0°C to 85°C.
10M04SAU169C8G Key Features
Non-Volatile Single-Chip Solution: The 10M04SAU169C8G integrates internal dual-configuration flash and user flash memory, eliminating the need for external configuration devices. Supports instant-on operation—ready for use immediately upon power-up—simplifying system design and reducing BOM costs.
High Cost-Effectiveness Logic Resources: The 10M04SAU169C8G provides 4,000 logic elements (LEs) and 250 LABs, capable of implementing moderate-complexity digital logic systems for applications such as protocol control, state machines, and data acquisition.
Embedded Memory Resources: The 10M04SAU169C8G integrates a total of 193,536 bits (approximately 189 Kbit) of embedded RAM blocks, suitable for data buffering and small-capacity cache applications.
Flexible I/O Interfaces: The 10M04SAU169C8G offers 130 user I/O pins, supporting various I/O standards from 1.2V to 3.3V for flexible connection to diverse peripherals.
Integrated Features and Security: The 10M04SAU169C8G features a built-in temperature sensor and supports 256-bit AES bitstream encryption, UID (Unique Identifier) protection, and SEU (Single-Event Upset) error detection and correction, safeguarding design intellectual property and making it suitable for high-security applications.
Commercial-Grade Operating Temperature: The 10M04SAU169C8G supports an operating temperature range of 0°C to 85°C, suitable for standard commercial environments.
Package and Process: Fabricated on a 55nm process with a core voltage of 2.85V to 3.465V, the 10M04SAU169C8G comes in a 169-pin UBGA package measuring just 11×11 mm, making it an ideal choice for space-constrained applications.
10M04SAU169C8G Application Scenarios
Industrial Automation and Control: The 10M04SAU169C8G's 4K logic elements and built-in flash memory are suitable for small-to-medium PLCs, motor control, and machine vision applications, with instant-on capability meeting real-time requirements.
Communications and Networking Equipment: The 10M04SAU169C8G can be used in small-cell base stations, network switches, and routers for protocol processing and signal control.
Consumer Electronics: The 10M04SAU169C8G is used in embedded systems such as smart home devices, wearables, and portable terminals; the non-volatile single-chip solution reduces system complexity.
IoT Solutions: The built-in flash memory and low-power characteristics of the 10M04SAU169C8G make it suitable for smart sensors, data acquisition, and edge computing nodes.
Motor Control: The integrated temperature sensor and logic resources of the 10M04SAU169C8G make it well-suited for various motor drive and control applications.
10M04SAU169C8G Advantages and Highlights
The Only Single-Chip FPGA with Integrated Flash: The 10M04SAU169C8G is Altera/Intel's only FPGA series with internal flash memory, eliminating the need for external configuration chips and enabling instant-on power-up, significantly simplifying design and reducing BOM costs.
4K Logic Element Mainstream Density: With 4,000 logic elements, the 10M04SAU169C8G is a standard-density model in the low-to-mid-range FPGA market, capable of meeting the design requirements of most embedded systems.
Ultra-Compact 11×11 mm Package: The 169-UBGA package of the 10M04SAU169C8G occupies only 121 mm², making it suitable for space-constrained product designs.
Comprehensive Security Features: The 10M04SAU169C8G supports AES encryption, UID protection, and SEU error detection and correction, effectively preventing design theft or cloning while enhancing system reliability.
Integrated Analog Functionality: The built-in temperature sensor of the 10M04SAU169C8G reduces the need for external components.
Mature Software Ecosystem: The Quartus Prime design suite provides a comprehensive IP core library and development tools for the 10M04SAU169C8G, supporting the Nios II soft-core processor.
Highly Competitive Cost: As part of Intel's low-cost FPGA series, the 10M04SAU169C8G offers a very attractive price point.
Why Choose QIXINWEI
Years of experience in the electronics industry. Trusted by global customers.
Massive In-Stock Inventory – Ready to ship promptly
BOM Matching Service – One-stop solution, save time
PCBA Customization – Professional engineering team creates tailor-made solutions based on your needs
Cost-Effective & Efficient – Better channel, better cost
A dedicated team makes your procurement smoother.
Contact us for BOM quotes or PCBA inquiries.
FAQ:
What makes the 10M04SAU169C8G different from a standard FPGA? Why is it called "non-volatile"?
It has built-in configuration flash, so the program is stored on-chip and loads automatically at power-up—no external configuration chip is needed. The configuration of the 10M04SAU169C8G is retained even after power cycling, and it boots instantly. Compared to traditional FPGAs requiring external flash, the 10M04SAU169C8G saves board space, reduces cost, and starts faster.
With only 4K logic elements, what practical projects can I actually build?
4K logic elements on the 10M04SAU169C8G are entry-level but sufficient for a simple 8-bit soft microcontroller (like 8051), an SPI-to-I2C bridge, a UART protocol converter, multi-channel PWM generators, LED lighting controllers, or simple state machines for sensor data acquisition. For many interface conversion and small control tasks, the 10M04SAU169C8G is more than adequate.
Does the 10M04 have a built-in ADC? Can I use it to measure analog voltages?
The 10M04SAU169C8G is a purely digital logic FPGA and does not integrate an analog ADC. To sample analog signals with the 10M04SAU169C8G, you can connect an external small SPI ADC to its GPIOs. If you need on-chip ADC, consider other MAX 10 variants.
What software is needed to develop for this FPGA? Is it free?
Use Intel Quartus Prime Lite Edition (free). It fully supports the 10M04SAU169C8G including design entry, synthesis, place-and-route, power analysis, and debugging. No license purchase is required—ideal for individual developers, students, and small teams working with the 10M04SAU169C8G.
What can I do with 126 Kbit of embedded RAM? Can it store programs or data?
The 126 Kbit embedded RAM of the 10M04SAU169C8G can serve as program and data memory for a small soft-core processor, or as FIFO buffers, look-up tables, dual-port RAM, etc. For lightweight embedded applications, this capacity is enough for boot code and working data.
How low is the power consumption? Is it suitable for battery operation?
The 10M04SAU169C8G has very low static power, typically tens of milliwatts. With modest logic utilization, total power stays well under 1 W. Combined with instant-on and single-chip simplicity, the 10M04SAU169C8G is very suitable for battery-powered portable devices, IoT terminals, and handheld instruments.
Is the UBGA-169 package easy to solder? How many PCB layers are needed?
The 0.8 mm pitch of the 10M04SAU169C8G is relatively generous for a BGA, and a 4-layer PCB can fully break out all pins. Reflow soldering is recommended for the 10M04SAU169C8G; hand soldering is difficult. However, most designs using this part can be laid out on 2 or 4 layers, keeping fabrication costs under control.
Can I use it to replace a CPLD (like MAX II or MAX V)? What are the advantages?
Absolutely. The 10M04SAU169C8G uses a LUT-based architecture that is far more flexible than traditional CPLD (product-term) architectures, with richer internal resources (embedded RAM, PLLs). It retains the CPLD's non-volatile, instant-on, single-chip characteristics while offering much higher logic capacity and a modern development toolchain.
How would I design a simple SPI-to-UART bridge with the 10M04? What external components are needed?
With the 10M04SAU169C8G, implement an SPI slave, a UART transmitter, and a simple state machine in schematic or Verilog within Quartus. Externally, only a 3.3 V supply, decoupling capacitors, and a JTAG header (for programming and debugging) are required. The on-chip flash of the 10M04SAU169C8G stores the configuration permanently, so no extra memory is needed.
What do "C8G" and the package code mean in the part number 10M04SAU169C8G?
"C" = commercial temperature range (0°C to 85°C); "8" = speed grade (lower is faster, C8 is one of the fastest commercial grades); "G" = lead-free, RoHS-compliant. "SAU169": "SA" is the series code, and "U169" denotes a 169-pin Ultra FineLine BGA (UBGA) package measuring 11×11 mm with 0.8 mm ball pitch.