Altera (Intel FPGA)

About Altera

Altera is one of the world's pioneering developers of programmable logic devices (PLDs) and Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). Founded in 1983 in Silicon Valley, Altera became a major force in the FPGA industry alongside Xilinx, helping shape modern programmable computing technologies used in telecommunications, industrial automation, aerospace, defense, data centers, and embedded systems.

In 2015, Altera was acquired by Intel Corporation and operated as Intel's Programmable Solutions Group (PSG). In 2024, Intel re-established Altera as an independent FPGA-focused business unit, continuing to develop advanced FPGA, SoC FPGA, and programmable acceleration solutions.

Today, Altera is recognized globally for delivering high-performance programmable logic platforms that combine flexibility, scalability, and long-term reliability for mission-critical applications.

Key Highlights

• Founded in 1983

• FPGA Industry Pioneer

• Formerly Intel Programmable Solutions Group (PSG)

• Global Leader in FPGA and SoC FPGA Technologies

• Strong Presence in Telecommunications and Industrial Markets

• Advanced FPGA Acceleration Solutions

• Long Lifecycle Support for Industrial and Infrastructure Applications

Key Product Families

Altera offers a comprehensive portfolio of programmable logic solutions designed for embedded, industrial, communications, and data-intensive applications.

Cyclone® FPGA Family

Cyclone devices are optimized for cost-sensitive and low-power applications.

Key Features

• Low power consumption

• Cost-effective implementation

• High integration capability

• Compact form factors

Applications

• Industrial Automation

• Embedded Systems

• IoT Devices

• Consumer Electronics

Popular Series

• Cyclone III

• Cyclone IV

• Cyclone V

• Cyclone 10 LP

MAX® CPLD Family

MAX devices provide non-volatile programmable logic solutions.

Key Features

• Instant-on functionality

• Low power consumption

• High reliability

Applications

• System Control

• Power Sequencing

• Industrial Equipment

• Communication Systems

Popular Series

• MAX II

• MAX V

• MAX 10

Arria® FPGA Family

Arria devices offer a balance of performance, power efficiency, and cost.

Applications

• Communication Infrastructure

• Industrial Vision

• Video Processing

• Edge Computing

Key Features

• High-speed transceivers

• Advanced DSP resources

• Energy-efficient architecture

Stratix® FPGA Family

Stratix represents Altera's high-performance FPGA platform.

Applications

• Data Centers

• AI Acceleration

• High-Speed Networking

• Aerospace Systems

Key Features

• Massive logic capacity

• Advanced signal processing

• High-bandwidth connectivity

Agilex™ FPGA Family

Agilex is Altera's latest generation FPGA platform.

Key Features

• AI and Machine Learning Acceleration

• PCIe Gen5 Support

• High-Speed Networking

• Enhanced Security Features

Applications

• Cloud Computing

• Data Centers

• 5G Infrastructure

• Edge AI

SoC FPGA Platforms

Altera SoC devices integrate ARM® processors with FPGA fabric.

Product Categories

• Cyclone V SoC

• Arria V SoC

• Agilex SoC

Advantages

• Hardware/software integration

• Real-time processing

• Flexible system architecture

Popular Part Numbers

The following Altera devices are among the most widely used and frequently sourced FPGA products worldwide.

Application Markets

Altera technologies are widely deployed in applications requiring flexibility, real-time processing, and hardware acceleration.

Industrial Automation

• PLC Systems

• Industrial Robotics

• Motion Control

• Machine Vision

• Factory Automation

Telecommunications

• 4G/5G Base Stations

• Optical Networking

• Telecom Infrastructure

• Network Switching Equipment

Data Centers and Cloud Computing

• AI Acceleration

• SmartNIC Platforms

• Server Acceleration

• High-Speed Networking

Aerospace and Defense

• Radar Systems

• Electronic Warfare

• Satellite Communications

• Secure Communications

Automotive Electronics

• ADAS Platforms

• Sensor Fusion Systems

• Autonomous Driving

• Vehicle Networking

Medical Equipment

• Medical Imaging

• Diagnostic Systems

• High-Speed Signal Processing

• Laboratory Automation

Why Engineers Choose Altera

Altera has earned the trust of engineers worldwide through decades of FPGA innovation and programmable logic expertise.

FPGA Industry Leadership

Altera has been a major innovator in programmable logic technologies for over 40 years, delivering proven FPGA platforms across multiple industries.

Exceptional Design Flexibility

Unlike fixed-function processors, Altera FPGAs allow engineers to customize hardware architectures according to application requirements.

Strong Industrial and Communications Presence

Altera devices are widely adopted in industrial automation, telecommunications, and infrastructure projects where reliability is essential.

Advanced Development Ecosystem

Engineers benefit from comprehensive development tools including:

• Quartus® Prime Design Software

• FPGA IP Libraries

• Reference Designs

• Development Kits

• Technical Documentation

High-Performance Processing

Altera FPGAs provide parallel processing capabilities that are ideal for:

• AI Inference

• Signal Processing

• Networking

• Video Processing

Long-Term Reliability

Many Altera products remain active in mission-critical systems that require years of continuous operation.

Long-Term Supply Advantages

Altera understands that FPGA-based systems often remain in service for many years.

Extended Product Lifecycles

Many Cyclone, MAX, Arria, and Stratix devices remain available for 10–20 years or longer, supporting industrial and infrastructure projects.

Legacy FPGA Support

Older FPGA families continue to be widely used in industrial automation, medical equipment, and telecommunications systems, creating strong demand for long-term sourcing support.

Reduced Redesign Costs

Long product availability helps manufacturers avoid expensive redesigns and qualification efforts.

Stable Manufacturing Ecosystem

Altera maintains a robust global manufacturing and support infrastructure to ensure product continuity and reliability.

Why Buy Altera Components from SEMI

SEMI provides professional sourcing services for Altera FPGA and programmable logic products worldwide.

100% Original Components

All Altera products are sourced through trusted channels with full traceability support available upon request.

Global Inventory Access

Access worldwide inventory for active, allocated, obsolete, and hard-to-find Altera FPGA devices.

Fast Delivery

Same-day shipment options are available for many in-stock products, helping customers reduce procurement lead times and production downtime.

Obsolete & Hard-to-Find FPGA Support

SEMI specializes in sourcing discontinued and difficult-to-locate Altera devices, including MAX, Cyclone, Arria, Stratix, and legacy FPGA families.

Quality Inspection Services

Available quality assurance services include:

• Visual Inspection

• X-Ray Inspection

• Electrical Testing

• Decapsulation Analysis

• Third-Party Laboratory Verification

Competitive Pricing

Flexible procurement solutions for OEMs, EMS providers, distributors, repair organizations, and contract manufacturers worldwide.

Professional Global Export Support

SEMI supports customers with international logistics, export documentation, customs compliance, and worldwide semiconductor sourcing services.

Looking for Altera FPGA solutions?

SEMI can help you source active, obsolete, and hard-to-find Altera products, including MAX®, Cyclone®, Arria®, Stratix®, Agilex™, and SoC FPGA platforms with reliable supply, competitive pricing, and fast global delivery.