Knowledge Base Article
Why do some pins designated as differential in Cyclone® V, Arria® V, and Stratix® V devices have no complimentary pin?
Description
The differential pin index is usually determined from the largest package of a particular device density in Cyclone® V, Arria® V, or Stratix® V devices. Hence, some differential pairs might not exist for some smaller packages for a given device density.
For example, pin DIFFIO_TX_T18p might exist, but DIFFIO_TX_T18n may not exist in a device pin-out for a particular package.
Resolution
Differential pins that do not have their complementary pair cannot be used for differential functions. Only use pins that are available as a complete pair for differential functions.
The differential pin index is usually determined from the largest package of a particular device. Hence, some differential pairs might not exist for some smaller packages within the same device.