Customizable I/O Modules suit mid-level computing functions.
Press Release Summary:
Digital I/O modules PMC-DX500 and PMC-DX2000 feature Xilinx® Virtex-II® FPGAs with 500 K and 2 M system gates, respectively. They enable users to configure custom I/O boards using application-specific instruction sets. Offering up to 1 Mbyte on-chip memory and 9 Mbyte on-board SRAM, modules let users embed code into FPGA or modify signal-processing operations as requirements change. Products process TTL, differential RS422, and LVDS digital I/O signals.
Original Press Release:
Acromag Introduces Re-Configurable FPGA PMC I/O Modules that are Affordable for a Broader Range of Applications.
New customizable I/O modules are priced far below currently available FPGA I/O boards making them cost-effective for common applications such as protocol conversion, simulation, and in-circuit test.
Wixom, MI: Breaking the perception that re-configurable FPGA I/O boards are only affordable for mission-critical applications like software radios and radar, Acromag released a new line of customizable PMC digital I/O modules with a cost/performance mix that is suitable for many mid-level computing functions. The new PMC-DX500 and PMC-DX2000 modules feature Xilinx® Virtex-II® FPGAs with 500K and 2M system gates, respectively. These modules bring the ability to configure custom I/O boards using application-specific instruction sets within the reach of more system developers. Offering up to 1Mb of on-chip memory and 9Mb of on-board SRAM, the PMC-DX modules give users the flexibility to embed their code into the FPGA or to modify signal processing operations on the fly by loading new code into flash memory as requirements change. Several I/O configurations are available to process TTL, differential RS422, and LVDS digital I/O signals. All models feature a fast PCI interface with 32-bit 66MHz bus mastering and support dual DMA channel data transfer to the CPU. Module prices start at $1400 with extended temperature models (-40 to 85°C operation) available for an additional $200.
Numerous features and plentiful I/O capacity offer powerful signal processing capabilities. Both the PMC-DX500 and DX2000 models can be ordered with either 64 bi-directional TTL I/O lines, 32 RS422 differential I/O lines, a combination of 16 TTL and 24 RS422 lines, or 32 LVDS I/O lines. On the higher performance DX2000 models, the FPGA provides 56 18 x 18 embedded multipliers or 0.5 Tera MACs. It is also has 12 digital clock managers. Two memory sources provide data buffers both inside and outside the FPGA. Engineers can access up to 1MB of configurable block RAM within the FPGA for high-speed data transfers. Additional memory storage is available on a 256K x 36-bit SRAM device. A PLX® PCI9056 device handles all aspects of system connectivity with a high-performance interface to the PCI bus.
An Engineering Design Kit provides basic information required to develop a custom program for the Xilinx FPGA. Utilities help users load VHDL into the FPGA, and to establish DMA transfers between the FPGA and the CPU. It is recommended that users be familiar with Xilinx development tools. Acromag's Engineering Design Kit includes a compiled FPGA file and example VHDL code provided as selectable blocks with examples for the local bus interface, read/writes, and change-of-state interrupts to the PCI bus.
Although there is no limit to the capabilities of Acromag's FPGA I/O boards, several applications are ideal. Common uses include protocol conversion, hardware simulation, and in-circuit diagnostics. The FPGA can generate recipe-based responses to input stimulus or function as a high-speed communication processor. Embedded multipliers make fast work of computation-intensive algorithms for signal preprocessing without involving the CPU or an external DSP board. And with extensive logic resources, the FPGA is excellent for waveform generation, pulse measurement, or custom serial interfaces.
For easy integration of the boards with Windows® applications, Acromag developed an ActiveX® (OLE) controls software package that functions as drivers for compatibility with Microsoft® Visual C++(TM), and Visual Basic. ActiveX can also link I/O signals to HMI devices to display and record data.
For connectivity with real time application programs, Acromag offers C libraries for VxWorks®, QNX®, and other operating systems. The libraries provide generic routines (source code included) to handle reads, writes, interrupts, and other functions. Demonstration programs enable the developer to quickly exercise the I/O modules before attaching the routines to the application program. This diagnostic tool can save hours of troubleshooting and debugging. Free Linux example programs are also available.
Acromag, a multimillion dollar international corporation, has been manufacturing and developing measurement and control products for more than 45 years. They offer a complete line of embedded I/O products including bus boards, mezzanine modules, wiring accessories, and software.
For more information about Acromag products, call Inside Sales or Marketing Communications at (248) 624-1541, (800) 881-0268, FAX (248) 624-9234, or write Acromag, Inc. at P.O. Box 437, Wixom, MI 48393-7037 USA. Information is also available on the Internet at www.acromag.com.
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