FPGA Modules Make It Easier To Include FPGAs In Your Next Design

FPGAs aren’t that difficult to incorporate into embedded designs. But unlike some microcontrollers, they often lack features like built-in clocks and brownout detection. Also, some designs require offchip memory. One alternative is to employ an FPGA module that includes this additional circuitry.

Opal Kelly’s XEM3050 FPGA module contains a Xilinx Spartan-3 FPGA (see the figure). It also features a 1-Mbyte serial flash chip, a pair of independent 32-kbyte SDRAM chips, and a 2-Mbyte PROM. An 8-bit USB microcontroller provides programming and debug support. All it needs is a dc power source.

Also in the mix are inexpensive platforms such as DLP Design’s DLP-FPGA (see “Ready To Rock FPGA Development” at www.electronicdesign.com, ED Online 18270). The DLP-FPGA uses a Xilinx Spartan-3E along with an FTDI FT2232D USB interface.

DLP DESIGN • www.dlpdesign.com
OPAL KELLY • www.opalkelly.com