Embedded: Module Blends USB With FPGA

Want to build a custom USB-based interface such as a USB-to-GPIB bridge? Check out the ZestSC1. The 7.5- by 12.5-cm module contains a USB controller, a Xilinx Spartan-3 1000 FPGA, 8 Mbytes of SRAM, and a header with 49 I/O pins. Eight pins also are connected to LEDs. The I/O pins can be configured as single-ended (LVTTL and LVCMOS) and differential (LVDS) interfaces. The header also contains 3.3 V, 5 V, and ground pins. Free Xilinx ISE WebPACK software-development tools round out the package. The FPGA is configured via the USB link. With built-in USB drivers, the ZestSC1 costs $495.