[dorkbotpdx-blabber] Xilinx

[Greg Grunest]

Thank to Jared and Dan!!

 

That's exactly what I was looking for.  The company looks great and the DIP
packaged module looks like the right macrocell count and definitely the
right price.

 

 

 

  _____  

From: dorkbotpdx-blabber-bounces at dorkbot.org
[mailto:dorkbotpdx-blabber-bounces at dorkbot.org] On Behalf Of Jared Boone
Sent: Wednesday, December 17, 2008 8:17 PM
To: A discussion list for dorkbot-pdx (portland, or)
Subject: Re: [dorkbotpdx-blabber] Xilinx

 

I speak FPGA. I implemented a basic PCI card a couple of years ago using a
Xilinx Spartan II. I'd recommend this company for inexpensive development
boards and cables.

 

            http://www.digilentinc.com/

 

You can get a 500,000 gate board and cable for far less than $100 these
days. That just blows my mind...

 

As far as software, Xilinx provides a basic "WebPACK" that runs in Windows
(and last I checked, Linux, too). The software is free, but limited to chips
below a certain gate count. The gate count limit is quite high by hobbyist
standards -- somewhere in the million-gate range, I think.

 

Of course, considering your pin-count criteria and desire for a DIP package,
I don't think Xilinx will work for you. Even their CPLDs (low gate-count
parts) are all surface mount these days. Perhaps this is close enough?

 

            http://www.digilentinc.com/Products/Detail.cfm?NavTop=2
<http://www.digilentinc.com/Products/Detail.cfm?NavTop=2&NavSub=419&Prod=CMO
D> &NavSub=419&Prod=CMOD

 

            - Jared

 

On Dec 17, 2008, at 7:50 PM, Greg Grunest wrote:





Is anyone on the list working with Xilinx PLD/FPGA devices or any other
brand or type of field programmable logic devices?

 

Last time I used one was almost 20 years ago and required an expensive
programmer ($2500) and software.  It looks like they are all JTAG now and a
version of the dev software is available for free.   Also, last time I used
them, they had small devices (sub 24 macrocells) which I am unable to find
now.  Everything I could find on their website is massive with 50,000 gates
minimum up to 570,000 gates and multiple power PC cores in them.  Am I
missing something?

 

I'm totally open to devices other than Xilinx and any suggestions would be
appreciated.

 

I'm looking for:

            A small-ish programmable logic device (approx 2000 gates or 20 -
40 macrocells)

In a 32 pin or less package (preferably dip)

With free or cheap development tools (that don't suck!)

That programming devices are easily obtainable

The chips themselves are cheap and easy to obtain (don't need no $500 Hughes
"sea of gates")

In circuit programming would be awesome

A device family with a wide range of devices which use all the same
programming tools and software

Oh yeah, and A Pony! - (Thanks Mykle!)

 

- greg

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