Product category: Programmable Logic Devices
News Release from: Xilinx | Subject: Xilinx XA Spartan-3E FPGAs
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 11 January 2008
Low-cost FPGAs suit vehicle displays
The logiCraft3 compact multimedia display development platform takes advantage of the low-cost and small footprint of XA Spartan-3E FPGAs and the Xilinx 32bit MicroBlaze soft microprocessor.
Xilinx has released the logiCraft3 compact multimedia display development platform, based on the low-cost family of Xilinx XA Spartan-3E field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) Developed in collaboration with Xylon, this robust platform provides greater flexibility and scalability, enabling module designers to use Xilinx XA programmable devices in a wider array of in-vehicle display systems
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 18 Apr 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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The number of displays used in vehicles today continues to rise dramatically for navigation, centre stacks and rear seat entertainment (RSE) systems.
In addition, the emergence of applications such as hybrid clusters - consisting of analogue gauges, LCD/TFT displays for vehicle diagnostics information and in-vehicle cameras for real-time video applications like back-up monitoring - is further fuelling market growth and increases the need for small form factor, rapid development platforms.
The logiCraft3 compact multimedia display development platform addresses this market requirement with a configurable solution that combines the low-cost and small footprint of XA Spartan-3E FPGAs and the Xilinx 32bit MicroBlaze soft microprocessor with pre-configured graphic and display controller IP modules from the Xylon logicBricks library.
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This platform also supports Altia Graphical User Interface (GUI) tools for faster development of custom display content and user interfaces without the need for custom software.
"The automotive market is an important application focus for Xilinx and today our XA solutions are being designed into a multitude of automotive infotainment systems", said Nick DiFiore, Automotive Systems Architecture and Solutions Manager of the Automotive Division at Xilinx.
"We're building on this track record of success to stimulate the development of new FPGA-based graphics and video control applications".
The combination of our low-cost Spartan-3E programmable platform, Xylon IP modules and Altia tools makes it possible for automotive system developers to improve the efficiency of existing systems and realise a new class of in-vehicle display products with even more features and capabilities.
The logiCraft3 solution for XA Spartan-3E FPGAs provides a small form factor board with a great deal of functionality.
It is the suitable solution for feature-rich single and remote display applications and built to scale for just about any type of display within the confines and restrictions of the automotive environment.
"It can fit behind and drive any TFT display 7in or larger and can even go directly into headrests for in-vehicle demonstration, prototyping and testing", adds Davor Kovacec, CEO at Xylon.
For RSE systems, the logiCraft3 platform provides a completely field-configurable environment that enables developers to quickly deal with changing customer requirements.
It also allows for reduced wiring complexity between the infotainment master board and vehicle headrests with the capability to transport audio, video, user control information and power over a simple four-wire (two twisted pair) high-speed serial link.
With the use of TFT LCD displays in instrument clusters also growing in popularity, the logiCraft3 platform features 2D graphics acceleration and a 60-frame/second display rate for smooth rotation of on-screen gauges.
Vehicle diagnostic data can be brought to the board and displayed using the available CAN interface.
A camera, for applications like parking aid, can also be connected with available video scaling for any display size/resolution.
These capabilities are also useful in the development of multifunction head units with menu systems to display radio, navigation assistance and other infotainment and driver information functions.
The logiCraft3 offering is a derivative of the logiCraft2 platform that is optimised for single and remote display applications.
With the logiCraft3 platform, development and prototype is faster than ever before.
Available software drivers allow Altia GUI development tools to directly generate MicroBlaze 32bit microprocessor code for the display controller.
This completely eliminates the manual software coding usually required for graphics generation, allowing automotive designers to get a custom look and feel with minimal overhead and very quick turn-around.
The Altia-generated code takes full advantage of the available 2D graphics accelerator IP, ensuring that overall system performance is maintained.
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