FPGA development eliminates processor obsolescence

Designers can use the new embedded kit to develop low-cost, Linux-based embedded systems driven by a Spartan-3A XCS3D1800A FPGA.

The latest low-cost embedded systems development kit from Xilinx delivers the flexibility of the industry-leading MicroBlaze embedded processor with Linux OS support and the processing performance of the Spartan-3A DSP FPGA family.

Embedded design teams working on Ethernet networking and Linux applications can eliminate the risk of processor obsolescence and reduce overall system cost by using the new kit to quickly architect the complete processing system on a low-cost FPGA and to develop software applications.

The kit provides design teams with a low-cost Spartan-3A DSP FPGA development board and a complete set of hardware and development tools, including the award winning Platform Studio embedded design tool suite which includes an Eclipse-based software development kit (SDK) and ISE WebPack design tools.

The kit also includes JTAG download and debug cables, serial and Ethernet cables as well as power supplies so design teams can be up and running quickly out of the box.

Reference designs supporting MicroBlaze processor, Ethernet, LynuxWorks BlueCat Linux image with TCP/IP networking stack and webserver applications are also included to help increase productivity.

Designers can use the new embedded kit to develop low-cost, Linux-based embedded systems driven by a Spartan-3A XCS3D1800A FPGA, which can deliver over 20GMAC/s (20 billion multiply accumulate operations per second) for under US $30 in a small-footprint package.

The kit supports advanced designs requiring 128Mbyte DDR2 SDRAM, 16Mbyte parallel Flash as well as 8Mbyte SPI Flash.

10/100/1000 Ethernet, RS232 serial and VGA interfaces are also supported.

Using the optional memory management unit now available with the MicroBlaze processor enables designers to take full advantage of virtual memory and memory protection features to ease the development of software applications.

According to Dean Westman, Vice President of Marketing for the Processor Solutions Group at Xilinx: "The new development kit is the best way for designers to get started quickly on designs where low systems costs are driven by the robust combination of the MicroBlaze embedded processor, Linux OS, and Spartan FPGA family".

"Embedded Linux development using the MicroBlaze processor and Spartan FPGAs is an excellent way for design teams to reduce overall system and component costs through integration, while having the ability to create custom designs that meet specific application requirements".

The MicroBlaze Processor Development Kit - Spartan-3A DSP 1800A FPGA Edition (DO-SD1800A-EDK-DK-UNI-G) is immediately available for an introductory price of US $395.

The regular price will be $595.

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