Tarfessock1 - Xilinx Spartan-3E Cardbus Solution

Price

TF1-250E-1200E (Device1 - XC3S250E, Device2 - XC3S1200E) GBP Ł150 (Student Price GBP Ł90).

TF1-250E-1600E (Device1 - XC3S250E, Device2 - XC3S1600E) GBP Ł170 (Student Price GBP Ł110).

Volume discounts available for purchases 5+.

Availability

We are now testing the new version and have no supply difficulties on parts now. We are expecting to ship these to customers early to mid January 2008.

FPGAs

Tarfessock1 has two Spartan-3E FPGAs.

Device1 is a Xilinx Spartan-3E XC3S250E-4FTG256C FPGA and contains the Cardbus, Programming, A/D, DAC, Charge Pump and serial interfaces and is generally not intended as a customer development device. However customers may use Device1 as a development target if they so wish.

Device2 is a Xilinx Spartan-3E XC3S1200E-4FGG400C FPGA and is the main development device for customers. It is also possible for us to fit a XC3S1600-4FGG400C as an alternative part.

Cardbus Interface

Device 1 supports this interface. It is our intention to supply Tarfessock1 with a Target only function pre-programmed in FPGA Device1.

RAM Memory

Device2 has 512Mbit, X16 , DDR2 RAM connected to it.

Flash Memory

Device1 has a TBD Mbit SPI Flash memory connected that is used for Device1 configuration. This device can also be used for MicroBlaze^TM code storage or as a programming source for Device2. This device is also used to store Device2 configuration setup allowing configuration of this FPGA to come from a number of sources including remote or local hard disks in the host computer.

Device2 also has a TBD Mbit SPI Flash memory connected. This can be used for configuration of Device2 or as a code storage etc.

RS232 Serial Interface

Device1 supports a RS232 serial interface that can be used to support external target microprocessor development or as an alternative connection to a PC.

Internal Serial Interface

Device1 has wired connections to Device2 to support a serial interface (TTL levels) for MicroBlaze^TM development in Device2.

RS485 Serial Interface

A 4ch RS485 interface is supported by Device1. Each channel is half duplex with individual direction control.

A/D

A 8ch, 200 KHz , A/D is support be Device1. Device2 or hosting Laptop/PC can read measured values from Device1.

D/A

A 4ch DAC is supported by Device1. Output values can be set by host Laptop/PC or Device2.

Programming Interface (O/P)

Device1 supports a combined Parallel Port + Cable III type interface to allow programming of an external FPGA target. This function can also be redirected to act as a programmer of Device2 offering a seemless connection to Xilinx^TM Impact^TM and Chipscope^TM tools. The external JTAG interface will be capable of running at 3.3V, 2.5V and 1.8V programming levels. It will also be 5V tolerant and we expect capable of handling 5V JTAG chains (only 3.3V drive on signal levels).

General I/O + Expansion

Tarfessock1 has one 120 way edge connector for outside world connection. This connector contains all programming and serial interfaces listed above that connect to the outside world. In this connector there are also approximately 70 5V tolerant general I/O. A switched 3.3V, 0.5A output is available to power external logic on the connector. The connector also supports presence detection and identification (SPI) of externally connected boards. The identification interface has permanent power available (3.3V, 100 mA) to allow identification before powering up main parts of external logic using the switched 3.3V output.

Programming Interface (I/P)

I/P JTAG programming of Device1 and Device2 is supported by external programming cables. Programming of the SPI Flash for Device1 can also be supported using these cables.

Custom breakout boards, builds and derivative products of Tarfessock1 will be supported. Please contact our boardsales team with any enquiries.