A PSoC programmer is included, too,
making this a PSoC development platform
as well as a Xilinx FPGA development
platform. Free development software
from Cypress Semiconductor and the Xilinx
ISE WebPack come with the package.
Overall, the kit provides the basics. Sample
applications are limited, but what do you
expect for $39? Overall, it’s an inexpensive
platform for prototyping.
DLP Design’s $189 DLP-FPGA fits
in the low-cost development group (Fig.
7). When I tested this module, I was
impressed by its functionality (see “Ready
To Rock FPGA Development,” ED Online
18270). It’s based on the Xilinx Spartan 3E
and includes Xilinx’s free tool chain. The
module alone costs about $110.
The DLP-FPGA comes with its own
manual that covers the hardware. There’s
also an introduction to ISE WebPack.
As a result, developers can get started
quickly—but, like the Avnet kit, it doesn’t
offer detailed tutorials or training materials.
Novice FPGA developers will need to
expend some effort in getting up to speed.
On the other hand, more seasoned FPGA
developers will find the platform well-suited
for experimenting as well as deployment,
albeit in small quantities.
ENHANCING THE MODEL
Most free tools in these kits, which nonetheless
are robust, divide into two categories.
The first is FPGA layout and design.
The second, where appropriate, comprises
software development tools for soft-core
processors. You’ll also find a limited number
of tutorials designed to provide a feel
for the hardware and FPGA capabilities.
Developers looking for more advanced
tools may turn to products like National
Instruments’ LabVIEW and the Math-
Works’ Matlab and Simulink. These choices
provide high-level, model-based design
interfaces that target software and FPGAs.
LabVIEW and Simulink also are graphically
oriented. Matlab is more of a textbased
programming environment, though
its output is often graphical. Translation of
these designs into FPGA IP is automatic.
The hard part is getting it into the
FPGA. In general, these tools have been
set up to work with a limited number of
evaluation or demo boards. It’s possible to
link them to almost any platform, including
products being developed, but this often
requires another level of sophistication.
This work is usually completed already for
the software in the kits.
Yet this is the same kind of effort that
will be required to move from this development
environment to a target board
that’s part of a product. So, it’s often useful
to do this exercise on a kit with known
characteristics before hitting the target.
Kits promise a faster start to projects
and a solid prototyping platform. Some
offer deployment capabilities. Choosing
the right one can save time and money.
Need More Information?
Actel • www.actel.com
Altera • www.altera.com
Altium • www.altium.com
ARM • www.arm.com
Avnet • www.avnet.com
DLP Design • www.dlpdesign.com
Lattice Semiconductor • www.latticesemi.com
The MathWorks • www.mathworks.com
National Instruments • www.ni.com
Xilinx • www.xilinx.com