Geotest has introduced new and higher performance FPGA PXI modules, expanding its line of Altera-based FPGA cards. The PXI GX3700 and the PXI Express GX3700e Flex DIOs use the Altera Stratix III FPGA, which can support SerDes data rates to 1.25GHz/sec and I/O data rates to 700MHz.
Geotest Marvin Test Systems, Irvine (USA)
By offering the same high performance FGPA in either PXI or PXI Express formats, customers with an installed base of PXI chassis are not required to update their existing systems and chassis to take advantage of the higher performance FPGA available with the GX3700e. Both cards offer identical capabilities and include the the key features like on-board 80 MHz oscillator for use as an FPGA timing reference, access to the 10 MHz PXI clock and the 100 MHz PXIe clock (GX3700e only), access to all PXI trigger and local bus signals and 16 MB of on-board flash memory. For applications that require high data throughput, the GX3700e offers the ability to stream data to and from the host controller via the PXI express X4 interface at rates in excess of 800MB/s. The GX3700e can also be used for peer to peer data transfer applications when combined with a compatible PXI multi-computing controller which resides in a PXI Express peripheral slot – providing a high performance data acquisition, generation and analysis subsystem. Both the PXI and PXI express cards utilize a high performance base board/expansion board architecture, which allows users to develop their own custom circuitry within the compact, single-slot, 3U form factor without relying upon bulky, external interface boards. The expansion board interfaces to the base board via a high performance connector interface, allowing users to take advantage of the Stratix III’s high data rates. Both modules are supplied with a generic expansion board which provides the user with access to the FPGA’s I/O via (4) 68 pin SCSI 3 interfaces located at the front panel of the card. Access via the front panel to these signals includes 160 I/O signals, with direction programmable on a per channel basis, up to 64 of the I/O signals can be configured for differential operation and (4) I/O can be configured a 4 singled ended clocks or 2 differential clock inputs . As noted above, customers can create their own custom circuitry or PXI/PXIe instrument by designing a custom expansion board for their specific application. And since the GX3700’s expansion board and associated front panel connections are part of the expansion board’s design, users have the freedom to choose multi-pin or coaxial connections, depending on the application. In addition, various IP (intellectual property) design cores are available both from Altera and third parties, offering designers an easy way to create a wide range of digital and mixed signal interfaces. Some examples of custom applications, including a custom expansion board like multi-channel D to A and A to D source / measure instrumentation, USB and Ethernet channel support using the Stratix III’s built-in SerDes capabilities, high speed serial data stream generation and analysis including bit error rate test, custom digital bus emulation, serial bus emulation : including I2C, SPI, & CAN and video generation. Users can design the FPGA by using Altera’s free Quartus II Web Edition tool set or for more complex designs; they can use Altera’s Quartus II subscription edition software. Once the FPGA design is compiled, the configuration file can be loaded into the FPGA via the PXI bus interface or via an on-board 16MB EEPROM – providing users with an easy way to incrementally design/test/modify their FPGA code. Geotest offers a full set of software tools, including an interactive UI, for the GX3700 and GX3700e to facilitate the loading of the compiled design. Predefined registers are used as well to provide interactive control to the user FPGA — simplifying overall development and deployment of the design and eliminating the need for the user to incorporate the PCI bus interface as part of his or her overall FPGA design. The GX3700 and GX3700e combine the flexibility and performance associated with FPGA based designs with the standardization and open architecture of the PXI platform.
ZUSAMMENFASSUNG
Geotest als weltweiter Hersteller von PXI und PC-basiertem Testequipment, Software und automatische Testlösungen, präsentierte seine FPGA PXI Module mit besserer Performance und bedienerfreundlicher Programmierung. Damit haben sie ihre auf Altera basierten FPGA Karten ausgebaut.
Geotest, fabricant au niveau mondial de Testequipement basés sur PXI et PC, de logiciels et de solutions de test automatiques, a présenté ses modules FPGA-PXI dotés d’une meilleure performance et d’une programmation plus conviviale. Ils ont ainsi étendu leurs cartes FPGA basées sur Altera.
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