- December 18, 2006
- Acromag
Acromag’s new Industry Pack I/O modules provide a user-configurable FPGA for high-performance processing of custom logic routines and a digital I/O interface supporting a variety of signal types.December 18, 2006 - Wixom, MI: Acromag's IP-EP200 series Industry Pack I/O modules interface digital I/O signals to a user-configurable Altera Cyclone II FPGA. The IP-EP200 is the first Industry Pack (IP) module to implement the Cyclone II device, the highest-performing low-cost FPGA on the market, for use in processing user-defined algorithms and custom logic routines. And with JTAG access to the SignalTap II embedded logic analyzer, engineers can easily monitor internal device operation. Several models are available to accommodate RS-485 differential, TTL, or LVDS digital I/O signals with prices starting at $1000. Extended temperature (-40 to 85°C) models are also available.All units feature Altera’s Cyclone II EP2C20 FPGA device with 20K logic elements 240Kb RAM, and 26 (18 x 18) embedded multipliers. One IP-EP200 model provides 48 bi-directional TTL I/O lines, another offers 24 differential RS485 I/O lines, and a third has 24 LVDS I/O lines. The “combo” model pairs 24 TTL with 12 RS485 I/O lines on a single IP module.The IP-EP200 allows users to develop and store their own instruction set in the FPGA for adaptive computing applications. Typical uses include specialized communication systems over RS422/485 networks, test fixture simulation of signals over TTL-switched lines, and analysis of acquired data using specialized mathematical formulas such as those developed with MathWorks’s MatLab software. User application programs are downloaded through the JTAG port or via the IP bus directly into the FPGA.A long list of features add flexibility and processing capability. To meet memory demands, 64K x 16 local static RAM is provided under FPGA control. An LVTTL external clock is also connected directly to the FPGA. The programmable PLL-based clock synthesizer generates frequencies from 250kHz to 100MHz. Support for both an 8MHz and a 32MHz IP bus is also standard.Acromag’s Engineering Design Kit provides utilities to help users develop custom programs, load VHDL into the FPGA and to establish DMA transfers between the FPGA and the CPU. The kit includes a compiled FPGA file and example VHDL code provided as selectable blocks with examples for the local bus interface, read/writes, and change-of-state interrupts to the IP bus.For easy integration of the boards with embedded Windows applications, Acromag developed a DLL driver software package for compatibility with Microsoft Visual C++, and Visual Basic. Sample files with “C” source demonstration programs provide easy-to-use tools to test operation of the module.For connectivity with real time application programs, Acromag offers C libraries for VxWorks, QNX, and other operating systems. The libraries provide generic routines (source code included) to handle reads, writes, interrupts, and other functions. Demonstration programs enable the developer to quickly exercise the I/O modules before attaching the routines to the application program. This diagnostic tool can save hours of troubleshooting and debugging. Free Linux example programs are also available.Acromag has been developing and manufacturing measurement and control products for more than 45 years. They are an international corporation with a world headquarters near Detroit, Michigan and a global network of sales representatives and distributors. Acromag offers a complete line of embedded I/O products including bus boards, mezzanine modules, wiring accessories, and software. Industries served include military, aerospace, manufacturing, transportation, utilities, and scientific research laboratories.
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