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This thread pretends that availability and yield are just a yes/no issue. Let me assure you that it is not. Our industry is very aggressive (and very successful) in pushing barely-proven technology into volume production. Naturally, the yield at first is not as good as it will be after a while. If it were, we would be accused of not being aggressive enough. I am not aware of any Spartan3-specific problems, but it does not surprise me that availability is not perfect yet. The important thing is that the design works, which it does! Yield has traditionally ALWAYS been improved with a bit of hard work. (I could cite hundreds of examples from my almost four decades in this industry...) Now you have my personal and honest opinion, don't read anything complicated or devious into it. Peter Alfke rickman wrote: > jerry1111 wrote: > > > > >Aye, but to be fair, how long has Cyclone been out now? > > > > But you were able to buy small quantities early... not after > > a year - IMHO. > > I think it is more interesting that this thread has been discussed for a > full day now and no one from Xilinx has commented. Especially when one > poster mentioned rumors of yield issues. I would expect Xilinx to be > jumping all over that if it were just a rumor. > > -- > > Rick "rickman" Collins > > rick.collins@XYarius.com > Ignore the reply address. To email me use the above address with the XY > removed. > > Arius - A Signal Processing Solutions Company > Specializing in DSP and FPGA design URL http://www.arius.com > 4 King Ave 301-682-7772 Voice > Frederick, MD 21701-3110 301-682-7666 FAXArticle: 64201
Leon Heller wrote:
> I have had an email from someone at Xilinx; they will
> be available from distributors in the new year.
More completely: "Open for order entry end December 03.
Orders will then go on allocation."
And that is for pretty big volumes ;-) I guess the PR
people don't like to confuse a good story with
inconvenient information.
Article: 64202Joel Smith <joels@mobyfoo.org> wrote in message news:<1071075419.16811.0@eunomia.uk.clara.net>... > Hello, > > Is it possible for a hobbyist to solder FPGAs with high pin counts to > PCBs? How would I go about doing it? What equipment would I need? > I assume you mean 208 pin and 240 pin QFPs. Use lots of flux and have some solder wick on hand. I don't use a needle tip, the 1/16" tip works just fine. The pins/pads pull solder off the tip and I add solder to the tip (not the pins) as I go along. The trick is to touch one pad at once so as to avoid bridging. With some practice, you'll see which way surface tension wants to pull the solder and how to get the solder to flow onto the pins. The sizzling of the flux helps solder flow and gives you audible feedback.Article: 64203
> > I have had an email from someone at Xilinx; they will be available from > distributors in the new year. > Same to me: Insight Italy says some samples of XC3S200-4TQ144 could be available early next year.Article: 64204
Brad Eckert wrote: > Joel Smith <joels@mobyfoo.org> wrote in message news:<1071075419.16811.0@eunomia.uk.clara.net>... > >>Hello, >> >>Is it possible for a hobbyist to solder FPGAs with high pin counts to >>PCBs? How would I go about doing it? What equipment would I need? >> > > I assume you mean 208 pin and 240 pin QFPs. Use lots of flux and have > some solder wick on hand. I don't use a needle tip, the 1/16" tip > works just fine. The pins/pads pull solder off the tip and I add > solder to the tip (not the pins) as I go along. > > The trick is to touch one pad at once so as to avoid bridging. With > some practice, you'll see which way surface tension wants to pull the > solder and how to get the solder to flow onto the pins. The sizzling > of the flux helps solder flow and gives you audible feedback. I've just treated myself to a used Metcal SSTS soldering station with a selection of new tips. The 'mini hoof' tip I got is designed for drag soldering and works very well on 0.5 mm spacing leads. With care (it takes a bit of practice) there are very few solder bridges and the joints need little or no resoldering. Metcal has some useful application notes on soldering and desoldering techniques for different packages. I'm now looking for an affordable stereo microscope. Leon -- Leon Heller, G1HSM Email: aqzf13@dsl.pipex.com My low-cost Philips LPC210x ARM development system: http://www.geocities.com/leon_heller/lpc2104.htmlArticle: 64205
Amontec Team wrote: > hi all, > > I have to design a VHDL CRC-32 rtl macro cell (100BASE-T framing) for my > tiny MAC design. > > I have to place my macro in a small spartan-3 where each Flip-Flips are > precious. > > Is that possible to place a part of my CRC-32 in a LUT based shift > register (feature of virtex to spartan-3). > > Since CRC-32 = x32 + x26 + x23 + x22 + x16 + x12 + x11 + x10 + x8 + x7 + > x5 + x4 + x2 + x + 1, is that possible to do the job with LUTs based > shift register. > > I know a lut only has 1 output, but is that possible to do partial > shifts, like x31<-x30<-x29<-x28<-x27 in the same LUT ? > Thanks for all > you can make a 1 to 16 bit shift register out of a LUT, so it should be possible, just for fun a I tried to rewrite a crc32 so that instead of the straight forward 32 bit shift register, it was a four shift rgsiters 15,5,3 and 5 bits long in series, ISE5.1 (and virtex2) implements three of them as shiftregisters in a LUTs don't know how much it would do in spartan3 -LasseArticle: 64206
Not sure what you mean -- asking "how long have them been out" makes my point. They're out. You can get them. Now. None of this monkey business about "maybe sometime next year in the first or second quarter. Maybe." My schedules can't revolve around when Xilinx may or may not decide to grant me the privelege of being able to actually acquire some of their parts. "Nial Stewart" <nial@nialstewartdevelopments.co.uk> wrote in message news:3fe2ee7d$0$30928$fa0fcedb@lovejoy.zen.co.uk... > > Patrick MacGregor <patrickmacgregor@comcast.net> wrote in message > news:u6CdnY2YoIl05X-iRVn-uw@comcast.com... > > Hate to say it, but this is why I use Altera. I can get Cyclones -- > today. > > And their free tools support the entire family. > > > Aye, but to be fair, how long has Cyclone been out now? > > > Nial (with no real preference between A or X). > > ------------------------------------------------ > Nial Stewart Developments Ltd > FPGA and High Speed Digital Design > www.nialstewartdevelopments.co.uk > >Article: 64207
Key words here are "some" and "could". Having used FPGAs since they were first introduced, I can safely say that in nearly every case, X or A parts will do the job. Only in very rare instances does one product have a clear, definitive advantage over the other. So when choosing to use one vendor over the other, it usually boils down to personal preference. For the life of me, I cannot understand why anyone on this thread would prefer to be treated the way X is treating them. Do all your projects and products have such open-ended schedules that you can deal with the moving target of availability that X keeps forcing you to accept? If you choose to use parts from X, you shouldn't complain about the way they treat you -- this is hardly the first time they've behaved this way. Caused me to switch allegiance to A and never look back or regret it, and more importantly to never miss a production schedule due to them not having parts many, many months after they advertised that they would be available. "Antonio Pasini" <NOSPAM_pasini.a@tin.it> wrote in message news:OZKEb.16659$wM.1258532@news1.tin.it... > > > > I have had an email from someone at Xilinx; they will be available from > > distributors in the new year. > > > > Same to me: Insight Italy says some samples of XC3S200-4TQ144 could be > available early next year. > > >Article: 64208
Jan Panteltje wrote: (snip) > I have also build that little differential amp from fpga-fun site. > Not all working yet (no time). > I have not looked up the 100BASE-T spec yet, but 3 voltage levels can > be done using 2 banks with 2 different references? > For a 100MHz transformer, remember those 300Ohm to 75 coax VHF > transformers? > Every old TV had one, just a ferrite core with 3 or 4 turns... > But my ethernet card was only 5.80 Euro, (6 $), there is a small > transformer on it. > So for 6 $ you have a transformer. > Dunno how they can make these cards for that price. There should be a DIP package near the RJ45 jack, which is three little ferrite transformers in one package. About like the TV ones, only even smaller. -- glenArticle: 64209
I just found out that ISE 6.1 for Linux does not support the Parallel Cable 4 (both products from Xilinx ! ). Does anybody know of a tools that will allow me to use the Parallel Cable 4 under Linux ? (All I need is JTAG download and verify). Thanks, rudi ======================================================== ASICS.ws ::: Solutions for your ASIC/FPGA needs ::: ..............::: FPGAs * Full Custom ICs * IP Cores ::: FREE IP Cores -> http://www.asics.ws/ <- FREE EDA ToolsArticle: 64210
Patrick MacGregor wrote: > For the life of me, I cannot understand why anyone on this thread > would prefer to be treated the way X is treating them. Do all your > projects and products have such open-ended schedules that you can > deal with the moving target of availability that X keeps forcing you > to accept? Good point, but the Spartan3 is a pretty terrific part for many applications. It's like dating the girl with naturally curly hair - more trouble, but worth it.Article: 64211
Rudolf Usselmann <russelmann@hotmail.com> wrote: : I just found out that ISE 6.1 for Linux does not support : the Parallel Cable 4 (both products from Xilinx ! ). : Does anybody know of a tools that will allow me to use : the Parallel Cable 4 under Linux ? (All I need is JTAG : download and verify). As Download Cable uses a WinDriver driver and WinDriver is also available on Linux, I thought ISE 6.1 for Linux would support Parallel Cable 4 for Linux too. Sad to hear that it is not the case. http://www.xilinx.com/xlnx/xebiz/html/cable_compar_chart.htm also doesn't mention Linux for "ISE 6.1 for Linux" If Xilinx would look at the Linux Parport/ppdev API, it should be easy for them to write a driver in a short time. For now you can have a look at NAXJP (http://www.nahitech.com/nahitafu/naxjp/naxjp-e.html), which supports some devices. Nahitafu's idea to use the bit file for programming seema also to consider. Bye -- Uwe Bonnes bon@elektron.ikp.physik.tu-darmstadt.de Institut fuer Kernphysik Schlossgartenstrasse 9 64289 Darmstadt --------- Tel. 06151 162516 -------- Fax. 06151 164321 ----------Article: 64212
> For the life of me, I cannot understand why anyone on this thread would > prefer to be treated the way X is treating them. Do all your projects and > products have such open-ended schedules that you can deal with the moving > target of availability that X keeps forcing you to accept? To me, X has always delivered. Very good technical support. Good presence here on newsgroup. Good price. Insight Italy never missed a delivery, after a careful planning of orders. That's matters to me. Never tried A, though. Tight schedule ? I'd use Spartan II, as I'm doing now (2003 project, and future update in 2004). I'm very happy with them. What I'm now thinking about is what I'll put on production on 2005. So I feel confident I can consider Spartan 3, also. Announcing parts early actually helps: I can start designing my system NOW. In any case, I wouldn't even try to load the design on actual HW as long as I'm not completely satisfied on simulation results. But I acknowledge I'm perhaps a lucky guy: I have the luxury to plan in advance for upgrades or new designs.Article: 64213
I try to use differential clock pin with component "ibufgds", but ise5.1i reports error:"SpartanIIE doesn't support symbol ibufgds". The online documentation of ise5.1i says "ibufgds" is N/A in SpartanIIE. How can I use differential clock pin of SpartanIIE? Thanks WarineArticle: 64214
> Not sure what you mean -- asking "how long have them been out" makes my > point. They're out. I was making the point that you can hardly compare the availablility of a mature product that's in full production with one that's just being released, which is what this thread's discussion has been about. Why aren't you using 10KXXXs? They were available years ago. > You can get them. Now. You can get SpartanIIs. Now. A better comparison will be to wait and see how Altera handles the relase of CycloneII next year. Nial. ------------------------------------------------ Nial Stewart Developments Ltd FPGA and High Speed Digital Design www.nialstewartdevelopments.co.ukArticle: 64215
>I think it is more interesting that this thread has been discussed for a >full day now and no one from Xilinx has commented. Especially when one >poster mentioned rumors of yield issues. I would expect Xilinx to be >jumping all over that if it were just a rumor. Seems like they have read your message. Anyway, in my eyes they should respond without this little help from you :-) And about availability: someone could get SW model of chip and work with it for a year (till final version of code). Someone needs to put this chip into excessive real-time testing - because there is NO CHANCE to simulate my _whole_ design (where the fpga is the only one component of system) - and this is the reason why I'm in need of _real_ parts. Of course, these 'early' parts can be engineering samples, not from full production (if I got the differences between them). I'm not using zilions of parts? When I start to use such quantities, I'd go to asic world :-) -- JerryArticle: 64216
Let me set the record straight on the Cyclone front. Altera delivered over 50,000 units of each device into customer and distribution partners within the first 1-3 months of each device shipping. Devices transitioned from ES to production in less than two months for each device. Every single device shipped to customers ahead of the schedule we that committed to customers via our announcements, our sales team and www site. We are currently approaching the 1 millionth unit shipped in the family. This in only 12 months from first silicon shipment. For the record, that shipment is < 3 months ahead of first Spartan 3 shipment (at least from public claims) The bottom line is that all five devices in the family are in volume production, available off the shelf to anyone who wants them. Additionally, we have multiple customers taking thousands of units per month. If you need low-cost FPGAs in any volume and regardless of the size of your company, Cyclone is ready to go when you are. Tim Colleran Altera CorporationArticle: 64217
Hi! Is there anyone who have ideas that what sort of DSP or telecom applications we an implement on Vertex II Pro .... thanxsArticle: 64218
"Farhan" wrote: > Is there anyone who have ideas that what sort of DSP or telecom > applications we an implement on Vertex II Pro .... I heard you can do a really nice perpetual motion machine. -- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Martin Euredjian To send private email: 0_0_0_0_@pacbell.net where "0_0_0_0_" = "martineu"Article: 64219
Didn't you mean this OpenCores project? http://www.opencores.org/projects/ethmac/ It is an Ethernet MAC using the MII interface to connect to every PHY you want! I used the core in Altera FPGAs and have had no problems with it. Regards, Marc e-mail: Marc dot Colling at MaCo-Engineering dot de "John Retta" <jretta@rtc-inc.com> wrote in message news:<N2QDb.7879$0s2.2125@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net>... > That is correct. No Phy. My mistake in original email. > > -- > Regards, > John Retta > > email : jretta@rtc-inc.com > web : www.rtc-inc.com > > > "Mike Treseler" <mike.treseler@flukenetworks.com> wrote in message > news:3FDF7EEB.7060509@flukenetworks.com... > > John Retta wrote: > > > You can remove the cost variable from the equation. > > > Check www.opencores.org. They offer open source code > > > for numerous cores, including a MAC PHY > > > > I found the MAC, but the only PHY listed is for USB. > > > > > > -- Mike Treseler > >Article: 64220
What kind of things can I use a hammer on?? A Virtex II Pro is a tool to do a job... the job is determined by what you need it to do. It's stupid to ask what kind of applications it can implement If you need it to perform some particular function then asking whether it's capable of achieving sufficient performance in that function is reasonable. Hence in summary, your question is stupid and unreasonable... "Farhan" <fac_4u@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:dcbf6b2f.0312202304.1c7cc34d@posting.google.com... > Hi! > > Is there anyone who have ideas that what sort of DSP or telecom > applications we an implement on Vertex II Pro .... > > thanxsArticle: 64221
On 20 Dec 2003 23:04:12 -0800, fac_4u@hotmail.com (Farhan) wrote: >Hi! > >Is there anyone who have ideas that what sort of DSP or telecom >applications we an implement on Vertex II Pro .... > >thanxs A *really* nice vending machine. Or traffic light control for a whole city! - BrianArticle: 64222
Apparently you didn't know that Cyclone and Spartan 3 are contemporaries? Both are new products just being released, and squarely aimed at low-cost markets. Both were introduced to the public about the same time, to much fanfare and to ambitious pricing and availability schedules. The key difference is that Altera met or beat their advertised schedules, whereas Xilinx has consistently missed their targets, and their schedules continue to slip. You can buy a promise, or you can buy a part. Again, you make my point by calling Cyclone a "mature product that's in full production". Not bad for a product that is just being released. They've done a pretty good job if you think of new Cyclone parts as "mature" already. Altera is building a good track record regarding what they say and what they actually deliver. Not perfect, as shown by their recent backpeddling on some Stratix termination features, but still very, very respectable. Lastly, I expect I'll be able to get Cyclone 2 in production quantites long before you ever see any Spartan 4's (or whatever they call the succesor to S3), which is what they'll be competing against. Hopefully Cyclone 2 will roll out as smoothly as Cyclone 1's did. The odds favor it. "Nial Stewart" <nial@nialstewartdevelopments.co.uk> wrote in message news:3fe4737c$0$11219$fa0fcedb@lovejoy.zen.co.uk... > > Not sure what you mean -- asking "how long have them been out" makes my > > point. They're out. > > I was making the point that you can hardly compare the > availablility of a mature product that's in full > production with one that's just being released, which > is what this thread's discussion has been about. > > Why aren't you using 10KXXXs? They were available > years ago. > > > You can get them. Now. > > You can get SpartanIIs. Now. > > A better comparison will be to wait and see how Altera > handles the relase of CycloneII next year. > > Nial. > > ------------------------------------------------ > Nial Stewart Developments Ltd > FPGA and High Speed Digital Design > www.nialstewartdevelopments.co.uk > >Article: 64223
Hi, What are your requirements? It's sounds like you are trying to learn about the capabilities of these devices, go look at http://www.xilinx.com/support/education-home.htm as a start. Distribution vendors such as Insight (http://www.insight-electronics.com) have staff trained on Xilinx products to introduce you to the capabilities of the particular device families. Give them a call. Mike "Farhan" <fac_4u@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:dcbf6b2f.0312202304.1c7cc34d@posting.google.com... > Hi! > > Is there anyone who have ideas that what sort of DSP or telecom > applications we an implement on Vertex II Pro .... > > thanxsArticle: 64224
Hi, I measured ground voltage difference between two side of cable, it was very small (<0.1V). However I like to install a low impedance( againt high frequency noises) cable between two racks, but I have not acceptable reasons for this! please guide me on this. regards. "tbx135" <tbx135@msn.com> wrote in message news:<%DtEb.42912$yp5.14836@newssvr31.news.prodigy.com>... > This sounds like a grounding problem, whose LVDS drivers are you using? > > "Masoud Naderi" <naderimisc@yahoo.com> wrote in message > news:2ba3bbea.0312152232.5d87d9d2@posting.google.com... > > Hi, > > Our LVDS Drivers failed when their power supply starts(it has soft > > start feature). On some boards only positive output or input of > > differential side failed (probably because of high current sourcing in > > failure mode). > > I checked power suppply yesterday and found some negative (-2.7v) but > > very narrow (200ns) spikes on power supply rail. I think it is one of > > the problems. LVDS drivers are from TI and spikes below -0.5 damage > > them. I look for more problem, e.g. grounding and ... > > > > here are some shematic of our system: > > > > LVDS+/- <-............3meter twisted-pair cable...............-> > > LVDS+/- > > GND ----------------------------------------------------------> GND > > > > regards > >
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