FTDI FPGA Development Kits

FPGA Development Kits

FTDI's FT245BM USB FIFO and FT2232C UART/FIFO devices are the ideal companions for USB enabled FPGA designs. A simple state machine interface inside the FPGA is all that is required for the FPGA to communicate over USB. In many cases, the FPGA can also be programmed over the same USB interface giving ultimate flexibility to the design engineer. In the case of the FT2232C, one of the available channels can be used to program the FPGA and the other can be used to communicate at run-time. This section highlights such FT2232C and FT245BM based FPGA development kits using Altera, Lattice and Xilinx based FPGAs.

DLP Design - DLP-FPGA Xilinx Spartan 3E Development Board

The new DLP-FPGA Module is a low-cost, compact prototyping module that can be used for rapid proof of concept or for educational environments. The module is based on the Xilinx Spartan 3E and Future Technology Devices International’s FT2232D Dual-Channel USB IC. Used by itself or with the optional 200-page training manual, the DLP-FPGA provides both the beginner as well as the experienced engineer with a rapid path to developing FPGA-based designs. When combined with the free WebPACK™ Tools from Xilinx, this module is more than sufficient for creating anything from basic logical functions to a highly complex system controller.

As a bonus feature, one channel of the dual-channel USB interface is used to load user bit files directly to the SPI Flash - no external programmer is required.

To download the DLP-FPGA data sheet, click here.

Celeritous - Xilinx Spartan IIe Based Boards

The Celeritous FPGA Development Board provides a low cost-of-entry hardware platform for learning purposes as well as an advanced low-cost, off-the-shelf module for use in sophisticated product and instrument design. The board is designed to accommodate a user designed daughter card and fit into an optional standard extruded enclosure.

There are no other “hidden” accessories or programmers required to instantly make use of this board. It is powered by and programmed through your computer’s USB port or through a powered USB hub. No separate JTAG or other programmers are required as all JTAG functions, including programming of the FPGA, PROM and even user devices are accessible through the USB port. When programmed, the USB port may also be used as an interface to the programmed FPGA.

The dual channel FT2232C provides separate interfaces between the JTAG programming chain and the FPGA. The FPGA interface may now be implemented as a parallel or serial interface.

Standalone software is provided for programming the device from the PC over the USB port as well as royalty free USB and programming DLLs for inclusion in your software. The latest development software and updates are always available for download directly from Xilinx. Royalty free example code is provided to get you started and exhibit some of the advanced features of the board and devices.

For further details, please visit http://www.celeritous.com.

For purchasing information, please contact sales@celeritous.com.

Kolter Electronics GmbH- Lattice Logic Based Boards

The USB Proto 2 development board from Kolter Electronics GmbH provides an industrial strength development platform for interfacing Lattice Logic Devices to USB. The product description and website are in German though an English translation is planned.

USB-Interface (virtueller COM-Port)
16 TTL Input, 16 TTL Output
ispLSI1032E I/O-Manager
kompatibel zu USB-PROTO-1 Modul
USB self-powered (kein Netzteil nötig)
4 LED-Display-Platine für Status
freier Sockel für eigenes EEPROM 93c46
USB-COM Treiber für Win98/ME/2000/XP
Delphi-Projekt mit und ohne Geräte-DLL
I/O-Test-Anwendung unter Profilab-Expert
VB6 Projekt-Source (kostenpflichtig)
DLL kann für LabView genutzt werden
einfache Programmierung über Windows API

For further details, please visit http://www.pci-card.com/ausblicke.html#usb-proto2.

For purchasing information, please contact IPCKOLTER@aol.com.