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Product of the Month

New Industry Pack I/O module has a reconfigurable FPGA for customized data processing of TTL or differential I/O signals

This mezzanine module allows users to download their own instruction sets into the Altera® EP1K100 FPGA via a JTAG port for specialized signal processing of TTL-level or RS485 differential I/O data.

Acromag’s new IP-1K125 series provides a reconfigurable FPGA on an Industry Pack (IP) mezzanine module. The IP modules allow users to install their own signal processing algorithms and instruction sets in the FPGA for custom computing applications. Processing the data on dedicated hardware is much faster than using a separate DSP card or a CPU. Up to five IP modules can be installed on an Acromag IP carrier board requiring only a single card slot in a VME, CompactPCI, or PCI platform computer. Typical uses include specialized communication systems, hardware simulation, in-circuit diagnostics, and data analysis using custom mathematical formulas such as those developed with MathWorks’s MatLab® software. IP-1K125 modules sell for $850 each plus a one-time required purchase of the $300 Engineering Design Kit software.

Visit www.acromag.com for more information or call 248-624-1541.To request product literature or our NEW Fall 2003 catalog, click here.

Application Spotlight
One of Acromag's newest Industry Pack products, the IP-1K125-FPGA, Altera 10K FPGA with various digital I/O configurations was recently purchased, even prior to being officially released. The Raytheon Company, Missile Systems Division Tucson,AZ utilizes Industry Pack Modules in several of their custom test stand units for simulating, validating and varifying the performance of speciific missiles.

Vic Myers Associates (Phoenix) is the prime sales representative for Raytheon MSD.

The IP-1K125, with its JTAG interface, allows the user to develop and configure their own insruction set of parameters within the on-board FPGA. This allows for the development of unique simulation modules that can be integrated and used for specific missile test studies. The IP's digital I/O allows for test control and interfacing to various external devices.

The initial feedback from the user has been that the Acromag FPGA is far superior in performance,documentation, and software support than the pre-existing , less capable IP-FPGA modules PREVIOUSLY used. Acromag will become the specified vendor for future purchases.

Missile Systems is headquartered in Tucson,AZ, with production facilities both here and in other US locations (AZ, KY, NM, and CA). Raytheon designs,develops and produces missile systems for critical requirements, including air-to-air, strike, surface Navy air defense, land combat missiles, guided projectiles, exoatmospheric kill vehicles, and directed energy weapons.

Several of the most critical missile systems used by US Armed Forces and our allies are provided by Raytheon: AMRAM, AIM-9, Javelin, Excalibur, TOW, Stinger, SEA RAM, PHALANX, Standard Missile, Tomahawk, Paveway.Maverick, HARM, ERGM, ESSM, EKV, ACM, and JSOW.

IP Modules engineered and manufactured by Acromag continue to fulfill an important role in supporting the defense of the USA.

Ask the I/O Experts
Question: What do I need to implement the IP-1K125 FPGA Industry Pack Module?

Answer: To program the IP-1K125 module, you will need Acromag’s Engineering Design Kit (IP-1K125-EDK). And for easier integration with your operating system, we also recommend our OS software support packages for VxWorks, QNX, and Windows.

The Engineering Design Kit includes schematics for the boards, example VHDL code, and example software for downloading the Hex code (converted from VHDL code) to the FPGA on the IP-1K125 module. It does not contain the VHDL design software. The most commonly used design tool used for this purpose is the MAX+PLUS II BASELINE software, which is downloadable at no cost from Altera. This free software includes a VHDL compiler, timing analysis tools, and more. The LeonardoSpectrum™-Altera® synthesis tool is also available for download. Another option is to purchase the full MAX+PLUS II software package. Contact Altera for guidance on which package would be appropriate for your use.

The IP-1K125 module uses Altera's model EP1K100 FPGA which is part of their ACEX family of FPGAs. More information on this component can be found at http://www.altera.com/literature/ds/acex.pdf

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Acromag, Inc.
30765 S. Wixom Rd.
P.O. Box 437
Wixom, Michigan 48393-7037
Phone: 248-624-1541
Fax: 248-624-9234
e-mail: solutions@acromag.com
www.acromag.com