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Altera_Forum's avatar
Altera_Forum
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13 years ago

Dev board with Ethernet & a few IO?

In order to allow a new client to prove a concept I'm looking for a basic/ cheap Altera FPGA eval board with ethernet and a few digital IO lines (although the IO lines aren't critical if there's an HSMC connector).

I thought the CycloneIII started board would be ideal but hadn't realised this has no e'net connectivity.

I can't find a basic/ cheap board through the altera site, does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks for any pointers,

Nial.

6 Replies

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    13 years ago

    The BeMicro-SDK $79 has an ethernet interface and GPIO via an expansion header. The board uses low-power DDR, which is not supported directly by Altera's IP core, you have to use a 3rd party block. I have this board, but have had no need to use the ethernet or DDR.

    The Cyclone IV GX Transceiver Starter kit $395 has ethernet and PCIe, but no HSMC it

    http://www.altera.com/products/devkits/altera/kit-cyclone-iv-starter.html

    if you did not need much I/O, the LCD header could be removed.

    The DE2-115 and NEEK from Terasic probably have what you need:

    http://www.terasic.com.tw/cgi-bin/page/archive.pl?language=english&categoryno=13&list=simple

    Cheers,

    Dave
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    13 years ago

    --- Quote Start ---

    The BeMicro-SDK $79 has an ethernet interface and GPIO via an expansion header. The board uses low-power DDR, which is not supported directly by Altera's IP core, you have to use a 3rd party block. I have this board, but have had no need to use the ethernet or DDR.

    Cheers,

    Dave

    --- Quote End ---

    Thansk Dave, I don't need to implement an ethernet stack so this looks

    ideal.

    I owe you a pint!

    Nial.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    13 years ago

    --- Quote Start ---

    I don't need to implement an ethernet stack so this looks

    ideal.

    --- Quote End ---

    Download the USB-Blaster SOPC/Qsys tutorial. It has the BeMicro-SDK pinouts and an example design you can use.

    http://www.alterawiki.com/wiki/using_the_usb-blaster_as_an_sopc/qsys_avalon-mm_master_tutorial

    --- Quote Start ---

    I owe you a pint!

    --- Quote End ---

    I'm at the Embedded Systems Conference in San Jose this week. I'd be more than happy to collect that beer if you are nearby :)

    Cheers,

    Dave
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    13 years ago

    --- Quote Start ---

    Download the USB-Blaster SOPC/Qsys tutorial. It has the BeMicro-SDK pinouts and an example design you can use.

    http://www.alterawiki.com/wiki/using_the_usb-blaster_as_an_sopc/qsys_avalon-mm_master_tutorial

    --- Quote End ---

    I'll have a look if this proceeds, thanks.

    --- Quote Start ---

    I'm at the Embedded Systems Conference in San Jose this week. I'd be more than happy to collect that beer if you are nearby :)

    Cheers,

    Dave

    --- Quote End ---

    Unfortunately I'm ~6K miles away in Edinburgh.

    I'll buy you that pint next time I'm over there, or you're over here!

    Nial.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    13 years ago

    Hi Nial,

    --- Quote Start ---

    Unfortunately I'm ~6K miles away in Edinburgh.

    I'll buy you that pint next time I'm over there, or you're over here!

    --- Quote End ---

    I'll add you to my "world tour of beer's owed" collection trip.

    Cheers,

    Dave