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Altera_Forum's avatar
Altera_Forum
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17 years ago

Evaluation Kit I/O Interfacing

Hi all, I'm new to the forum. :)

I'm thinking of getting a Nios II Embedded Evaluation Kit, Cyclone III Edition to start some FPGA projects, and was just wondering if it is easy to access I/O pins for off-board interfacing, or if I need a daughter card like this one (http://www.terasic.com.tw/cgi-bin/page/archive.pl?language=english&categoryno=39&no=218) to do it easily? All I can see in documentation is the HSMC socket, so I'm guessing I do need some sort of daughter board.

Are there many different interfacing solutions out there for the kit?

Thanks for any help!

3 Replies

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor
    17 years ago

    You are correct. You will need an HSMC breakout board. I actually have this one:

    http://www.slscorp.com/pages/hsmc_e-gasket.php

    In addition, Since you are buying the NEEK and not the Cyclone III starter kit, note that you will have to remove that mezzanine card from the NEEK before you can attach any of these breakout boards. So don't plan on using any of the peripherals provided on the mezzanine card at the same time as your breakout card.

    Jake
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor
    17 years ago

    --- Quote Start ---

    You are correct. You will need an HSMC breakout board. I actually have this one:

    http://www.slscorp.com/pages/hsmc_e-gasket.php

    --- Quote End ---

    Interesting. What are those ICs on that breakout board? Do they provide some sort of protection/isolation or level translation or pull-ups or something?

    Which board are you using with your card? Do you have a NEEK or the Cyclone III FPGA Starter Kit? I'm still deciding on exactly which kit to get, but I guess the NEEK is better because of the Nios software it comes with.

    --- Quote Start ---

    In addition, Since you are buying the NEEK and not the Cyclone III starter kit, note that you will have to remove that mezzanine card from the NEEK before you can attach any of these breakout boards. So don't plan on using any of the peripherals provided on the mezzanine card at the same time as your breakout card.

    --- Quote End ---

    Yeah, I figured that that would be the case. A little disappointing, but it'll have to do. :)
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor
    17 years ago

    The IC's are TI SN74CBTD3861 FET switches (buffers).

    I actually have both the starter kit and the NEEK. However, some time ago a small accident occurred at home and my starter kit has gone to development board heaven.

    If you've got the money, go for the NEEK.

    Jake