Forum Discussion
Gigabit Ethernet on Cyclone IV / Cyclone V boards
I'm looking for an inexpensive Cyclone IV or Cyclone V board that has (non-DDR) SDRAM and (FPGA-connected) Gigabit Ethernet. Unforunately, 'inexpensive' means less than the $555 for a Terasic DE2-115.
Several other boards come close : the Terasic DE0-Nano and DE0-CV (SDRAM, no Ethernet); the BeMicro CV A9 (1G Ethernet but DDR3 SDRAM); the ORSoC OpenRISC Cyclone IV board (nearly ideal, but has been out-of-stock for years, I think). I've also ruled out boards such as the Terasic DE0-Nano-SoC and DE1-SoC which have 1G Ethernet connected to the HPS, not FPGA, of Cyclone V 'SE' parts. Can anyone suggest any alternatives that I've missed ? Failing that, I've seen this 1G Ethernet add-on board which provides an RGMII interface to a Micrel PHY and RJ-45 : www.enterpoint.co.uk/products/modules/gigabit-ethernet-phy (http://www.enterpoint.co.uk/products/modules/gigabit-ethernet-phy) In theory, I believe this could be connected to the 2x20 pin I/O headers on (say) a DE0-Nano, emulating the RGMII connections found on both the DE2-115 and the Altera Cyclone III Development board. What I don't know is what kind of physical connection would be required, given that RGMII is essentially a pair of 4-way 125 MHz DDR signals, and the 2x20 pin headers on the add-on board are not pin compatible with the DE0 headers ? For instance, I'm assuming that some IDC connectors and twisted ribbon cable might not work too well ? What would I need to reasonably expect decent signal integrity ?22 Replies
- Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor
Check for terasic cyclone v GX board. $149.
- Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor
I tryed to buy it from italy but there was no way
Also contacting arrow Europe price is same that from usa+vat+USA You can combine shipping with friends and buy multiple items but there is save only from shipping. Also with +40$ shipping +vat is a good deal, it offer a lot of logic resource. Pay attention if there are free shipping offers in arrive... Pay attention also to heat, there are no holes to mount an heatsink and cyc v are very power hungry (static power 3x higher than cyc iv) - Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor
Today there is free shipping for BEMICROCVA9
- Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor
--- Quote Start --- Today there is free shipping for BEMICROCVA9 --- Quote End --- Indeed there is - thank you very much for that heads-up. How did you find out, or did you just notice by chance ? Anyway, since free shipping seems to be a reasonable deal, I've finally ordered it. I'm a little uncertain that I'll have time to do much with it right now, but it'll be there for when things are hopefully (much) quieter in a month or two. - Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor
In this period there are free shipping promotions in all web-stores so today I tried to simulate a purchase and noticed that shipping is free, why not give this news to forum? I think that there are a lot of people blocked by shipping costs.. :)
- Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor
I think free shipping is until 31 August so I also have bought just one BEMICROCVA9
@ajm: remember to mount an heatsink as soon as possible, I bought a ATS-54230W-C1-R0 with board to stay on the safe way - Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor
If you don’t mind controlling the Ethernet via FPGA, I think Terasic’s DE0-Nano-Soc will be a good fit for you. I have no problem accessing the Ethernet from the FPGA side. Plus, it's really very cost-effecitve for a student like me.
- Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor
Hi,
Can you give me some more details regarding configuring the Ethernet from the FPGA fabric on a DE1-SoC board. I am trying to access the Ethernet port from NIOS II processor. Thanks. - Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor
NIOS II = Hard way
- Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor
Hi,
Are there any documents related to this on Altera or Terasic websites? I have no clue how to go about doing this. Your help is appreciated. Thanks.