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Altera_Forum's avatar
Altera_Forum
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17 years ago

Embedded web-server in FPGA

I am considering implementing a NIOS based embedded web-server in a Cyclone III DSP dev. kit (taking benefit of the on-board Ethernet port for PC or network connection). Does anybody know if there are some existing solutions for that (IPs, reference designs, kit designs, ...) or does anybody has some recommendations on the simplest way to implement it ?

3 Replies

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    17 years ago

    You can use the Lightweight IP example web server design to get started if you like. We use the InterNiche TCP/IP stack in our designs and we've purchased the accompanying web server from InterNiche. It is very easy to implement but obviously not free.

    A third option you could consider would be an OS like uCLinux.

    Jake
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    17 years ago

    Thanks for all the information. It opens more and more options but it also rises more and more questions.

    I have now 3 options : USB + control software, Ethernet + control software, Ethernet + webserver.

    At the end, I think my product can live with any of these 3 options but further to your comments, I am now a lot in favor of the Ethernet options.

    The main issue for me is now to identify THE solution which will be the fastest and easiest to develop (at a reasonible cost but not necessarly no cost).

    The ideal situation would be if I can find a comprehensive package including low-level staff (drivers, stacks, etc...) on both PC and FPGA sides as well as some templates of web server or control applications which I could simply adapt/enrich to make my own.

    In other words, since I am more an FPGA developper than a software developper, I would highly prefer to start from a working ensemble and modify it rather than trying to build or assemble a new one (unless it is quite straight forward without unknowns).

    Thanks to all your tips, I have now identified the following potential solutions :

    - USB approach

    http://www.slscorp.com/pages/ipusb20sls.php

    - Ethernet approach

    http://www.altera.com/support/examples/nios2/exm-micro_tutorial.html

    http://www.iniche.com/nios.php

    http://www.sics.se/~adam/uip/index.php/main_page

    http://www.micrium.com/products/tcp-ip/tcp-ip_download.html

    For those having experience in some of these and knowing now my target (find a ready-to-use/modify or straight forward and simple comprehensive solution), which one of the above options would you recommend ?

    Note : this message was also posted in "PC software for FPGA control through USB port" since it overlaps both Threads.