Honored ContributorCan anyone help?If there is a way to mount FPGA's without complicated soldering process with IR heating?
Can I mount FPGA on a Prototyping Area? I have no expericnce in this stuff. What is PLCC package? Thanks In Advance.
Honored ContributorFPGA's are complicated devices. You're better off purchasing a starter board that has a working layout and design with some prototyping pins than trying to work out something yourself.
As for plcc (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/plastic_leaded_chip_carrier), I think any search engine would come up with something in the top 10 searches.Honored Contributorfor modern FPGA anwer is no. Now smallest fpga (and cpld too) in the best case are packed into TQFP with step 0.5-0.8mm that's hard to hand soldering without solid expirience. In the past were some attempts to use socketing for a FPGA, for example PLCC, but it was many years ago.
Honored ContributorThanx for answers cms and bpadalino. Should I use prototybe board and FPGA packaged in sockets with thru-hole technology pins? Can I put FPGA in Package with pins and then put it in prototype board?
Honored ContributorIf you are intent on using a prototype board (I assume you mean something like a breadboard or perfboard?), you have a few options. PLCC sockets with through-hole leads can be found, and this is certainly a viable option...especially if you are not experienced in soldering fine-pitch parts, as they are easy to damage! If you are confident in soldering, but simply want the part broken out to a larger pitch, try this company: http://www.schmartboard.com/ I have never used their products, but they appear to make what you would need if you wanted to break out, say, a TQFP package.
But really, as has already been suggested, look for a good dev kit...A basic one will not be expensive, most include some peripherals, and some even have a small prototyping area attached. Many also bring out a large proportion of the device pins to standard 0.100" pin headers. And, if you want something more custom than a standard dev board, it is not that expensive to fab a custom PCB. 2-4 layer boards can be made for less than $100, and some companies even have free layout tools. (I have worked with ExpressPCB http://www.expresspcb.com and Advanced Circuits http://4pcb.com/ and I am sure there are others....I personally prefer advanced circuits, although beware that you should design above their advertised minimum clearances....) Good luck and have fun!Honored ContributorThanx semifnordic.That looks optimistic.Will try to do in this way.
Honored ContributorI prefer to choose an appropriate way of mounting a FPGA based on the target application (if there is any). If the purpose is evaluation of FPGA in general, using an existing Dev Kit is probably the best solution. If you have an application, it sets constraints of size, power, costs and also the requirements as pin count and amount of LE. If ever possible, I would design a prototype that has a form factor near to the final application board. In an early design stage, a submodule of the target application can be extracted for evaluation.
If you are using a PCB technology, that is incompatible with fine pitch SMD devices, an adaptor board with pin headers either an existing or self-designed one may be a solution.
