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Memec Simplifies Programmable Systems Design With New Mini-Modules

Posted on: Wednesday, 18 May 2005, 09:00 CDT

What if it became easier for designers to integrate their favorite FPGA onto their circuit board? In fact, what if the job has already been done for them?

Memec, a leading global semiconductor distributor specializing in demand creation, today introduced a new concept in programmable systems design. The company's Spartan(TM)-3 and Virtex(TM)-4 FX12 Mini-Modules are a complete system on a module, packing all the necessary functions needed for embedded processor systems onto a thumb-size footprint. Memec is the first to provide users with a small, cost-effective way to simplify the job of adding an FPGA-based embedded computer to a system.

Each Memec Mini-Module is a pin-compatible daughterboard containing a Xilinx(R) Virtex-4 or Spartan-3 FPGA, associated peripherals and configuration hardware that plugs onto a development board or end-user system board. Designed for use by embedded system engineers, FPGA designers and board designers, the daughterboard can be unplugged from the development board and dropped into a prototype or early-production system.

"Making it easy and intuitive for designers to develop and deploy embedded systems is an ongoing crusade for Xilinx embedded solutions," said Tim Erjavec, senior manager of Embedded Processing and Connectivity Marketing for Xilinx. "To further this effort, Memec's Mini-Module Kits have packaged everything necessary, enabling engineers to easily and quickly build exactly what they need, their way."

"Today's embedded processor designs are increasingly expensive and complex," said Jim Beneke, director of technical marketing for Memec. "To help designers hit the ground running, Memec created the economical Mini-Module, which packages a complete embedded processor system onto a tiny footprint only slightly bigger than a stick of chewing gum. The Mini Development kit helps jumpstart design efforts, while standalone modules can be easily integrated into custom applications."

The Virtex-4 FX12 Mini-Module is offered as a development kit, with companion baseboard, power supply, software and reference designs. Based on the Xilinx Virtex-4 FX12 FPGA, the Mini-Module includes DDR, Flash and configuration memory, 10/100/1000 Ethernet PHY, system clock and up to 76 user I/O. Off-the-shelf and fully configurable, the Virtex-4 FX12 Mini-Module is a high-performance embedded processor system capable of supporting PowerPC(TM) and real-time operating systems.

The Spartan-3 Mini-Module is based on the Xilinx Spartan-3 XC3S400 FPGA and includes SRAM, Flash and configuration memory, 10/100 Ethernet MAC/PHY, system clock and up to 76 user I/O. In both kits, the module plugs into the baseboard via headers and can be removed for use in proprietary systems, if desired. The baseboard provides the necessary power, user switches, LEDs, LCD panel, RS232 and USB ports, and a user I/O header. A low-cost, fully configurable embedded processor system, the Spartan-3 Mini-Module is capable of supporting MicroBlaze(TM) and real-time operating systems.

The Spartan-3 and Virtex-4 FX12 Mini-Modules are available from Memec starting at $195 and $250, respectively. Customers can order the development kits by calling 888-488-4133 or visit the following product Web pages: www.memec.com/v4mini-module or www.memec.com/spartan3mini-module.

About Memec

Memec is a global semiconductor distributor specializing in demand creation and servicing the electronics industry with 2,400 employees, including 1,800 field application engineers, technical sales specialists, technical marketing professionals, and account representatives around the world. The company provides original equipment manufacturers with engineering expertise and a portfolio of semiconductor devices, and helps design customized, differentiated products. For more information, visit www.memec.com.

Source: Business Wire

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