Reconfigurable FPGA I/O modules

Reconfigurable FPGA I/O modules are I/O modules with generic on-module FPGA technology designed to execute custom-designed FPGA code to achieve a specific algorithmic and/or I/O functionality.

Reconfigurable FPGA I/O modules are a way to implement functionality which otherwise isn't covered by commercially available I/O modules. They also allow the implementation of even very special proprietary functionality. Furthermore, FPGA-based implementations can run at much higher 'speeds' than software-based designs which makes it possible to co-execute very fast subsystems on the reconfigurable FPGA I/O module together with the upper level 'slower' dynamics on a software-based system (CPU). The reconfigurable FPGA I/O module is therefore a real alternative to other 'fast' DSP or Microcontroller based subsystems.

An excellent use case for reconfigurable FPGA I/O modules is the provision of generic and more special pulse train capture and generation functionality for motion control and other applications requiring these types of I/O functionality. Speedgoat uses reconfigurable FPGA I/O modules as the basis of their pulse train I/O modules, the IO30x family. The use of reconfigurable FPGA technology not only allows the implementation of standard pulse train functionality like flexible PWM generation but also makes it possible to alter the FPGA code for specific needs or to design a new functionality from a blank sheet.

For the IO30x I/O module family Speedgoat has already developed a range of FPGA code modules (CAP, PWM, DIO) for standard pulse train applications and more will certainly follow in the future. Speedgoat concentrates on reconfigurable I/O modules equipped with FPGAs from Xilinx (Virtex-II and higher) using the ISE and ModelSim software tools to design, test, and implement the FPGA code.

Speedgoat offers as a service to our customers the design of FPGA code modules for a broad range of reconfigurable FPGA I/O modules. An example would be the use of an IO30x I/O module but with FPGA code specifically developed according to your needs.

The majority of reconfigurable FPGA I/O modules provide digital I/O lines as the interface to the outside world (like the IO30x family). But Speedgoat also covers reconfigurable FPGA I/O modules with analog frontends providing very fast A/D and D/A I/O together with digital I/O to form say a high speed inner current control loop for a motion control application.

And if you feel yourself comfortable designing your own FPGA code modules we can provide you with a range of reconfigurable FPGA I/O modules and various types of frontends. With the help of our xPC Target driver blockset to download FPGA code onto the I/O module and the various example and template FPGA code designs you can then design and implement the functionality on your own and according to your specific requirements.

Please contact Speedgoat if you would like to discuss your application of which you think the use of a reconfigurable FPGA I/O module could be a promising approach.

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