Compact FPGA Board?

Hi, I have just began working with FPGA devices and have been trying
to apply them in real-world situations.  For my first project I need a
very small, relatively inexpensive "bare-bones" type FPGA board.  But
I have been having difficulty finding one.  I just need one with the
following features (please tell me if I'm missing anything vital):

-FPGA device with at least 15,000 usable gates (more would be
preferable).  I only need a small number of user IOs, so that
shouldn't be an issue at all.  The device doesn't need to be very fast
either, as it will be running only at around 4 MHz.
-clock with only around 4 MHz frequency range... higher isn't a
problem however.
-in-circuit reprogrammable non-volatile memory device for storing the
FPGA's configuration data.
-The most important thing is that it all fits within a 40 mm x 30 mm x
10 mm volume or less.

More features than this obviously isn't a problem, provided it doesn't
make the board larger than the specified volume.  Do boards like this
exist for purchase, or will I have to build it myself?  I am
inexperienced in the area of designing PCBs so I would prefer to buy
it already made.  Is it even possible to build this device in such a
small volume?  Thanks for your help.


Sincerely,
Darien A. Gothia

"Daragoth" <daragoth@kuririnmail.com> wrote in message
news:317379a8.0406302118.32829ee1@posting.google.com...
> Hi, I have just began working with FPGA devices and have been trying
> to apply them in real-world situations.  For my first project I need a
> very small, relatively inexpensive "bare-bones" type FPGA board.  But
> I have been having difficulty finding one.  I just need one with the
> following features (please tell me if I'm missing anything vital):
>
> -FPGA device with at least 15,000 usable gates (more would be
> preferable).  I only need a small number of user IOs, so that
> shouldn't be an issue at all.  The device doesn't need to be very fast
> either, as it will be running only at around 4 MHz.
> -clock with only around 4 MHz frequency range... higher isn't a
> problem however.
> -in-circuit reprogrammable non-volatile memory device for storing the
> FPGA's configuration data.
> -The most important thing is that it all fits within a 40 mm x 30 mm x
> 10 mm volume or less.
>
> More features than this obviously isn't a problem, provided it doesn't
> make the board larger than the specified volume.  Do boards like this
> exist for purchase, or will I have to build it myself?  I am
> inexperienced in the area of designing PCBs so I would prefer to buy
> it already made.  Is it even possible to build this device in such a
> small volume?  Thanks for your help.

I was thinking of designing something like that, with an Altera Cyclone
EP1C100 (2,910 LEs) and an EPCS1 configuration device. I don't know how many
gates 2,910 LEs is, but it might be enough for you.

Leon
-- 
Leon Heller, G1HSM
http://www.geocities.com/leon_heller

Daragoth wrote:
> Hi, I have just began working with FPGA devices and have been trying
> to apply them in real-world situations.  For my first project I need a
> very small, relatively inexpensive "bare-bones" type FPGA board.  But
> I have been having difficulty finding one.  I just need one with the
> following features (please tell me if I'm missing anything vital):
> 
> -FPGA device with at least 15,000 usable gates (more would be
> preferable).  I only need a small number of user IOs, so that
> shouldn't be an issue at all.  The device doesn't need to be very fast
> either, as it will be running only at around 4 MHz.
> -clock with only around 4 MHz frequency range... higher isn't a
> problem however.
> -in-circuit reprogrammable non-volatile memory device for storing the
> FPGA's configuration data.
> -The most important thing is that it all fits within a 40 mm x 30 mm x
> 10 mm volume or less.
> 
> More features than this obviously isn't a problem, provided it doesn't
> make the board larger than the specified volume.  Do boards like this
> exist for purchase, or will I have to build it myself?  I am
> inexperienced in the area of designing PCBs so I would prefer to buy
> it already made.  Is it even possible to build this device in such a
> small volume?  Thanks for your help.
> 
> 
> Sincerely,
> Darien A. Gothia

My company can do this work very quickly. PCBs - FPGA configuration - 
DC/DC. Spartan-II or Spartan-IIE would be great for.

Do you need onboard DC regulators ?
Which kind connectors?

Laurent
www.amontec.com

"Leon Heller" <leon_heller@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:<40e3dd69$0$291$cc9e4d1f@news-text.dial.pipex.com>...
> "Daragoth" <daragoth@kuririnmail.com> wrote in message
> news:317379a8.0406302118.32829ee1@posting.google.com...
> > Hi, I have just began working with FPGA devices and have been trying
> > to apply them in real-world situations.  For my first project I need a
> > very small, relatively inexpensive "bare-bones" type FPGA board.  But
> > I have been having difficulty finding one.  I just need one with the
> > following features (please tell me if I'm missing anything vital):
> >
> > -FPGA device with at least 15,000 usable gates (more would be
> > preferable).  I only need a small number of user IOs, so that
> > shouldn't be an issue at all.  The device doesn't need to be very fast
> > either, as it will be running only at around 4 MHz.
> > -clock with only around 4 MHz frequency range... higher isn't a
> > problem however.
> > -in-circuit reprogrammable non-volatile memory device for storing the
> > FPGA's configuration data.
> > -The most important thing is that it all fits within a 40 mm x 30 mm x
> > 10 mm volume or less.
> >
> > More features than this obviously isn't a problem, provided it doesn't
> > make the board larger than the specified volume.  Do boards like this
> > exist for purchase, or will I have to build it myself?  I am
> > inexperienced in the area of designing PCBs so I would prefer to buy
> > it already made.  Is it even possible to build this device in such a
> > small volume?  Thanks for your help.
> 
> I was thinking of designing something like that, with an Altera Cyclone
> EP1C100 (2,910 LEs) and an EPCS1 configuration device. I don't know how many
> gates 2,910 LEs is, but it might be enough for you.
> 
> Leon
Hi just my 0.02$ worth of tought
If I remember my gate counting skill regarding Altera and LE's 15k
Gates are roughly 750LE's. Marketing will make it any number:). But to
be serious even a Cyclone EP1C3 in a TQFP package is 16X16mm in size
add the small config mem to that and probably some power supplies
(3.3V and 1.5V) and the board starts to grow. One possible solution is
to use the new MAX2 family, the EPM1270 in TQFP144 is 22x22 mm has
1270 LE's (more than 15k gates) don't need config mem and has also a
internal (not so accurate, but spect above 4MHz) clock. Furthermore
only needs one power supply (3.3V). On the power side it is also less
power hungry and you can probably do with a linear regulator and not
use switch mode power (witch is a pest when coming to size, those darn
inductors and caps are real board eaters).

Cheers
Fredrik

daragoth@kuririnmail.com (Daragoth) wrote in message news:<317379a8.0406302118.32829ee1@posting.google.com>...
> Hi, I have just began working with FPGA devices and have been trying
> to apply them in real-world situations.  For my first project I need a
> very small, relatively inexpensive "bare-bones" type FPGA board.  But
> I have been having difficulty finding one.  I just need one with the
> following features (please tell me if I'm missing anything vital):
> 
> -FPGA device with at least 15,000 usable gates (more would be
> preferable).  I only need a small number of user IOs, so that
> shouldn't be an issue at all.  The device doesn't need to be very fast
> either, as it will be running only at around 4 MHz.
> -clock with only around 4 MHz frequency range... higher isn't a
> problem however.
> -in-circuit reprogrammable non-volatile memory device for storing the
> FPGA's configuration data.
> -The most important thing is that it all fits within a 40 mm x 30 mm x
> 10 mm volume or less.
> 
> More features than this obviously isn't a problem, provided it doesn't
> make the board larger than the specified volume.  Do boards like this
> exist for purchase, or will I have to build it myself?  I am
> inexperienced in the area of designing PCBs so I would prefer to buy
> it already made.  Is it even possible to build this device in such a
> small volume?  Thanks for your help.
> 
> 
> Sincerely,
> Darien A. Gothia

Sounds suspiciously like credit card sz of which armoid comes to mind.

http://armoid.com/store/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=28&osCsid=4f58554bddd3dd7b0e86fd94df0b2808

I have seen a no of weeny size boards but can't recall where, the low
cost guys often have little formats

xess, burch, etc

http://www.fpga-faq.com/FPGA_Boards.shtml

regards

johnjakson_usa_com

"www.amontec.com" <laurent.gauch@DELETE_CAPSamontec.com> wrote in message news:<40E3F58B.5070507@DELETE_CAPSamontec.com>...
> My company can do this work very quickly. PCBs - FPGA configuration - 
> DC/DC. Spartan-II or Spartan-IIE would be great for.
> 
> Do you need onboard DC regulators ?
> Which kind connectors?
> 
> Laurent
> www.amontec.com

Well, the board will be receiving power from another board, so I don't
beleive DC regulators will be necessary.  I was planning on making
connections just using single wires, so whatever type of connectors
work best for that would work.

What kind of pricing would I be looking at for a custom-made board? 
Like I said, I am looking for a relatively inexpensive solution. 
Thanks.


Sincerely,
Darien A. Gothia

> Hi, I have just began working with FPGA devices and have been trying
> to apply them in real-world situations.  For my first project I need a
> very small, relatively inexpensive "bare-bones" type FPGA board.  But
> I have been having difficulty finding one.  I just need one with the
> following features (please tell me if I'm missing anything vital):
> 
> -FPGA device with at least 15,000 usable gates (more would be
> preferable).  I only need a small number of user IOs, so that
> shouldn't be an issue at all.  The device doesn't need to be very fast
> either, as it will be running only at around 4 MHz.
> -clock with only around 4 MHz frequency range... higher isn't a
> problem however.
> -in-circuit reprogrammable non-volatile memory device for storing the
> FPGA's configuration data.
> -The most important thing is that it all fits within a 40 mm x 30 mm x
> 10 mm volume or less.
> 

I didn't check the specs, but I saw some tiny FPGA boards 
at www.fpga4fun.com

J.

>> "Daragoth" <daragoth@kuririnmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:317379a8.0406302118.32829ee1@posting.google.com...

>>> -The most important thing is that it all fits within a 40 mm x 30
>>> mm x 10 mm volume or less.

Should be possible.  The boards here:

    http://www.rockylogic.com/files/AntGuts_LoRes.jpg

are 50mm x 30mm.  The one on the left has an XC2S50E on the reverse
side, and the power supply is a switcher.  The other board has an
XC2S30 on the reverse side, and a linear power supply.

We have some products a bit like this appearing shortly. If you want to let
us know your requirements and quantities contact us through one the emails
listed on our website and we can discuss it further offline.

John Adair
Enterpoint Ltd. - Home of Broaddown2. The Ultimate Spartan3 Development
Board.
http://www.enterpoint.co.uk

This message is the personal opinion of the sender and not that necessarily
that of Enterpoint Ltd.. Readers should make their own evaluation of the
facts. No responsibility for error or inaccuracy is accepted.

"Daragoth" <daragoth@kuririnmail.com> wrote in message
news:317379a8.0406302118.32829ee1@posting.google.com...
> Hi, I have just began working with FPGA devices and have been trying
> to apply them in real-world situations.  For my first project I need a
> very small, relatively inexpensive "bare-bones" type FPGA board.  But
> I have been having difficulty finding one.  I just need one with the
> following features (please tell me if I'm missing anything vital):
>
> -FPGA device with at least 15,000 usable gates (more would be
> preferable).  I only need a small number of user IOs, so that
> shouldn't be an issue at all.  The device doesn't need to be very fast
> either, as it will be running only at around 4 MHz.
> -clock with only around 4 MHz frequency range... higher isn't a
> problem however.
> -in-circuit reprogrammable non-volatile memory device for storing the
> FPGA's configuration data.
> -The most important thing is that it all fits within a 40 mm x 30 mm x
> 10 mm volume or less.
>
> More features than this obviously isn't a problem, provided it doesn't
> make the board larger than the specified volume.  Do boards like this
> exist for purchase, or will I have to build it myself?  I am
> inexperienced in the area of designing PCBs so I would prefer to buy
> it already made.  Is it even possible to build this device in such a
> small volume?  Thanks for your help.
>
>
> Sincerely,
> Darien A. Gothia

> only needs one power supply (3.3V). On the power side it is also less
> power hungry and you can probably do with a linear regulator and not
> use switch mode power (witch is a pest when coming to size, those darn
> inductors and caps are real board eaters).

Isn't linear require a heat dissapiation area? So, if a regulator is a
consern, a variant with external regulator may me considered. Right?