How to use FPGA SoCs for secure and connected hard real-time systems
with 3GPP IoT devices.
Designers can choose from standard speed grade devices, or -1 speed grade devices that are 15% faster. These FPGA SoCs can be operated at 1.0 volt for lowest power operation, or at 1.05 volts for higher performance. They are available in a range of package sizes, including 11 x 11 millimeters (mm), 16 x 16 mm, and 19 x 19 mm. For applications that need extended commercial temperature operation, standard speed operation, and 254 K logic elements in a 19 x 19mm package, designers can use the MPFS250T-FCVG484EES. For simpler solutions that need 23
K logic elements, designers can turn to the MPFS025T-FCVG484E, also with extended commercial temperature operation and standard speed grade in a 19 x 19 mm package. The MPFS250T- 1FCSG536T2 with 254 K logic elements is designed for high- performance automotive systems and has an operating temperature range of -40 to 125°C and a -1 speed grade for a 15% faster clock, in a compact 16 x 16mm package with 536 balls on a 0.5mm pitch (Figure 4).
FPGA SoC examples Microchip Technology combines these capabilities and technologies into its PolarFire FPGA SoCs with multiple speed grades, temperature ratings, and various package sizes to support designers’ needs for a wide range of solutions with between 25 K and 460 K logic elements. Four temperature grades are available (all rated for TJ), 0°C to +100°C extended commercial range, -40°C to +100°C industrial range, -40°C to +125°C automotive range, and -55°C to +125°C military range.
MIKROE-2670, enables GNSS functionality with concurrent reception of GPS and Galileo
constellations plus either BeiDou or GLONASS, resulting in high position accuracy in situations with weak signals or interference in urban canyons.
Conclusion
Designers can turn to FPGA SoCs when developing connected, safety-critical and hard real-time deterministic systems. FPGA SoCs provide a wide range of system elements, including an FPGA fabric, RISC-V MCU subsystem with high-performance memories, high-speed communications interfaces, and numerous security functions. To help designers get started, development boards and environments are available that include all the necessary elements, including expansion boards that can be used to implement a wide range of communications and location functions. Recommended reading 1. How to Implement Time Sensitive Networking to Ensure Deterministic Communication 2. Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) and Their Applications
environment, including a multi-rail power sensor system to monitor the various power domains, PCIe root port, and on-board memories – including LPDDR4, QSPI, and eMMC Flash – to run Linux and Raspberry
FPGA SoC dev platform To speed the design of systems with the PolarFire FPGA SoC, Microchip offers the MPFS-ICICLE- KIT-ES PolarFire SoC Icicle kit that enables exploration of the five-core Linux-capable RISC-V microprocessor subsystem with low-power, real-time execution. The kit includes a free Libero Silver license that’s needed to evaluate designs. It supports programming and debugging features in a single language. These FPGA SoCs are supported with the VectorBlox accelerator software development kit (SDK) that enables low-power, small- form-factor AI/ML applications. The emphasis is on simplifying the design process to the point that designers don’t need to have prior FPGA design experience. The VectorBlox accelerator SDK enables developers to program power-efficient neural networks using C/C++. The Icicle kit has numerous features to provide a comprehensive development
Pi, and mikroBUS expansion ports for a host of wired and
Figure 5. This comprehensive FPGA SoC development environment includes connectors for Raspberry Pi (top right) and mikroBUS (lower right side) expansion boards. Image source: Microchip Technology
wireless connectivity options, plus functional extensions like GNSS location capability (Figure 5).
Expansion boards
A few examples of mikroBUS expansion boards include: MIKROE-986, for adding CAN bus connectivity using a serial peripheral interface (SPI). MIKROE-1582 , for interfacing between the MCU and an RS-232 bus. MIKROE-989, for connecting with an RS422/485 communication bus. MIKROE-3144 , supports the LTE Cat M1 and NB1 technologies enabling reliable and simple connectivity
we get technical
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