PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC DESIGN: QUICK START HANDBOOK • CHAPTER 2

be fixed, upgraded, or otherwise modified after the system has been deployed in the field.

The design technology for creating Xilinx Online applications is called Internet Reconfigurable Logic, or IRL. IRL design technology comprises robust PLD technology, your network connectivity, and software design tools.

Put these individual pieces together and network-based hardware upgradeability becomes a reality. You can access details through the “Systems Resources” main web page or visit www.xilinx.com/irl.

CONFIGURATION SOLUTIONS

Located under the “Products and Services” section of the Xilinx website, this section provides easy-to-use, pre-engineered solutions to configure all Xilinx FPGAs and CPLDs.

All aspects of configuration are explained, whether from a PROM for FPGAs or via ISP for CPLDs. The section also includes third-party Boundary Scan tools, embedded software solutions, ISP cables, ATE and programmer support, and configuration storage devices.

PROCESSOR CENTRAL

This section provides information that will enable you to reap maximum benefits from Xilinx FPGA processing solutions.

It offers the freedom to design a custom solution with a choice of hard processors (as many as four embedded PowerPC processors in Virtex-II Pro devices) or soft processors (with the MicroBlaze™ soft processor core and PicoBlaze™ microprocessor core in Virtex-II, Virtex-E, Spartan-II, and Spartan-IIE FPGAs).

Processor Central also includes more than 40 soft processor peripherals and the necessary embedded software tools to easily complete your design.

The Processor Central section has the following detailed web pages:

The Embedded Development Kit (EDK)

EDK is an all-encompassing solution for designing embedded programmable systems using the IBM PowerPC hard processor core and the Xilinx MicroBlaze soft processor core in Xilinx FPGAs.

PowerPC Embedded Processor Solution

Embedding IBM's PowerPC processor core into the Virtex-II Pro FPGA provides the ultimate platform FPGA solution.

The UltraController Solution

Xilinx offers a powerful, easy-to-use Virtex-II Pro FPGA PowerPC-based microcontroller solution ideal for embedded hardware and software applications.

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XILINX SOLUTIONS

The UltraController Solution is an easy-to-use, pre-engineered Virtex-II Pro device microcontroller.

Based on the PowerPC and internal block RAMs, UltraController delivers performance exceeding many commercial microcontrollers, yet occupies less than 50 logic cells of fabric.

It is optimized for embedding software/hardware applications in Virtex-II Pro devices, while minimizing the time and effort of building a full CPU-based system.

UltraController uses a simplified software design flow for faster development time. It offers a single hardware HDL module with two memory versions, for use across all applications.

Key features of the UltraController include:

•A completely self-contained PowerPC system

•The ability to implement applications using "C" code

•As many as 32 general-purpose inputs and outputs

•Ultra low power – 0.9 mW/MHz

•Full debug support via JTAG

•Integration with simplified ISE/EDK design flows.

MicroBlaze and PicoBlaze Soft Processor Solutions

Xilinx introduces the industry's fastest 32-bit soft processor core running at 100 D-MIPS on a Virtex-II Pro FPGA. The PicoBlaze 8-bit microprocessor core is the clear leader in FPGA-based soft processors.

Formerly known as KCPSM, the PicoBlaze processor runs at speeds of 116 MHz, yet occupies a tiny footprint of just 154 logic cells. This combination of high performance and miniscule size, when coupled with the Xilinx MicroBlaze product, offers you a broad range of "right-sized" solutions from 8 to 32 bits.

All of Xilinx soft CPUs offer performance that is two to four times faster than competitive offerings, at sizes ranging from one-half to one-fifth the size.

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XILINX SOLUTIONS

designs to help simplify the memory selection process and the implementation of the controller.

Xilinx provides embedded memory solutions as well as memory controllers for DRAM and SRAM product families.

FIGURE 2-47: MEMORY SOLUTIONS ON THE XILINX WEBSITE

SILICON

Xilinx FPGAs are tailored to meet the requirements of different DSP applications. This section helps you to select the most cost-effective silicon solution for applications requiring high-speed DSP.

DESIGN TOOLS AND BOARDS

Xilinx works with industry leaders to provide comprehensive tools for prototyping and development.

•DSP Software Tools (including free evaluations)

•DSP Hardware Tools

TECHNICAL LITERATURE AND TRAINING

This section features an extensive list of DSP application notes, conference papers, white papers, articles, training classes, and online seminars.

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