How to start with Xilinx's FPGAs

[dora]

Hello Friends,

Probably this question is very banal but

I would like to create a PCB as simple as possible with one Xilinx FPGA lat say from Spartan family.
I would like to create a simple download cable as well.
As a result I want to fit several simple projects in this simple development tool so I can start with FPGAs

I would like the FPGA to be as cheap as possible but still software core of some uC to be able to fit in it.

Can someone advice me, which chip to use and what kind of download cable to implement.

Thank you in advance!
Dora

 

[SphinX]

Salam,

I get Spartan-3 Starter kit from xilinx, it's very cheap.

https://www.xilinx.com/products/spartan3/s3boards.htm

Bye

 

[nand_gates]

Better to go for cheaply available board.
1. You get lots of reference designs to play with.
2. You save mony.
3. Pincount for Spartan and other FPGAs is too high you need
multilayered PCB which is costly.
4. You can get extension boards also.. (e.g. LCD module, SWITCHES etc).
5. You get interfaces like RS232, VGA port , mouse/keyboad port by defualt!
6. Software also you get free! Xilinx Web Pack 6.2

I have Spartan-3 board it cost me $99.

-nand_gates

 

[Johnson]

I recommend you to build your own board, it may cost more and somtime it is pailfull to completet, but surely you will get more on hardware and software.
Every body: Any comment?

 

[SphinX]

Salam Johnson,

Do you have simple schematics based on spartan-3 fpga ?

SphinX

 

[umairsiddiqui]

check these prototype board projects on
https://www.opencores.org/

1) **broken link removed**
2) **broken link removed**
3) **broken link removed**


unfortunately 1 and 2 are for virtex and 3 for altera-ACEX 1K50TC144-3 FPGA


please somebody upload or send other links

 

[tut]

Check this link @ fpga4fun.com
Altera Board:
https://www.fpga4fun.com/board_pluto_revA.html

Spartan Board:
https://www.fpga4fun.com/board_dragon.html

tut..

 

[Johnson]

You can use the reference designs, but you can get all of the data you need to design board from datasheets. However I am ready for help. Also beaware of board assembly and try to use simple packages.

 

[dora]

Hello Friends,

Thank your for the time you spent for me.

Based on your responses my current conclusions are:

1. The best FPGA board for me probably will support USB.
As I am new for the FPGA can someone give me an idea how USB can be implemented.
Is it necessary external USB chip support to be used or this can be preprogramed in the FPGA
Are there free USB cores (inside FPGA) projects on the net?
Or shortly what is the simplest USB boot solution (if possible at all)?
Or is there other simpler serial booting option?
I am thinking for a board with only a single FPGA on it + quartz + several LEDs... or something
close to this.

2. It seem to me that Spartan 3 is OK. Has someone managed to fit an uBlaze core in XC3S200?
Can someone tell me what retail price should I expect for XC3S200?

3. Is XC3S200 good for DSP?

Thank you!
Dora

 

[nj_jack]

I suggest that you design your own broad. Through the process, you can understand its structures and operational principle. It is very valuable to beginner.