PicoZed Unboxing
Posted on January 4, 2016
| Jeff Johnson
I recently got myself a PicoZed 7Z030 SoM (system-on-module) so that I could start developing more resource intensive applications for the Ethernet FMC, such as network tapping and network latency measurement. Why would I use a SoM for this? Checkout my comparison of Zynq SoMs to learn more about the benefits of SoMs in product development.
It’s worth mentioning this arrived the day after I ordered it. Here are some photos I took while unboxing:
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ARTY: The $99 Artix-7 FPGA eval kit
Posted on October 1, 2015
| Jeff Johnson
I just got the news about the new ARTY $99 FPGA evaluation kit being released and I thought it was worth a mention. At the $99 price point and with the Arduino shield connector, they’ll attract a lot of hobbyists who can now hook up one of the many existing Arduino shields to a Series-7 FPGA. Another interesting thing is that it ships with a webserver reference design so you’ve got a head-start on your IoT applications.
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Ethernet gets robust
Posted on July 31, 2015
| Jeff Johnson
Announcing that the Robust Ethernet FMC is now in stock and available for purchase. Checkout the flashy new images of the first units, ravaging Ethernet packets in this tough new form factor.
Back in black
Posted on July 18, 2015
| Jeff Johnson
Here’s a look at a batch of Ethernet FMCs fresh off the production line.
Sneak look at the new Robust Ethernet FMC
Posted on June 10, 2015
| Jeff Johnson
Here are the first images of my new product: the Robust Ethernet FMC.
This new variation of the Ethernet FMC contains all the features of the standard version but has been designed to fit the 10mm height profile of the Vita 57.1 standard. The Robust Ethernet FMC is perfect for the more rugged gigabit Ethernet applications, and here’s why:
4 x 10mm stand-offs positioned to fit the mounting holes of the Vita 57.
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Comparison of Zynq SoMs
Posted on May 18, 2015
| Jeff Johnson
In the last year or so, there has been an explosion in the availability of System-on-Modules (SoMs) featuring the popular FPGA+ARM combo Zynq-7000 SoC from Xilinx. I’ve always promoted the idea that FPGAs and SoCs allow for faster design cycles and rapid proof-of-concept, but these SoMs take that advantage to another level. Let me explain why. In the past, I would handle most projects by doing a proof-of-concept on an evaluation board, then designing a custom board that integrates all the required components onto a single PCB.
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1.8V Version Ethernet FMC now available
Posted on April 16, 2015
| Jeff Johnson
I recently received and tested the first 1.8V Ethernet FMCs and they are now available to buy on ethernetfmc.com. There are two main reasons why you’d actually want a 1.8V version: Firstly, some carriers only support VADJ of 1.8V (such as the VC707 and VC709). Secondly, some customers need to match it with another 1.8V FMC on a dual-FMC carrier.
Releasing the new version didn’t come without headaches. Most FMC carriers on the market have a 2.
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Ethernet FMC performance benchmarks released
Posted on January 15, 2015
| Jeff Johnson
One question I get a lot about the Ethernet FMC is: What is the maximum throughput? It’s a good question, so I created an example design to help me get the answer. The maximum throughput test design, that you can download on Github, uses four hardware packet generators (coded in VHDL) to feed the Ethernet MACs with back-to-back packets. These packets then get sent out of the Ethernet ports and get looped back into another Ethernet port through a CAT-5 cable.
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Ethernet FMC supports Xilinx Dev Boards
Posted on January 11, 2015
| Jeff Johnson
Support for the Xilinx Series-7 development boards AC701, KC705, VC707, ZC702 and ZC706 has been added to the Ethernet FMC product page. Now you can use the Ethernet FMC on any one of these boards and support up to 8 x gigabit Ethernet ports! That’s right, the KC705, VC707 and ZC702 have two FMC connectors allowing you to plug in two Ethernet FMCs, enabling 8 independent ports.
AC701 - supports 1 x Ethernet FMC (4-ports) KC705 - supports 2 x Ethernet FMCs (8-ports) VC707 - supports 2 x Ethernet FMCs (8-ports) VC709 - supports 1 x Ethernet FMC (4-ports) ZC702 - supports 2 x Ethernet FMCs, but there’s only enough FPGA resources to configure the 8 MACs with FIFOs (not DMAs).
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Ethernet FMC first units shipped
Posted on December 17, 2014
| Jeff Johnson
Today I’m excited to announce that the first Ethernet FMCs were shipped! I would like to say thanks to all those who pre-ordered the Ethernet FMC, thanks for your patience and confidence and I hope the product enables you to develop new and exciting technologies in the networking space.
I’ve had an insanely busy last few weeks trying to organize the production of the boards, testing the boards, as well as working out the packaging, labeling and shipping materials.
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