Altium's NanoBoards are reconfigurable development platforms that give designers high-level access to today's high-capacity, low-cost programmable devices. Working closely with Altium Designer, the NanoBoard allows rapid and interactive implementation and debugging of a digital design, directly on the target FPGA. Development and debugging capabilities include a full embedded toolchain for supported embedded processors and a range of embedded instruments, including a Logic Analyzer.
The NanoBoard 3000 series brings affordable access to modern FPGAs. In contrast to earlier NanoBoards, the NanoBoard 3000 series has the target FPGA mounted on the main board, along with a broad range of commonly user peripherals, keeping the NanoBoard cost as low as possible. Extra peripherals can be added via a standard NanoBoard peripheral board connector.
The schematics in this reference design make extensive use of recyclable device sheets and signal harnesses. The NanoBoard 3000 package included a separate speaker board, mounted in the stand. The reference design for the speaker board is available separately. All design elements of the NanoBoard 3000 are available for use by other designers.
Architectural highlights:
- Reprogrammable hardware development platform that harnesses the power of a dedicated high-capacity, low-cost programmable device to allow rapid and interactive implementation and debugging of your designs
- Perfect entry-point to discover and explore the world of FPGA based embedded systems design. Working with programmable hardware allows you to update the design quickly and many times over without incurring cost or time penalties.
- Works seamlessly and in full synchronization with Altium Designer
- High-capacity FPGA located on the motherboard, and provision for a single plug-in peripheral board (Altium or user’s own) for additional system flexibility
- Automatic peripheral board detection and configuration
- Dual boot system, allowing the board to update its firmware in the field by itself, over a standard USB connection – no parallel port or USB JTAG Adapter required
NanoBoard 3000XN specifications:
- Xilinx® Spartan™-3AN device (XC3S1400AN-4FGG676C)
- Integrated color TFT LCD panel (240x320) with touch screen that facilitates dynamic application interaction
- High-quality stereo audio capabilities including: Line in/out/ headphones, audio CODEC with I2S-compatible interface, analog mixer, audio power amplifier and high-quality speakers (located on a separate speaker board attachment)
- USB hub, providing connection of up to three USB 2.0 devices, with interfacing handled by an ISP1760 Hi-Speed USB Host Controller
- SVGA interface (24-bit, 80MHz)
- Variety of standard communications interfaces: RS-232, RS-485, PS/2, 10/100 Fast Ethernet, USB 2.0, S/PDIF, MIDI
- Dual SD card readers – for use by user FPGA and Host Controller respectively
- IR receiver – supports data transmitted using a 38kHz carrier frequency
- Programmable clock (6 to 200MHz) and fixed clock (20MHz) – both available to user FPGA
- 4-channel 8-bit ADC, SPI-compatible – providing maximum sample rate of 200ksps
- 4-channel 8-bit DAC, SPI-compatible – operating at clock rates of up to 40MHz
- 4x isolated IM Relay channels – each channel providing a 5V non latching DPDT relay with one coil
- 4x PWM power drivers
- 8-way general purpose DIP-Switch, 8 RGB LEDs, 5 PDA-style push button switches and a Test/Reset button – all wired directly to the user FPGA
- User prototyping area
- Dual 18-way (20 pin) I/O expansion headers, with power supply selection links
- On-board memories accessible by user FPGA – 256KB x 32-bit common-bus SRAM (1MB), 16M x 32-bit common-bus SDRAM (64MB), 8M x 16-bit common-bus 3.0V Page Mode Flash memory (16MB), dual 256KB x 16-bit independent SRAM (512KB each)
- Four 8Mbit SPI flash memory devices – one containing Primary boot image for Host Controller, one containing golden boot image for Host Controller, two for use by user FPGA (for boot/embedded purposes)
- SPI Real-Time Clock with 3V battery backup
- Accommodates a single plug-in peripheral board for additional system flexibility
- Board ID memory – 1-Wire® ID system uniquely identifies the motherboard and any attached Altium peripheral board
- Host (NanoTalk) Controller hosts the NanoBoard firmware. Responsibilities include managing JTAG communications (with Altium Designer/User FPGA/connected peripheral board), as well as access to common-bus SPI resources
- 5V DC power connector with power switch, plus testpoints for all major supplies on the board (and GND)
- High-speed PC interconnection through USB 2.0 allows for fast downloading and debugging
This download includes the hardware design for the NanoBoard 3000XN:
Note: To implement a design on this FPGA device you will require the relevant vendor tools.
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