[time-nuts] Small CPLD/FPGA for microcontroller replacement

[Didier Juges]

I am not trying to replace the exact functionality of a processor with something else, but simply in general terms for those cases where a processor is not a practical solution, I would like to be able to use a small CPLD or FPGA to obtain similar equivalent functionality, which is that of a power supply monitor/remote controller.

I would not consider ladder logic an adequate substitute, at least for the level of complexity that we normally require (I am replacing a ladder logic controller with a processor in another project, so I know in that case the functionality gap). There is a state machine at the core, but a great many peripheral functions.

I checked the Actel parts suggested earlier, and they look promising.

Didier

------------------------ Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless thingy while I do other things... 

-----Original Message-----
From: paul swed <paulswedb at gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 09:14:32 
To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement<time-nuts at febo.com>
Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Small CPLD/FPGA for microcontroller replacement

Didier that is indeed a tall order.
But at least since the system already exists you have the established
requirements in hand.
So my question is (And I am uneducated in DO-254) is a state machine okay?
Because it sounds like thats what you are forced into. If true then its much
more like the traditional relay logic ladder type of solution. Which has
been pretty good for the railroads for 100 years.
Other comment is perhaps this particular thread rapidly goes offline to
respect others.

On Fri, Feb 5, 2010 at 9:04 AM, Didier Juges <didier at cox.net> wrote:

> It looks like I will have to get educated on CPLD/FPGAs on short notice.
>
> My application at the moment will be the replacement of small
> microcontrollers for military and commercial aviation projects that do not
> want/tolerate software/firmware (some customers and government regulations
> do not consider CPLD/FPGA to be containing software, which to a large
> extent
> is a matter of opinion, but this is not a thread I wish to start at this
> time). The FAA in particular puts a much greater burden on microcontrollers
> than CPLD/FPGAs when it comes to demonstrating compliance to DO-254 in
> safety critical applications like battery charging.
>
> The microcontrollers I have been using are typically from 20 to 100 pins
> (Silabs 8051 family) with a lot of integrated peripherals. I understand I
> will have to use external peripherals like ADC, DAC, probably clock
> oscillator and such with a CPLD/FPGA, where these functions are currently
> integrated in my microcontrollers.
>
> Part of the requirement is that the devices be immune (as much as
> practical)
> from SEU malfunction. I was told Atmel (or Actel?) makes flash-based small
> FPGAs that may fit the bill. Most SRAM devices are deemed to be excessively
> sensitive to SEU, even though I cannot imagine how a CPLD/FPGA could be
> made
> that does not use SRAM at all. Maybe it's a matter of quantity? A few
> working registers may be an acceptable risk, but the entire device
> operating
> from SRAM is not acceptable?
>
> I am looking for any information/recommendation on which families to look
> into.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Didier KO4BB
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: time-nuts-bounces at febo.com [mailto:time-nuts-bounces at febo.com] On
> Behalf Of John Miles
> Sent: Thursday, February 04, 2010 8:43 PM
> To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement
> Subject: Re: [time-nuts] CPLDs for clock dividers
>
> Yeah, Xilinx 11 is pretty nice.  I'm usually allergic to IDEs, especially
> theirs, but I've been pretty happy with 11 so far.  I find myself using it
> instead of my tried-and-true makefile for FPGA work, and that's saying
> something.
>
> -- john, KE5FX
>
>
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