EPCS (Serial Configuration Device)

Intel's new serial configuration devices are designed to provide a solid cost advantage in both device and configuration ROM. Specifically designed for maximum efficiency, serial configuration devices offer many of the latest features while minimizing cost. Serial configuration devices beat other configuration solutions by offering features such as in-system programmability (ISP) and reprogrammability at lower cost than one-time programmable (OTP) devices It has advantages.

feature

  • Industry top class low cost
  • Flash memory access
  • In-system programmability (ISP)
  • small form factor

 

The easiest way to configure an Intel FPGA is with a serial configuration device. All these Intel FPGAs can be configured with a single Intel configuration device.

 

FLASH memory access

Intel serial configuration devices have up to 64 Mbits of flash memory. Unused areas of flash memory can be used as general-purpose memory. This general-purpose memory can be accessed using a Nios or Nios II embedded processor (see diagram), making serial configuration devices a complete combination flash memory and configuration device solution. increase.

This memory can also be used as a ROM for the boot loader program of the embedded processor, which reduces board space requirements, eliminates the need for additional onboard memory modules, and ultimately reduces overall system cost. can be reduced.

 

FLASH memory access

ISP (In-System Programmability)

All Intel serial configuration devices support ISP. This feature enables in-system design updates to improve design flexibility and streamlines the manufacturing process to reduce costs. The ISP functionality of serial configuration devices is supported by Intel's Active Serial Programming Interface (see diagram).

 

ISP (In-System Programmability)

Small form factor to save board space

An important consideration in the total cost of a design is board area. The cost of a solution increases as the board area consumed by the solution increases. Intel's serial configuration devices are housed in 8-pin and 16-pin SOIC packages. The 8-pin package occupies less than 30 mm2 of board space, making it the smallest total board area required for a single SOPC solution. Vertical migration is supported because all serial configuration devices use the same package.

 

Other configuration devices

configuration device

EPC Enhanced Configuration ROM

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