Newbie

[Altera_Forum]

All, 

 I am very new to the FPGA world and was wondering if someone would direct me in the right direction.  I am looking for a suitable DevKit that I can use to learn more about program FPGA and also would like to implement algorithms for say monte carlo simulation, and option pricing. I would also, need to access data on the network?  Can I develop on MacOs or is it strictly Linux and Windows?  Thanks in advance for your time.  Rohan

[Altera_Forum]

--- Quote Start ---   I am looking for a suitable DevKit that I can use to learn more about program FPGA and also would like to implement algorithms for say monte carlo simulation, and option pricing.   --- Quote End ---  Will you use fixed-point processing or floating-point? Floating-point will required a high-end board, eg., the Terasic DE4  http://www.terasic.com.tw/cgi-bin/page/archive.pl?language=english&categoryno=13&list=simple    --- Quote Start ---   I would also, need to access data on the network?   --- Quote End ---  Many of the boards have network connectors, eg., Terasic DE2-115.    --- Quote Start ---   Can I develop on MacOs or is it strictly Linux and Windows?   --- Quote End ---  The synthesis software only runs under Linux or Windows. You can use VirtualBox to install Linux and then install the tools under that. You can then connect the Altera USB-Blaster to the virtual machine and program your board.  I've tested VirtualBox versions of the Quartus tools under WinXP and Linux hosts, with WinXP and Linux VMs. They work fine. The only thing that does not work is that Win7 hosts do not release the USB-Blaster to the VM.  The DE2-115 board contains a Cyclone-series device, so you can use the Quartus web edition synthesis software. The DE4 board uses a Stratix-series device, which requires a full-license for the synthesis software ($$$).  Cheers, Dave

[Altera_Forum]

Dave, 

 Thanks for the quick reply.  I was wondering if there are Dev Kits that are less that 500$ that would suit my needs? I had looked at some from the http://www.altera.com/products/devkits/kit-dev_platforms.jsp site that were less that $500 but not certain if there had everything that I needed?  Any thoughts?  Thanks again  Rohan

[Altera_Forum]

--- Quote Start ---   I was wondering if there are Dev Kits that are less that 500$ that would suit my needs? I had looked at some from the http://www.altera.com/products/devkits/kit-dev_platforms.jsp site that were less that $500 but not certain if there had everything that I needed?   --- Quote End ---    There are definitely dev kits less than $500. The real question is whether they suit your needs.  If you need floating-point performance, then I think you'll need a high-end kit.  A few of the cheaper kits; DE0-nano, DE0, DE1, etc do not have ethernet.  A kit like the Arrow BeMicro-SDK does have ethernet, but its got low-power DDR memory, which you cannot use without a time-limited license from a third party.  The Cyclone IV GX starter kit looks pretty nice for the money ($400). It is a PCIe card with ethernet. However, its got a relatively small FPGA on it 14k logic elements, contrast that to the DE115 with 115k LEs, and the DE4 with 230K LEs or 530K LEs.  Before you buy a kit, you need to place-and-route a design that represents what you plan on implementing. That will tell you how many logic cells you are really going to need.  I know, its a chicken-and-egg problem; you need to know the board before you start your design. However, I've just told you the boards, so you can now start a design - you don't actually need to buy a board until you've confirmed you can fit a design into one.  Cheers, Dave

[Altera_Forum]

For learning, the DE0-Nano is hard to beat, the price is right $79 ($89 from digikey, cheaper shipping within USA) and with ~22k logic elements, you can get into plenty of trouble before running out of resources. I would really like to see some courses given around southern California that use this board for teaching FPGA development!

[Altera_Forum]

--- Quote Start ---  For learning, the DE0-Nano is hard to beat, the price is right $79 ($89 from digikey, cheaper shipping within USA) and with ~22k logic elements, you can get into plenty of trouble before running out of resources. I would really like to see some courses given around southern California that use this board for teaching FPGA development!  --- Quote End ---       What about the Cyclone III EP3C25 Starter Board Test Design? can I implement a DUC and DDC (NCO,Filters,Mixer) and interconect it to an HSMC board?   Thanks fot the help 

[Altera_Forum]

--- Quote Start ---  What about the Cyclone III EP3C25 Starter Board Test Design? can I implement a DUC and DDC (NCO,Filters,Mixer) and interconect it to an HSMC board?    --- Quote End ---    This kit:  http://www.altera.com/products/devkits/altera/kit-cyc3-starter.html  Any FPGA can be used to implement an NCO, DUC or DDC. Ultimately you are only limited by the resources your DSP logic requires, and whether you want to access external signals. DSP logic can easily be tested using RAM for a DSP input data source, and for DSP output data sink.  Cheers, Dave