Cheap NIOS II FPGA

Altera_Forum · ‎08-05-2009

Does anyone have any insight into what the likely cheapest FPGA to support a NIOS II processor would be if the design contained some flash memory, ssram, spi controller, and some form of video output (RGB TTL, svideo, vga, etc.)? Plus the smaller necessary components, obviously. Just trying to get a general idea as to whether I will be able to use an Altera FPGA and keep the project cost low.

Altera_Forum · ‎08-06-2009

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Niglix @ Aug 5 2009, 03:41 PM) <{post_snapback}> (index.php?act=findpost&pid=23421)</div>

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Does anyone have any insight into what the likely cheapest FPGA to support a NIOS II processor would be if the design contained some flash memory, ssram, spi controller, and some form of video output (RGB TTL, svideo, vga, etc.)? Plus the smaller necessary components, obviously. Just trying to get a general idea as to whether I will be able to use an Altera FPGA and keep the project cost low.[/b]

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We use the Cyclone 2 device (EP2C5) which I think is the smallest Cyclone 2 device there is. Our processor has 10K ram and several timers, UARTs and some pretty funky bespoke peripherals. We use an external CFI compliant flash memory device for our firmware.

You used to be able to get the 144 pin 2C5 from Farnell in the UK for less than £10. It seems to have disappeared from their online catalogue. Digikey have them for £9.57

For the versitility it give you it knocks many of the standard micro controllers for six. We were able to go from 16 counters to 32 counters in about 10 minutes. You'd be lucky to find a standard micro with 16 counters on to start with.

The 2C8 device is also worth a look. It's not much more expensive and is ALMOST pin compatible with the 2C5 (there are 4 extra power pins to cater for which we did with 0R resistors fitted to the board if we used the 2C8)

Hope this helps

Kevin

We haven't looked at the Cyclone 3 series yet.

Altera_Forum · ‎08-06-2009

I was hoping someone would respond who had used the 2C5 as it is the one I was looking at. Thanks, that helps a lot.