Programmable Devices
CPLDs, FPGAs, SoC FPGAs, Configuration, and Transceivers
20644 Discussions

Do you think the MAX10 will fit my ocxo application?

Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor II
983 Views

Dear all,  

I have no experience with the Altera FPGA parts and seek some advice: 

I'm currently in the process of designing a GPS disciplined OCXO oscillator. See attached simplified block schematic. 

The main goal of the application is to synchronize the OCXO oscillator both in time and phase to the GPS 1pps signal so that the OCXO will run with an accurate frequency as long as the GPS signal is present. 

When the GPS is no longer present (holdover mode), the OCXO will free run and be compensated against temperature and aging drift by my adapting OSC model algorithm which is based on a learning process. 

 

I find the MAX10 a possible candidate to be used in my application because: 

-It is available in small packages with low pin count. 

-It got embedded config flash. (I have not much board space available) 

-It is possible to include a small MCU in the FPGA. 

-Simple power supply 

 

In that case I have a couple of questions: 

 

-Is there a chance that my application, logic + Nios II MCU, will fit inside a MAX 10M08 device? 

-Does the Nios II core require external SRAM to be useful, or is it possible to use internal ram only if a lot of ram is not needed? 

 

 

http://www.alteraforum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=13115&stc=1  

 

 

Cheers, 

:) Terje
0 Kudos
3 Replies
Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor II
278 Views

Yeah, this part will work for you. There is a low-cost kit from Arrow that uses this part, and the Wiki has a NIOS II example ... 

 

https://www.arrow.com/en/products/bemicromax10/arrow-development-tools 

 

http://www.alterawiki.com/wiki/bemicro_max_10 

 

The device probably has enough DSP blocks for your NCO tracking loop. 

 

Cheers, 

Dave
0 Kudos
Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor II
278 Views

Thanks for your information Dave, 

I will buy a evaluation board and try to fit everything inside the MAX10. 

 

Cheers 

Terje
0 Kudos
Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor II
278 Views

 

--- Quote Start ---  

 

I will buy a evaluation board and try to fit everything inside the MAX10. 

 

--- Quote End ---  

 

There's nothing special about the Arrow board. I noticed that its listed as out-of-stock. The Altera site has some other options. Search on Mouser, Digikey, and via Google. 

 

Cheers, 

Dave
0 Kudos
Reply