Speed grade 7 as config controller on Cyclone DK?

Altera_Forum · ‎07-01-2004

Hello,

Is there any reason for using a CPLD (in this case EPM7128AETC100) with speed grade 7 as the configuration controller on the Cyclone Development Kit? The timing analyzer from Quartus shows that the fmax is 123.46 MHz for the speed grade 7 and 94.34 MHz for a device with speed grade 10. Speed grade 10 would be enough for a board which is running with a 50 MHz oscillator and would be much cheaper.

Please comment my thoughts.

Bye,

niosIIuser

Altera_Forum · ‎07-01-2004

IMHO, you should have no problem using the -10 speed grade. While you're at it, why don't you use the EPM3128ATC100-10? It is cheaper yet. Note that these devices are not pin-compatible.

Actually, if you are creating your own PCB, you should look into the new MAX II architecture. I think you'll like it:

www.altera.com/max2

-Terry

Altera_Forum · ‎07-01-2004

The only problem with MaxII being that you can't buy them yet.

That fact drove me to the EP1C3TC100 on my current board, which is a wee bit of overkill, but then I dropped the separate microcontroller and added a Nios-16 and all was swell...