Date: 3rd Feb 09
New low cost Spartan FPGA family
for low-power applications
Xilinx has unveiled new low-cost Spartan field programmable
gate array (FPGA) family for cost-sensitive markets.
The Spartan-6 family comprises two domain-optimized FPGA
platforms
1. Spartan-6 LX FPGAs: These devices support up to 150K
logic density, 4.8Mb memory, integrated memory
controllers, and easy-to-use and high-performance system
IP such as DSP blocks, with an innovative
open standards-based configuration.
2. Spartan-6 LXT FPGAs: extends the LX platform to deliver
up to eight 3.125Gbps GTP transceivers and
an integrated PCI Express-compatible core, both derived
from Virtex technology, to provide solution
for serial connectivity.
Some of the key features include:
1. The integrated hard blocks within the Spartan-6 FPGAs,
along with tools such as Xilinx ISE Design Suite
and NI LabVIEW, to help National Instruments customers in
markets such as medical, industrial
and military/aerospace.
2. The Spartan-6 FPGA family is fabricated on a low-power
45-nanometer (nm), 9-metal layer, dualoxide
process technology.
3. The Spartan-6 FPGA family's dual-register 6-input LUT
(look-up table) logic structure leverages the Virtex
architecture to enable cross-platform compatibility and
to optimize system performance.
4. Built-in system-level blocks such as DSP slices, high-speed
transceivers, and PCI Express(R) interface
cores -- are also derived from the Virtex Series for greater
system-level integration.
5. The new integrated memory controller core supports DDR,
DDR2, DDR3, and mobile DDR memories,
along with a hardened multi-port bus structure for predictable
timing and performance of up
to DDR2/DDR3 800 (400MHz).
6. The ability to operate at a lower power 1.0v core option
enables the Spartan-6 FPGA family to achieve 65
% lower power than previous Spartan families.
7. Fast, flexible I/Os enable over 12Gbps memory access
bandwidth with 3.3 volt compatibility and 'greener'
RoHS-compliant Pb-free packaging.
8. Suitable for automotive infotainment, flat panel displays
& video surveillance
Availability:
1. Device details and software support are available now
through the Spartan-6 early access program. Initial
Spartan-6 devices are sampling now.
2. The design platforms providing fully integrated software
support, tested IP, and reference designs with
boards and kits will be available in the second half 2009.
3. Xilinx Engineering Services support is also immediately
available with engineering resources to augment
customer design teams and provide expert design-specific
advice and FPGA optimization.
For further details visit web site: www.xilinx.com
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