Unleash the Power of FPGA with Alchitry Au+ and Ft Element

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Unleash the Power of FPGA with Alchitry Au+ and Ft Element

Introduction
The Alcatry Au Plus Development Board
The Alcatry Ft Element Board
Comparison with the Alka-tree Au
Specifications of the Alcatry Au Plus
- 5.1 Logic Array Blocks
- 5.2 Logic Elements
- 5.3 RAM Bits
- 5.4 I/O Pins
- 5.5 Analog Inputs
- 5.6 General Purpose LEDs
- 5.7 Clock and Data Transfer
- 5.8 Power Options
Features of the Alcatry Ft Element Board
- 6.1 Board Connectors
- 6.2 USB 3.0 Interface
Is the Au Plus Worth the Price?
Recommendations for Beginners
Conclusion
Resources

🚀 The Alcatry Au Plus and Alcatry Ft Element Boards: Expanding the FPGA Workstation

The field-programmable gate array (FPGA) technology has gained significant traction in recent years, attracting enthusiasts eager to explore its potential. The Alcatra FPGA boards have emerged as popular choices among FPGA users, prompting SparkFun to expand its line of offerings. This article introduces two new boards: the Alcatry Au Plus development board and the Alcatry Ft Element board.

1. Introduction

FPGAs have revolutionized the digital circuit design process, allowing for greater flexibility, reconfigurability, and performance. With the success of the initial Alka-tree Au board, SparkFun recognized the need to provide FPGA enthusiasts with more powerful options. Hence, the Alcatry Au Plus and Alcatry Ft Element boards were born.

2. The Alcatry Au Plus Development Board

The Alcatry Au Plus is the bigger and stronger sibling of the original Alka-tree Au board, boasting substantial improvements in logic array blocks (LAB) and configurable logic blocks (CLB). With a remarkable count of 7925 LAB and 101,440 logic elements, the Au Plus offers nearly three times the capacity of its predecessor. Additionally, it houses over 4 million RAM bits, 256 megabytes of DDR3 RAM, and 102 I/O pins operating at 3.3V logic level. The board also provides the option to switch 20 pins to 1.8V for low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS) applications.

3. The Alcatry Ft Element Board

To expand the capabilities of the Alcatry Au series, SparkFun has introduced the Alcatry Ft Element board. This expansion board, similar to a shield or a hat, is designed to stack elements on top of the Alka-tree board. It features four 50-Pin board-to-board connectors, allowing for easy integration of additional modules. Notably, it enables a high-speed interface of up to 200 megabytes per Second via a USB 3.0 connection, making data transfer quick and efficient.

4. Comparison with the Alka-tree Au

While the Alcatry Au Plus offers significant improvements over the original Alka-tree Au board, it is essential to assess whether it aligns with your project requirements. The Au Plus presents a higher price point, making it suitable for advanced applications that necessitate its extensive resources. For instance, if you are working on projects comparable to Justin's mesmerizing giant digital clock, built using the Au board, the Au Plus would provide the required real estate for even more ambitious endeavors.

5. Specifications of the Alcatry Au Plus

5.1 Logic Array Blocks

The Alcatry Au Plus board boasts an impressive count of 7925 logic array blocks (LAB), allowing for complex digital circuit designs.

5.2 Logic Elements

With 101,440 logic elements or cells powered by the ARDX7A100T FPGA, the Au Plus provides immense computation capabilities.

5.3 RAM Bits

The Au Plus accommodates over 4 million RAM bits (4,976,640), offering extensive memory resources for data-intensive applications.

5.4 I/O Pins

Featuring 102 I/O pins operating at 3.3V logic level, the Au Plus allows for versatile connectivity options and integration with peripheral devices.

5.5 Analog Inputs

The board provides nine differential analog inputs, comprising one dedicated input and eight inputs mixed with digital I/O, enabling the integration of analog sensors and signals.

5.6 General Purpose LEDs

Equipped with eight general-purpose LEDs and a single on-board button, the Au Plus facilitates visual feedback and user interaction.

5.7 Clock and Data Transfer

The Au Plus features a 100 MHz onboard clock, which can be multiplied internally by the FPGA for faster clock speeds. It also includes a USB to serial interface for convenient data transfer and a USB-C port for board configuration and power.

5.8 Power Options

The Au Plus can be powered via headers, its 0.1-inch spaced pins, or the provided USB-C port, offering flexibility and convenience for different power supply configurations.

6. Features of the Alcatry Ft Element Board

6.1 Board Connectors

The Alcatry Ft Element board enhances the Alcatry Au series' expandability by providing four 50-pin board-to-board connectors. This allows for effortless stacking and connection of additional modules to complement the main FPGA board.

6.2 USB 3.0 Interface

Designed with a USB 3.0 connector, the Ft Element board presents a high-speed interface capable of transferring data at 200 megabytes per second. Users can leverage this interface to connect their Alka-tree board stack to external devices and peripherals effectively.

7. Is the Au Plus Worth the Price?

While the Alcatry Au Plus offers impressive capabilities, it is crucial to consider whether its comprehensive resources Align with your project requirements. The board's higher price point makes it suitable for advanced applications that demand its extensive capacity. For beginners or those pursuing less demanding projects, the original Alka-tree Au board or other alternatives may be more appropriate and cost-effective choices.

Pros:

Highly capable logic array blocks and logic elements
Abundant RAM bits for data-intensive applications
Versatile connectivity options with a multitude of I/O pins
Expandability through the Ft Element board

Cons:

Higher price point compared to other FPGA boards
Excessive resources for beginners or less demanding projects

8. Recommendations for Beginners

If you are just starting out with FPGA technology, it is advisable not to begin with the Alcatry Au Plus board. Its extensive capabilities may overwhelm beginners and potentially hinder the learning process. Instead, consider starting with a more beginner-friendly FPGA board that provides the necessary resources for your projects without unnecessary complexity and cost.

9. Conclusion

The introduction of the Alcatry Au Plus and Alcatry Ft Element boards expands the FPGA ecosystem and caters to the growing demands of FPGA enthusiasts. While the Au Plus appeals to advanced users seeking substantial capacity and resources, beginners are advised to explore alternatives that align better with their skill level and project requirements. SparkFun continues to provide an array of FPGA solutions, enabling users to unlock the full potential of this exciting technology.