High performance, user programmable FPGA PXI Modules

25 July 2011 - Geotest introduced two new, high performance, user programmable FPGA PXI modules. The PXI GX3700 and the PXI Express GX3700e Flex DIOs use the Altera Stratix III FPGA, which can support SERDES data rates to 1.25GHz/sec and I/O data rates to 700MHz. Additionally, both cards include 256K x 32 of SSRAM as well as integrated DMA capability.

For applications that require high data throughput, the GX3700e offers the ability to stream data to and from the host controller via the PXI express' X4 interface at rates in excess of 800MB/s.

Both the PXI and PXI express cards utilize a high performance base board/expansion board architecture, which allows users to develop their own custom circuitry within the compact, single-slot, 3U form factor without relying upon bulky, external interface boards.

PXI Express GX3700e

Users can design the FPGA by using Altera's free Quartus II Web Edition tool set. Once the FPGA design is compiled, the configuration file can be loaded into the FPGA via the PXI bus interface or via an on-board 16MB EEPROM. A full set of software tools, including an interactive UI, is included with the GX3700 and GX3700e to facilitate the loading of the compiled design as well as interactively controlling predefined registers that interface to the user FPGA — simplifying development and deployment.