1394b FPGA Link Layer Controller

Overview

Key Features

• Complete IP solution combining FireLink® Basic and FireGate
• IEEE-1394-2008 Beta
• Supports S100-S3200 transfer rates
• Minimal Footprint
• 1394b Link Layer supporting BOSS Arbitration
• Scalable number of PHY ports from 1 to 16

Benefits

• Single-chip solution: Combination of PHY and Link Layer IPs thus creating smaller solutions. Additional components (CPUs, encoders, etc) can be added to create a System On Chip (SOC) solution.
• Flexible number of ports: Commercially available PHY chips have a fixed number of ports which for small peripherals is often overkill. On the other hand, host adapters would likely benefit from 3 or more ports and a hub could even have more than that. For a PHY based on FPGA technology, the user can customize the number of ports as required.
• Optional debug and test features: Optionally, the user can include debug and test features like BERT (Bit Error Rate Test), Low-level data monitoring and Recording.
• Field-upgradable: The used FPGAs are field upgradable thus allowing the addition of new features or bug fixes, even if the device is already in the field.
• Cost-effective ASICS: Once a design is finalized an IP solution offers a very cost-effective path to spinning a custom ASIC.

Applications

• Several markets can make use of the FireCore Basic including Aerospace & Defense, Industrial, and Consumer Electronics. As a special option, AS5643 (Mil1394) protocol support is planned for FireCore Basic. While current implementations require significant host software support, FireCore will be able to support this layer with significantly better timing as well as reduced host resource utilization. Examples of typical applications in aerospace & defense for FireCore include command & control systems for space-based vehicles, missile guidance platforms, fighter aircraft flight control, as well as its implementation in avionics & IFE platforms for business and commercial aircraft.
• The industrial applications of FireCore are quite broad and include robotics, machine vision, wide format digital printing and medical imaging. Finally, FireCore is ideal for use in Consumer Electronics equipment such as Set Top Boxes, DVD peripherals and High Definition A/V equipment.

Deliverables

• DapTechnology supports its IP cores on a wide variety of FPGA families. At the moment of writing the following platforms are supported but please don't hesitate to contact us for the very latest information:
• Xilinx (Spartan, Artix, Kintex, Virtex, Zynq, ...)
• Altera (Cyclone)
• MicroSemi (IGLOO2, Smartfusion2)

Technical Specifications