Flexible Sensor to FPGA interface board?

In summary: This would save you the cost of a dedicated I/O board, and allow you to use the FPGA for other tasks. In summary, the author is looking for a PC104 board that can be stacked on top of an FPGA to provide a lot of digital I/O lines and analogue inputs. He is also looking for a way to interface the sensors to the FPGA without having to create custom PCBs.
  • #1
Host
1
0
I currently have two custom PCBs that perform a variety of functions on signals to and from different sensors, including quite a bit of buffering. The PCBs are between the sensors and a PC104 SBC.
I want to take the design to a more functional level by implementing as much of those two PCBs on an FPGA. This will allow smaller overall design, less power consumption, cheaper production costs, more inputs, faster redesign/turnaround, etc.

However, my main problem has been in finding a great way to interface the sensors to the FPGA. Most I/O boards I look at are not functional enough. I need a variety of input and outputs to the sensors, cameras, lasers etc., including some power supply to some of the lower current demanding devices (<10w @ 5 and 12V). I was looking for some other PC104 board that could simply stack on top of the FPGA and SBC that could do this. I know I could design it myself but my main objective is to eliminate any custom PCBs for off the shelf designs that are configurable to my needs.

I have a mix of analog and digital signals so some A/D conversion would be preferable before sending it to the FPGA. Also some of the signals go up to 12V so they need to be turned to TTL or whatever the FPGA I/O allows (I have not selected a specific FPGA yet). There are also analog and digital outputs so it could also use some D/A. In total I need a minimum of 50 I/Os but with future projects that I would like to implement I would prefer over 100.

Is there anything on the market that is this functional?
 
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  • #2
Generally that's what people use the FPGA for!
They are a cheap way of having a lot of digital I/O lines and analogue inputs that you can parcel up and send to a micro over I2C, Rs232, USB, ethernet etc.
 
  • #3
Host said:
I currently have two custom PCBs that perform a variety of functions on signals to and from different sensors, including quite a bit of buffering. The PCBs are between the sensors and a PC104 SBC.
I want to take the design to a more functional level by implementing as much of those two PCBs on an FPGA. This will allow smaller overall design, less power consumption, cheaper production costs, more inputs, faster redesign/turnaround, etc.

However, my main problem has been in finding a great way to interface the sensors to the FPGA. Most I/O boards I look at are not functional enough. I need a variety of input and outputs to the sensors, cameras, lasers etc., including some power supply to some of the lower current demanding devices (<10w @ 5 and 12V). I was looking for some other PC104 board that could simply stack on top of the FPGA and SBC that could do this. I know I could design it myself but my main objective is to eliminate any custom PCBs for off the shelf designs that are configurable to my needs.

I have a mix of analog and digital signals so some A/D conversion would be preferable before sending it to the FPGA. Also some of the signals go up to 12V so they need to be turned to TTL or whatever the FPGA I/O allows (I have not selected a specific FPGA yet). There are also analog and digital outputs so it could also use some D/A. In total I need a minimum of 50 I/Os but with future projects that I would like to implement I would prefer over 100.

Is there anything on the market that is this functional?

Welcome to the PF. Have you already looked at the Demo boards available for Xilinx FPGAs, for example? They come in a bunch of different configurations, including some with ADIO, and for different flavors of FPGAs and CPLDs. The other FPGA manufacturers should have similar selections. They are usually listed under the Developer Resources or similar pages.

Alternatively, have you considered just using an ADIO PC-104 card, and accessing and processing the data directly over the PC-104 bus?
 

1. What is a flexible sensor to FPGA interface board?

A flexible sensor to FPGA interface board is a circuit board that allows for communication between a flexible sensor and a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The flexible sensor can be a variety of devices, such as pressure sensors, temperature sensors, or strain gauges, and the FPGA is a programmable logic device that can be configured to process data from the sensor.

2. How does a flexible sensor to FPGA interface board work?

The flexible sensor to FPGA interface board works by converting the analog signals from the sensors into digital signals that can be read and processed by the FPGA. This is done through the use of analog-to-digital converters and digital signal processing algorithms.

3. What are the benefits of using a flexible sensor to FPGA interface board?

There are several benefits to using a flexible sensor to FPGA interface board. One of the main benefits is the ability to process data from a variety of sensors, allowing for flexibility in the types of measurements that can be taken. Additionally, the use of an FPGA allows for real-time data processing, making it suitable for applications that require fast and accurate measurements.

4. What are some common applications of a flexible sensor to FPGA interface board?

A flexible sensor to FPGA interface board can be used in a wide range of applications, including medical devices, industrial automation, robotics, and wearable technology. It is particularly useful in applications that require precise and real-time data processing, such as in monitoring systems or control systems.

5. How do I choose the right flexible sensor to FPGA interface board for my project?

When choosing a flexible sensor to FPGA interface board, it is important to consider the type of sensor you will be using, the accuracy and speed of data processing required, and any specific features or functionalities needed for your project. It is also important to ensure compatibility between the sensor, interface board, and FPGA. Consulting with a specialist or doing thorough research can help in selecting the right board for your project.

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