The GateFlow FPGA Design Kit

The Pentek Model 4953 GateFlow FPGA Design Kit provides the user with design information, software files and utilities for extending FPGA functions in these products. Users can implement a variety of custom preprocessing functions such as convolution, framing, pattern recognition, decompression, FFT, delay, beamforming, decoding, time stamping, averaging, and summation.

What’s included in the Design Kit

Each Model 4953 GateFlow FPGA Design Kit includes the following:

The software project used in Xilinx Foundation to create all the standard factory functions of the product including device and bus interfaces, data formatting, clocking, and control
All VHDL source code modules for the standard factory configuration
Instructions and utilities for loading a new user-defined configuration to the FPGAs via serial download, parallel upload from the baseboard processor, or custom EEPROM configuration
Instructions for implementing a software FPGA project

Using the FPGA Design Kit

The GateFlow FPGA Design Kit is intended for the programming of predefined user blocks located in the data flow path specifically reserved for custom applications. These predefined blocks protect users from inadvertently altering base functionality.

Pentek recommends user programming be limited to the predefined user blocks to maintain base functionality. However, for more complex requirements, sufficient information is supplied in the kit for the user to modify, add to, or replace default board functions if necessary. Default configuration files are included with the Design Kit should it be necessary to restore standard factory configuration.

FPGA Design Kit User Block

Shown on this page is the block diagram of a typical software radio module. The diagram includes the FPGA and external hardware devices connected to it.

GateFlow Design Kit User Block

The blocks inside the FPGA are VHDL code modules that handle the standard factory functions and interfaces. The User Block is a VHDL module that sits in the data path with pin definitions for input, output, status, control and clocks.

In the standard Design Kit product, the User Block is configured as a straight wire between the input and output ports. By creating a custom algorithm inside the block that conforms to the pin definition, the user will have a low-risk experience in recompiling and installing the custom code. Since Pentek provides source code for all the modules, changes outside the user block can also be made by the user.

FPGA Design Kit Project Files

The GateFlow Design Kit is intended for use with the Xilinx ISE Foundation Tool Suite. The user should be trained in and be familiar with this tool and general FPGA design principles.

The Design Kit installs as a complete project file within the ISE environment and includes all the project files that Pentek engineers used to create the standard product. Included are configuration and definition files, VHDL source code, JTAG definition files and I/O block diagrams. The FPGA Design Kit also includes several helpful utilities and a very important resource, the FPGA Loader Utility.

FPGA Design Kit Loader Utility

Normally, the FPGA is loaded from a nonvolatile EEPROM with the standard factory configuration code when the product is powered up.

The FPGA Loader Utility allows the processor associated with the FPGA product to reconfigure the FPGA as a software task, effectively overwriting the factory configuration code. As a result, there is no need to turn off power, no need to disassemble the board or system and no need to attach any special cables or harnesses to the board.

The FPGA can be reconfigured in this manner during initialization to install custom operational modes and features. It can also facilitate product upgrades and enhancements that can dramatically extend product longevity.

Xilinx FPGAs in Pentek Products

Each hardware product uses some FPGA resources to implement the standard factory functions, such as interfaces, data formatting, state machines, and operating modes.

Since many of the newer FPGAs are so large, even after all the standard factory functions have been implemented, a significant percentage of FPGA resources remain unused and available for customer use.

Products Supporting GateFlow FPGA Design Kit

Model 7858 - Dual 500 MHz A/D & 800 MHz Virtex-5 FPGAs - PCIe
Model 7856 - Dual 400 MHz A/D & 800 MHz Virtex-5 FPGAs - PCIe
Model 7853 - 4-Ch. Beamformer with four 200 MHz, 16-bit A/Ds - x8 PCIe
Model 7850 - Quad 200 MHz, 16-bit A/D with Virtex-5 FPGAs, x8 PCIe
Model 7842-428 - GateFlow Transceiver with Multiband DDC & Interpolation Filter - PCIe
Model 7842 - 4-Ch A/D, 1-Ch D/A w/ Virtex-4 FPGAs, x8 PCIe
Model 7841-430 - GateFlow Transceiver with 256-Ch NB DDC - PCIe
Model 7841-420 - GateFlow Transceiver with WB DDC & Intpolation Filter - PCIe
Model 7841 - Dual Digital Up/Downconverter with FPGA, x8 PCIe
Model 7840 - Dual Digital Up/Downconverter with FPGA, x8 PCIe
Model 7758D - Quad 500 MHz A/Ds, 800 MHz D/As, and Virtex-5 FPGAs - PCIe
Model 7758 - Dual 500 MHz A/Ds, 800 MHz D/As, and Virtex-5 FPGAs - PCIe
Model 7756D - Quad 400 MHz A/Ds, 800 MHz D/As, and Virtex-5 FPGAs - PCIe
Model 7756 - Dual 400 MHz A/Ds, 800 MHz D/As, and Virtex-5 FPGAs - PCIe
Model 7753D - 8-Ch. Beamformer with eight 200 MHz, 16-bit A/Ds - x16 PCIe
Model 7753 - 4-Ch. Beamformer with four 200 MHz, 16-bit A/Ds - x16 PCIe
Model 7750D - Octal 200 MHz, 16-bit A/D with Virtex-5 FPGAs - PCIe
Model 7750 - Quad 200 MHz, 16-bit A/D with Virtex-5 FPGAs - PCIe
Model 7742D-428 - GateFlow Transceiver with Multiband DDC & Interpolation Filter - PCIe
Model 7742D - 8-Ch A/D, 2-Ch D/A w/ V4 FPGAs - PCIe
Model 7742-428 - GateFlow Transceiver with Multiband DDC & Interpolation Filter - PCIe
Model 7742 - 4-Ch A/D, 1-Ch D/A w/ V4 FPGAs - PCIe
Model 7741D-430 - GateFlow Transceiver with 256-Ch NB DDC - PCIe
Model 7741D-420 - GateFlow Transceiver with WB DDC & Intpolation Filter - PCIe
Model 7741D - Quad Digital Up/Downconverter with FPGA - PCIe
Model 7741-430 - GateFlow Transceiver with 256-Ch NB DDC - PCIe
Model 7741-420 - GateFlow Transceiver with WB DDC & Intpolation Filter - PCIe
Model 7741 - Dual Digital Up/Downconverter with FPGA - PCIe
Model 7740 - Dual Digital Up/Downconverter with FPGA - PCIe
Model 7658 - Dual 500 MHz A/Ds, 800 MHz D/As, and Virtex-5 FPGAs - PCI
Model 7656 - Dual 400 MHz A/Ds, 800 MHz D/As, and Virtex-5 FPGAs - PCI
Model 7650 - Quad 200 MHz, 16-bit A/D w/Virtex-5 FPGAs PCI
Model 7642-428 - GateFlow Transceiver with Multiband DDC & Interpolation Filter PMC/XMC
Model 7642 - 4-Ch A/D, 1-Ch D/A w/ Virtex-4 FPGAs PCI
Model 7641-430 - GateFlow Transceiver with 256-Ch NB DDC - PCI
Model 7641 - Dual Digital Up/Downconverter PCI with FPGA
Model 7640-420 - GateFlow Transceiver WB DDC & Interpolation - PCI
Model 7640 - Dual Digital Up/Downconverter PCI with FPGA
Model 7631A - 16-Ch. Multiband Receiver w/A/D & FPGA PCI Board
Model 7631 - 16-Ch. Dig. Receiver w/A/D & FPGA PCI Board
Model 7358 - Dual 500 MHz A/Ds, 800 MHz D/As, and Virtex-5 FPGAs - 3U cPCI
Model 7356 - Dual 400 MHz A/Ds, 800 MHz D/As, and Virtex-5 FPGAs - 3U cPCI
Model 7350 - Quad 200 MHz, 16-bit A/D w/Virtex-5 FPGAs 3U cPCI
Model 7342-428 - GateFlow Transceiver with Multiband DDC & Interpolation Filter PMC/XMC
Model 7342 - 4-Ch A/D, 1-Ch D/A w/Virtex-4 FPGAs 3U CPCI
Model 7341-430 - GateFlow Transceiver with 256-Ch NB DDC - cPCI
Model 7341-420 - GateFlow Transceiver w/WB DDC & Interpolation - 3U cPCI
Model 7341 - Dual Digital Up/Downconverter 3U cPCI with FPGA
Model 7340-430 - GateFlow Transceiver w/256-Ch NB DDC - 3U cPCI
Model 7340-421 - GateFlow Transceiver w/Wideband DDC - 3U cPCI
Model 7340-420 - GateFlow Transceiver w/WB DDC & Interpolation - 3U cPCI
Model 7340 - Dual Digital Up/Downconverter 3U cPCI with FPGA
Model 7331 - 16-Ch Multiband Digital Receiver & A/D 3U cPCI Board
Model 7258D - Quad 500 MHz A/Ds, 800 MHz D/As, and Virtex-5 FPGAs - 6U cPCI
Model 7258 - Dual 500 MHz A/Ds, 800 MHz D/As, and Virtex-5 FPGAs - 6U cPCI
Model 7256D - Quad 400 MHz A/Ds, 800 MHz D/As, and Virtex-5 FPGAs - 6U cPCI
Model 7256 - Dual 400 MHz A/Ds, 800 MHz D/As, and Virtex-5 FPGAs - 6U cPCI
Model 7250D - Octal 200 MHz, 16-bit A/D w/Virtex-5 FPGAs 6U cPCI
Model 7250 - Quad 200 MHz, 16-bit A/D w/Virtex-5 FPGAs 6U cPCI
Model 7242D-428 - GateFlow Transceiver with Multiband DDC & Interpolation Filter PMC/XMC
Model 7242-428 - GateFlow Transceiver with Multiband DDC & Interpolation Filter PMC/XMC
Model 7242 - 4-Ch A/D, 1-Ch D/A w/Virtex-4 FPGAs 6U CPCI
Model 7241D-430 - GateFlow Transceiver with 256-Ch NB DDC - cPCI
Model 7241D-420 - GateFlow Transceiver w/WB DDC & Interpolation - 6U cPCI
Model 7241D - Quad Digital Up/Downconverter 6U cPCI with FPGA
Model 7241-430 - GateFlow Transceiver with 256-Ch NB DDC - cPCI
Model 7241-420 - GateFlow Transceiver w/WB DDC & Interpolation - 6U cPCI
Model 7241 - Dual Digital Up/Downconverter 6U cPCI with FPGA
Model 7240D-430 - GateFlow Transceiver w/256-Ch NB DDC - 6U cPCI
Model 7240D-420 - GateFlow Transceiver w/WB DDC & Interpolation - 6U cPCI
Model 7240D - Quad Digital Up/Downconverter 6U cPCI with FPGA
Model 7240-430 - GateFlow Transceiver w/256-Ch NB DDC - 6U cPCI
Model 7240-421 - GateFlow Transceiver w/Wideband DDC - 6U cPCI
Model 7240-420 - GateFlow Transceiver w/WB DDC & Interpolation - 6U cPCI
Model 7240 - Dual Digital Up/Downconverter 6U cPCI with FPGA
Model 7231D - 32-Ch Multiband Digital Receiver & A/D 6U cPCI Board
Model 7231 - 16-Ch Multiband Digital Receiver & A/D 6U cPCI Board
Model 71620 - 3 Channel 200 MHz A/D & 2 Channel 800 MHz D/A with Virtex-6 FPGA - XMC
Model 7158 - Dual 500 MHz A/Ds, 800 MHz D/As, and Virtex-5 FPGAs - PMC/XMC
Model 7156 - Dual 400 MHz A/Ds, 800 MHz D/As, and Virtex-5 FPGAs - PMC/XMC
Model 7150 - Quad 200 MHz, 16-bit A/D with Virtex-5 FPGAs PMC/XMC
Model 7142-428 - GateFlow Transceiver with Multiband DDC & Interpolation Filter PMC/XMC
Model 7142 - 4-Ch A/D, 1-Ch D/A w/ Virtex-4 FPGAs PMC/XMC
Model 7141-703 - Dual Digital Up/Downconverter Ruggedized PMC/XMC with FPGA
Model 7141-430 - GateFlow Transceiver with 256-Ch NB DDC - PMC/XMC
Model 7141-420 - GateFlow Transceiver with WB DDC & Intpolation Filter PMC/XMC
Model 7141 - Dual Digital Up/Downconverter PMC/XMC with FPGA
Model 7140-430 - GateFlow Transceiver with 256-Ch NB DDC - PMC/XMC
Model 7140-421 - GateFlow Transceiver with Wideband DDC - PMC/XMC
Model 7140-420 - GateFlow Transceiver WB DDC & Interpolation - PMC/XMC
Model 7140 - Dual Digital Up/Downconverter PMC/XMC with FPGA
Model 7131 - 16-Ch Multiband Digital Receiver & A/D PMC Module
Model 6826 - Dual 2 GHz, 10-bit A/D VME Board w/Virtex-II Pro
Model 6822 - Dual 215 MHz A/D Converter VME Board w/FPDP Output
Model 6821 - 215 MHz A/D Converter VME Board w/FPDP Output
Model 6256 - Dual/Quad 105 MHz A/D w/Virtex-II Pro FPGA VIM-2
Model 6251 - Configurable Logic & I/O Virtex-II Pro FPGA VIM-2
Model 6250 - Configurable Logic FPGA VIM-2 Module with FPDP I/O
Model 6236 - 14-Bit A/D & FPGA VIM-2 w/Opt. Digital Receivers
Model 6235 - 2-Ch. Wideband Dig. Receiver + A/D VIM-2 w/FPGA
Model 6232 - 32-Ch. Narrowband Dig Receiver VIM-4 w/FPDP Inputs w/FPGA
Model 6231 - 16-Channel Narrowband Digital Receiver & A/D VIM-2 w/FPGA
Model 6230 - 32-Channel Narrowband Digital Receiver & A/D VIM-4 w/FPGA
Model 6228 - 4-Ch. D/A, Digital Upconverter & FPGA VIM-2 Module
Model 4207 - MPC8641D PowerPC & Virtex-4 FPGA I/O Proc - VME/VXS
Model 4205 - VIM/PMC Carrier and MPC7457 PowerPC VME Board