Tutorials and Literature

This section presents some tutorial material to provide a reference for the technology behind many of the Pentek products. It can also be used as a general reference for those involved in the design and application of DSP and data acquisition technologies. Most of the tutorials are based on articles that have been published by Pentek in various journals during the last three years.

The following links are to files in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format. Adobe Acrobat Reader, available free from Adobe, is required to view or print these files.

Tutorials Webcast Seminars Industry Articles Brochures Catalogs FAQs Handbooks Overviews White Papers Useful Links

Tutorials - ( top )

• Are VMEbus & VME64X Really Compatible?
• Backplane Wiring Know How
• C-Language Programming for DSP
• Compact PCI Voltage (I/O) and VMEbus/Compact PCI Connectors: Keeping 'Em Straight
• Designing a 256-Channel Digital Downconverter
• Designing High-Speed Data Acquisition Systems on VMEbus
• Digital Receivers Bring DSP to Radio Frequencies
• FPGAs for Software Radio
• FPGAs Tackle DSP Applictions for Communications
• Mezzanine Board Strategies for Communication Systems
• Model 2501 105 MHz A/D, Real-Time Signal Processor & Recorder RTS Development Platform
• Optimum Data Flow Solutions for High-Performance Systems
• PMC: The PCI Mezzanine Card
• Processor Comparison: Texas Instruments C6000 DSP and Motorola G4 PowerPC
• Putting Undersampling to Work
• RACEway and FPDP: High-Speed Interfaces for Optimizing I/O
• Real-Time Bandwidth and Overlap Processing
• Selecting the Right FPGA for Your Application
• System-level Switched Topologies for Extreme Performance
• The MIX Interface: A Mezzanine Bus for VME
• The VIM Family: High-Speed Mezzanine I/O Expansion Modules
• Tools for Real-Time Embedded System Development
• VXS: Switched Serial Gigabit Fabric for VMEbus
• XMC: A Mezzanine for all Seasons

Webcast Seminars - ( top )

• Advanced I/O Strategies and Roadmap
• Avoiding Bottlenecks in Real-Time DSP Systems
• Choose your processing weapon: PowerPC or 'C6000
• COTS Software and System Techniques to Achieve Extreme Real-Time Performance
• Design Strategies for COTS-based Software Radio and Wireless Systems
• Embedded Processor Boards: Architecture Drives Performance
• FPGA's Offload DSP's for High-Performance Software Radio and Wireless Communications
• FPGAs Unleash Single Board Computers for Real-Time
• Introducing eCos: A License-Free Alternative RTOS for the G4 PowerPC
• New Technologies Drive Next Generation A/D Boards
• Optimizing Power PC Performance for Radar and Wideband Wireless
• Pentek & Xilinx: Tackling FPGA Design Challenges for Embedded Systems
• Putting FPGAs to Work for Software Radio
• Software Tools for DSP Systems Development

Industry Articles - ( top )

• An Introduction to eCos
  Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) are available from a wide range of sources.
• C6000 vs. PowerPC for signal processing application development
  The C6000 DSPs from TI and PowerPC G4 procerssors from Motoroa can deliver some of the highest performance processing power currently available in silicon today.
• FPGA Cores Enhance Radar Pulse
  Numerous obstacles and tradeoffs are inherent in digital pulse compression design. Specialized FPGA IP cores help smooth the way.
• FPGAs and DSPs square off in military designs
  Industry Article on FPGAs with quote from Rodger Hosking.
• FPGAs Are They Really Worth It?

View Industry Article Archive

Brochures - ( top )

• Elma/Bustronic VXS backplane datasheet
• GateFlow FPGA Products Catalog
• High-Speed A/D Boards & Real-Time Systems Brochure, Third Edition
• High-Speed VIM I/O Peripherals
• Model 4205 VIM/PMC Carrier VME Board Brochure, Second Edition
• Model 4207 MPC8641D PowerPC & FPGA I/O Processor VME/VXS Board
• Model 4285 Octal 'C40 Processor VME Board Brochure

Catalogs - ( top )

• Analog I/O Product Selection Guide
• FPGA Selection Guide
• Pentek 2007 Product Catalog
• Processor Selection Guide
• Software Radio Selection Guide
• Software Selection Guide
• System Solutions Guide

FAQs - ( top )

• Customer FAQs
• Model 4205 FAQs
• Model 4207 FAQs
• Model 4953 FAQs
• Model 6215 FAQs
• Model 6226 FAQs
• Model 6229 FAQs
• Model 6230 FAQs
• Model 6231 FAQs
• Model 6235 FAQs
• Model 6821/6822 FAQs
• Model 6826 FAQs
• Model 7131 FAQs
• Model 7140 FAQs
• Model RTS-2501 FAQs
• QuickFAQs: FPGAs

Handbooks - ( top )

• Achieving SCA Compliance for COTS Software Defined Radio, Second Edition
• Critical Techniques for High-Speed A/D Converters In Real-Time Systems Handbook, Second Edition
• Digital Receiver Handbook, Sixth Edition
• High-speed Switched Serial Fabrics Improve System Design
• Putting FPGAs to Work for Software Radio Handbook, Third Edition

Overviews - ( top )

• eCos Datasheet
• Front Panel Data Port (FPDP) Brief Overview
• GateFlow FPGA Products Overview
• Model 4954-421 160MSPS Wideband Downconverted IP Core
• Model 4954-422 296MSPS Wideband Digital Downconverter IP Core
• Model 4954-440 Pulse Compressor IP Core
• RACEway Handbook, Rev. B
• RTS 2501 Overview
• RTS 2503 Overview
• RTS 2504 Overview
• Wind River Tornado II / VxWorks for G4 PowerPC

White Papers - ( top )

• An Introduction to eCos
• DSP Application Development: C6000 vs. PowerPC
• Thermal Management Techniques for VME Systems

Useful Links - ( top )

• Computing Dictionary
  Free Computing Dictionary for common electronic terms