Traditionally, portable system designers have used ASICs and ASSPs to implement memory interfaces, I/O expansion, power-on sequencing, discrete logic functions, display, and other functions. Cost limitations, power and cooling restrictions, and board space requirements often limit the use of PLDs in these applications. Today, however, innovations in CPLDs in power reduction, cost optimization, and small form-factor packaging allow PLDs … Read More → "Reduce Total System Cost in Portable Applications Using MAX II CPLDs"

In addition to processing techniques, FPGA innovations allow Altera to move beyond Moore’s Law to meet higher bandwidth requirements while meeting cost and power budgets. Altera’s Stratix V FPGAs provide breakthrough bandwidth via 28-Gbps power-efficient transceivers, and allow users to integrate more of their design on a single FPGA by using Embedded HardCopy Blocks while increasing flexibility through partial reconfiguration.

The rapid growth in bandwidth required to support video and broadband wireless is straining communication networks. The current 10-Gbit OTN … Read More → "Enabling 100-Gbit OTN Muxponder Solutions on 28-nm FPGAs"

With high-speed 100-GbE communication network standards converging,Read More → "Integrating 100-GbE Switching Solutions on 28-nm FPGAs"

Efficiently supporting ever-increasing system bandwidth needs by attaining higher data rates and achieving greater integration is becoming an ever-greater challenge. This paper is an architectural exploration of SERDES challenges and solutions for 12.5-Gbps backplanes and next-generation optical modules at 28 Gbps. It describes the direction of the 10- to 28-Gbps transceiver industry, highlights challenges, and introduces 28-nm silicon and productivity solutions that address these challenges.

Read More → "Extending Transceiver Leadership at 28nm"

Linear Technology announces the LTC6802^®, a highly integrated multicell battery monitoring IC capable of measuring up to 12 individual battery cells. Using a novel stacking technique, multiple LTC6802s can be stacked in series without opto-couplers or isolators, allowing precision voltage monitoring of every cell in long strings of series connected batteries. … Read More → "High Voltage, Precision, Battery Stack Monitor"