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"

The silicon DSP architecture of the FPGA can make a big difference when implementing complex signal-processing algorithms. Altera’s Stratix V FPGAs, with the variable-precision DSP block architecture, are the only programmable devices that efficiently support many different precision levels, including floating-point implementations. Also, with a 64-bit cascade bus and accumulator, the designer does not have to sacrifice precision when the algorithm implementation requires multiple DSP blocks.

Author: Suhel … Read More → "Enabling High-Precision DSP Applications with the FPGA Industry’s First Variable-Precision Architecture"

High-performance signal-processing designs increasingly require higher than 18-bit precision and even a range of precisions across the datapath. You’re probably seeing these requirements in traditional digital signal processing (DSP) functions such as finite impulse response (FIR) filters, fast Fourier transforms (FFTs), emerging matrix functions, and in custom signal-processing datapaths. 

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Before embarking on the development of a next-generation electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) system, it is important to not only understand the power and performance characteristics of the FPGA, but also the various functions developed both as IP and reference designs. Altera’s VIP Suite of MegaCore®functions provide sensor control and various image-processing capabilities, including buffering, scaling, filtering, and combining video streams … Read More → "Enabling Low-Power EO/IR System Development with FPGAs and Image- and Sensor-Processing IP"

Over 70% of designs on Altera® FPGAs require some type of external memory in the design, but the needs vary depending on the individual application. This white paper addresses all aspects of building external memory solutions with Altera FPGAs, including application needs, memory capabilities of Altera FPGAs, and device and IP selection. Also discussed is the modular style of the memory components, comprised of Altera’s controller and PHY offerings with circuit and calibration features.

Read More → "Boosting System Performance with External Memory Solutions"