Modern firmware routinely incorporates advanced digital signal processing and FPGA programming components, with many times the capacity of the integrated circuitry available a few years ago – and a far higher power demand. must maximize system performance whilst minimizing power consumption, for which an effective power distribution network is needed.

At board level, the PDN enables the voltage regulating module (VRM) to distribute power to the FPGA power supply, and to return current from the PS to the VRM. It also optimizes FPGA performance and transceiver signal integrity. PDN modeling tools are a recent introduction, and constantly challenged by the escalating demands of modern electronic hardware systems. Altera have developed a PDN graphical design tool, for use with their FPGA designs, which supports other high speed PCB design software. Software company Cadence have also incorporated PDN tools into their latest Allegro PCB design suite.

PCB design, and its accompanying software, is in a constant state of evolution. On-chip signaling has much higher frequencies than the inter-chip signals of earlier integrated circuits. In DSP programming, digital and radio frequency signals are often combined in one circuit, further complicating matters. We at �ۿ۴�ý Technologies can take things like this in our stride, offering a full range of FPGA design and DSP programming and services which use the latest OrCAD and Allegro PCB design software. We offer a full service which extends from early concepts to the final prototype.

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CFD and thermal analysis tools aid system design and reduce costs. Added to these are a number of power analysis tools, which are making a serious impact on the market. Power consumption has become an important consideration in embedded firmware, and the way in which the results are interpreted can have a significant effect on performance and efficiency. However, FPGA designers have to understand how the power consumption data patterns relate to the chips they use, for both specific clock cycles and entire computations. Many engineers base their analysis on specific power component numbers, rather than the entire power profile of the system. Not seeing the broader picture can lead to system designs which are energy inefficient – or appear to be.

This was demonstrated during the development of systems implementing the Actel IGLOO low-power FPGA design. When power analysis was conducted on a single cycle basis, silicon chip consumption was seen to vary widely, with a different power number for each of the systems into which it was embedded. If only single clock cycles were considered, the FPGA often appeared to have poor energy efficiency. However, when the entire data spectrum pattern was examined, and power-down switches and alternative power modes were added to the system designs, the results were good.

We at �ۿ۴�ý Technologies have many years’ experience in the field of DSP programming and FPGA design, offering comprehensive solutions for system analysis and PCB layout.

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The problem with omitting lead from tin solders is that, in its absence, spontaneous crystalline ‘whiskers’ can form. Electrically conductive, they can take anything from a few days to several years to develop, and sometimes (no one knows why) don’t grow at all. They can bridge contacts, short electrical circuits, and bridge traces, and no printed circuit board or VLSI design is exempt. In a piece of military (or civil) avionic hardware, the results can be catastrophic.

There is currently no fail-proof way to test the susceptibility of new PCB designs to whiskering, no way of predicting its occurrence, and no guaranteed prevention, except a minimum 3% lead addition. Many of the hardware systems using embedded firmware – for example, military applications – are exempt from environmental legislation. However, in a predominantly OTS (off-the-shelf) industry, component manufacturers aren’t prepared to start making specialist one-off products. It costs them money.

Can we live without lead solders? It seems we may have to. The race is on to find suitable alternatives, but in the meantime, those still using traditional lead-containing components will find them harder and harder to obtain. Part obsolescence management and PCN alerts are just two of the solutions we at offer, to help you cope with problems caused by environmental compliance.

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Digital Signal Processing involves the analysing or manipulation of digital information which originated as analogue signals from the real world. A telephone conversation is a good example of technology at work; it is also used in digital TV, sonar and radar systems, fax machines, audio equipment and industrial process control plants.

The important thing to remember is that speed is of the essence; the analogue signals must be converted quickly to numbers (digital format) by the embedded firmware so they can be utilised. DSP relies on discreet signals, meaning any data between samples is lost. The embedded firmware used in DSP technology is extremely fast and powerful.

A digital signal processor is a form of embedded firmware, i.e. a computer program embedded into a hardware system. It requires a device driver, which is a computer programme that allows system software and hardware to interact with each other. This is done via the computer bus, a subsystem which transfers data between computer components. The driver is OS (operating system) specific and hardware dependent.

As you can see, digital signal processing is not for the faint-hearted. However, with our manufacturing support options covering everything from firmware development to your engineering BOM, it’s a journey you’ll be glad you made.

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DSP system design is an advanced area, in which algorithms must be designed and integrated into existing system software and embedded firmware. For this reason, these projects are often turned over to us at Technologies. Our engineers are experts in low-level system programming, system software integration, and DSP interface technology, and use only top quality chip manufacturers to engineer components.

DSP programming focuses on software and firmware development and on the development of device drivers, and requires specialist knowledge of custom interfaces and algorithm integration. Some of the areas in which digital signal processing is used include:

• System software for audio and video compression and decompression
• Broadcasting
• Processing of videos and images
• Data conversion software
• Multi-channel audio mixing
• Signal processing of RF, IF, and baseband frequencies
• Echo suppression and noise reduction/cancellation
• Automatic Gain Control systems, for example VOGAD (Voice-Operated Gain-Adjusting Device) used in microphones and telephony.

As well as designing new hardware, often improve or remodel old ones, for example developing device drivers to support the integration of DSP programming into existing embedded firmware.

DSP hardware design is a diverse and exciting area, increasingly used in wireless technology and applications such as VoIP and digitisation of audio and visual content.

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The whole world is becoming more technologically complex. Even the simplest kitchen gadget is designed using complicated tools like 3d Max rendering or OrCAD PCB. But it’s firmware development where the fun begins. It’s the easiest thing in the world to jazz up a design by adding some embedded firmware. Building the embedded code to support it, however, can be a nightmare; not least when costing the project out.

Many mechanical engineering graduates have added FPGA design and firmware development to their list of skills in order to win more contracts. Others stick to the more simple stuff and outsource the advanced work to other people. Whichever is the case for your company, you have to start with an accurately priced quote, reflecting the complexity of the work to be done. This alone can take time, especially if it’s a new field you’ve entered.

Firmware development is generally costed per line. The more complex the firmware, the more it will cost. In the US, the average commercial firmware costs $20 to $30 a line, from start to finish. It sounds expensive, but compared with the Space Shuttle code, which costs around $1,000 a line, it doesn’t seem so bad. Where between them does your project fall?

If you have a hardware project that involves complex firmware development you could spend days puzzling it all out, or you could turn it over to us at �ۿ۴�ý Technologies. We offer a range of high value engineering services, including complex system software and .

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