Programming actel devices fast avmaster driver for linux. The zip file includes ascii package files in txt format and in csv format. In 2000, actel acquired gatefield which expanded actels antifuse fpga offering to include flashbased fpgas. Dear all, i am wondering about anti fuse technology. The antifusebased fpga started to be accepted by the aerospace. Can anyone briefly describe here what is the main difference beteen anti fuse technology and other technologies for fpga. Antifuse technology is nonvolatile, so it is live at powerup and inherently very secure. Actel was founded in 1985 and became known for its highreliability and antifuse based fpgas, used in the military and aerospace markets. While antifusebased fpgas are currently among the most. To further reliability assurance of the crc checker circuit, it is implemented in the auxiliary fpga using the tmr technique. Introduction fpga field programmable gate array is an integrated circuit containing gate matrix which can be programmed by the user in the field without using expensive equipment.
In this short article we discuss modern fpga architectures srambased, flash based, antifuse based and their applications. The architecture of an fpga is determined, in large part, by the programmable switch technology used to configure it. Antifuse invented at stanford and developed by actel. When you receive the fpga, place it in the adapter module and run the programming software from a pc. Programming actel devices 3 which means there is no key that can access the device.
Files for the ieee 1532 extension to the bsdl files are also ava ilable for xilinx products. Other legacy devices listed may still be in full production, but there may be available pincompatible, functionallyequivalent alternatives using more recent manufacturing processes. To import a design from activecad, check the import a design from activecad option. If you cannot read the numbers in the above image, reload the page to generate a new one. The cd also contains a set of microsoft powerpoint files one for each chapter. The benefits of antifuse otp semiconductor engineering. To assure the reliability of the auxiliary fpga, we use nonsram based fpgas such as actel antifuse fpgas since they provide much lower susceptibility to soft errors compared to srambased fpgas. You can copy this pdf to your computer so as to be able to access the design warriors guide to fpgas as required this is particularly useful if you travel a lot and use a notebook computer. Whereas a fuse starts with a low resistance and is designed to permanently break an electrically conductive path typically when the current through the path exceeds a specified limit, an antifuse starts with a high resistance, and programming it converts it into a permanent electrically conductive path. The software enables you to select your device, programming files, program, and verify. Fpga development point tools for pcs and workstations that includes the actgen macro builder, designer with directtime timing driven placeandroute and analysis tools, and the silicon sculptor and aps device programming software. Singlesite programmers a singlesite programmer programs one device at a time. This is the most commonly used architecture among academic and commercial fpgas.
For jtag testing, the packagespecific files are used. See imperial college, 2005 digital system design 3. Pdf using antifusebased fpgas in performance critical. Over 10 million scientific documents at your fingertips. The command to secure the device is embedded within the programming file, but the programming software gives you the option to turn it on or off. This burnin screen static and dynamic can effectively be performed prior to programming with the microsemi fpga, as it is fully testable in a blank state. The following is a synopsis of recommended procedures that constitute a process for fpga seu test and analysis. Xilinx xapp476 using bsdl files for spartan3 generation. Design security in nonvolatile flash and antifuse fpgas 7 the situation with srambased fpga designs figure 1. In summary, an otp memory with antifuse has better yield for programming, lower power consumption for unprogrammed bits, and overall superior security.
This group is a place to bring all the people interested in fpga. Soc products group supplies the programming software for all the soc products group programmers. Many such technologies have been considered for use in fpgas, including laser. The software enables you to select your device, programming files, program, and verify the device. Some of these devices may already have corresponding product discontinuation notices pdn, indicating that microsemi intends to cease shipment of these products in the near future. Antifuse programming fpgas pdf fpga field programmable gate array is an integrated circuit fpga devices are produced by a number of semiconductor basic modes of programming. Fpga architectures overview portland state university. Wang, yinming sun, durwyn dsilva, brian cronquist, and john mccollum. Fpga field programmable gate array is an integrated circuit containing gate matrix which can be programmed by the user in the field without using expensive equipment. Conceptual%diagram%of%islandjstyle% architecture logic block io cells interconnection resources xilinx%4000%series%architecture clb clb clb clb switch.
A comprehensive study of the fpgas fabric must be performed prior to testing. Feb 02, 2012 taken depending on the fpga device type, design methodology, speed of operation, and type of radiation evaluation. Fpga market share 2000 altera 34% xilinx lattice 38% 14% other 8% actel 6% flash and antifuse fpga. Fpga vs asic summary frontend design flow is almost the same for both backend design flow optimization is different asic design. He does not know how your design works, nor does he need that information. Antifusebased fpgas are different from the previous ones in that they can be. Rearrange individual pages or entire files in the desired order. Each clb has two 4input lookup tables luts and two reigsters.
A read is counted each time someone views a publication summary such as the title, abstract, and list of authors, clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the fulltext. The fpga s based on anti fuse technology are just one time programable. Antifuse devices are mainly programmed using singlesite or multisite programmers. My book covered how to build electronics using xilinx fpgas. Application note ac225 programming antifuse devices. We present experimental results on the use of antifuse based fpga s in a performance critical digital design, performed at the recently completed thayer rapid prototyping facility. Programming actel devices 4 internal isp using a microcontroller and an external or internal memory, you can store the program in memory and use the microcontroller to perform the programming. For the purpose of screening, the measurement of tid effects of antifusebased fpgas usually follows the military testing standard tm1019 7. C r seu immune set sensitive routing fpga core set characterization and mitigation in rtaxs antifuse fpgas sana rezgui, j. Select the source files in the open window and finish the design creation by clicking the finish button. Silicon carbide sic nanoelectromechanical antifuse for ultralow. Design security in nonvolatile flash and antifuse fpgas.
Many such technologies have been considered for use in fpgas, including laser programming, pass transistors controlled by sram or eprom cells and antifuses. Performance dieletric antifuse field programmable gate arrays, international symposium. Radiation effects in antifuse fpga semantic scholar. Single event upset tests of commercial fpga for space. The outputs f and g from the two luts inside each clb can be combined to form a more complex function h. Since srams are volatile, an srambased fpga must be reprogrammed every time the system is powered up, usually from a rom included in the circuit to hold configuration files.
Mar 07, 2015 sram means the chip programming is held in ram or flops or similar. To create an empty design, check the create an empty design option. Fpga architectures overview in this short article we discuss modern fpga architectures srambased, flashbased, antifusebased and their applications. Wang actel corporation, mountain view, ca 94043, usa jihjong. To add existing files, check the add existing resource files option. In module 3 you will learn the pros and cons of flashbased, srambased, and antifuse based fpgas. Field programmable gate array fpga single event effect see. They are antifuse based fpgas and flashbased fpgas. A logic design composed of many subcircuits is programmed into the device under test dut.
Realtime device verification actels antifuse fpgas contain actionprobe circuitry that provides builtin access to. An antifuse is an electrical device that performs the opposite function to a fuse. Fpgas continue to grow in density and capability, enabling users to implement more complex and valuable designs. Hcmos gate array databook and design manual, lsi logic corporation, october 1986. Legacy devices are fpgas that microsemi no longer recommends for new designs. A survey of modern fpga architectures will give you the tools to determine which type of fpga is the best fit for a design. In 2004, actel announced it had shipped the onemillionth unit of its flashbased proasic plus fpga. Set characterization and mitigation in rtaxs antifuse fpgas.
An fpga contains a set of programmable logic gates and rich interconnect resources, making it possible to implement complex digital circuits. Nonvolatile flash and antifuse fpgas are more secure than asics. In addition, the standby power, or leakage, is much higher for efuse than for antifuse. In ece554, we use fpga express as our synthesis tool. In actel documentation this is referred to as internal isp. Single event upset tests of commercial fpga for space applications1 stanley mattsson saab erics son space ab, s40515 goteborg, sweden stanley. In contrast, the more 0 stored in the antifuse, the less power is consumed. A competitor either makes a copy of the boot prom or intercepts the bitstream from the onboard processor and copies the code. Programming antifuse devices 2 actel supplies the programming software for all the actel programmers. In contrast to the inadequate, easily cloned, sram fpgas, there are two nonvolatile fpga technologies that are even more secure than competing asic technologies. How does srambased fpga differ from antifusebased fpga.