FPGA evaluation kit shows soft-core processing capabilities

The MAX 10 NEEK combines a MAX 10 FPGA-based board with a 7", 5-point multi-touch display. Embedded developers can select from a variety of networking, audio, video and image processing reference designs, and launch example applications with the touch of a finger. The kit includes many amenities that enhance HMI, machine vision, and surveillance operation including an 8 megapixel MIPI CSI-2 camera, HDMI support, humidity & temperature sensor, 3-axis accelerometer, and built-in microphone.

Combining a Nios II soft processor and a MAX 10 FPGA with on-die flash provides several advantages over MCU-based solutions, including enabling custom hardware configuration, obsolescence proofing, and custom hardware acceleration for real-time processing. Embedded designers can configure the perfect-fit processor system with Nios II processor and MAX 10 FPGAs, which is impossible to do with a standard microcontroller’s limited peripheral sets. The Nios II processor delivers unprecedented flexibility for cost-sensitive, real-time and safety-critical (DO-254) systems. A white paper that details the benefits of soft-core processors used in non-volatile FPGAs is available for download at the bottom of this article.

MAX 10 FPGAs revolutionise non-volatile integration by delivering dual-configuration flash, analog and embedded processing capabilities in a single-chip, small form factor, low-cost, instant-on programmable logic device. MAX 10 FPGAs are shipping in production today.

The MAX 10 NEEK is available for purchase on Altera’s website for $373.