Speed time-to-market for functional safety applications

Enabling Cyclone FPGA customers to reduce risk and cost-effectively meet safety-critical system requirements, Altera’s functional safety data package includes comprehensive device support, enhanced software design flows and IP for functional safety system design. IEC 61508 certification ensures electrical, electronic or programmable electronic systems that carry out safety functions meet industry-standard safety guidelines, measured by the probability a system or piece of equipment will fail under certain conditions. The functional safety data package is certified up to SIL 3, which means that customers have access to Altera’s latest devices and certified tools without requiring additional certification for safety-related designs.

David Moore, Director, Industrial Business Unit, Altera, comments: “Altera’s TUV-qualified devices, tools and dedicated safety IP offer the development, certification and system cost reductions for differentiated functional safety system design required in this increasingly competitive market. The availability of functional safety reference designs and safety development board from NewTec in conjunction with our multi-generational functional safety data package offering helps our customers bring reliable functional safety solutions to market quickly while protecting their investments for the long term.”

Altera is demonstrating this and other offerings at SPS Drives IPC 2014, from 25th to 27th November at stand #270 in Hall 3. At the show, Altera and NewTec are demonstrating how Cyclone V FPGAs with a 1oo2 SIL 3 architecture enable a safe stop in the form of a light-curtain that is attached to the functional safety board. When the light curtain is breached, for example by a human hand penetrating the light curtain, end equipment connected to the board stops in a fail-safe manner.

The functional safety board and reference design compliant with IEC 61508 SIL 3 are currently available from New Tec for customer evaluation.