Evaluation kit introduced for SmartFusion2 SoC FPGAs

Microsemi has claimed that the SmartFusion2 Evaluation Kit enables designers to leverage the device’s lowest power consumption in its class, high reliability capabilities and best-in-class security technology. For example, the kit simplifies the development of transceiver I/O-based FPGA designs necessary in PCI Express (PCIe) and Gigabit Ethernet-based systems. The evaluation board is small form-factor PCIe compliant (can be used on any desktop PC or laptop with a PCIe slot) for faster evaluation and prototyping.

The kit offers a comprehensive feature set, including PCIe, Gigabit Ethernet, full-duplex SERDES SMA pairs, DDR memory, SPI Flash, USB On-The-Go and expansion interfaces to increase flexibility for a wide range of applications. Developers who purchase the evaluation kit can also access Microsemi’s development resources such as reference designs and the ability to launch example application demonstrations.

Venkatesh Narayanan, Director of Software and Systems Engineering, Microsemi, commented: “Leveraging our experience as a leader in this market, Microsemi’s new SmartFusion2 SoC FPGA Evaluation Kit is the ideal development platform for designers just starting to work with FPGA-based processors. We’ve made it easier to implement new designs because designers aren’t starting from scratch. It is important for our OEMs to implement designs quickly and Microsemi’s new kit provides the key mainstream features customers demand most, with a 25K LE SmartFusion2 mainstream FPGA and SERDES evaluation capabilities at a very affordable price point.”