Tool offers three steps to FPGA power management

A new comprehensive set of design tools pairs National's high-performance power management solutions with FPGAs and CPLDs from Altera Corp.

A new comprehensive set of design tools pairs National's high-performance power management solutions with FPGAs and CPLDs from Altera Corp.

A software tool, design guide and dedicated web page allow engineers to select National Semiconductor power management products and reference designs that address all the power management requirements of Altera's newest Stratix, Stratix II, Cyclone, Cyclone II and Max II FPGAs and CPLDs.

These tools give designers a customised, proven solution to otherwise complex power design challenges.

"Our customers require high-density FPGA and CPLD designs to run on robust, high-performance power supplies that consume as little power as possible", said David Greenfield, Senior Marketing Director for Altera's High-Density FPGAs.

"To help them accomplish this goal, Altera is teaming with National Semiconductor to provide complete power management solutions along with advanced design support tools, so that highly efficient power supplies specifically tailored for FPGA and CPLD needs are easy to select and implement".

"National Semiconductor is committed to making life easier for design engineers developing complete power management solutions for FPGAs, CPLDs and other complex digital ICs", said Jeff Bessa, Americas Marketing Director for National Semiconductor.

"Through our collaboration with leading FPGA manufacturers such as Altera, National understands well the power requirements of these complex devices and is able to provide designers with best-in-class tools and power management integrated circuits".

National Semiconductor and Altera are introducing the Power Expert selection tool and design guide, allowing design engineers to choose complete power solutions designed for specific Altera FPGAs or CPLDs.

Using National's Power Expert automated software selection tool, customers follow three easy steps to select complete power management solutions tailored to the unique operating conditions of their specific FPGAs or CPLDs.

First, customers select the specific Altera device they are using, and the selection tool displays the specific power requirements of that device.

Customers then choose the operating conditions of their design, including input voltage, output voltage and airflow.

Finally, customers choose from a range of National Semiconductor power management solutions that meet the specific power requirements of their FPGA or CPLD.

Once they choose parts, customers receive links to datasheets, National's Webench online design environment and sample reference designs.

In addition to the Power Expert selection tool, National is offering a design guide that simplifies the power management selection process for Altera FPGAs and CPLDs.

This brochure includes reference designs for Altera's Stratix series and Cyclone series FPGAs, and Max II CPLDs; selection tables for pairing these devices with the optimal National power management solutions based on specific power-consumption requirements; and a list of application notes and information on the latest power management devices designed specifically for FPGAs and CPLDs.

In addition, the design guide has information on other National ICs for use with FPGAs, including DDR memory power solutions, single-chip power over Ethernet devices, analogue-to-digital convertors, high-speed operational amplifiers and interface ICs, such as low voltage differential signalling (LVDS).

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