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FPGA Microcontrollers

Introduction:

FPGA? ASIC? Microprocessor? Microcontroller?  What is the best choice for your project? This blog post from Element 14 is loaded with information comparing FPGA, ASIC, Microcontrollers, and Microprocessors.  Digilent has an excellent article explaining the advantages of FPGAs and microcontrollers.  It shows that when you combine the two, you can make an even more powerful solution.

IoT White Papers

WDC’s FPGA Microcontrollers are general purpose for any industry, but have features that make them a perfect fit for IoT and next-generation industrial controls applications. The following are a few white papers for applications areas that we see as great matches for our FPGA Microcontroller technology.

Industry 4.0

IoT (from the World Economic Forum)

Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)

Standard FPGA Microcontrollers:

WDC uses Intel’s MAX10 FPGA Family of FPGAs for it’s FPGA Microcontroller products. The MAX10 has unique features such as 12-bit Analog-to-Digital converter, Hardware Multipliers, User FLASH Memory, and a 64-bit Unique Chip ID for enabling added security. These features packed into a low-cost FPGA set the MAX10 apart from its competitors.  By combining the MAX10 FPGA, WDC’s microprocessor and peripheral IP, and other IP as needed WDC gives you a best-of-all-worlds microcontroller solution. The button below shows the modules used in WDC’s FPGA Microcontrollers.
Supported Modules

Custom FPGA Microcontrollers:

WDC offers flexibility for your commercial product by offering Microcontrollers tailored for your specific need.  We can start with our Standard FPGA Microcontroller, add or remove our standard modules, integrate Third Party IP, and even develop custom IP as required.

FPGA vs. ASIC Design Advantage

 FPGA Design
Advantage Benefit
Faster time-to-market No layout, masks or other manufacturing steps are needed
No upfront non-recurring expenses (NRE) Costs typically associated with an ASIC design
Simpler design cycle Due to software that handles much of the routing, placement, and timing
More predictable project cycle Due to elimination of potential re-spins, wafer capacities, etc.
Field reprogramability A new bitstream can be uploaded remotely
ASIC Design
Advantage Benefit
Full custom capability For design since device is manufactured to design specs
Lower power consumption Ideal for battery operated designs
Higher speeds 10x+ higher system clock frequencies
More Memory 10x+ memory capacity while maintain lower die costs
Lower unit costs For very high volume designs
Smaller form factor Since device is manufactured to design specs

FPGA-to-ASIC Conversion:

For applications that require it, WDC’s FPGA Microcontroller designs can be converted to an ASIC. WDC has a long-term relationship with Progate Group Corporation (PGC) for ASIC manufacturing, testing, and even FPGA-to-ASIC conversion.


Where To Buy IC Package Types IC Cross Reference Single Board Computers WDCTools Downloads Programming Manual


FPGA Microcontrollers


W65C02SOC40

The W65C02SOC40 is the 8–bit microcontroller featured in MyMENSCH Rev-C. This is available in build form and IP form as part of WDC’s 6502 Educational IP.

DataSheet  MyMENSCH Rev-C  Programming Manual  Supported Modules

Features of the W65C02i1M08SC

  • Intel PSG MAX10M08SC FPGA with 8,000 Logic Elements Available
  • Operating Voltage – 3.3V
  • Operating Voltage – 1.8V
  • System Operation Speed – Determined by the chosen Oscillator
  • W65C02RTL MPU
  • W65C22RTL VIA (x2)
  • W65C51RTL ACIA (x2) – XTLI @ 1.8432 MHz
  • W65CGPIO ports (8 pins per port) (x4 ports)
  • SPI Primary
  • I2C Primary
  • WDC 2K byte Monitor for boot loading and debugging code
  • 16K bytes User code SRAM boot loaded from USB or copied from external SPI serial FLASH memory
  • 16K bytes for data SRAM
  • JTAG available on MyMENSCH™

W65C02i1M08SA

The W65C02i1M08SAis the 8–bit microcontroller featured in MyMENSCH Rev-C.

DataSheet  MyMENSCH Rev-C  Programming Manual  Supported Modules

Features of the W65C02i1M08SA

  • Intel PSG MAX10M08SA FPGA with 8,000 Logic Elements Available
  • Operating Voltage – 3.3V
  • W65C02RTL MPU @ 14.7456 MHz with external memory bus for memory and module expansion
  • W65C22RTL VIA (x2)
  • W65C51RTL ACIA (x3) – ACIA XTLI Operation Speed – 1.8432 MHz
  • W65CGPIO 5 register and 2 register
  • De-bounced Keypad GPIO_A
  • W65CHBM Hardware Breakpoint Module
  • SPI Master
  • I2C Master
  • WDC 2K byte for 2048 bytes of CFM MyMENSCH™ Monitor for boot loading and debugging code
  • 30K bytes for a total of 30,720 bytes for User code SRAM boot loaded from USB or copied from UFM
  • 12K bytes for a total of 12,288 bytes for data SRAM
  • JTAG available on MyMENSCH™ Rev-A on J4
  • 16×16 Hardware multiplier (x2 – Signed and Unsigned)
  • 32K bytes for a total of 32,768 bytes of User FLASH Memory (UFM)
  • 64-bit Unique Chip ID/serial number programmed in the Intel MAX10 factory
  • 18,446,744,073,709,551,616 Unique IDs

W65C165i1M08SA

The W65C165i1M08SA is the 8–bit microcontroller featured in MyMENSCH Rev-C.

DataSheet   MyMENSCH Rev-C  Programming Manual   Supported Modules

Features of the W65C165i1M08SA

  • Intel PSG MAX10M08SA FPGA with 8,000 Logic Elements Available
  • Operating Voltage – 3.3V
  • W65C02RTL MPU @ 14.7456 MHz
  • W65C22RTL VIA (x3)
  • W65C51RTL ACIA (x2) – ACIA XTLI Operation Speed – 1.8432 MHz
  • W65CGPIO 5 register and 2 register
  • De-bounced Keypad GPIO_A
  • W65CHBM Hardware Breakpoint Module
  • SPI Master
  • I2C Master
  • WDC 2K byte for 2048 bytes of CFM MyMENSCH™ Monitor for boot loading and debugging code
  • 2K bytes 2048 bytes reserved for ADC
  • 30K bytes for a total of 30,720 bytes for User code SRAM boot loaded from USB or copied from UFM
  • 10K bytes for a total of 10240 bytes for data SRAM
  • JTAG available on MyMENSCH™ Rev-A on J4
  • 16×16 Hardware multiplier (x2 – Signed and Unsigned)
  • 12-bit ADC (1x), 1 dedicated pin, 8 dual-function (digital IO or ADC) pins, Temperature Sense Diode
  • 172K bytes for a total of 176,128 bytes of User FLASH Memory (UFM)
  • 64-bit Unique Chip ID/serial number programmed in the Intel MAX10 factory
  • 18,446,744,073,709,551,616 Unique IDs

W65C816i1M16SA

The W65C816i1M16SA is the 8/16–bit microcontroller featured in MyMENSCH Rev-B.

DataSheet   MyMENSCH Rev-B  Programming Manual   Supported Modules

Features of the W65C816i1M16SA

  • Intel PSG MAX10M16SA FPGA with 16,000 Logic Elements Available
  • Operating Voltage – 3.3V
  • W65C816RTL MPU @ 14.7456 MHz with external memory bus for expanding memory and peripheral modules
  • W65C22RTL VIA (x2)
  • W65C51RTL ACIA (x2) – ACIA XTLI Operation Speed – 1.8432 MHz
  • W65CGPIO 5 register and 2 register
  • De-bounced Keypad GPIO_A
  • W65CHBM Hardware Breakpoint Module
  • SPI Master
  • I2C Master
  • WDC 2K byte for 2048 bytes of CFM MyMENSCH™ Monitor for boot loading and debugging code
  • 2K bytes 2048 bytes reserved for ADC
  • 30K bytes for a total of 30,720 bytes for User code SRAM boot loaded from USB or copied from UFM
  • 29K bytes for a total of 29,696 bytes for data SRAM
  • 16×16 Hardware multiplier (x2 – Signed and Unsigned)
  • 32/32-bit Hardware Divider
  • 12-bit ADC (1x), 1 dedicated pin, 8 dual-function (digital IO or ADC) pins, Temperature Sense Diode
  • 296K bytes for 303,104 bytes of User FLASH Memory (UFM)
  • 64-bit Unique Chip ID/serial number programmed in the Intel MAX10 factory
  • 18,446,744,073,709,551,616 Unique IDs