ePC-K7 Embedded PC – Dual FMC host with case.

ePC-K7 Kintex-7 FPGA based embedded CPU with dual FMC sites, etherNet, USB, SATA etc

Windows/Linux Embedded Computer with a Kintex7 FPGA, dual FMC host IO sites and integrated timing support.

FAQ
Interconnect Systems International LLC logo. Quality FPGA and Data Acquisition products.
Xilinx Alliance Program Member
Made in USA, sold and supported in UK.
FMC Carriers
FMC Modules
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Features

  • Combines an industry-standard COM Express CPU module with dual FMC Host IO modules in a compact, stand alone design
  • Programmable Kintex 7 325/410 and Spartan 6 FPGAs
  • Small form factor: 5” H x 8” W x 11” D
  • Conduction cooled design: Fins or cold-plate
  • Stand-alone operation: Able to operate headless, booting from SSD
  • Windows, Linux OS support
  • Dual VITA 57 FMC IO module sites. Add anything from RF receivers to industrial control modules.
  • IO sites (VITA 42.3) deliver >3000MB/s to CPU memory**
  • Integrated timing and triggering support for IO includes GPS, IEEE1588 or IRIG -disciplined clock
  • Supports Innovative and third-party FMC modules for private data channels, triggering and timing features
  • USB3.0 x6, Gb Ehernet x2, SATA x4, DisplayPort, Touch Screen
  • Up to 4 SSD or HDD (2.5 in) AC or DC operation

Chipset

  • Analogue to Digital Converter(s) = N/A
  • FPGA = Xilinx Kintex 7 325/410 and Spartan 6 FPGAs
  • Digital to Analogue = N/A

Overview

The ePC-K7 is a user-customizable FMC host, turnkey embedded instrument that includes a full Windows/Linux PC and supports a wide assortment of ultimate-performance FMC modules. With its modular IO, scalable performance and easy to use PC architecture, the ePC-K7 reduces time-to-market while providing the performance you need.

Distributed Data Acquisition – Put the ePC-K7 at the data source and reduce system errors and complexity. GPS synchronized timing, triggering and sample control is available as an option for remote IO. Limitless expansion is possible via multiple nodes. Up to 4 HDD can be used for data logging.

Uniquely customizable – dual FMC sites for IO, user- programmable FPGA for IO interfaces, triggering and timing control, USB ports. The HPC FMC site can host the FMC-250, FMC-310, FMC-500, FMC-1000, FMC-Servo, FMC-SDF or the FMC-SFP+. The LPC FMC site can host the FMC-10GE.

Remote or Local Operation – Continuous data streaming up to 1000MB/s or 2 x Gb/s Ethernet. Optional, stand-alone, autonomous operation with GPS-synchronized sampling.

Rugged – SSD boot drive support in a compact, rugged 8×11” footprint that is ready for embedded operation.

8-36V DC-Only Operation – Perfect for portable or automotive data loggers or waveform generators.

An alternative to consider is the mini-K7 FMC Embedded Computer which has a single HPC FMC site.

Data Flow

The board comes complete with working logic (Framework Logic) and software drivers (Malibu). Please see the data flow diagram.

The simplied data flow from Adc(s) to host application works as follows. Samples from the Adc(s) are clocked into the FPGA. The samples are packed where necessary for efficient use of the RAM chips. The RAM is used as a virtual FIFO to decouple the continuous stream of the Adc(s) from the block transfer nature of PCIe. The user application sets the packetsize. When a whole packet of data is available in the RAM, the PCIe DMA controller does a bus master transfer to the host memory. At configuration time the device drivers reserve physical memory for this purpose. When the transfer is complete, the DMA controller sends an interrupt to Malibu which then copies the packet from the busmaster area to virtual memory and then fires an event in the User application with a reference to the data.

On ePC-K7 the Adc memory is 512MB.

The simplified data flow in the reverse direction for host to Dac(s) is similar. Onboard RAM is configured as a virtual FIFO between the PCIe and the Dac(s). When there is room in the RAM chips for a packet of samples, the PCIe DMA controller interrupts the host, which then signals the application to provide a packet of samples. The samples are copied from virtual memory to physical memory and then the PCIe DMA controller copies them into RAM. As data is flowed to the DAC(s) the RAM has more space for more packets and so the process is repeated.

On ePC-K7 the Dac memory is 512MB.

Applications

  • Waveform Generation
  • Wireless Transmitter
  • LTE, WiMAX Physical Layer
  • RADAR
  • Medical Imaging
  • High Speed Data Playback
  • IP development