Intel rolls six merged Atom, FPGA chips

11/22/2010 4:28 PM EST

I wonder if any chip vendor intends to support the growing robotics market with a high end processor and FPGA built in for personality/feature hardware support? I can find a plethora of micro/embedded types of processors, there are extensive FPGA offerings but the combination seems slim. The power savings, cost/size savings, and performance would be a great advantage to the myriad of robotic applications. Is there any good options out there?

11/23/2010 10:35 AM EST

Please get Shoesfuucking.com off these web pages.
The article was very good though.

11/23/2010 10:37 AM EST

@RoboticsDeveloper: yes, that would be a good thing, even if it is "last year's" FPGA. Sometimes the push for next-gen stuff leaves little opportunity for a trickle-down of technology. All it would take is some simplified software -- most of the FPGA tools are unfriendly to the new guys.

BTW, why would anyone want to fork their shoes?

11/23/2010 12:45 PM EST

@RoboticsDeveloper: What is it you are asking for that's different from what Intel has announced?

I think this is an great pairing, and can't wait to start using it.

11/23/2010 4:03 PM EST

The targeted market of the new chips seemingly is STB. Previous article has indicated Atom chip is growing properly in telecommunication segment. Is there any specific Atom being built for this particular segment and others?

11/23/2010 7:15 PM EST

Elsewhere on EET, GateRocket have a neat tool to accelerate RTL simulation, by 'plugging' their hardware box containing a real FPGA into the simulator environment. These new Intel devices might be tough for them to integrate into their emulator boxes?

11/23/2010 7:57 PM EST

I saw an FPGA app store suggested over at the daily circuit. That would be crazy!

11/23/2010 10:39 PM EST

This may be designed originally for Defense market. In that market, space and integration is of prime importance. Having both Atom and FPGA makes design very integrated and can resolve many differrent application. One example is small pocket/handheld PC for Army on the field or software define radio.

11/24/2010 5:52 AM EST

I've come across few designs in my experience where a processor along with an FPGA is used together in the design with a tighter integration by a way communication between both the devices. These kind of designs are mostly used in medical designs where the controlling and monitoring is divided among a processor and FPGA, so that FPGA will take care of the controlling tasks when there is any failure in the processor. I think Intel will also show some reference designs to attract different OEM customers. There lies the actual challenge and opportunity!!!

11/25/2010 12:52 AM EST

@Rick, how about the communication between the altera FPGA and ATOM processor? It would also be intersting to know how this SIP will be programmed.

11/25/2010 6:15 AM EST

Did Intel publish the preliminary datasheet/ manual for these new devices for the designers to take a look at? What are the packages these FPGA+Atom devices are going to be available? Who is responsible for the support, Altera or Intel or both?

11/26/2010 5:26 PM EST

Just thinking out loud: won't Achronix be jealous after seeing Intel cooperate with Altera?

11/29/2010 3:01 PM EST

Here are details on Kotron page: http://uk.kontron.com/about-kontron/news-events/kontron+pcie104+microspace+msmst+first+sbc+with+configurable+intel+atom+e600c+processor+series.4208.html?searchterm=intel+altera

11/29/2010 5:04 PM EST

Have you seen this from Actel?

http://www.actel.com/products/solutions/motorcontrol/default.aspx

multi-axis Motor control in a single chip?

9/8/2011 4:28 PM EDT

And Xilinx is working on their next FPGA that will contain and ARM9 - muc h higher end, but the same concept. It doesn't specifically say but I am assuming the Intel device is a multi chip module and not integrated into one piece of Si?