The SmartFusion2 FPGA is a powerful and versatile device that has revolutionized the field of programmable logic. This FPGA is designed to provide a complete system-on-chip (SoC) solution, integrating a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a microcontroller subsystem (MSS), and programmable analog. It is built on a 65nm flash-based technology, making it highly reliable and secure.
The SmartFusion2 FPGA is ideal for a wide range of applications, including industrial automation, military and aerospace, medical devices, and more. It offers a unique combination of capabilities, including high-speed processing, low power consumption, and customizable interfaces. With its advanced security features, it is also well-suited for applications that require secure data storage and transmission.
Whether you are a hardware engineer, a software developer, or a system integrator, the SmartFusion2 FPGA provides a powerful and flexible platform for developing innovative solutions. With its rich set of features and capabilities, it is a versatile and reliable choice for a wide range of applications.
What is SmartFusion2 FPGA?
SmartFusion2 FPGA is a highly configurable and low-power field-programmable gate array (FPGA) developed by Microsemi. It is a versatile system-on-chip (SoC) device that combines a programmable logic fabric with a hard ARM Cortex-M3 processor, programmable analog and digital peripherals, and high-speed communication interfaces.
SmartFusion2 FPGA is designed to be a reliable and secure solution for a wide range of applications, including industrial automation, aerospace and defense, communications, medical devices, and more. It offers a unique combination of features that make it stand out from other FPGAs in the market, such as:
- Low power consumption: SmartFusion2 FPGA uses flash-based FPGA technology and a highly efficient power management system, which allows it to consume up to 50% less power than competing FPGAs.
- Security features: SmartFusion2 FPGA includes a range of security features, such as secure boot, tamper detection, and encryption, which help protect against cyber attacks and ensure system integrity.
- Mixed-signal capabilities: SmartFusion2 FPGA integrates analog and digital components on a single chip, which simplifies system design and reduces board space and cost.
- High reliability: SmartFusion2 FPGA is designed for high reliability and ruggedness, with features such as radiation-hardened components, triple modular redundancy (TMR), and error correction codes (ECC).
Overall, SmartFusion2 FPGA is a powerful and flexible solution that can help accelerate the development of complex systems and reduce time-to-market.
Features of SmartFusion2 FPGA
SmartFusion2 FPGA is a highly versatile and reliable FPGA solution that offers a wide range of features to help developers create innovative and efficient designs. Here are some of the key features of the SmartFusion2 FPGA:
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High-level of security: SmartFusion2 FPGA has a built-in security engine that provides a high level of security for sensitive data and applications. It includes secure boot, secure firmware update, and secure storage, which help protect against unauthorized access and tampering.
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Low power consumption: SmartFusion2 FPGA is designed to consume low power, making it ideal for battery-powered and energy-efficient applications. It includes power management features that allow developers to optimize power consumption without sacrificing performance.
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High processing power: SmartFusion2 FPGA offers high processing power, thanks to its ARM Cortex-M3 processor and FPGA fabric. This allows developers to implement complex designs and algorithms without compromising on performance.
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Integrated analog: SmartFusion2 FPGA includes integrated analog features, such as ADCs and DACs, which help simplify the design process and reduce the bill of materials.
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High-speed connectivity: SmartFusion2 FPGA supports a wide range of high-speed connectivity interfaces, such as Ethernet, USB, PCIe, and DDR3, which help enable fast and efficient data transfer.
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Comprehensive design tools: SmartFusion2 FPGA comes with a comprehensive set of design tools, including Libero SoC, which helps simplify the design process and reduce time-to-market.
Overall, SmartFusion2 FPGA is a highly capable and versatile FPGA solution that offers a wide range of features to help developers create innovative and efficient designs.
Applications of SmartFusion2 FPGA
SmartFusion2 FPGA is a versatile device that can be used in a wide range of applications. Here are some of the most common applications of SmartFusion2 FPGA:
Industrial Control Systems
SmartFusion2 FPGA is ideal for use in industrial control systems because it can handle a wide range of input and output signals. It can also interface with a variety of communication protocols, including Ethernet, CAN, and RS-485. With its built-in security features, SmartFusion2 FPGA is also well-suited for use in critical infrastructure applications.
Aerospace and Defense
SmartFusion2 FPGA is rugged and reliable, making it an excellent choice for use in aerospace and defense applications. It can withstand harsh environments and operate in extreme temperatures. It can also be configured to meet the security requirements of military and defense applications.
Medical Devices
SmartFusion2 FPGA is used in a variety of medical devices, including patient monitoring systems, diagnostic equipment, and imaging systems. Its low power consumption and small form factor make it ideal for use in portable and battery-powered medical devices.
Communications
SmartFusion2 FPGA is used in a variety of communications applications, including wireless base stations, routers, and switches. Its high-speed interfaces and low-latency performance make it well-suited for use in high-bandwidth applications.
Automotive
SmartFusion2 FPGA is used in automotive applications, including advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), infotainment systems, and engine control units. Its low power consumption and small form factor make it ideal for use in automotive applications where space and power are at a premium.
In conclusion, SmartFusion2 FPGA is a versatile device that can be used in a wide range of applications. Its combination of high performance, low power consumption, and built-in security features make it an excellent choice for a variety of industries and applications.
Benefits of SmartFusion2 FPGA
SmartFusion2 FPGA is a versatile and powerful device that offers several benefits over traditional microcontrollers and FPGAs. Here are some of the key benefits of SmartFusion2 FPGA:
1. Security Features
SmartFusion2 FPGA provides robust security features that protect your design from unauthorized access, tampering, and cloning. The device features a secure boot process, secure key storage, and hardware-based encryption and decryption. These features help prevent attacks such as side-channel attacks, man-in-the-middle attacks, and reverse engineering.
2. Low Power Consumption
SmartFusion2 FPGA is designed to operate at low power levels, making it ideal for battery-powered and portable devices. The device features a low-power FPGA fabric, low-power ARM Cortex-M3 processor, and advanced power management features. These features help reduce power consumption and extend battery life.
3. High Performance
SmartFusion2 FPGA provides high performance and low latency, making it suitable for demanding applications such as industrial automation, aerospace, and defense. The device features a high-speed FPGA fabric, high-speed DDR3 memory interface, and a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M3 processor. These features help deliver fast and responsive performance.
4. Flexibility
SmartFusion2 FPGA offers unmatched flexibility, allowing you to customize your design to meet your specific requirements. The device features a reconfigurable FPGA fabric, which allows you to modify the hardware design even after deployment. This feature helps reduce development time and costs.
5. Integration
SmartFusion2 FPGA provides seamless integration with other devices and systems, making it easy to interface with sensors, actuators, and other peripherals. The device features a range of communication interfaces, including SPI, I2C, UART, USB, Ethernet, and CAN. These interfaces help simplify system integration and reduce development time.
In summary, SmartFusion2 FPGA offers several benefits over traditional microcontrollers and FPGAs, including robust security features, low power consumption, high performance, flexibility, and seamless integration. These features make SmartFusion2 FPGA an ideal choice for a wide range of applications.
SmartFusion2 FPGA Development Tools
SmartFusion2 FPGA is a powerful and versatile field-programmable gate array that enables the development of advanced embedded systems. To make the most of this technology, developers need access to a range of development tools that can help them design, test, and deploy their applications with ease.
The SmartFusion2 FPGA development tools include a range of software and hardware components that are designed to support the development process. These tools include the following:
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Libero SoC Design Suite: This is a comprehensive software suite that includes everything developers need to design, test, and deploy their applications. It includes a range of tools for design entry, simulation, synthesis, place and route, and timing analysis.
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SoftConsole: This is a free, Eclipse-based integrated development environment (IDE) that enables developers to write, compile, and debug software for SmartFusion2 FPGAs.
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FlashPro: This is a hardware programmer that enables developers to program SmartFusion2 FPGAs in-system or in-circuit.
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SmartFusion2 Development Kit: This is a hardware platform that includes a SmartFusion2 FPGA, along with a range of peripherals and interfaces. It is designed to provide developers with a complete, ready-to-use development environment.
Using these tools, developers can quickly and easily design and test their applications, and deploy them to SmartFusion2 FPGAs with confidence. With the SmartFusion2 FPGA development tools, developers can take advantage of the full range of features and capabilities of this powerful technology, and create advanced embedded systems that meet their specific needs.
