Xilinx

WEBENCH FPGA Power Architect

WEBENCH FPGA Power Architect incorporates the detailed supply requirements of the newest FPGA and CPLD devices from Xilinx. High performance FPGA power supplies are complex, requiring the designer to meet unique multiple voltage levels with precise voltage, current, ripple, noise filtering, synchronization, soft start, and supply separation demands. The power supply designs delivered by WEBENCH incorporate comprehensive power requirements published by the FPGA manufacturers, giving the designer confidence that their power supplies will meet these constraints while saving critical time in the process. Creating a complete power supply design is easy:

• Select your FPGA(s)
  • The tool automatically populates the FPGA's unique power requirements, identifying core and I/O options for every potential load of that array
• Review load requirements and adjust with the inputs from your Xilinx power spreadsheet
• Turn the Optimizer dial to complete your design

The power supply may involve one or more intermediate voltage rails between the input supply and the point-of-load regulators and you can tune the recommended power supply with the turn of a dial, reducing size, increasing efficiency or lowering complete system cost in seconds. You can also order components for prototyping, share the design with others, and easily print a complete project report including schematics, bill of materials (BOM) and performance characteristics.

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WEBENCH FPGA Power Architect Guided Tour (5:51 minutes)

For an in-depth demonstration of this tool, watch the extended WEBENCH FPGA Power Architect Webinar (25:26 mins).

Legacy Power Expert Tool for Xilinx FPGAs

Power Expert for Xilinx FPGAs assists digital designers with their analog needs. This tool allows the user to select from a family of Xilinx FPGAs, select the device and then select the correct National Semiconductor power solution for the system. The tool also ties directly to the National Semiconductor WEBENCH® environment which provides a complete design and simulation methodology for the designer. Power Expert also provides additional links to solutions for interface, analog signal conversion and other analog system needs, located around the FPGAs and CPLDs.

Power Expert key features include:

• Automated power solutions finder for Xilinx FPGAs and CPLDs.
• Includes solutions for all newest Xilinx devices, including all Spartan-6, Virtex 6, Virtex 5 and Spartan-3's FPGAs.
• Creates customized solutions for specific customer application requirements, such as Vin, Iccint, etc, pairing individual power management ICs specifically selected for the given operating conditions to the exact FPGA or CPLD chosen.
• Provides these custom solutions for each of the needed voltage rails (Vccint, Vcco and Vccaux) complete with BOMs*, schematics* and simulation.*
• Allows customers to choose solutions based on different implementation priorities; highest efficiency or simplest implementation.
• Supports the three most common system input voltages: 3.3V, 5V and 12V.
• Saves significant time and removes the guesswork for digital designers by selecting only parts that comply with the FPGA electrical requirements and that are thermally feasible solutions.

• Solutions utilize National's latest power management ICs, from linear regulators (LDOs) to various switching regulators topologies (buck, synchronous buck, buck controllers, etc) offering a whole optimized portfolio from less than 100 mA to 5A and beyond.
• Additionally, provides detailed and comprehensive power requirements data and guidelines for each Xilinx device covered (including voltages required, typical power consumption range for most applications, sequencing requirements and power-on timing).
• It's free.
• It runs locally (it's downloadable) so it's always available to use (optional WEBENCH® simulation requires internet connection).
• Based on its technical depth and also ease of use, the tool is an excellent resource for both end customers designing with FPGAs as well as National and distribution engineers looking for solutions to pair with Xilinx FPGAs.

* depending on WEBENCH® availability for the recommended ICs

Additional Resources:

• National Semiconductor Design Guide for Xilinx FPGAs
• Power Management Units for Low-Power Xilinx FPGAs
• national.com/power - National Power feature site

Xilinx™ Applications Notes

These Application notes that are referenced in the Power Management Design Guide for Xilinx FPGAs. These documents are all in pdf format.

Ver 1.97

• Added support for Spartan-6 LX, LXT and LX low power FPGAs
• Added support for Virtex-6 LXT, SXT, HXT, LXT low power and SXT low power FPGAs
• Extended support for Virtex-5 LX and LXT families, including LX20T, LX155, LX155T
• Added new Power Management articles and app notes to technical resources library (AN-1752, Power Designer 121)
• Implemented enhancements to the user interface and splash screen
• Removed some older regulators from the power solutions database

Ver 1.94

• Added support for Spartan 3A, Spartan 3AN and Spartan 3A DSP FPGAs
• Added enhancements to the user interface

Ver 1.93

• Added support for international use: Enhanced compatibility for system using different decimal separators.
• Updated solutions database (added LM3743, LM3102/03, LM20k (LM20133, 134, 145, 242)
• Updated WEBENCH availability for recommended solutions
• Added "Update" to Menu Bar items to "Check the Web for Latest Version"
• Added "Send us Feedback" mailto option to "Help" Menu Bar list
• Updated email feedback email address on splash screen to hot link
• Updated FPGA related app note list in Menu Bar (added AN-1745)

Ver 1.91

• Added description for "Most Efficient" and "Simpler Design" solutions
• Added link to explore "multi-output IC alternatives"
• Added links in Menu Bar to access additional online resources: Power Designer Articles; Powering Digital Cores landing page

Ver 1.90

• Added Virtex 5 LX and LXT FPGAs
• Updated solutions database (added LM2830/31/32, LM2853, LM3100, LM2696 & LP3879)
• Updated webench availability for recommended solutions
• Added solutions for Vccint = 1.0V for 3.3V, 5V and 12V Vin

Ver 1.85

• Added Solution Block Diagrams to GUI
• Created Menu Bar lists for FPGA-related app notes (Power, Interface, On-Line Seminars, etc) to link to additional online technical resources.