AlteraCorporation has expanded its intellectual property (IP) portfolio with the introduction of a complete USB 2.0 Hi-/Full-Speed Device Controller solution from System Level Solutions (SLS). This new solution is comprised of a soft IP core, software and class drivers, and SLS’s Snap-On PHY daughter cards. The daughter cards are designed for use exclusively with Altera development kits.

 

Full- and Hi-Speed USB device controllers are rapidly replacing older RS232 ports in a wide variety of markets such as consumer, medical, industrial, storage and leading-edge applications such as automotive infotainment. The implementation of communication protocols in FPGAs is expanding as designers recognize the increased flexibility and upgrade possibilities offered by this platform. The partner USB 2.0 product is packaged to install as a component for the Altera SOPC Builder development tool. It features a core that is configurable for up to 16 endpoints with software and class drivers and hardware support for two PHY interfaces, including USB 2.0 Transceiver Macrocell Interface (UTMI) and UTMI+ Low Pin Interface (ULPI).

 

“Our long-time partnership with Altera enables our customers to consistently meet and exceed aggressive time-to-market goals at a reasonable price,” said Paresh Patel, president and CEO of SLS Corporation. “Altera’s portfolio of low-cost Cyclone series devices, and the embedded ecosystem with NiosII processors and SOPC Builder, taken in combination with the SLS USB 2.0 solution, allows us to provide a comprehensive solution to customers.”

 

“System designers have a constant need for solutions that enable them to incorporate the latest technology into their products quickly and easily,” said Steve Mensor, senior director, IP and technology product marketing at Altera. “With this in mind, we joined forces with SLS to provide a USB 2.0 solution that has everything a designer will need to integrate this technology; an IP core, software, documentation, boards and support.”

In addition to the physical deliverables of this partner core, SLS has ensured that the USB 2.0 device controller is protocol compliant. By proactively achieving compliance and interoperability, SLS is delivering reduced risk to its licensees.

Multiple versions of the SLS USB 2.0 solution are available, allowing designers to rapidly add the protocol flavor demanded by their application. Designers adding USB2.0 as an additional peripheral in their Nios II embedded processor-based design can select the Avalon interface version of the core from within SOPC Builder. A FIFO interface version is also available. Regardless of which version is chosen, system architects can download and evaluate a small, three-endpoint reference design for immediate design, simulation and programming of the combined development kit and PHY daughter card even before the core is licensed.

 

 

 

Altera’s USB solution is a welcome and well-timed addition to a designer’s arsenal that provides a cost-effective way to add USB 2.0 capabilities to both their high-end Stratix series and Cyclone econo-chips. SLS seems to have done a good job at minimizing the footprint that the controllers take up within an FPGA (see Fig.1). Actual size varies a bit by which FPGA family you are designing with but a controller with RAM-based buffering uses between 2100 and 2500 logical elements while a FIFO-based implementation uses 1200-1600 blocks.

 

As the release above mentions, the USB IP supplied by System Level Solutions (SLS) is optimized for use with Altera Nios II made-for-FPGA embedded processor, but it can also interface to an on-chip state engine or other custom logic using their AVALON interconnect bus. The solution uses external transceivers for the PHY-layer interface. For basic operation you can use the Cypress CY7C68000 which sports a UTMI host interface. If you want support for On-the-Go (OTG) functionality, the reference design can also handle the NXT ISP1504 device which uses the more modern low-pin-count (ULPI) connection (see Fig. 2).

  

While USB lacks some of the intelligence and QoS mechanisms of 1394, its simplicity, low cost and ability to power peripherals has made it the interface of choice for computer accessories that range from prosaic disk drives and printers to more exotic items like lava lamps. Since FPGAs will be playing a growing role in both consumer-oriented products and commercial electronics, I’d expect this slick little solution to help Altera win lots of sockets in everything from networking gear to photo printers and test equipment.

 

The USB 2.0 solution is available immediately. Multiple licensing options are available starting with a project license for $5000.

 

Data Sheet System Level Solutions IP and daughter cards

Data Sheet Cypress CY7C68000 USB Transceiver