 |
| |
| Technical Question &
Answer |
| |
 |
| |
General |
|
|
|
 |
|
| |
| 1.
What are HardCopy devices? |
|
HardCopy devices are a reproduction of a programmable
logic device (PLD) with the programmability removed
and customer-specific configuration and routing
implemented using metal interconnect. The result
is a much smaller and more cost-effective device.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| 2.
Which devices will be available for migration into
HardCopy devices? |
| HardCopy devices offer several advantages
over ASICs: |
- Faster time-to-market: Using HardCopy devices,
customers can receive production units approximately
16 to 18 weeks from the start of migration, while
ASIC conversion and production can take more than
40 weeks.
- Minimal risk: Since a HardCopy device is a
migration from a fully functional PLD, Altera
can guarantee its functionality, timing, and performance.
- Ease of migration: The HardCopy migration process
requires minimal customer involvement. Altera,
not the customer, performs all the migration tasks.
The customer only needs to provide the Quartus
II output files and to approve the prototype devices.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| 3.
What kind of cost reduction can HardCopy devices provide?
|
| HardCopy devices can provide from
50% to 90% cost savings over the corresponding PLD.
The performance improvement achieved by the die size
reduction and metal interconnect allows the use of
0.18-μm aluminum process to support APEX 20KC device
performance, as well. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| 4.
What is the migration risk? Are functionality and
timing guaranteed? |
| |
| The risk is minimal, and functionality
and timing are guaranteed. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
5.
Is it possible to combine multiple PLDs into one
HardCopy device?
|
| No. Altera only supports 1:1 migrations.
To migrate multiple smaller devices into one HardCopy
device, the customer will need to make the migration
to the appropriate larger device using the Quartus
II software and check this device in the target system
before submitting the output files to Altera. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
Logic
Design
