This is rather exciting news. The folks at Actel have introduced nano versions of their IGLOO and ProASIC 3 FPGAs, targeted at high-volume, portable consumer markets.
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These new devices take power consumption down to as low as 2 microwatts in standby mode, while package size falls to as small as 3x3 mm. Furthermore, the commercial temperature range has been extended to sub-zero and packaged devices are offered with a zero lead time. But wait, there's more, because the folks at Actel are boasting that they've "shattered the FPGA price barrier" by offering more than 50 variants of their nano FPGAs for less than $1 a piece.
In the case of IGLOO nano FPGAs, the buzzwords to remember are as follows:
- nanoPower
- nanoSize
- nanoTemp
- nanoLead-Time
- nanoPrice
The company is also offering support for known good die business to meet the lead times and volume demands of portable applications, such as smart phones, PDAs, personal medical monitoring and personal navigation devices, eBooks and portable point-of-sale tools.
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nanoPower, nanoSize and nanoTemp
With power consumption as low as 2 microwatts, IGLOO nano FPGAs range in densities from 10k to 250k system gates. These devices support 1.2V to 1.5V core and I/O operation, ultra-low-power Flash*Freeze mode with bus hold capability, as well as advanced I/O features, such as hot swapping and Schmitt trigger inputs.
Actel will offer its low-power IGLOO nano FPGAs in a 3x3 mm package, which is claimed to be the smallest package for any programmable logic device on the market. Complementing Actel's existing portfolio of small 4x4 mm, 5x5 mm, 6x6 mm and 8x8 mm packages, the new tiny package makes IGLOO nano FPGAs ideally suited for power-sensitive, space-constrained handheld devices.
The company is also enhancing its standard commercial ambient operating temperatures, offering new ranges for IGLOO nano FPGAs from –20 degrees C to +70 degrees C, thereby allowing many of these portable applications to be operated in sub-zero environments around the world.
nanoLead Time
In today's fast-moving market place, some customers want to go from a prototype and ramp to full production as quickly as possible (the folks at Actel were telling me about one user whose requirements ramped from 0 to 100,000 parts in just a couple of weeks). In order to address this type of market that's moving at warp speed, Actel have built a strategic inventory position. Both IGLOO nano and ProASIC3 nano FPGAs in densities of 60k, 125k and 250k gates are immediately available in volume with zero lead times. Additional densities will be available in volume in early 2009. Customers also have immediate access to known good die, offering size and cost benefits as well as design integration advantages.
nanoPrice
In high volume, pricing for the 10k-gate A3PN010 starts at $0.69 in a QNG48 package and $0.49 in known good die. Actel will offer more than 50 product variants under $1 for high-volume applications.
Design tool support
Support for IGLOO and ProASIC3 nano FPGAs is available now in Actel's Libero Integrated Design Environment (IDE) v8.4. This power-optimized development environment enables power-driven layout, battery estimation and advanced power analysis.
For immediate prototyping and programming, designers can leverage the Actel IGLOO Icicle Kit immediately available for $99. The 1.4" x 3.6" kit features ultra low-power attributes, flexible implementation options, and battery-saving advantages of the company's standard low-power IGLOO FPGA for portable applications. The kit also enables designers to easily and rapidly program, evaluate and modify their IGLOO-based portable designs.
In November, Actel plans to offer a low-cost nano starter kit, priced at $49.95 and fitted with an IGLOO AGLN250 in a VQG100 package. With multiple voltage levels provided, this board will allow quick prototyping and access to all I/O pins and can demonstrate Flash*Freeze mode control and enable battery operation.
More information
To find out more about Actel's nano offerings, Click Here for IGLOO nano FPGAs and Click Here for ProASIC3 nano FPGAs.
