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So I know there's a fairly diverse set of people in here so... Anybody
have any experience with using FPGAs? It's something I've often thought
of playing with, but I have no idea (1) how much it costs, and (2) how
difficult it is to make something that works.
--
http://blog.orphi.me.uk/
http://www.zazzle.com/MathematicalOrchid*
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Invisible wrote:
> So I know there's a fairly diverse set of people in here so... Anybody
> have any experience with using FPGAs? It's something I've often thought
> of playing with, but I have no idea (1) how much it costs, and (2) how
> difficult it is to make something that works.
>
just be careful you don't cause it to crack, leak and smoke....
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On Mon, 19 May 2008 14:18:07 +0100, Invisible wrote:
> So I know there's a fairly diverse set of people in here so... Anybody
> have any experience with using FPGAs? It's something I've often thought
> of playing with, but I have no idea (1) how much it costs, and (2) how
> difficult it is to make something that works.
I'd start with Google or Wikipedia - both link to some fairly useful
resources. ;-)
Jim
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Tom Austin wrote:
> just be careful you don't cause it to crack, leak and smoke....
Thanks - I'll keep that in mind. :-P
--
http://blog.orphi.me.uk/
http://www.zazzle.com/MathematicalOrchid*
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Jim Henderson wrote:
> I'd start with Google or Wikipedia - both link to some fairly useful
> resources. ;-)
Oh, sure, there's information out there. I was just wondering if anybody
around here had practical experience with such things.
--
http://blog.orphi.me.uk/
http://www.zazzle.com/MathematicalOrchid*
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Invisible wrote:
> Jim Henderson wrote:
>
>> I'd start with Google or Wikipedia - both link to some fairly useful
>> resources. ;-)
>
> Oh, sure, there's information out there. I was just wondering if anybody
> around here had practical experience with such things.
I know somebody trying to port SETI@Home to FPGAs. Slow progress.
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On Tue, 20 May 2008 09:12:12 +0100, Invisible wrote:
> Jim Henderson wrote:
>
>> I'd start with Google or Wikipedia - both link to some fairly useful
>> resources. ;-)
>
> Oh, sure, there's information out there. I was just wondering if anybody
> around here had practical experience with such things.
Ah. :-)
Jim
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Invisible wrote:
> Anybody have any experience with using FPGAs?
...so that'd be a "no" them.
--
http://blog.orphi.me.uk/
http://www.zazzle.com/MathematicalOrchid*
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Invisible wrote:
> So I know there's a fairly diverse set of people in here so... Anybody
> have any experience with using FPGAs? It's something I've often thought
> of playing with, but I have no idea (1) how much it costs, and (2) how
> difficult it is to make something that works.
If you want to fork out $15, I suggest you subscribe to Circuit Cellar's
electronic edition (http://www.circuitcellar.com/). The June edition (not
yet shown on the website, though it is available for download) features a
raytracer implemented in an FPGA. It uses 24-bit fixed-point math, so is
not really useful for assisting POV, but still it's an interesting project
if you're curious about FPGA's. They also use the FPGA to implement a
framebuffer and generate VGA output.
NB you can purchase one-off editions, but that issue isn't yet linked.
-- Chris
PS in answer to your question, FPGA's cost anything from 'very little' to
'too much'. Around here we use some high-end Xilinx devices which IIRC cost
around $600 each - but that series are definitely not hobbyist devices.
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Chris Cason wrote:
> If you want to fork out $15, I suggest you subscribe to Circuit Cellar's
> electronic edition (http://www.circuitcellar.com/). The June edition (not
> yet shown on the website, though it is available for download) features a
> raytracer implemented in an FPGA. It uses 24-bit fixed-point math, so is
> not really useful for assisting POV, but still it's an interesting project
> if you're curious about FPGA's. They also use the FPGA to implement a
> framebuffer and generate VGA output.
>
> NB you can purchase one-off editions, but that issue isn't yet linked.
>
> -- Chris
>
> PS in answer to your question, FPGA's cost anything from 'very little' to
> 'too much'. Around here we use some high-end Xilinx devices which IIRC cost
> around $600 each - but that series are definitely not hobbyist devices.
Heh. Chris Cason. Is there anything he can't do? ;-)
I've been to the Xilinx website and looked at the various "development
boards" they offer, and most of them seem to be around $2,000. Obviously
I don't have that kind of money. I'll have to hunt around further to see
if they offer anything at more sane prices.
Also, if memory serves me correctly, the Xilinx software is a free
download; they make their money from selling you the hardware. Maybe I
should start there... although circuit cellar certainly seems worth a
look too.
--
http://blog.orphi.me.uk/
http://www.zazzle.com/MathematicalOrchid*
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