PCB Design for FPGA SoMs and Carrier Boards
By ZM Peterson • Sep 16, 2022Learn about the design challenges and processes in PCB design for an FPGA SoM and its carrier board.
FPGA PCB Design
by NWES
Today’s embedded systems and high-speed PCBs for advanced applications are increasingly implementing their applications and specialty logic in FPGAs. These systems are running with FPGAs as the main controller, as a co-processor, or as a mix of these standard architectures. Layout and routing can be challenging in these systems but a knowledgeable design firm can help you reach success.
We’re a PCB design and layout services company that specializes in some of the most cutting edge areas of electronics development. Our high-speed design expertise makes us the ideal choice for your FPGA-based systems. Whether you're a small startup with a great idea or a large enterprise, we'll take your design from idea to full-scale manufacturing. We look forward to working with you!
- Learn more about our expertise in the PCB industry.
FPGA PCB Design & Embedded Capabilities
Advanced Applications With FPGAs
Modern digital systems need a host of peripherals, sensors, and interfaces running at low and high speed, while also enabling specialized computing with high efficiency and low latency. FPGAs allow specialty logic to be instantiated in the interconnect fabric so that high compute density can be achieved in a power-efficient package, making them ideal for the following application areas:
- Sensor interface platforms in mixed-signal and RF systems
- Powerful embedded computers with multiple peripherals and digital interfaces
- Vision systems with real time processing capabilities
- IoT, edge computing, and embedded AI products with specialty logic
- Embedded systems used in aerospace & defense, automotive, robotics, and much more
PCB Design Software Support
Success in FPGA PCB Design
PCBs that interface with FPGA SoMs, controller boards with FPGAs, and smaller embedded products with FPGAs are all high speed systems with a large number of interfaces and I/Os. These boards must be designed with best high-speed PCB design practices to ensure products operate successfully, meet compliance requirements, and will be reliable in their envisioned operating environment.
- PCB layer stack - FPGAs can require high layer counts to support the large number of interfaces and I/Os needed in modern systems. FPGA-based systems must be used on the right PCB stackup that allows routing of the required interfaces while also ensuring signal and power integrity.
- Standard vs. HDI processing - The processing capabilities required to build the board must also be examined early in the design stage to ensure a system can be built to the required volume and reliability standards. Your design firm should work with manufacturing partners to help ensure DFM and scalability.
- Chip and interface selection - Applications requiring an FPGA are enabled by selecting the right chip that can support the required interfaces and I/O count. Vendor IP and open source standards like RISC-V can be leveraged to build advanced FPGA-based products.
- Placement and routing - Advanced digital systems must have components placed and routed so that the required interfaces can be accessed while also ensuring signal integrity in the end product.
- SI/PI/EMI - Any digital system can fail due SI and PI problems, or it may not receive EMC compliance certification if the board is not designed properly. High-speed PCB designers that follow these guidelines have the highest chance of passing EMI/EMC testing and being released to market.
FPGA PCB Form Factors
FPGA PCB
- Fully customized architecture
- Standalone PCBA with no carrier board
- Standard approach for development products
System-on-Module
- Modular architecture for embedded systems
- Requires carrier board design
- SoM or carrier are replaceable as needed
Expansion Card
- Used in a wide range of systems
- Standardized pinout and connector
- Expansion card can be a carrier for an SoM
Related Resources
Overview of RISC-V in Embedded Systems Development
By ZM Peterson • Jul 28, 2022Learn about the uses of RISC-V based embedded systems and how the ISA is used in development.
Why You Should Use an FPGA in Embedded Systems Design
By ZM Peterson • Jun 20, 2022FPGAs in embedded systems have many advantages not seen with standard processor architectures.
Our FPGA PCB Design Process
Our goal is to streamline the innovation process for advanced electronics and help clients scale to volume production.- Contact us for a consultation and quote.
- We work with developers to define pin and interface assignments, followed by schematic capture.
- Once performance requirements and interfaces are finalized, we qualify a PCB stackup with fabrication and determine interconnect requirements for the PCB.
- After finalizing material requirements and form factor, we'll work through the PCB layout.
- We perform a final DFM/DFA check and any signal integrity checks to ensure the design is ready for PCB manufacturing.
Why Work With NWES?
- Technical expertise - We're not a typical content company, we're electronics experts that love educating engineers. We're the best because we use your products and we know the value they help create.
- Integrated strategy - We work with local and overseas CMs and EMS providers that are ISO-9001, AS9100, ISO-13485, IPC-A-610, and/or ITAR/JCP certified. We help you find the best option to produce prototypes and scale to volume production.
- Supply chain management - We take a proactive approach on projects to ensure your design can be produced at the required volume. We'll manage procurement from major distributors or brokers throughout your project.
Need a hand with a current or future PCB design project? Find out the difference our experts can make.
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