Re: FPGATED prototype

On 1/15/2021 6:27 AM, Istvan Hegedus wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> FYI I have successfully tested my FPGATED drop-in prototype in a Plus4 
> and C16! It works perfectly, so far it runs most of the programs that 
> I have tried.
> The prototype uses just a 2 layers PCB and a TQG144 Xilinx Spartan6 
> LX4 to keep costs down, however it needed an smd IC header because 
> through hole would have not fit. The size of the PCB is just inside 
> the limits, it fits the Plus4 as well.
> Though it works well my plan is to create a new design with a 4 layers 
> PCB, through hole IC header and a Spartan6 with CPG196 package which 
> is much smaller than a TQG144 one.

I can't argue the smaller footprint FPGA and 4 layer PCB, but I'd keep 
the surface mount header.  I think they look much more neat in circuit 
and if you trim the outside of your PCB to just beyond the SMT pins, I 
don't think the design will be too wide.  Having the pins sticking 
through reduces top PCB area a lot and then you have to worry about 
cutting the pins off and making sure they do not touch metal shields and 
such if folks re-assemble the EMI stuff.

Jim