A System On Module (SoM) developed by Electra IC: BitFlex-SPB-A7 FPGA SoM

March 18, 2024 -- BitFlex-SPB-A7 is a System On Module (SoM) with AMD's 7 series Xilinx FPGAs at its core. Designed by ELECTRA IC engineers to be used in many areas involving digital signal processing such as radar, wireless communication.

• What is this product? What does it do? What is it good for?

Ismail Hakki TOPCU (IHT) – Managing Partner and Engineering Director:

First of all, let me briefly explain what a System-on-Module (SoM) is;

A System-on-Module (SoM) is a ready-made electronic board solution that includes all the necessary units such as processor, communication interfaces, memory blocks, power management on a single printed circuit board (PCB). In this way, complex electronic board designs with specific interfaces and components on which SoMs can be placed can be designed more simply and quickly.

BitFlex-SPB-A7, which we have developed, is a SoM that contains Artix 7 FPGAs produced by AMD with the aim of high performance and cost-effectiveness and can be flexibly suitable for many applications with various interfaces on it.

BitFlex-SPB-A7 can be an utterly ready processor board on a single printed circuit board that can be placed on electronic boards customized for use in areas such as radar and wireless communication, as well as a demo board that can be used alone in software development stages.

• What is your reason for developing this product?

IHT: FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is a microchip used in hardware designs and can be reprogrammed repeatedly for different functions. In Turkiye and worldwide, FPGAs are frequently preferred to develop complex and high-performance systems in areas such as radar and communication systems.

While FPGAs are used so frequently, there is an equal need for FPGA development boards, which is expected to increase daily. ELECTRA IC has years of experience in digital and hardware design. In 2022, thanks to a project initiated by one of our customers, this experience was turned into a product, and BitFlex-SPB-A7 SoM was designed and produced. Because ELECTRA IC is an Elite Partner of AMD, this product has been presented to the world market from AMD's website.

• Did ELECTRA IC's engineers develop the product?

IHT: Yes, the product is developed by ELECTRA IC engineers. It was developed in line with the requests of one of our customers. The validations were carried out in the laboratory environment within comprehensive test scenarios. Acceptance tests were also completed and accepted by our customer.

• How long did it take to develop the product?

IHT: BitFlex-SPB-A7 was transformed into a product by going through many stages such as design, production, and testing processes. All these processes were completed in 12 months.

• Will you be able to make similar products for all customers who request them?

IHT: Yes, of course. With BitFlex-SPB-A7, we have further strengthened our experience in these processes by turning our expertise in digital design and hardware design into a product. In the future, we continue on our way with stronger and more confident steps to develop similar products with different interfaces or different FPGA families for our customers. Developing customized FPGA boards specific to such customer requests is one of the important competencies that brings our company to the forefront.

• What does BitFlex-SPB-A7 mean for ELECTRA IC?

IHT: BitFlex-SPB-A7 is an FPGA SoM that contains 7 series FPGAs used in many projects worldwide. With BitFlex-SPB-A7, we have both created an alternative solution for companies and increased ELECTRA IC's experience in this field. BitFlex-SPB-A7 offers a flexible solution that can meet the SoM needs in many areas that include digital signal processing such as radar systems, wireless communication systems. In addition, ELECTRA IC shows that with the experience gained from productizing such a design, it is ready and confident to design SoMs that serve different purposes and include larger FPGAs.

Related Links:

• https://www.electraic.com/product/bitflex-spb-a7
• https://www.xilinx.com/alliance/memberlocator/1-1mcwjrf.html
• https://www.xilinx.com/products/boards-and-kits/1-1y7371g.html

About ELECTRA IC:

ELECTRA IC operates in the field of electronic engineering and produces customized "ASIC/FPGA, microchip and embedded systems, electronic circuit design and verification, embedded software design and development" projects for companies in the consumer, automotive, mobile connectivity and defense industries. The team has experience working with international companies. The company also specializes in "Functional Safety", especially DO-254, and supports companies that need certification in this field. It also provides high quality trainings for ASIC / FPGA and Embedded Systems. Some of the training areas are Xilinx, Intel FPGA, VHDL, SystemVerilog, UVM, SystemC, UVVM, ARM, Embedded Linux.

Istanbul-based ELECTRA IC, a distinguished leader in design and verification solutions, proudly announces its milestone achievement of ten years in the industry in 2024.

www.electraic.com