Instant-On
Overview
Microsemi instant-on FPGAs are the only devices that can assist in system start-up tasks, system configuration, and supervision during voltage ramp-up. With a Microsemi device on your board, there is no need for additional instant-on (sometimes known as live at power up, or LAPU) circuitry, the device is ready when you most need it, at power up.
The time it takes for your FPGA to power up has a significant impact on the complexity of your system design and the total cost of your system. Some applications require short system initialization time and cannot wait for device configuration upon power-up. All Microsemi flash and antifuse FPGAs support instant-on functionality.
Features and Benefits
Benefits
- Best in class instant-on support
- Operational before power-up
- Orders of magnitude faster power-on than competitors
- Short system initialization time
- Reduction of system power-up components
- Effective and robust system design
- Reduced total cost of ownership
Total System Cost Reduction
In addition to the system operation benefits, the instant-on function also contributes to reduce the number of components used on-board, reduce power consumption and total system cost, and increase reliability.
To implement an instant-on design in SRAM-based FPGAs, significant additional circuitry may be needed. In addition to a boot PROM and/or additional system memory for unsecure configuration code, an instant-on CPLD may be needed for system configuration and supervisory tasks. Clock and reset signal generation is also required upon power-up to help initialize components on board. These issues add complexity and cost to the system design and slow down the development process.
By eliminating the need in additional circuitry, instant-on, nonvolatile FPGAs help in simplifying design, reducing cost, and contributing to efficient use of resources.
The Instant-on Cost Difference - Comparing FPGA Total System Cost
SRAM FPGA | Microsemi Flash FPGA | |
---|---|---|
FPGA Unit Cost | Comparable | Comparable |
Configuration Flash | $ |
No cost adder |
Startup Clock Management | $ |
No cost adder |
Instant-on CPLD | $ |
No cost adder |
Total | 3X UNIT COST | 1X UNIT COST |