FPGA implementation and testing of VXIbus interface hardware

This paper reports on evaluation of field programmable gate array (FPGA) technology applied to the implementation and testing of VXIbus interface circuitry. Using FPGAs, all the logic of a general purpose breadboard (Hewlett-Packard E1399A) can be fit into a single low-cost gate array package (Xilinx XC4000) with attendant savings in board space. Functions implemented using the FPGA include: (1) data transfer acknowledge (DTACK) state machine; (2) interrupt knowledge state machine, and (3) general interface logic including registers. This results in a reliable, flexible, and testable design that provides the interface between the VXIbus and the user's custom circuitry.<
>