Kintex-7 Based High-Speed Data Processor Board

This high-performance data processing board, based on the Xilinx Kintex-7 FPGA, showcases my expertise in designing advanced embedded systems for high-speed and high data rate applications.

The 20-layer board was developed as a processor for a communication modem, integrating complex mixed-signal components to achieve exceptional performance.

Key Features

FPGA Core: Utilizes the Xilinx Kintex-7 325T FFG900 FPGA, known for its high performance and versatility.
High-Speed ADC and DAC: Equipped with AD9680 (1GSPS 14-bit ADC) and AD9136 (2.8GSPS 16-bit DAC), providing efficient data conversion and processing.
JESD204B Interfaces: Multiple JESD204B lanes enable high-speed data transfer, ensuring seamless communication between the FPGA and ADC/DAC components.
Robust Power Management: Integrated DC-DC converters and LDOs ensure stable power supply to the FPGA and high-speed components, with careful design to handle high power demands and minimize noise.
Comprehensive I/O Options: Includes RS232, RS485, USB, Ethernet, and general-purpose I/Os, providing extensive connectivity for various applications.

Design Challenges and Solutions

Designing this 20-layer high-speed data processor board involved several critical challenges:

Signal Integrity: Ensuring clean signal transmission across the board required meticulous PCB layout techniques, including controlled impedance traces and proper termination.
Power Integrity: Maintaining stable power supply to high-speed ADC and DAC components necessitated the use of multiple DC-DC converters and LDOs, carefully designed to handle high power demands and minimize noise and ripple.
Noise Management: Overcoming noise from switching power supplies was crucial to maintain the analog characteristics and performance of the ADC and DAC. This was achieved through careful placement of power supply components, effective grounding strategies, and the use of low-noise LDOs.
Mixed-Signal Integration: Integrating analog and digital components on the same board required precise placement and routing to prevent interference and crosstalk.
High Data Rate Handling: Implementing JESD204B interfaces for high-speed data transfer involved thorough testing and validation to ensure reliable performance under various conditions.

Applications

This 20-layer Kintex-7 based board is designed for high-speed communication modems and is ideal for applications requiring:

High-speed data acquisition and processing
Real-time signal processing
High data rate communication systems
Advanced digital signal processing (DSP)