The Cyclone® device family is the first generation in Altera's low-cost FPGA series. Cyclone series FPGAs are built from the ground up for low cost, providing application-focused features such as embedded memory, external memory interfaces, and clock management circuitry.
For further system integration consider the new Cyclone III or Cyclone II FPGAs. These newer Cyclone families strengthen Altera's leadership position in solutions for high-volume, cost-sensitive applications.
| Table 1. Cyclone Family Features at a Glance | |
|---|---|
| Feature | Description |
| Architecture | |
| Cost-Optimized Architecture | Cyclone FPGAs offer up to 20,060 logic elements (LEs). The logic resources in Cyclone devices can be used to implement complex applications. |
| Embedded Memory | Cyclone devices offer up to 288 Kbits of RAM through M4K memory blocks that can be configured to support a wide range of operation modes including RAM, ROM, first-in first-out (FIFO) buffers, and single-port and dual-port modes. |
| External Memory Interfaces | Cyclone devices provide advanced external memory interfaces that allow you to integrate external SDR SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, and DDR FCRAM devices into complex system designs without degrading data access performance. |
| LVDS I/O Support | Cyclone devices offer up to 129 LVDS-compatible channels with data rates up to 640 Mbps per channel. |
| Single-Ended I/O Support | Cyclone devices support a variety of single-ended I/O interface standards, such as the 3.3-V, 2.5-V, 1.8-V, LVTTL, LVCMOS, SSTL, and PCI standards needed for today's systems. |
| Clock Management Circuitry | Cyclone devices feature up to two programmable phase-locked loops (PLLs) and eight global clock lines that provide robust clock management and frequency synthesis capabilities for maximum system performance. Cyclone PLLs offer advanced features such as programmable phase shift, programmable delays, and external clock output. These features allow you to manage internal and external system timing. |
| Interfaces and Protocols | Cyclone devices support serial, bus, and network interfaces such as PCI, access to fast external memory devices, and a wide range of communications protocols including Ethernet protocols. |
| Hot-Socketing and Power-Sequencing |
Cyclone devices offer robust on-chip hot-socketing and power-sequencing support that ensures proper device operation independent of the power-up sequence. This feature also protects the device and tri-states I/O buffers before and during power-up, making Cyclone devices ideal for multi-voltage systems as well as applications that require high availability and redundancy. |
| DSP Implementation | Cyclone devices provide an ideal platform for implementing low-cost digital signal processing (DSP) systems on an FPGA. |
| Automatic Cyclic Redundancy Code Checking | Cyclone devices feature automatic 32-bit cyclic redundancy check (CRC). A single click in Quartus® II development software simplifies setup and activates the device's built-in cyclic redundancy code checker. It is the most cost-effective FPGA solution available for single event upset (SEU). |
| Serial Configuration Devices | Cyclone devices can be configured with low-cost Altera® serial configuration devices. |
| Nios II Family of Embedded Processors | The Nios® II family of embedded processors for Cyclone FPGAs reduces cost, increases flexibility, and offers an ideal replacement for low-cost discrete microprocessors. |
| Industrial Temperature Support | Select Cyclone devices are offered in the industrial temperature range, -40°C to +100°C (junction), to support various industrial applications. |
| Automotive-Grade Devices | Select Cyclone devices are offered in automotive-grade versions, supporting the automotive temperature range, -40°C to +125°C (junction). |
| Extended Temperature Support | Select Cyclone devices are qualified to an extended temperature range, -40°C to +125°C (junction). These devices are ideal for in-cabin automotive applications that require extended temperature ranges and high-quality products. |
