FPGA-based embedded Linux technology in fusion: The MAST microwave imaging system

A cutting-edge standalone data acquisition system has been developed using Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). It has 16 ADC channels operating at 250 MSPS, at 14-bit resolution acquiring continuously at 8 GB/s for 0.5 s. The system uses the Virtex 6 FPGA running embedded Linux on the MicroBlazeTM soft processor. We propose the development of a standard FPGA architecture, based on a methodology which has enabled us to develop this system using commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components. This architecture can easily be modified for a variety of applications, both high and low performance at a competitive cost in terms of hardware, engineering and development.

► Present an FPGA architecture using embedded Linux. ► Present a cutting edge 8 GB/s FPGA data acquisition system. ► Achieve ethernet throughput up to 83 MB/s on 100 MHz processor. ► Demonstrate high level FPGA development tools. ► FPGA users on fusion devices – http://fusion.phys.tue.nl/fpga/