ME-CA1-30-8C-D7-R6.1

Overview

The Enclustra ME-CA1-30-8C-D7-R6.1 is a Mercury CA1 FPGA module based on the Intel Cyclone IV EP4CE30F23C8N device in an FBGA484 package. It integrates 128 MB of DDR2 SDRAM and 16 MB of SPI flash. The module provides up to 168 user I/Os, supporting configurations with 25 differential pairs plus 98 single-ended I/Os, or 146 single-ended I/Os. Key peripherals include a Gigabit Ethernet PHY, an FTDI USB 2.0 controller, a real-time clock, and power/current monitoring capabilities. Designed for high-speed and DSP applications, it operates within a commercial temperature range of 0°C to +70°C.

Feature Summary

• Intel Cyclone IV EP4CE30 FPGA with up to 168 user I/Os (25 differential pairs/98 single-ended or 146 single-ended)
• 128 MB DDR2 SDRAM and 16 MB SPI Flash memory
• Integrated Gigabit Ethernet PHY and FTDI USB 2.0 controller
• Compact form factor measuring 56 x 54 mm

Applications

• High-speed data processing systems
• Digital signal processing (DSP) applications
• Communication equipment requiring Gigabit Ethernet connectivity

Procurement Notes

Verify the article number EN102569 corresponds to the specific R6.1 hardware revision. Confirm that the FPGA fuses remain intact, as blowing them voids the warranty and prevents module testing. Ensure compatibility with baseboards utilizing Hirose FX10 connectors.

Selection Notes

Select this module when a low-cost Cyclone IV solution with integrated Ethernet and USB is required. Compare against variants with larger FPGA fabrics (EP4CE75/115) if higher logic capacity is needed. Note that the 128 MB DDR2 configuration is standard for this part; verify if custom memory sizes are available through Enclustra.

Part Context

This module belongs to the Mercury CA1 series, designed to simplify system design by providing a complete embedded processing system in a small footprint. It allows users to quickly build prototypes using Mercury baseboards like the PE1 or ST1, reducing development effort compared to custom FPGA hardware designs.

Replacement Considerations

Direct replacement options within the same family include ME-CA1-75-8C-D7-R6.1 (EP4CE75) and ME-CA1-115-8C-D8-R6.1 (EP4CE115). These share the same mechanical footprint and connector interface but offer increased FPGA resources.