Altera Corporation expanded its intellectual property (IP) portfolio with the introduction of a complete USB 2.0 Hi-/Full-Speed Device Controller solution from System Level Solutions (SLS). This new solution is comprised of a soft IP core, software and class drivers, and SLS’s Snap-On PHY daughtercards. The daughtercards are designed for use exclusively with Altera development kits.

Full- and Hi-Speed USB device controllers are rapidly replacing older RS232 ports in a wide variety of markets such as consumer, medical, industrial, storage and leading-edge applications such as automotive infotainment. The implementation of communication protocols in FPGAs is expanding as designers recognize the increased flexibility and upgrade possibilities offered by this platform. The partner USB 2.0 product is packaged to install as a component for the Altera SOPC Builder development tool. It features a core that is configurable for up to 16 endpoints with software and class drivers and hardware support for two PHY interfaces, including USB 2.0 Transceiver Macrocell Interface (UTMI) and UTMI+ Low Pin Interface (ULPI).

Multiple versions of the SLS USB 2.0 solution are available, allowing designers to rapidly add the protocol flavor demanded by their application. Designers adding USB 2.0 as an additional peripheral in their Nios II embedded processor-based design can select the Avalon® interface version of the core from within SOPC Builder. A FIFO interface version is also available. Regardless of which version is chosen, system architects can download and evaluate a small, three-endpoint reference design for immediate design, simulation and programming of the combined development kit and PHY daughtercard even before the core is licensed.