Mesa and Efinix FPGAs

@PCW: Just wanted you to know that I've tried to download the software for the 7i92TM and got a 404 (link to the manual is fine)
(link: www.mesanet.com/software/parallel/7i92t.zip )

Should be fixed now

Link is fine now. Thanks!

PCW post=253726 userid=481Yes, plus some other updates:

The new output drivers will be push pull so can be sourcing,
sinking or both ( software selectable and not need flyback diodes
regardless of load)

Input thresholds will be settable or auto.

Sweet I look forward to that on any of my future builds. Will the board dimensions stay the same?

Still debating whether to make a mechanical equivalent or a DIN tray mounted card with connectors on the periphery

DIN

What do you think of pluggable spring retention connectors vs screws?


They do have the advantage that they cannot be overtightened

Screws.
Springs will inadvertently release wires when troubleshooting, causing more troubleshooting!

PCW wrote:

What do you think of pluggable spring retention connectors vs screws?
 

Screws connectors for the simple reason that you can touch the screw to troubleshoot the signal. (Exactly what you're actually using on your mesa cards).... (20+ years electronics here)

PCW wrote:

Yes, plus some other updates:

The new output drivers will be push pull so can be sourcing,
sinking or both ( software selectable and not need flyback diodes
regardless of load)

Input thresholds will be settable or auto.
 

I suppose that means they can me sinking, mixed voltage outputs? That's 90% of the reason I use a 7i96 for this application.

I suggest sticking with the same form factor for a 7i76e and keep the screw TBs.

I make these Terminal block PCBs for convenient wiring. The grey blocks on top are spring. There's nothing wrong with them except as pointed out you can't probe them as easily as a screw. They're nice where the TB is not pluggable because they are easier to get to but there's no point if the terminal block is pluggable. I used them here because too many pluggable connections in series can be problematic.