View source for Data Interface: SPI to PC Bridge for ASICs

[[File:brunn_fast_interface.png|thumb|400px]]
==Short Description==
Our mixed signal ICs generate a lot of data which needs to be read out and stored to a memory or streamed out to a PC for testing, debugging and in our applications in the field. Up to now, simple serial-to-USB (UART) for streaming and mass storage (with FAT32) on a SDCard as memory has been used. For smaller power budget, system size and higher throughput reasons we want to leave these limiting technologies behind and switch to faster and simpler ways. This is where this thesis starts. The aim is a hardware and software system that combines streaming live data from our ASICs to a PC and reading out memory with a UI (also on a PC). An evaluation of different approaches has to be made (Ethernet, USB, ...) and the agreed upon approach has then to be implemented. The project reaches from evaluation, PCB design, embedded software design up to PC software implementation. Creativity and a high level of dedication is expected as it is an extensive but interesting project.

=== Update: ===
Various SPI to Ethernet modules/ICs can be found but are limited in speed and stack capabilities. An approach for faster data transfer over Ethernet must be found. Ideas are to use a host MCU which runs the TCP/IP and/or the UDP stack and offers a fast SPI interface. Or, better yet, a small FPGA to provide a QSPI slave interface. An on-fabric MCU could be used to handle the stack.



===Status: Available ===
: Looking for 1-2 Semester Thesis/Group Work students
: Contact: [[:User:Brunn | Noé Brun]]

===Prerequisites===
: Experience with hardware design and embedded software

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===Status: Completed ===
: Fall Semester 2014 (sem13h2)
: Matthias Baer, Renzo Andri
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===Status: In Progress ===
: Student A, StudentB
: Supervision: [[:User:Belfanti | Sandro Belfanti]]
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===Character===
: 10% Concept & Verification
: 30% Hardware PCB Design
: 60% Software

===Professor===
<!-- : [http://www.iis.ee.ethz.ch/portrait/staff/lbenini.en.html Luca Benini] --->
: [http://www.iis.ee.ethz.ch/portrait/staff/huang.en.html Qiuting Huang]
<!-- : [http://lne.ee.ethz.ch/en/general-information/people/professor.html Vanessa Wood] --->
<!-- : [http://www.iis.ee.ethz.ch/portrait/staff/mluisier.en.html Mathieu Luisier] --->
<!-- : [http://www.iis.ee.ethz.ch/portrait/staff/schenk.en.html Andreas Schenk] --->
<!-- : [http://www.dz.ee.ethz.ch/en/general-information/about/staff/uid/364.html Hubert Kaeslin] --->

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==Detailed Task Description==

===Goals===
===Practical Details===
* '''[[Project Plan]]'''
* '''[[Project Meetings]]'''
* '''[[Design Review]]'''
* '''[[Coding Guidelines]]'''
* '''[[Final Report]]'''
* '''[[Final Presentation]]'''

==Results== 

==Links==
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[[Category:Analog]]
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[[Category:Group Work]]
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[[Category:Biomedical System on Chips]]

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