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Post by Casey Leedom on Mar 31, 2017 11:54:16 GMT -5
I happen to be in a somewhat similar business: high-speed network adapter chip & board manufacturing. As the chip RTL[1] is developed, Design Verification Tests are created at the same time and run continuously against the checked in design components. As we get close to completion, we start testing the design in giant FPGA Assembly Boards which mimic a good chunk of the Design, but are limited to the size of the Design in terms of replicated instances of units and external Physical Interfaces (PHYs) which FPGA isn't fast enough to keep up with (Interfaces for PCI-E, DDR Memory, High-Speed Serializer/Deserializers (HSS), etc.). For the latter we have to depend on Clock-Accurate Simulations to verify proper integration (since PHY Intellectual Property (IP) is typically purchased from companies which specialize in these "interesting" components).
Of the above, our FPGA stage is probably the closest to your "Test Mule" stage.
In any case, best of luck on the continued RMC-1 development cycle and I look forward to seeing it when it comes out. I have a pretty good guess for when that will be based on my own experience in this process, but I think we should stay focused on how awesome it'll be ... :-)
Casey
[1] RTL, Register Transfer Language, is mostly a misnomer these days since almost no one really uses literal RTL any more except for designers working with massively replicated instances like memory/cache cells, or those working with insanely high-speed PHY logic.
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Lonnie
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Post by Lonnie on Mar 31, 2017 16:15:40 GMT -5
You probably can't tell from the pic, but we run all the I/Os from the external world and from the DSPs through a giant CPLD so we can bring anything in or out of circuit as needed. I can only imagine the build out of the FPGA you are using to do what you do. It must be quite something.
Lonnie
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Post by Casey Leedom on Mar 31, 2017 18:32:47 GMT -5
Yeah, our FPGA is a HUGE double-board affair with each board something like 14"x8". I can't remember the number of FPGA parts on it. It's something like 10 if I remember right and each one costs us ~$25K. Our high-speed networking chip is "pretty big" ... :-)
Casey
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Mar 31, 2017 19:05:36 GMT -5
I got to see what FPGA's can do last year or so. Pretty cool. The use I saw was very focused, very limited, but very cool. And it allowed us to do things we could not otherwise do. I wish I could elaborate, but...quite secret.
Mark
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Post by audiosyndrome on Mar 31, 2017 20:07:16 GMT -5
The good news is that at least we now have the option of fixing things with firmware updates....... So I'm optimistic. Firmware updates are the modern day AV equivalent of a double edged sword. They allow things to be fixed or updated as time goes on, which is good. BUT, they also allow engineers to be lazy not sweating the details, and manufacturers to be hasty releasing things before they are ready. In other words, it abandons the principle of people getting it right in the first place. It promotes a lais·sez-faire attitude towards the entire thing, and that's not good. Bonzo- you meant "in your opinion firmware updates....." And secondly, quite offensive to all the engineers, me included, who try their best to get it right first time out. Russ |
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Post by Bonzo on Apr 5, 2017 12:32:26 GMT -5
Firmware updates are the modern day AV equivalent of a double edged sword. They allow things to be fixed or updated as time goes on, which is good. BUT, they also allow engineers to be lazy not sweating the details, and manufacturers to be hasty releasing things before they are ready. In other words, it abandons the principle of people getting it right in the first place. It promotes a lais·sez-faire attitude towards the entire thing, and that's not good. Bonzo- you meant "in your opinion firmware updates....." And secondly, quite offensive to all the engineers, me included, who try their best to get it right first time out. Russ I'm not exactly sure what it was so many moons ago that I did to irritate your New Yorker innards so much, but man, I did it good didn't I. You just get irritated by anything I type. Sorry, but I refuse to constantly succumb to the usual internet forum nausea stating "IMO" or "IMHO" during each and every post. If people can't figure that out themselves, then they aren't really worth talking to. I already do it more than I would like in an attempt to appease the overly sensitive forum types. There won't be more. Offended you again eh? Not surprising. You have proven in the past how soft you are to things you don't like to hear. As I think I've suggested to you before, you should probably add me to the ignore list in your set up options. I stand by everything I said in the line of my post you quoted. Sorry if you don't want to hear the truth, but it's all true, whether you like it or not. Don't agree? That's just fine with me. Perhaps you might consider discussing why you don't agree, and why you think I'm wrong, instead of just unconstructively hitting me or getting mad about it like you usually do. I'd be happy to discuss it. And who knows, we both might learn something. |
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Post by jacketfan on Apr 5, 2017 21:49:38 GMT -5
I noticed that in the "test mule" picture, they are up to rev G on one of the cards. Not sure if that is typical, but something engineers notice.
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Post by Casey Leedom on Apr 5, 2017 21:59:16 GMT -5
The "Rev G" could be "correcting mistakes" and it could also be "new features". Either way, every version needs to be carefully labeled.
Casey
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Post by jacketfan on Apr 6, 2017 9:57:06 GMT -5
Right Casey. I have seen rev levels to AA and beyond. Every developmental process has it's growing pains.
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Post by Dan Laufman on Apr 14, 2017 11:25:36 GMT -5
Take a look at the latest board set for the RMC-1. This is the complete board set attached to the rear panel. Not shown are the power supply and the front panel PCB's. Well done to the team!! What a talented bunch of guys!! This thing is so sweet, and deep. I can't begin to tell you how much work this represents... it staggers the mind. Really. Can't wait for all of you to see it at Axpona!!   |
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Post by novisnick on Apr 14, 2017 11:29:53 GMT -5
Take a look at the latest board set for the RMC-1. This is the complete board set attached to the rear panel. Not shown are the power supply and the front panel PCB's. Well done to the team!! What a talented bunch of guys!! This thing is so sweet, and deep. I can't begin to tell you how much work this represents... it staggers the mind. Really. Can't wait for all of you to see it at Axpona!!
Big Dan
Thanks for the post Big Guy! |
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Post by novisnick on Apr 14, 2017 11:39:10 GMT -5
Ah! The force of the RMC-1 !! Love ❤️ it!
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Apr 14, 2017 11:42:32 GMT -5
Take a look at the latest board set for the RMC-1. This is the complete board set attached to the rear panel. Not shown are the power supply and the front panel PCB's. Well done to the team!! What a talented bunch of guys!! This thing is so sweet, and deep. I can't begin to tell you how much work this represents... it staggers the mind. Really. Can't wait for all of you to see it at Axpona!! View AttachmentNext time unplug it first and your eyes won't bug out like that.  I am very happy to see the progress! It's my next pre-pro. |
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Post by lesliew on Apr 14, 2017 12:14:45 GMT -5
Take a look at the latest board set for the RMC-1. This is the complete board set attached to the rear panel. Not shown are the power supply and the front panel PCB's. Well done to the team!! What a talented bunch of guys!! This thing is so sweet, and deep. I can't begin to tell you how much work this represents... it staggers the mind. Really. Can't wait for all of you to see it at Axpona!! View AttachmentSweet Where do I sign up, seriously If there's a preorder list put my name down. |
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Post by Casey Leedom on Apr 14, 2017 12:26:46 GMT -5
Well I see great success in your future: you've got the Goatee back ... :-)
Casey
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Post by jcz06 on Apr 14, 2017 12:50:03 GMT -5
Looking forward to seeing it in person!
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Post by lesliew on Apr 14, 2017 12:50:37 GMT -5
Well I see great success in your future: you've got the Goatee back ... :-) Casey Or as master Yoda would put it. Ahh goatee, success in your future I see Sorry couldn't help myself after seeing the force awakens above. |
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Erwin.BE
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Post by Erwin.BE on Apr 14, 2017 13:21:40 GMT -5
Keep up the good work!
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Post by rhale64 on Apr 14, 2017 13:28:19 GMT -5
I love it. This is what I have been waiting for.
I will be ordering as soon as it is ready.
Great work folks.
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Post by htguy on Apr 14, 2017 15:04:33 GMT -5
Take a look at the latest board set for the RMC-1. This is the complete board set attached to the rear panel. Not shown are the power supply and the front panel PCB's. Well done to the team!! What a talented bunch of guys!! This thing is so sweet, and deep. I can't begin to tell you how much work this represents... it staggers the mind. Really. Can't wait for all of you to see it at Axpona!! Great stuff! Some pics/video's of the unit at Axpona would be great for those that can not attend. |
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