SPIDER Automation Altera MAX II EPM240 CPLD Development Board | Minimum System Board with EPM240T100C5N Chip
Description
The SPIDER Automation Altera MAX II EPM240 CPLD Development Board is an entry-level minimum system board engineered around the ALTERA MAX II family EPM240T100C5N CPLD chip. Designed specifically for low-cost digital logic prototyping, embedded system design, and product validation, this development board supports standard JTAG and USB-Blaster downloading tools for swift programming and debugging.
Featuring a streamlined architecture that requires only a single 5V power supply to become fully operational, the board breaks out all I/O pins and clock lines through accessible pin headers. This makes it exceptionally convenient for developers to interface external circuits such as LED indicators, digital tube displays, LCD screens, and communication modules, providing an ideal learning and development platform for engineers and students alike.
Key Features
- Altera EPM240T100C5N CPLD Chip: High-reliability MAX II family core offering robust logic capabilities for complex digital designs.
- Onboard Configuration Memory: Includes an 8Kbit EPCS4 EEPROM chip for reliable logic data configuration.
- Active Crystal Oscillator: Features a built-in 50MHz active patch crystal oscillator to supply stable system clock signals.
- Comprehensive I/O Pinout: All I/O ports and clock pins are fully broken out via pin headers for effortless peripheral expansion.
- Power & Reset Control: Integrated with a dedicated power indicator LED and a tactile reset switch for convenient testing.
- Simplified Power Input: Operates efficiently on a standard single 5V DC power supply via an onboard power jack.
Benefits
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- Accelerates Digital Prototyping: Provides an immediate, ready-to-use minimum system platform for testing CPLD designs and logic circuits.
- Simplifies External Interfacing: Fully accessible pin headers allow quick connection to sensors, displays, and communication interfaces.
- Cost-Effective Learning Tool: Excellent entry-level hardware for students and developers exploring CPLD and FPGA architectures.
- Compact & Reliable Design: Small footprint board delivers stable high-performance operation for embedded laboratory tasks.
Applications
- Digital Logic Education & Training: Teaching VHDL, Verilog, and programmable logic concepts in engineering universities and labs.
- Embedded Prototyping & R&D: Validating custom digital state machines, counters, and glue logic before custom PCB fabrication.
- Peripheral Interfacing Tests: Connecting development boards to LCD screens, keypads, UART serial modules, and stepping motors.
- Industrial Control Logic: Designing compact dedicated control units requiring fast combinatorial logic execution.
- Maker & Hobbyist Electronics: Exploring programmable hardware development beyond standard microcontrollers.
Package Includes
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- 1 x Altera MAX II EPM240 CPLD Development Board
Technical Specifications
| Item Classification | CPLD Development Board / Minimum System Board |
| Brand / Series | SPIDER Automation (Altera MAX II Compatible Line) |
| Core Logic Device | Altera MAX II Family EPM240T100C5N CPLD Chip |
| Input Voltage | 5V DC (Single Power Supply via Onboard Jack) |
| Internal I/O Voltage | 3.3V |
| Total Input / Output Pins | 100 Pins (All Broken Out via Pin Headers) |
| Configuration EEPROM | 8Kbit EPCS4 Chip |
| Clock Oscillator Frequency | 50 MHz Active Patch Crystal |
| Onboard Features | Power Indicator LED, Reset Switch, JTAG Programming Interface |
| Board Dimensions (L x W x H) | Approx. 70 mm × 50 mm × 13 mm (PCB Dimensions) |
| Net Board Weight | Approx. 27 g |
| Gross Shipping Weight | 0.03 kg |
| Package Shipping Dimensions | 7 cm × 6 cm × 6 cm |
| Included Hardware Components | 1x Altera MAX II EPM240 CPLD Development Board |
