Hi there,
currently i have been working on a project involving developement of a simple PCI target for data acquisition. all that i want is a "simple" target device that will get detected and will work properly as a target, i.e. cause data transfer from the PCI card to the PC when requested. i need to keep the cost at bare minimum. i cannot use the readymade kits/cards like the one from PLX. i m going to use spartan2 fpga. again i m pretty an inexperienced person in this regard. hence i have some doubts regarding the PCB developement that i will have to undertake -
will a two layer PCB suffice for this purpose?
are plated through holes are necessory? any alternative?
what will be the approximate cost for a PCB with plated through holes?
can i hand solder the PQFP/TQFP packages to the board?
any extra precautions to take while doind that?
can you recommend me a good soldering gun assembly (of course low cost) for that purpose?
any suggestions, recommendations regarding further references, books that i should read for this kind of PCB developement, softwares that can be useful, tools of the trade, and any other thing that may be useful, will be greately appreciated; as they are you people whom i m banking on for guidance, in this critical project. Seriously. TIA, Shreyas Kulkarni