Can I safely connect Xilinx fpga pins to an external connector in a commercial product? I want to be able to control direction and use them in some yet to be determined manner. Will this be a problem for esd testing? Am I asking for someone to zap the most expensive part in my box? What circuitry should I add to protect the fpga?
Alan Nishioka snipped-for-privacy@accom.com
I do this, but not on a truly external connector, i.e. not one that leaves the box. It's generally O.K. to have mezzanine connectors, but your guess on ESD is correct if you want an external cable plugged in.
Yes.
I'd say the best way is to insert transceivers, but that would require picking a logic family. At a minimum I'd put Schottky clamps on the lines and even better something like a QuickSwitch if you can afford the delay due to on resistance and capacitive loading.
I don't have a problem with internal connectors. No one should be in the box, so the chance of something bad happening is much lower.
I have always used a transceiver in the past, but I was wondering what I could get away with. quickswitch is a good idea. I certainly can afford it (it's for user inputs/outputs).
Thank you,
Alan Nishioka snipped-for-privacy@accom.com
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