The implementation of FPGA for data transmission between ADC and DSP peripherals in the measurement channels for power quality assessment

Abstract

The paper presents the FPGA Xilinx Spartan 3 series implementation in an analog data acquisition system, in particular consisting of nine ADCs and the TigerSHARC DSP processor. Because of different standards of ADC and DSP data interfaces, the exchange of data between them requires the use of an intermediary device for combining their communication ports. The procedures for sending data from the ADC to the FPGA buffers, their conversion and subsequent transmission to the TigerSHARC DSP are described. The digital representations of ADC analog input signals are sent to the FPGA through three lines of serial interface at the physical layer compatible with the SPI standard. After processing in the FPGA they are sent to the DSP, with the four-line interface in the LVDS standard. The paper discusses the properties of related interfaces, standards, procedures and control of ADC issues as well as the algorithms of the FPGA configuration program and functions implemented in this system. Selected results of functional testing are shown.