VadaTech’s AMC581 and VPX581 use the same Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ XCZU15EG MPSoC, but they are built for different chassis: the AMC581 is an AMC carrier with an FMC site, while the VPX581 is a 3U VPX carrier with an FMC+ site. Choose first for the backplane and mezzanine standard your system requires; shared compute architecture can help with design porting, but does not make the boards mechanically or electrically interchangeable.
How do the AMC581 and VPX581 differ?
| Feature | AMC581 | VPX581 |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | AMC module | 3U VPX module |
| Mezzanine site | One FMC site, VITA 57 | One FMC+ site, VITA 57.4 |
| Host and high-speed routing | AMC FCLKA and TCLKA-D clocks; FMC DP0–9 and LA/HA/HB pairs | VPX P1; FMC DP0–15 and FMC+ LA/HA/HB pairs |
| FPGA/MPSoC | Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ XCZU15EG | Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ XCZU15EG |
| Memory | One 64-bit DDR4 channel; VadaTech lists 8 GB ECC | One 64-bit DDR4 channel; VadaTech lists 8 GB ECC |
| Management and standards | AMC.1, AMC.2 and AMC.4 compliance described by VadaTech | Dedicated health-management processor; VITA 46.11 Tier-2 chassis-management support and JTAG Switch Module compatibility described by VadaTech |
The main practical distinction is the system interface, not the processor. The AMC581 exposes AMC clocks and FMC lanes; the VPX581 routes through VPX P1 and provides more FMC+ DP lanes. Confirm the target backplane, connector pinout, clocking, lane assignment, power and cooling before choosing a carrier.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Altera Cyclone IV FPGA Development Board - DueProLogic | $74.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Altera MAX10 FPGA Development Board - MaxProLogic | $59.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Which board fits an AMC or 3U VPX chassis?
Choose AMC581 for an AMC system
The AMC581 is the AMC-format option. It is the relevant choice when the chassis and backplane are designed for AMC modules and the application calls for an FMC mezzanine card. Its listed AMC.1, AMC.2 and AMC.4 compliance identifies standards relevant to integration; it does not remove the need to check the particular chassis and system design.
Choose VPX581 for a 3U VPX system
The VPX581 is the 3U VPX-format option. Its P1 connection, health-management processor and stated VITA 46.11 Tier-2 support are intended for VPX chassis integration. VadaTech also describes compatibility with a chassis using a JTAG Switch Module. Verify those capabilities against the actual backplane and chassis-management implementation.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#1 Best Overall
- Altera Cyclone IV FPGA includes 6,000 Logic Elements with two clock multipliers. The Cyclone IV FPGA is the perfect balance of inexpensive cost versus plentiful logic cells, 20KBytes of SRAM, and General Purpose Input/Output pins. This is a great board to learn how to program FPGA's.
- Built in programmer cable allows configuring the FPGA with a single USB-C cable. The DPL can be powered from the USB cable or from the Barrel Connector. A separate JTAG header can also be used to program the FPGA using a compatible USB Blaster cable.
- 6x6 LED Array allows character and animations to be displayed at ultra fast speed. LED blocks can be individually turned on/off to allow LED signals to be used as I/O's
- 70 Inputs/Outputs originating at the FPGA are available at Stackable Headers organized around the edge of the board. The user can configure these I/O's using the FPGA project code.
- The DPL contains two oscillators, 66MHz and 100MHz. The 66MHz oscillator is used to provide clocking for the EPT ActiveHost USB communications core. The 100MHz oscillator can be used by the user clocked up using one of the onboard Clock-DLL modules.
Neither board should be treated as a drop-in replacement for the other. AMC and VPX use different physical ecosystems and host connections, and their management environments differ.
Can the same FPGA design be ported between them?
VadaTech’s July 27, 2018 announcement says the VPX581 has the “same base architecture” as the AMC581 and describes that as making it easy for developers to port between the two form factors. That is a useful starting point for reusing application logic, not a guarantee that a complete design will transfer unchanged.
Before porting, validate the hardware-dependent parts of the design against the destination board, especially:
- FMC versus FMC+ pin assignments and mezzanine electrical requirements.
- High-speed lane counts and routing: the AMC581 description lists FMC DP0–9, while the VPX581 lists FMC DP0–15.
- AMC clock inputs and outputs versus the VPX P1 and chassis clock environment.
- Board support files, constraints, boot configuration and interfaces used by the application.
- Chassis power, cooling, management and JTAG arrangements.
Reuse is most plausible where the design is not tightly coupled to carrier-specific I/O. The mezzanine, pinout, clocks and system-management integration still need board-specific validation.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
What does the XCZU15EG provide?
Both carriers use the Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ XCZU15EG MPSoC, combining programmable logic with processing resources. VadaTech’s 2018 announcement lists 3,528 DSP slices and 746,000 logic cells, as well as more than 26 Mb of block RAM and 31 Mb of UltraRAM. It also describes a quad-core ARM application processor, a dual-core ARM real-time processor and Mali graphics.
Rank #2
- Altera 10M04SA FPGA with 4,000 Logic Elements. This FPGA Development Kit requires an external JTAG Programmer. The MAX10 FPGA is a great chip to learn FPGA programming with. The MAX10 includes the configuration flash, 12 bit ADC, 20KByte of SRAM and low voltage regulators on chip.
- The board includes a 50MHz Oscillator to provide high speed control over internal gates of the MAX 10 FPGA. With 4K Logic Elements, the User can create powerful projects. The MaxProLogic is 100% compatible with the Free Quartus Prime Lite software from Altera. Just download the Quartus software from Altera, and the User can create projects, compile the code, simulate the project in a digital simulator, then download to the MAX 10 using an external programmer.
- 8 Analog Input Channels; 12 bit; 1MSamples/Second. 65 Available I/O’s at connectors. A full datasheet of the MaxProLogic is available that describes all the hardward connections. Schematic is available to give the User further information about the hardware.
- 8 Green User configurable LEDs, On/Off controller. 1 Power Pushbutton Switch; 1 User Configurable Pushbutton Switch. Source code is available to assist the user in understanding how get up and running with the MaxProLogic board.
- Complete Development Kit with tutorials and source code. Please visit the MaxProLogic product page under the earthpeopletechnology website to access all schematics, user manual, data sheets and project files. The MaxProLogic tutorials will get the beginner up and learning Programmable Logic very quickly.
That combination can support parallel signal processing alongside embedded control and application software. VadaTech names situational awareness, secure networking and machine vision as target application areas; the figures describe the device resources, not a guaranteed application performance level.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What memory, storage and expansion are specified?
VadaTech’s product descriptions specify one 64-bit DDR4 memory channel and 8 GB of ECC memory for each carrier. The launch material lists 64 GB of flash and 128 MB of boot flash, and mentions an SD-card option. Those storage figures and the option come from VadaTech’s 2018 launch material; the product descriptions do not establish whether configurations or availability have changed since then.
The mezzanine standard determines the physical I/O expansion path: AMC581 uses FMC (VITA 57), while VPX581 uses FMC+ (VITA 57.4). Check the mezzanine card’s standard, lane needs, signal compatibility and intended application against the carrier documentation before specifying a module.
How do you buy or specify one?
VadaTech presents product-information request routes rather than published pricing. The located official materials do not state a current price, inventory, lead time or lifecycle status, so request a current quotation and configuration details directly from the supplier or an authorized specialist distributor.
For an accurate request, identify the target chassis and backplane, the required AMC or VPX standard, the FMC/FMC+ mezzanine and lane requirements, memory and storage configuration, management requirements, and the system’s power and cooling constraints. Ask the supplier to confirm the exact board revision and supported configuration for the intended deployment.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
