IGLOOe Device Family Overview
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Revision 13
Flash Advantages
Low Power
Flash-based IGLOOe devices exhibit power characteristics similar to those of an ASIC, making them an
ideal choice for power-sensitive applications. IGLOOe devices have only a very limited power-on current
surge and no high-current transition period, both of which occur on many FPGAs.
IGLOOe devices also have low dynamic power consumption to further maximize power savings; power is
even further reduced by the use of a 1.2 V core voltage.
Low dynamic power consumption, combined with low static power consumption and Flash*Freeze
technology, gives the IGLOOe device the lowest total system power offered by any FPGA.
Security
The nonvolatile, flash-based IGLOOe devices do not require a boot PROM, so there is no vulnerable
external bitstream that can be easily copied. IGLOOe devices incorporate FlashLock, which provides a
unique combination of reprogrammability and design security without external overhead, advantages that
only an FPGA with nonvolatile flash programming can offer.
IGLOOe devices utilize a 128-bit flash-based lock and a separate AES key to provide the highest level of
protection in the FPGA industry for programmed intellectual property and configuration data. In addition,
all FlashROM data in IGLOOe devices can be encrypted prior to loading, using the industry-leading
AES-128 (FIPS192) bit block cipher encryption standard. AES was adopted by the National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST) in 2000 and replaces the 1977 DES standard. IGLOOe devices have a
built-in AES decryption engine and a flash-based AES key that make them the most comprehensive
programmable logic device security solution available today. IGLOOe devices with AES-based security
provide a high level of protection for remote field updates over public networks such as the Internet, and
are designed to ensure that valuable IP remains out of the hands of system overbuilders, system cloners,
and IP thieves.
Security, built into the FPGA fabric, is an inherent component of the IGLOOe family. The flash cells are
located beneath seven metal layers, and many device design and layout techniques have been used to
make invasive attacks extremely difficult. The IGLOOe family, with FlashLock and AES security, is unique
in being highly resistant to both invasive and noninvasive attacks. Your valuable IP is protected with
industry-standard security, making remote ISP possible. An IGLOOe device provides the best available
security for programmable logic designs.
Single Chip
Flash-based FPGAs store their configuration information in on-chip flash cells. Once programmed, the
configuration data is an inherent part of the FPGA structure, and no external configuration data needs to
be loaded at system power-up (unlike SRAM-based FPGAs). Therefore, flash-based IGLOOe FPGAs do
not require system configuration components such as EEPROMs or microcontrollers to load device
configuration data. This reduces bill-of-materials costs and PCB area, and increases security and system
reliability.
Instant On
Flash-based IGLOOe devices support Level 0 of the Instant On classification standard. This feature
helps in system component initialization, execution of critical tasks before the processor wakes up, setup
and configuration of memory blocks, clock generation, and bus activity management. The Instant On
feature of flash-based IGLOOe devices greatly simplifies total system design and reduces total system
cost, often eliminating the need for CPLDs and clock generation PLLs. In addition, glitches and
brownouts in system power will not corrupt the IGLOOe device's flash configuration, and unlike SRAM-
based FPGAs, the device will not have to be reloaded when system power is restored. This enables the
reduction or complete removal of the configuration PROM, expensive voltage monitor, brownout
detection, and clock generator devices from the PCB design. Flash-based IGLOOe devices simplify total
system design and reduce cost and design risk while increasing system reliability and improving system
initialization time.