Simple PCIe Carrier SPEC
The Simple PCIe FMC Carrier – SPEC is a compact, cost-effective PCIe FMC module supporting one FMC card and an SFP connector. It features a four-lane PCIe interface and an LPC (Low Pin Count) FMC slot.
Compatible with most FMC cards developed within the Open Hardware Repository (OHWR) project—such as ADC and Fine Delay cards—this module is ideal for large-scale pixel detector readout, segmented data stream acquisition, and real-time GPU-based processing.
Designed for White Rabbit time and event distribution networks, the SPEC can also function as a straightforward White Rabbit node when paired with the FMC DIO 5CH TTL A card.
Technical Specifications
Programmable Logic
• Xilinx Spartan-6 FPGA (XC6SLX45T-3FGG484C)
Memory
• 256 MB DDR3 (2 Gbit) – MT41J128M16HA-15E
• 32 MB SPI Flash for FPGA configuration (M25P32-VMF6P – EOL)
Connectivity
• 1× SFP cage for optical transceiver (White Rabbit support), 1.25 & 2.5 Gbps
• 2× SATA connectors
• 1× JTAG header for FPGA programming during debugging
• 1× Mini USB UART bridge
• 5.5/2.1 mm DC power jack
Clocking
• Programmable XO oscillator 10–280 MHz via I²C, default startup at 100 MHz (Silicon Labs Si570, user-configurable)
• 1× 25 MHz TCXO controlled via DAC with SPI interface (AD5662, used by White Rabbit PTP core)
• 1× 20 MHz VCXO controlled via DAC with SPI interface (AD5662, used by White Rabbit PTP core)
• 1× Low-jitter synthesizer (TI CDCM61004, fixed configuration, Fout = 125 MHz, used by White Rabbit PTP core)
Power
• Supply voltage: 12 V
• Power consumption: 5–12 W
Other Features
• 4-lane PCIe interface (Gennum GN4124)
• FMC slot with LPC connector
• Onboard temperature sensor IC (DS18B20U+)
• Unique 64-bit identifier
• Programmable red and green LEDs
• 2 push buttons
• 6-layer PCB
And There’s More
We offer custom modifications of our hardware, firmware, and gateware, along with technical consulting services in electronic engineering, system design, integration, and testing. For more information, please contact our team.