An open-source FPGA-based control and data acquisition hardware platform

Abstract

Industrial automation since the early 70s has mostly implemented control and monitoring systems through the use of PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers) which for the most part remain as microcontroller or microprocessor based devices. Yet more advanced solutions to satisfy the demand of higher performance, scalability and exibility are required. In order to implement hardware platforms with these characteristics and that allow the end user to adapt the controller according to the application, it is required to combine a high-performance application processor with a programmable logical network, such as those found in modern FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), for customization and implementation of purpose specific hardware. Although FPGAs are often used embedded in industrial automation control products, they do not provide direct access to the full functionality of the FPGA, reconfiguration, or are locked as closed source ecosystems. The goal with this project is to develop an open-source, feature rich and low cost, compared with similar commercially available devices, hardware platform for industrial control and data acquisition applications.