Paragon Innovations designs the AMD Malibu Evaluation Board.


OVERVIEW

Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD), a global supplier of integrated circuits, required an evaluation board to enhance its AM186ED controller family and give users code-writing access. The company had only 10 weeks to develop a prototype to display at a national trade show. It needed a reliable, rapid-development source for firmware design.

AMD tapped Paragon Innovations to design the Malibu evaluation board before the show. Results were successful; Paragon even created a sample board a month prior for product brochure photography. AMD developed 1,000 boards.

RESULTS

  • Documentation and product were available at the show.
  • Paragon produced over 1000 of these reference boards.
  • Complete hardware and software documentation – including IP rights – was provided to AMD as a value-add.
  • Completed boards, user manuals, serial cables, power supplies, and packaging were delivered for a positive ‘out of the box’ experience.
Prior Outsourcing Experience
  • In-house and external contractors
  • Had mixed results
Services Provided
  • Electronic design and development
  • Packaging
  • Printed user manuals
Firsts for Client
  • 100% turnkey with Paragon
Firsts for Paragon
  • none
Features Suggested by Paragon
  • Daughter card capable of re-flashing the board in the field
Target Production Size
  • 1000+
Hardware Features
  • External Flash
  • DRAM
  • 2 serial ports
  • LEDs
  • PC-104 BUS interface
  • 10 week development timeframe
Software Features
  • Power-on self test
  • Embedded ROM monitor: allowing downloading of programs, single-step, and register modification
PCB Technology
  • OrCad schematic capture package
  • 4-inch x 4-inch, 4-layer board
  • Allegro layout package with 8/8 design rules
Primary Hardware Vendors
  • AMD
  • Micron
  • Sipex
Languages
  • C
  • MAKE
Additional Items Provided
  • Packaging
  • User Guides
  • Serial Cables and adapters
  • International plugs
Long-Term Results
  • Brochures were made prior to the deadline.
  • Production boards were available at the show.
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