FPGA-Based Digital Processing Unit for SPICA SAFARI

This paper describes a prototype board developed at IFSI in the framework of the SAFARI DPU feasibility study. The breadboard is based on an FPGA where the main DPU processor — a Leon System on Chip — can be implemented. The breadboard provides the memory, connectivity and expandability resources that make it a suitable platform for exploring and evaluating a wide range of HW/SW configurations, as required during the early design phases of the Safari Instrument Control Unit. The main characteristics of the proposed processor and the tests performed are described as well.