High-Performance Platform for Sonic Interaction Interfaces

The High-Performance Platform for Sonic Interaction (HPPSI) interface is a solution crafted for the implementation of demanding sonic interactive systems. It is specifically designed to cater to applications with a large array of analog sensors that necessitate swift data acquisition and transmission to computers, ensuring low latency and ample bandwidth. The HPPSI comprises the Cora Z7 ARM/FPGA SoC Development Board, which is paired with a custom-designed expansion board. We have developed two versions of this expansion board: HPPSI 01 and HPPSI 02.

The HPPSI 01 harnesses the 12-bit 1 MSPS XADC integrated into the XC7Z007S-1CLG400C SoC. It utilizes 10 high-speed analog multiplexers, specifically MAX4617, to enable 80 single-ended 0-3.3V analog inputs. These inputs can be sampled at up to 24 kHz and are transmitted to a computer via UDP packets over an Ethernet cable. The HPPSI 01 is relatively cost-effective, with a bill of materials below 100 USD. However, channels are sampled sequentially, which may not meet the needs of some applications that require simultaneous sampling.

In contrast, the HPPSI 02 features an array of 24 AD7991 ADC chips. Each chip provides 4 multiplexed channels with a 12-bit fast SAR ADC, along with an I2C interface, emulating the Pmod AD2 design. Every AD7991 is linked to the XC7Z007S-1CLG400C through an array of 24 I2C buses operating at 1MHz, executed within the FPGA fabric. This configuration offers a total of 96 single-ended 0-3.3V analog inputs with the capability to sample at up to 48 kHz, and it allows for simultaneous of groups of 24 input channels. Data is transmitted to the computer using UDP packets via an Ethernet cable. The bill of materials for the HPPSI 02 totals approximately 400 USD.

Related Publication

S. Fasciani, M. Vohra, Towards a High-Performance Platform for Sonic Interaction Interfaces, in Proceedings of Sound and Music Computing (SMC) Conference, Malaga, Spain, 2019 [PDF]