sparkfun has an entry-level Spartan 3E development board:

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8458
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8460

Cheers,
Zik

On 10/30/07, Martin <martin@nnytech.net> wrote:
> James Nick Sears wrote:
> > More and more I'm finding questions in my work that seem to be
> > leading me to FPGA-based solutions.  I have a lot of experience with
> > PICs, circuit design, software development, etc, but absolutely ZERO
> >
> ...
>
>
> I like the boards from digilentinc.com
> They have ones for under $100 I believe, now. Don't worry about getting
> anything fancy you won't be doing much with it just to start out. They
> use a parallel JTAG cable, but they have a USB JTAG cable available.
>
> The software that you will use is Xilinx WebPack (basically ISE)
> You start by:
> 1. creating a project
> 2. writing modules
> 3. writing a "top" module (the module that instantiates your sub-modules)
> 4. assign physical pins to your top module
> 5. synthesize the module
> 6. program the FPGA and/or FLASH chip
>
> Of course the unwritten first step is really to plan your project.
>
> I think the latest WebPack even has a simulator. In that case you should
> simulate what you can to make sure it theoretically works first. If you
> need help, post questions to the list and I can probably help you.
>
> -
> Martin K
> --
> http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
> View/change your membership options at
> http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist
>
-- 
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist