7748 - Why is there a mismatch between the hardware checklist and the evaluation board circuit design?

7748 - Why is there a mismatch between the hardware checklist and the evaluation board circuit design?

Description:
The customer has observed discrepancies between the design recommendations provided in the Hardware Checklist and the actual design implementation on the Lattice Evaluation Board.

Reason:
Hardware Checklists are developed after Evaluation boards and thus incorporate optimized designs that supersede Evaluation boards’ circuitry.
Customers copying circuits from Evaluation boards should optimize their designs to follow Hardware Checklists.

Guideline:
For customers referencing the Evaluation Board circuitry:
  1. It is acceptable to follow the Evaluation Board design, as it has been proven to work reliably. However, please note that the Evaluation Board may include overdesigned circuitry, intended to ensure functionality before the final silicon was available. As a result, it may require additional components and consume more board space compared to the optimized recommendations in the Hardware Checklist.

For customers referencing the Hardware Checklist:
  1. The Hardware Checklist provides general-purpose, optimized design guidelines based on finalized silicon and broader use-case considerations.
  2. It is recommended for new designs where cost, space, and efficiency are important factors.