The core device is a FPGA-based hardware component that contains a softcore CPU tightly coupled with the so-called RTIO core that provides precision timing. The CPU executes Python code that is statically compiled by the ARTIQ compiler, and communicates with the core device peripherals (TTL, DDS, etc.) over the RTIO core. This architecture provides high timing resolution, low latency, low jitter, high level programming capabilities, and good integration with the rest of the Python experiment code.
While it is possible to use all the other parts of ARTIQ (controllers, master, GUI, dataset management, etc.) without a core device, many experiments require it.
The main target board for the ARTIQ core device is the KC705 development board from Xilinx. It supports the NIST QC1 hardware via an adapter, and the NIST CLOCK and QC2 hardware (FMC).
The low-cost Pipistrello FPGA board can be used as a lower-cost but slower alternative. The current USB over serial protocol also suffers from limitations (no monitoring/injection, no idle experiment, no kernel interruptions, lack of robustness).
The input only limitation on channels 0 and 1 comes from the QC-DAQ adapter. When the adapter is not used (and physically unplugged from the Pipistrello board), the corresponding pins on the Pipistrello can be used as outputs. Do not configure these channels as outputs when the adapter is plugged, as this would cause electrical contention.
