Home > Field-programmable gate array

FPGAs are generally slower than their ASIC counterparts, and draw more power. However, they have several advantages such as a shorter time-to-market, and lower development costs (for quantities < 10k). An ASIC can be made that is a so-called hard copy of an FPGA - that is, an integrated circuit with the same functionality as the FPGA, but faster and consuming less power.

Many modern FPGAs have the ability to be reprogrammed at 'run time', and this is leading to the idea of reconfigurable computing or reconfigurable systems - CPUs that reconfigure themselves to suit the task at hand. Software-configurable microprocessors such as Stretch's S5000 adopt a hybrid approach by providing a processor core and an FPGA core on the same chip.

1 Applications

Applications of FPGAs include DSP, Software-defined radio, Aerospace and defense systems, ASIC Prototyping , Medical imaging,

2 Design

To define the behaviour of the FPGA it is required to use a Hardware Description LanguageIn electronics, a hardware description language or HDL is any language from a class of computer languages for formal description of electronic circuits. It can describe circuit's operation, its design, and tests to verify its operation by means of simulat (HDL) or a schematicA schematic is a diagram, drawing, or sketch that details the elements of a system, such as the elements of an electrical or electronic circuit or the elements of a logic diagram for a computer or communications system. Electronic industry In electronic d designed using an Electronic design automationElectronic design automation (EDA is used to refer to the category of tools for designing and producing electronic systems ranging from printed circuit boards (PCBs) to integrated circuits. This is sometimes referred to as ECAD (Electronic Computer Aided tool. Either of these, when compiled, will generate a net list, that can be mapped to the actual fpga architecture. When done the binary file generated is used to (re)configure the FPGA device. Common HDL's are VHDL and VerilogThe Verilog HDL is a hardware description language, used for the design of ASICs and FPGAs. Verilog has a syntax reminiscent of C, which helps explain its rapid take up among engineers who had already learned to use that language. It is case-sensitive..

3 Basic process technology types

• SRAMStatic Random Access Memory (SRAM) is a type of semiconductor memory. The word "static" indicates that the memory retains its contents as long as power remains applied, unlike dynamic RAM ( DRAM) that needs to be periodically refreshed. Data are lost when - based on static memory technology. In-system programmable and re-programmable. Requires external boot devices. Usually CMOSCMOS refers to both a particular style of digital circuitry, and the family of processes used to implement that circuitry on integrated circuits (chips). CMOS logic on a CMOS process dissipates less energy and is more dense than other implementations of t.
• Anti-fuse - One-time programmable. CMOS.
• EPROM - Electrically Programmable Read-Only Memory technology. Usually one-time programmable in production because of plastic packaging. Windowed devices can be erased with ultraviolet (UV) light. CMOS.
• EEPROM - Electrically Eraseable Programmable Read-Only Memory technology. Can be erased, even in plastic packages. Some, but not all, EEPROM devices can be in-system programmed. CMOS.
• FLASH - Flash-erase EPROM technology. Can be erased, even in plastic packages. Some, but not all, FLASH devices can be in-system programmed. Usually, a FLASH cell is smaller than an equivalent EEPROM cell and is therefore less expensive to manufacture. CMOS.
• Fuse - One-time programmable. Bipolar.