Field in Field Programmable Gate Array

What is the word "Feild" indicates in FPGA?

It refers to programmability outside a factory or production environment. It can also mean the part can be programmed when the product is "fielded".

Its a phrase that originally came from farming where someone (the farmer) would be alone, possibly a long distance from support and having to manage with only facilities they could carry with them.

These days, it more commonly refers to "in the outside World", away from workshop or production facilites. The FPGA is designed to be programmed with minimal equipment, often only a data file and a portable programming unit that could be carried to the IC rather than having to return the IC to the factory for re-programming or replacement.

Of course, FPGA have to be configured before use so it would be normal for them to be first programmed during equipment manufacture, in that case the fact that they can easily be configured is used as a way of encorporating 'generic' devices into designs. Unless high volumes are used, it is cheaper and more versatile than having dedicated ICs made.

Brian.