What is an FPGA (hardware or software)?

[kaustubhkhole]

F.P.G.A

what is an FPGA ??

Is it a hard ware / software ????

 

[vsgiri]

F.P.G.A

Hi kaustubhkhole !

FPGA stands for field programmable gate array!
You might have heard of simple programmable logic devices like PLDs right? (PAL16V8 etc)
FPGAs are bigger versions of these consiting of complex macrocells(they contain programmable logic) and an interconnect array.
The entire general purpose hardware is programmable and can be customized for an application. One could write a VHDL code describing the hardware, and using the appropriate design tools, download the configuration bits onto FPGA which now functions as described!

Hope it gave you the big picture!
Giri

 

[kaustubhkhole]

F.P.G.A

Hi!!!
ThanX for the reply but suppose.....

U write a code for MUX in XILINX ise 8.1 and then synthesize it and convert it into a chip using some tools...

Ok now can you tell me where comes into picture the FPGA or PLD...

 

[squirrel]

Re: F.P.G.A

A field-programmable gate array or FPGA is a semiconductor device containing programmable logic components and programmable interconnects. The programmable logic components can be programmed to duplicate the functionality of basic logic gates (such as AND, OR, XOR, NOT) or more complex combinatorial functions such as decoders or simple math functions. In most FPGAs, these programmable logic components (or logic blocks, in FPGA parlance) also include memory elements, which may be simple flip-flops or more complete blocks of memories.

A hierarchy of programmable interconnects allows the logic blocks of an FPGA to be interconnected as needed by the system designer, somewhat like a one-chip programmable breadboard. These logic blocks and interconnects can be programmed after the manufacturing process by the customer/designer (hence the term "field-programmable") so that the FPGA can perform whatever logical function is needed.

FPGAs are generally slower than their application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) counterparts, can't handle as complex a design, and draw more power. However, they have several advantages such as a shorter time to market, ability to re-program in the field to fix bugs, and lower non-recurring engineering costs. Vendors may offer less flexible versions of their FPGAs that are cheaper. The development of these designs is made on regular FPGAs and then migrated into a fixed version that more resembles an ASIC due to lack of ability to modify the design once it is committed. Another alternative is complex programmable logic devices CPLD.

To define the behavior of the FPGA the user provides a hardware description language (HDL) or a schematic design. Common HDLs are VHDL and Verilog. Then, using an electronic design automation tool, a technology-mapped netlist is generated. The netlist can then be fitted to the actual FPGA architecture using a process called place-and-route, usually performed by the FPGA company's proprietary place-and-route software. The user will validate the map, place and route results via timing analysis, simulation, and other verification methodologies. Once the design and validation process is complete, the binary file generated (also using the FPGA company's proprietary software) is used to (re)configure the FPGA device.

In an attempt to reduce the complexity of designing in HDLs, which have been compared to the equivalent of assembly languages, there are moves to raise the abstraction level of the design. Companies such as Cadence, Synopsys and Celoxica are promoting SystemC as a way to combine high level languages with concurrency models to allow faster design cycles for FPGAs than is possible using traditional HDLs. Approaches based on standard C or C++ (with libraries or other extensions allowing parallel programming) are found in the Catapult C tools from Mentor Graphics, and in the Impulse C tools from Impulse Accelerated Technologies. Annapolis Micro Systems, Inc.'s CoreFire Design Suite provides a graphical dataflow approach to high-level design entry. Languages such as SystemVerilog, SystemVHDL, and Handel-C (from Celoxica) seek to accomplish the same goal, but are aimed at making existing hardware engineers more productive vs making FPGAs more accessible to existing software engineers.

To simplify the design of complex systems in FPGAs, there exist libraries of predefined complex functions and circuits that have been tested and optimized to speed up the design process. These predefined circuits are commonly called intellectual property blocks, and are available from FPGA vendors and third-party IP suppliers (rarely free, and typically released under proprietary licenses). Other predefined circuits, which cannot meaningfully be described as "property" are from developer communities such as OpenCores.org (typically "free", and released under the GPL, BSD or similar license), and other sources.

In a typical design flow, an FPGA application developer will simulate the design at multiple stages throughout the design process. Initially the RTL description in VHDL or Verilog is simulated by creating test benches to stimulate the system and observe results. Then after the synthesis engine has mapped the design to a netlist the netlist is translated to a gate level description where simulation is repeated to confirm the synthesis proceeded without errors. Finally the design is laid out in the FPGA at which point propagation delays can be added and the simulation run again with these values back-annotated onto the netlist.

quoted form wikipedia

bye

 

[ferrite]

Re: F.P.G.A

what is an FPGA ??

Is it a hard ware / software ????

it is a piece of hardware, usually a big chip, which is
assembled on a circuit board with all supporting circuitry.

it can be programmed by you to execute certain fucntion, such as working as a data filter. usually programming it is done by downloading some configuration file to the chip. that config file includes info on how the chip will config itself

 

[zkrostami]

Re: F.P.G.A

the software for the hardware you asked about is called vhdl

"very high speed integrated circuit description language"-->vhdl

this is a usefull cookbook about it.......

https://tams-www.informatik.uni-hamburg.de/vhdl/doc/cookbook/VHDL-Cookbook.pdf

enjoy

 

[ravitronix]

Re: F.P.G.A

hi
FPGA is field programmable gate array.it is used after one designs his circuit.u generate a downladable bit stream using xilinx or some related software(fpga is connected to your usb port in general)for example if u have designed an adder circuit, then you can test it by this process instead of the conventional fabrication process which might end up too costly.
In fpga you have some millions of transistors which can be connected permenantly or temporaraily, basing on the use and type of the fpga.

 

[saubhik]

Re: F.P.G.A

what is an FPGA ??

Is it a hard ware / software ????

Check out the details here in the attachment ....

 

[tzoupkas]

Re: F.P.G.A

F.P.G.A == Field programmable Gate Array. Its a chip which it has to be programmed from you and after this it will act like a hardware. But basically it is hardware. You can programmed it either by drawing the schematic or using the vhdl language. If you are new with this kind of ic's i would suggest you to "play" first with cplds because they are cheaper and you can easy make applications in your home with them and then go to fpga if it is neccesary. fpga are like cpld (almost 90% the philosophy is the same) but they are much more bigger and faster.

 

[sbalpande]

F.P.G.A

fpga is a programmable device-(hardware Ic ) required for burning the functionality written/explain through VHDL or VERILOG.