FPGAs, or field-programmable gate arrays, are devices that can be configured to implement custom logic circuits and functions. They are widely used in electronic design for various applications, such as prototyping, testing, optimization, and acceleration. In this article, you will learn how you can use FPGAs to improve your electronic design skills and projects.
FPGAs are composed of an array of programmable logic blocks, interconnects, and input/output pins. Each logic block can perform basic operations, such as arithmetic, logic, memory, or multiplexing. The interconnects allow the logic blocks to communicate with each other and the pins. You can program the FPGAs using a hardware description language (HDL), such as Verilog or VHDL, or a graphical tool, such as LabVIEW. By programming the FPGAs, you can define the functionality and behavior of your custom circuit.
Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) are dynamic programmable logic devices, composed of interconnected configurable logic blocks (CLBs), which are essentially boolean function generators with memory elements. The advantage of FPGAs lies in their flexibility and reprogrammability. Modern FPGAs also include specialized circuitry tailored for applications like AI-ML, telecom, and DSP. These attributes make FPGAs indispensable for prototyping and testing digital hardware, streamlining development before silicon transition. But FPGAs especially provide a cost-effective way to create hardware accelerators, solutions and products, unlike the expensive nature of ASIC projects.
FPGAs offer several advantages over other electronic design methods, such as microcontrollers, ASICs, or PCBs. For example, FPGAs offer flexibility as you can modify and update your design without changing the hardware, and you can reuse and reprogram the same FPGA for different purposes. Additionally, FPGAs are faster than other methods because they can execute multiple tasks simultaneously and independently, and you can optimize your design for specific parameters such as power, latency or throughput. Furthermore, FPGAs reduce the cost and time of development and production as they eliminate the need for physical prototyping, testing, and fabrication. Plus, you can scale your design easily and efficiently with FPGAs.
Creating your own ASIC is beyond the capability of most companies, but FPGA area readily available. From thinkers to large companies: FPGAs brings the possibility of custom high speed hardware processing solutions.
Using FPGAs involves following some basic steps. Firstly, you need to select an FPGA board that meets your project requirements and budget. Secondly, you need to install the software tools that allow you to program and communicate with your FPGA board. Thirdly, you must design your circuit using an HDL or a graphical tool, and then simulate and debug it using a software simulator or a logic analyzer. Fourthly, you need to transfer your circuit design to your FPGA board and ensure it is powered and connected to your computer. Finally, you need to test and run your circuit on the input/output pins, switches, LEDs, or other peripherals on your FPGA board, or connect it to other devices like sensors, displays, or speakers.
One method we used was to read the encoders with SSI serial communication in parallel and provide them to a microcontroller in parallel. that we provided the decision making power to the microcontroller more quickly.
To this day, using hardware description languages such as Verilog and VHDL are mostly still the way to go. However, other languages and models such as High Level Synthesis (HLS) are emerging. One trend to keep and eye on is to do hardware description in Python. As an example Amaranth HDL (previously nMigen) is gaining popularity with some talented digital designers.
FPGAs can be used for a variety of electronic design projects, from simple LED blinkers to complex music synthesizers. A LED blinker is a basic project that demonstrates the basic functionality and programming of FPGAs. A calculator is a moderate project that showcases the logic and arithmetic capabilities of FPGAs. A music synthesizer is a complex project that highlights the signal processing and synthesis capabilities of FPGAs. Inputs for these projects can be switches, buttons, microphones, keyboards, or potentiometers while outputs can be LEDs, displays, speakers, or headphones.
FPGAs are an integral part of modern particle physics experiments. The vast possibilities in connectivity and fast parallel processing power are a perfect match for simultaneous readout of a multitude of sensors (via analog-to-digital converters). The customizability of FPGAs ensures that algorithms for triggering or processing can be improved during the life time of the experiment.
One method we used was to read the encoders with SSI serial communication in parallel and provide them to a microcontroller in parallel. that we provided the decision making power to the microcontroller more quickly.
FPGAs are a powerful and versatile tool for electronic design, but they require some knowledge and skills to be used effectively. If you want to learn more about FPGAs, you can read books and articles such as FPGA Prototyping by Verilog Examples by Pong P. Chu or FPGA for Dummies by Andrew Moore and Adam Taylor. Alternatively, you can watch videos and tutorials like FPGA Tutorial by Neso Academy or FPGA Design Tutorial by Intel FPGA. There are also courses and workshops that teach you how to use FPGAs, such as FPGA Design for Embedded Systems by Coursera or FPGA Development Workshop by Digilent.
If you come from a software background and try to learn about FPGAs, you have to completely change the way of thinking. You have to switch from sequential, "prebuilt" execution paths mindset to a hardware mindeset.