This article provides information on what FPGA is and what it is used for. If you’re interested in these topics, you will enjoy reading this article.
What Is FPGA?
FPGA is an acronym that stands for Field Programmable Gate Array. It is a semiconductor device based on a matrix of configurable logic blocks (CLBs) whereby a large majority of the electrical functionality inside the device can be changed by the design engineer.
FPGA is defined by its array of interconnected digital subcircuits that implement common functions while also offering high levels of flexibility. FPGAs belong to a class of devices referred to as programmable logic (or programmable hardware). FPGA does not do anything by itself; rather it is configured to be any digital circuit required. So, how does it work?
How Does an FPGA Work?
Understanding how an FPGA works is straightforward. It involves loading a configuration into the FPGA which then begins to behave like any circuit you require. No fuss, no stress. Its RAM-based configuration means it can be reconfigured an unlimited amount of times.
Types of FPGA
There are two main ways of classifying FPGAs: by their internal arrangement of blocks or by their type of programming technology. FPGAs fall into one of three categories when it comes to their arrangement:
Symmetrical arrays: This arrangement is made up of rows and columns of connected logic blocks, surrounded by input/output blocks. Row-based architecture: This arrangement alternates rows of logic blocks and programmable interconnect resources, with input/output blocks along the edges. Hierarchical PLDs (programmable logic devices): These have a more complex layout. The top-level is made up of logic blocks and interconnects. The logic blocks contain logic modules, which have combinatorial and sequential functional elements.
Common Uses of FGPA
There are a myriad of uses for FPGA which cover a vast range of areas. The use cases include:
Video and imaging processing. Military applications. Software-defined radio. Medical imaging. Wired and wireless communications. Integration of multiple simple programmable logic devices. Voice recognition. Cryptography. Digital signal processing. ASIC prototyping. Device controllers. Computer hardware emulation systems. Bioinformatics. High-performance computing. Aerospace & defense. ASIC prototyping. Automotive. Consumer electronics broadcast. Data center medical. Scientific and industrial instruments.
Benefits of Using FPGA
FPGA offers many advantages over conventional implementations.
The Differences Between FPGA and ASIC
ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) and FPGAs have different value propositions. What distinguishes FPGAs from ASIC is the fact that FPGA can be reprogrammed to a desired application or functionality requirements after manufacturing whereas ASIC is custom manufactured for specific design tasks. These reprogramming changes can occur during the PCB (Printed Circuit Board) assembly process, or even after the equipment has been shipped out to the customers.
Although one-time programmable (OTP) FPGAs do exist, the dominant and most common types are RAM-based which makes them reprogrammable as the design continues to evolve.
Furthermore, FPGAs are sold off the shelf, unlike ASICs which require manufacturing cycles that end up taking several months.
Performance and Versatility of FPGA
FPGA offers superior levels of performance and versatility which makes them the go-to technology for people and organizations looking to optimize chips or make changes to chips for their workload.
A great example of the increasing significance of FPGAs can be found in the field of artificial intelligence. As artificial intelligence continues to gain relevance, so has the importance of FPGAs. In certain cases, FGPAs outperform GPUs (Graphical Processing Units) in analyzing huge amounts of data for machine learning.
