Field-Programmable Gate Array

Welcome to the Wikiversity content-development project focused on FPGA technology.

Completion status: this resource is a stub, so not much has been done yet.

Type classification: this resource is a course.

Educational level: this is a tertiary (university) resource.

Subject classification: this is an engineering resource.

Introduction

Welcome to the "FPGA" course! This comprehensive program is designed to provide you with a deep understanding of Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) and equip you with the skills necessary to excel in the exciting world of digital design and engineering. Whether you're new to FPGA technology or seeking to enhance your existing knowledge, this course will guide you through the essential concepts, tools, and techniques used in FPGA engineering.

Course Overview

FPGAs have revolutionized the way digital systems are designed and implemented. These versatile devices allow engineers to create custom digital circuits that can be reconfigured to perform specific tasks with incredible speed and flexibility. In this course, we will embark on a journey through the foundational principles of FPGA engineering, from understanding the basic components of FPGAs to mastering the intricacies of high-level design.

Who Should Take This Course

This course is designed for aspiring FPGA engineers, digital designers, and anyone with a passion for digital logic and hardware design. Whether you're a student looking to enter the world of electronics, a software developer interested in hardware acceleration, or an experienced engineer seeking to expand your skill set, this course will cater to your learning needs.

What You Will Learn

Throughout the course, you will explore a wide range of topics, including:

• The inner workings of FPGAs and their architecture.
• Designing digital logic using Hardware Description Languages (HDLs) such as Verilog and VHDL.
• Synthesizing and implementing complex designs on FPGAs.
• Strategies for optimizing performance, power consumption, and reliability.
• Debugging and troubleshooting FPGA designs.
• Real-world applications of FPGAs in various industries.

Course Structure

The curriculum is carefully structured to guide you from the fundamentals to advanced concepts. You'll experience a blend of theoretical knowledge and hands-on practical exercises. Engaging lectures, interactive labs, and real-world case studies will ensure that you grasp both the theoretical concepts and their practical applications.

Why Take This Course

FPGAs are a driving force behind innovations in fields such as telecommunications, automotive, healthcare, and more. By mastering FPGA engineering, you'll be prepared to contribute to cutting-edge technologies and develop solutions that push the boundaries of digital design. This course will empower you to create efficient, optimized, and innovative FPGA-based systems that address real-world challenges.

Course Prerequisites

While no prior FPGA experience is required, a basic understanding of digital logic and programming concepts will be beneficial. As a professional FPGA engineer or someone interested in FPGA technology, your background aligns well with the content of this course.

Prepare to unlock the full potential of FPGAs and embark on a rewarding journey of FPGA engineering excellence. Anticipate a guided exploration through this captivating realm of digital design, fostering the unleashing of creativity and problem-solving skills. Let this exciting adventure commence!

Lessons

1. Introduction to FPGAs:
   • What FPGAs are and their applications.
   • Comparison with other digital logic devices.
2. Digital Logic Design:
   • Boolean algebra and logic gates.
   • Combinational and sequential logic design.
   • Finite state machines.
3. HDL Programming:
   • Hardware Description Languages (HDLs) like Verilog and VHDL.
   • Writing and simulating HDL code for logic design.
4. FPGA Architecture:
   • FPGA architecture components: Look-Up Tables (LUTs), flip-flops, interconnects, etc.
   • Configurable logic blocks and routing resources.
5. FPGA Synthesis and Implementation:
   • Logic synthesis: Converting HDL code to gate-level representation.
   • Place and route: Mapping logic onto FPGA resources.
   • Timing analysis and optimization.
6. Clocking and Clock Domain Crossing:
   • Clock networks and constraints.
   • Synchronous design considerations.
   • Handling clock domain crossings.
7. Verification and Simulation:
   • Functional simulation of FPGA designs.
   • Testbenches and verification methodologies.
   • Debugging techniques.
8. Advanced Topics:
   • High-level synthesis (HLS) for FPGA design.
   • Partial reconfiguration.
   • FPGA security considerations.
9. FPGA Design Tools:
   • Familiarity with FPGA design software and toolchains.
   • Introduction to industry-standard tools.
10. Real-world Applications:
    • Case studies and practical examples of FPGA usage in different domains (e.g., telecommunications, automotive, aerospace).
11. Project Work:
    • Hands-on projects to reinforce concepts learned.
    • Designing, implementing, and testing FPGA-based systems.
12. Performance Optimization:
    • Trade off: Speed - Pipelining and parallelism.
    • Trade off: Area - Resource sharing and optimization techniques.
    • Trade off: Power - Power optimization strategies.
13. FPGA Debugging and Troubleshooting:
    • Identifying and resolving common FPGA design issues.
    • Using logic analyzers and other debugging tools.
14. Signal Processing on FPGAs:
    • Digital signal processing concepts.
    • Implementing DSP algorithms on FPGAs.
15. Embedded Processing:
    • Introduction to embedded processors within FPGAs (e.g., soft-core processors).
    • Co-design of hardware and software.
16. Prototyping and Rapid Development:
    • FPGA-based prototyping and emulation.
    • Accelerating software development using FPGAs.

Wikiversity links

• Understanding FPGA Design
• VHDL for FPGA design

FPGA vendors

• Achronix
• Efinix
• Gowin
• Intel PSG (formerly Altera)
• Lattice Semiconductor
• Microchip (formerly Microsemi/Actel)
• Xilinx (now part of AMD)

FPGA vendors include lots of useful information and learning resources on their websites.

FPGA Languages

• Chisel
• Migen(nMigen)
• System Verilog
• VHDL
• VHDPlus
• Verilog