Rapid System Prototyping with FPGAs

Dedication

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1 FPGA Rapid Design Implementation Potential

1.2 Rapidly Evolving Technology Field

1.3 Design Skill Set Crossover

1.4 Hardware Knowledge for Software/Firmware Designers

1.5 Software Knowledge for Hardware Designers

1.6 When FPGA Technology May Not Be an Ideal Fit

1.7 When FPGAs Technology May Be Appropriate

1.8 Summary

Chapter 2: FPGA Fundamentals

2.1 Overview

2.2 SRAM-Based FPGA Architecture

2.3 Advanced FPGA Features

2.4 Summary

Chapter 3: Optimizing the Development Cycle

3.1 Overview

3.2 FPGA Design Flow

3.3 Summary

Chapter 4: System Engineering

4.1 Overview

4.2 Common Design Challenges and Mistakes

4.3 Defined FPGA Design Process

4.4 Project Engineering and Management

4.5 Training

4.6 Support

4.7 Design Configuration Management

4.8 Summary

Chapter 5: FPGA Device-Level Design Decisions

5.1 Overview

5.2 FPGA Selection Categories

5.3 Design Decisions

5.4 Device Selection Checklist

5.5 Summary

Chapter 6: Board-Level Design Decisions and Allocation

6.1 Overview

6.2 Packaging

6.3 BGA Component Considerations

6.4 I/O Assignment Iteration

6.5 FPGA Device Schematic Symbol Generation

6.6 Thermal

6.7 Board Layout

6.8 Signal Integrity

6.9 Power

6.10 Summary

Chapter 7: Design Implementation

7.1 Overview

7.2 Design Architecture

7.3 Design Entry

7.4 RTL

7.5 Synthesis

7.6 Place and Route

7.7 Summary

Chapter 8: Design Simulation

8.1 Overview

8.2 Stages of Simulation

8.3 Types of Simulation Files

8.4 How Much Simulation?

8.5 Hierarchical Design and Simulation

8.6 Common Simulation Mistakes and Tips

8.7 Summary

Chapter 9: Design Constraints and Optimization

9.1 Overview

9.2 Design Constraint Management

9.3 Design Optimization

9.4 Summary

Chapter 10: Configuration

10.1 Overview

10.2 On-Board Device Configuration

10.3 Configuration Cable Interface

10.4 JTAG Standard

10.5 Design Security

10.6 Summary

Chapter 11: Board-Level Testing

11.1 Overview

11.2 Design Debug Checklist

11.3 Summary

Chapter 12: Advanced Topics Introduction

12.1 Overview

12.2 Reduced Power Consumption

12.3 Volume Production Options

12.4 Summary

Chapter 13: Cores and Intellectual Property

13.1 Overview

13.2 Types of IP

13.3 Categories of IP

13.4 Trade Studies

13.5 Make versus Buy?

13.6 IP Implementation/Tools

13.7 IP Testing/Debug

13.8 Summary

Chapter 14: Embedded Processing Cores

14.1 Overview

14.2 FPGA Embedded Processor Types

14.3 FPGA Processor Use Considerations

14.4 System Design Considerations

14.5 FPGA Embedded Processor Concept Example

14.6 FPGA Embedded Processor Design Checklist

14.7 Summary

Chapter 15: Digital Signal Processing

15.1 Overview

15.2 Basic DSP System

15.3 Essential DSP Terms

15.4 DSP Architectures

15.5 Parallel Execution in DSP Components

15.6 Parallel Execution in FPGA

15.7 When to Use FPGAs for DSP

15.8 FPGA DSP Design Considerations

15.9 FIR Filter Concept Example

15.10 Summary

Chapter 16: Advanced Interconnect

16.1 Overview

16.2 Interconnection Categories

16.3 Advanced I/O Interface Challenges

16.4 Implementing an Advanced Parallel I/O Interface

16.5 Implementing an Advanced Serial I/O Interface

16.6 Summary

Chapter 17: Bringing It All Together

17.1 System Overview

17.2 Requirements Phase

17.3 Architectural Phase

17.4 Implementation Phase

17.5 Verification Phase

17.6 Prototype Delivery

17.7 Summary

Appendix A: Rapid System Prototyping Technical References

Appendix B: Design Phases

Abbreviations and Acronyms

Index

The push to move products to market as quickly and cheaply as possible is fiercer than ever, and accordingly, engineers are always looking for new ways to provide their companies with the edge over the competition. Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), which are faster, denser, and more cost-effective than traditional programmable logic devices (PLDs), are quickly becoming one of the most widespread tools that embedded engineers can utilize in order to gain that needed edge. FPGAs are especially popular for prototyping designs, due to their superior speed and efficiency.

This book hones in on that rapid prototyping aspect of FPGA use, showing designers exactly how they can cut time off production cycles and save their companies money drained by costly mistakes, via prototyping designs with FPGAs first. Reading it will take a designer with a basic knowledge of implementing FPGAs to the “next-level” of FPGA use because unlike broad beginner books on FPGAs, this book presents the required design skills in a focused, practical, example-oriented manner.

• In-the-trenches expert authors assure the most applicable advice to practicing engineers
• Dual focus on successfully making critical decisions and avoiding common pitfalls appeals to engineers pressured for speed and perfection
• Hardware and software are both covered, in order to address the growing trend toward "cross-pollination" of engineering expertise

Embedded Design Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Computer Engineers, Software Engineers , System Engineers, Project Managers. Seniors and post-graduate level electrical and computer engineering students