Architecting High-Performance Embedded Systems

Chapter 5: Implementing systems with FPGAs

This chapter dives into the process of designing and implementing systems with FPGAs. It begins with a description of the FPGA compilation software tools that convert a description of a logic design in a programming language into an executable FPGA configuration. We will discuss the types of algorithms best suited to FPGA implementation and suggest a decision approach for determining whether a particular embedded system algorithm is more appropriately implemented using a traditional processor or with an FPGA. The chapter ends with the step-by-step development of a baseline FPGA-based processor project that will be expanded to implement a high-speed digital oscilloscope using circuitry and software developed ...