One of the fundamental architecture issues is the type of DSP platform. Digital signal processing functions are commonly implemented on two types of programmable platforms; DSPs and Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). DSPs are a specialized form of microprocessor, while the FPGA is a f... Moreorm of highly configurable hardware. In the past, the usage of DSPs has been nearly ubiquitous, but with the needs of many applications outstripping the processing capabilities (MIPS) of DSPs, the use of FPGAs has become very prevalent. Currently, the primary reason most engineers choose use an FPGA over a DSP is driven by the MIPS requirements of an application. Thus, when comparing DSPs and FPGAs, the common focus is on MIPs comparison – certainly important, but not the only advantage of an FPGA. Equally important, and often overlooked, is the inherent advantage that FPGAs have for product reliability and maintainability. This second advantage is the focus of this discussion.
For years FPGAs have been a workhorse of high-performance embedded DSP. The massively parallel nature of FPGAs is ideal for solving tough problems in the SWaP-limited embedded DSP domain. However, COTS board-level suppliers have struggled to integrate …
As FPGA vendors strive to make their devices more SoC- and ASIC-like, they are collaborating with EDA companies to more seamlessly integrate their tools. This produces great benefits for designers as FPGA design methodologies are leading the way to new…
