

Table 1 shows the steps involved in designing embedded systems with a microprocessor and an FPGA.
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We'll use the similarities to understand the basics, then discuss the differences and how to think about them. The development process for FPGAs is similar enough that you'll have no problem understanding it but sufficiently different that you'll have to think differently to use it well. This article will show the programming process used for FPGA design.Īs an embedded systems programmer, you're aware of the development processes used with microprocessors.

Unlike microprocessors, not only the memory bits, but also the logical gates are under your control as the programmer. Powerful tools exist to program these powerful chips.

Figure 1 compares one of these microprocessors with an FPGA.įigure 1: Comparison of first microprocessors to current FPGAs Today, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) provide single chips approaching 10 million gates of logic and 10 million bits of memory. The first single-chip microprocessors contained approximately 10,000 gates of logic and 10,000 bits of memory. Small processors are, by far, the largest selling class of computers and form the basis of many embedded systems. Here's a primer on how to program an FPGA and some reasons why you'd want to. FPGAs and microprocessors are more similar than you may think.
