FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) development is a complex process that involves multiple steps and stages. Below is the basic process of FPGA development:
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Function Definition/Device Selection: Before system design, it is essential to conduct feasibility studies, system design, and selection of FPGA chips. System engineers weigh various aspects such as system specifications, complexity, working speed, and the resources and costs of the chip itself to choose a reasonable design scheme and suitable device type. Generally, a top-down design approach is adopted, dividing the system into several basic units, and then further dividing each basic unit into the next level of basic units.
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Design Input: Design input is the process of representing the designed system or circuit in a form required by development software and inputting it into EDA (Electronic Design Automation) tools. There are three forms of design input, including IP cores, schematics, and HDL (Hardware Description Language). Schematics are the most direct form of description; although intuitive and easy to simulate, they are inefficient, difficult to maintain, and not conducive to module construction, reuse, and portability. IP cores are modules that implement specific functions.
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Functional Simulation (RTL Simulation): In the functional simulation phase, behavioral-level simulation is performed to verify whether the logical functions of the design are correct.
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Synthesis Optimization: Synthesis optimization is the process of converting the HDL code from the design input into a gate-level netlist and optimizing the netlist to reduce resource usage and meet timing requirements.
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Post-Synthesis Simulation (Static Simulation): In the post-synthesis simulation phase, the optimized gate-level netlist is simulated to verify whether its logical functions and timing constraints meet the requirements.
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Implementation (Place and Route): The implementation phase maps the results of the post-synthesis simulation onto the physical resources of the FPGA, performing place and route to generate the configuration file.
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Post-Route Simulation (Static Timing Analysis and Timing Simulation): In the post-route simulation phase, timing simulation is performed on the design after place and route to verify whether its timing constraints are satisfied.
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Board-Level Simulation: Board-level simulation involves running the design on an FPGA development board to verify the actual performance and functionality of the design.
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Chip Programming and Debugging: The final step is chip programming and debugging, where the configuration file is downloaded to the FPGA chip, and the design’s correctness and performance are verified through actual operation and debugging.
Throughout the development process, each step has its specific role and requirements. Engineers need to select appropriate development tools and languages based on design requirements and constraints, follow best practices and standards, and ensure the correctness and performance of the design. Additionally, thorough testing and validation are necessary to ensure the reliability and stability of the design.
Moreover, FPGA development also requires consideration of other factors such as scalability and reusability, trade-offs between power consumption and performance, and considerations of safety and reliability. Therefore, when conducting FPGA development, it is essential to comprehensively consider various factors and choose the optimal design scheme and technical route.
In summary, the FPGA development process is a complex and rigorous one that requires engineers to possess solid professional knowledge and rich practical experience. Through continuous learning and practice, engineers can enhance their skills and capabilities to better tackle various challenges in FPGA design and development.