- FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) is a fine grain device with small logic blocks and has medium to very high density suitable for large complex densities.
- In FPGA, delays are dependent on applications. It uses SRAM or Antifuse technology. It has more density and it is more volatile.
Features of FPGA
- It has high complexity, density and reliability.
- Ideal for customized design.
- Offers the advantages of high integration.
- It has low cost, power consumption and small physical size.
- It has cascade chain for wide input functions.
- Avoid the problems of ASICs.
- Dedicated carry logic for high-speed arithmetic functions.
General Architecture of FPGA
The general architecture of an FPGA is as shown in figure. But each vendor has its own architecture.
- The architecture of an FPGA consists of configurable logic blocks, configurable input-output blocks and programmable interconnects. They are discussed below.
- Also, there will be clock circuitry for driving the additional logic resources.
Configurable Logic Block (CLB)
- There are a number of configurable logic blocks (CLBs) in an FPGA organized as an array of rows and columns. The logic blocks are connected to the I/O blocks through common row/column programmable interconnects.
- The common row/column interconnects are known as global interconnects. A logic block consists of a number of logic modules (LMs). The logic modules are the basic logic elements in an FPGA.
- The logic modules within a CLB are connected through local programmable interconnects. Figure 2 shows a general structure for basic CLB.
- Configurable Logic Blocks (CLBs) contain the logic for FPGA. In the large grain architecture, these CLBs will contain logic to create a small state machine.
- The logic diagram for FPGA CLB is shown in the figure 3 and it would be considered as a large grain block.
- It consists of RAM for creating large arbitrary configurable logic functions. It also contains flip-flops for clocked storage elements and multiplexers in order to route logic within the block and from external resources.
- The multiplexers also allow polarity selection and reset and clear input relation.
Configurable IO Block
The logic diagram of a configurable IO block as shown in figure 4.
- It consists of an input buffer and an output buffer with three states, and open collector output controls.
- Typically, there are pull-up resistors on the outputs and sometimes pull-down resistors.
- The polarity of the output can usually be programmed for fast or slow rise and fall times.
- In addition, there is often a flip-flop on outputs so that clocked signals can be output directly to the pins without encountering significant delay.
- It is done for input so that there is no much delay on a signal before reaching a flip-flop which would increase the device hold time requirement.
- A configuration IO is used to bring the signals into the chip and send them back Off again.
Programmable Interconnect
A block diagram of an FPGA programmable interconnect is shown in Figure 5.
- The interconnect of a FPGA is very different than that of a CPLD, but is rather similar to that of a gate array ASIC.
- The number on each arrow indicates the number of wires in that signal path. A CLB has two outputs. Each output is going to the CLB below and right of it.
- Four wires of the group known as “Global clock” which are used as clock inputs to CLBs.
- The two ‘single’ groups are used for flexible connectivity between adjacent blocks. Wires in the ‘two’ groups travel through two CLBs before hitting a switch, and they provide shorter delays for longer connection.
Types
The types of FPGA are as under
- SRAM-based
- Antlfuse-based
Examples
The SRAM based FPGA families include the following
- Xilinx XC4000, XC5200, Virtex and Spartan
- Altera FLEX
- Atmel AT 6000 and AT 40 K
- Lucent ttechnologies OECA
Antifuse-based FPGA families include the following
- Actel PRCASIC PLUS families, SX and MX
- Quick logic PASIC
Applications of CPLDs and FPGAs
- CPLDs and FPGAs are used today in many diverse applications, such as consumer products like DVD players and high-end television sets, controller circuits for automobile factories and test equipment.
- They are also used in Internet routers and high-speed network switches, and computer equipment like large tape and disk storage systems.
- In a given design situation a CPLD may be chosen when the needed circuit is not very large, or when the device has to perform its function immediately upon application of power to the circuit.
- FPGAs are not a good choice for this latter case because, they are configured by volatile storage elements that lose their stored contents when the power is turned off. This property results in a delay before the FPGA chip can perform its function when turned on.
- FPGAs are suitable for implementation of circuits over a large range of size, from about 1000 to more than a million equivalent logic gates. In addition to size a designer will consider other criteria, such as the needed speed of operation of a circuit, power dissipation constraints, and the cost of the chips.
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