Embedded processors in FPGAs


Details
On the first Meetup in 2018 we will have a presentation by Arin Morten Kjempenes from ProgBit, which which will go into FPGAs and their embedded uses.
"FPGA background and history
From pcb board glue logic to Cloud services at Amazon and Microsoft.
FPGA architecture
Walk-through of a modern FPGA
Typical use cases
Embedded, parallel audio/video, signal processing.
FPGAs are typically used if there are difficult real-time requirements, high speed interfaces, high integration, power efficiency or signal processing. Quite often all these requirements at the same time. It helps making boards HW programmable so we can avoid board redesigns with the corresponding SW challenges of supporting multiple HW versions.
FPGAs with built-in hard processors (arm) or soft processors
Architecture, tool chains, SW/FW/HW cooperation. (FPGA code is often called firmware, FW, to separate it from SW and HW.)
If you have an FPGA in the first place it's almost always used together with a processor. Integrating these inside the same device has many advantages including saving area and simplifying the interfaces.
Using a soft processor enables you to design the system you want. If all you need is a microprocessor and a GPIO then you can include just that. This makes it simple to understand and document the design while you can easily extend it later. Or you may just add another soft processor.
FPGA design tools and languages
FPGAs are parallel devices and special programming languages, VHDL and Verilog, have been developed to support the parallelism. These languages are not needed when using built-in processors. The processors are programmed via the GNU toolchain.
Recently it's become possible to use C and C++ for FPGA development instead of or together with VHDL and Verilog. This opens up FPGA development for a wider audience.
Demos
I'll have demos to show:
- A simple traditional FPGA design
- How to make a simple soft processor
- How to use C for FPGA development
- How to coordinate HW/FW/SW
There's always some risk in demos so I'll have some videos in case of problems."
After the presentation we will relocate to The Corner Bar (http://cornerteateret.no/cornerbaren/) 200 meters away from Marineholmen Makerspace for an embedded beer (or a beverage of your choice) and some social mingling.

Embedded processors in FPGAs