Understanding the AXI Protocol: Applications and Functionality

The AXI protocol is powerful and easy-to-use for connecting modules within SoCs and FPGAs. Intro to the AXI Protocol AXI (Advanced eXtensible Interface) is an interface for connecting modules within an SoC or an FPGA. It is fully synchronous and can be as wide and as fast as needed to meet transfer requirements between modules. … Continued

Leveraging Vivado QoR Reports to Optimize FPGA Design Performance

Vivado QoR Reports are powerful tools in the Vivado Integrated Development Environment that help designers enhance the Quality of Results (QoR) for their FPGA designs. These include the DRC Report, the Methodology Report, the Design Analysis Report, the QoR Assessment Report, and the QoR Suggestions Report. The Vivado QoR Reports predict potential improvements that designers … Continued
Finite State Machines (FSMs)

Stop Having So Many States in Your Finite State Machines! – A Guide to Using FSMs

What starts as a simple task can quickly spiral into something far more complex—whether it's home repairs, birthday parties, or, unfortunately, Finite State Machines (FSMs). In Hardware Description Language (HDL), it’s easy to keep adding states—“wait” states, nested states, and so on. While these states are meant to simplify logic and improve maintainability, they often … Continued
Configurable Logic Block (CLB)

The Configurable Logic Block – A Quick Look

In this post, we will quickly review the Configurable Logic Block (CLB) and how it has changed over the years.  In 1984, Xilinx introduced the first FPGA to the world, the XC2064. This FPGA formed the backbone of later device families and the design flow leveraged the Xilinx XACT tool.  Nearly 40 years later, FPGAs … Continued
Cross Triggering

Unlocking the Power of Cross Triggering on FPGAs

Understanding Cross Triggering (and why it's your friend) Cross triggering is a useful technique to help with debugging FPGAs. Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) are extremely versatile hardware platforms known for their ability to implement custom digital logic in the matter of seconds through the uploading of a bitstream. The applications of FPGAs range through many … Continued
UltraFast Design Methodology

What Is the AMD Xilinx UltraFast Design Methodology?

In FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) development and design, speed, efficiency, and reliability are paramount. Engineers and developers are constantly seeking innovative methodologies to streamline the design process and deliver optimized solutions. AMD (formerly Xilinx), a prominent player in the FPGA industry, offers a cutting-edge approach known as the "UltraFast Design Methodology" to address these challenges. … Continued
High-Level Synthesis

Understanding What High-Level Synthesis (HLS) Is: Bridging the Gap Between Software and Hardware

In electronics and digital design with FPGAs and SoCs, the demand for more efficient, powerful, and faster hardware is unrelenting. Engineers and developers require ways to optimize their designs, making them faster and more energy efficient. One of the transformative technologies available to address this challenge is High-Level Synthesis (HLS). It plays a crucial role … Continued
what is an fpga

What Is an FPGA?

What Is an FPGA? An FPGA is a type of integrated circuit that can be configured by the user after manufacturing to perform a variety of digital functions. FPGA stands for Field-Programmable Gate Arrays and was invented by Xilinx (now AMD). They are popular in a wide range of industries, from telecommunications to aerospace and … Continued