Trends in Embedded Design Using Programmable Gate Arrays

Book excerpt: This text describes modern embedded processing systems using the Field Programmable Gate Array. This new paradigm in embedded design utilizes the Verilog Hardware Descriptive Language behavioral synthesis of controller and datapath constructs and the finite state machine for digital signal processing, communications and control with the FPGA, external hard core and internal soft core peripherals. This text features the Xilinx Spartan-6 Nexys 3 and Atlys evaluation boards, the Xilinx ISE EDA and the Xilinix LogiCORE blocks. The Xilinx Zynq system-on-chip with dual ARM CORTEX-A9 hard core processors, AMBA AXI bus and FPGA is described. Trends in Embedded Design Using Programmable Gate Arrays is intended as a supplementary text and laboratory manual for undergraduate students in a contemporary course in digital logic and embedded systems. Professionals who have not had an exposure to the coarse grained FPGA, the Verilog HDL, an EDA software tool or the controller and datapath constructs and the finite state machine will find that this text facilitates an expansive experience.