What is an FPGA?

Semiconductor Integrated Circuits (ICs)
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What is an FPGA ?

Architecture Comparison

  • Micro-Controller Unit (MCU) & Processor

  • Fixed, defined architecture

  • Controller-components are used

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FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array)**

  • Required functionality is built using pre-defined blocks

  • Some system-level components are present (clocks, DSP, etc.)

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I heard a FPGA is complex and expensive –> NO

I learnt in university that FPGAs are only used for prototyping and do not make sense in volume production –> NO.

I heard that FPGAs are very complex and difficult to work with –> NO.

I heard that FPGA s are unreliable and cannot be used for proper applications –> NO.

Simple way to think of FPGAs – building blocks for Electrical Engineers

Lego blocks of configurable logic that build up the larger function
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**SoC (System on Chip):
FPGA with Processor System – programmable building blocks
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