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FPGA vs DSP-Based Design
- Design considerations: FPGA vs. DSP
- Practical considerations: FPGA vs. DSP
- FPGA / DSP Hybrids: When they make sense
- Ideal applications for FPGA
Design Considerations: FPGA vs. DSP
FPGA-designed products result in a high-performance, deterministic system with unlimited potential for growth and flexibility. Ideal for real time control, FPGA uses parallel processing to realize functions in an unlimited fashion – only limited by resources.
Single Motor Drives. FPGA is capable of single system motor drive control, as is DSP, but FPGA outperforms DSP even in the single motor drive case. The differences become more significant when multiple systems are implemented on one chip.
Multi-System Motor Drives on One Chip. This is where FPGA really excels. Multi-system motor drives can talk to each other more easily within the same chip using FPGA technology. Multiple systems use more resources in the FPGA yet remain completely deterministic. This is not possible with DSP.
Deterministic Design. FPGA is very deterministic. It won’t impact the part of the design already in place. With DSP, anything you do affects the overall design.
DSP technology has unlimited programmability but you have to compromise on the control algorithms to get everything to fit into the time slice.
| Product Requirements | FPGA | DSP |
|---|---|---|
Scalability / Expandability |
Yes – deterministic; changes do not affect design already in place; unlimited potential for growth and flexibility |
No – Any changes affect overall design |
Parallel Processing |
Yes – Single or Multi- systems on one chip |
No |
Performance |
Limitless – |
Has limitations |
Practical Considerations: FPGA vs. DSP
FPGA technology is still relatively new in the industry. There are not as many engineers skilled in the unique design aspects as there are with more traditional DSP technology.
|
FPGA | DSP |
|---|---|---|
State-of-the-Art |
Yes, is production-ready |
No |
Engineers with Skill set |
Rare |
Plentiful |
Limitations |
|
Unlimited programmability but you have to compromise on the control algorithms to get everything to fit into the time slice. |
FPGA / DSP Hybrids: When They Make Sense
Hybrid use of both FPGA and DSP technology is a viable alternative and may make sense in certain cases.
Atlantix Engineering consulting uses proprietary hardware design software that is capable of simulating the various configurations and demonstrating the trade-offs so an intelligent decision can be made based on information – not gut instinct.
Engineering companies should consider the level of in-house expertise in the technology and whether future design changes are planned. This may influence which functions are designed in DSP vs. FPGA.
Ideal Applications for FPGA
| Automotive | Aerospace | Manufacturing & Automation |
|---|---|---|
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Want to Know More About FPGA For Your Products?
Contact Atlantix Engineering today and take the first step towards making FPGA technology a reality for your next product — imagine the possibilities.
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- Call 877-ATLANTX (285-2689)
