What is an FPGA CPU? This article will examine the features of several popular FPGA CPUs, such as the Stratix 10, Virtex-II Series, CoolRunner-II Series, and Xilinx. We do not aim at promoting any specific FPGA but rather to discuss their differences. You may want to read about all of them or consider using one of them as your next CPU.
Stratix 10
The Stratix 10 FPGA combines an ARM Cortex-A53 hard processor system with revolutionary Intel Hyperflex FPGA Architecture to provide embedded performance, high density, and system integration. This new processor is available in FPGA and CPU versions and features a quad-core Cortex-A53 processor with 5.5 million logic elements. In addition, you can find detailed information about the Stratix 10 SX in our free downloadable PDF and HTML guides.
The Stratix 10 FPGA features incredible single-precision computing, with up to ten TFLOPS of performance. This is a critical metric in neural network training. In addition, the company recently began deploying FPGAs across its Azure cloud computing platform in a bid to build the world’s fastest supercomputer. The company will also use the programmable silicon to speed up Bing search and AI research.
The new Stratix 10 processor includes cache coherency support. Intel Stratix 10 processors have implemented this feature through UPI, a proprietary point-to-point interconnect. UPI supports cache coherency, but it’s only a stopgap measure. Intel’s goal is to facilitate cache coherency through the open CXL standard. This new technology will be part of Intel’s next-generation FPGA family.
Intel has also announced a partnership with VMware to develop coherent FPGA and CPU accelerated solutions. Intel is currently sampling Stratix 10 FPGAs to key customers but hasn’t announced volume production plans yet. Although Intel isn’t saying whether it will start mass production, it’s a good indication that volume production is imminent. It’s important to remember that the Stratix 10 FPGA is only a part of a larger processor, but it can significantly impact the performance of your applications.
Virtex-II Series
IBM and Xilinx have collaborated to incorporate IBM PowerPC into the Virtex-II series FPGA fabric. The Virtex-II Pro family supports up to four PowerPC cores running at 300 MHz. In addition, the Virtex-II Pro family uses Xilinx’s Immersion technology to diffuse hard IP cores within the programmable fabric while maintaining seamless integration with the surrounding array. IP Immersion technology intimately couples high-speed buses with programmable fabric, providing significantly better system performance than discrete processors.
The Virtex-II Pro FPGAs feature RocketIO technology, a multi-port 3.125 Gb/s serial interface. This programmable solution, based on Conexant SkyRail(TM) technology, enables system designers to simplify the integration of high-bandwidth interfaces. In addition, this technology also allows engineers to enhance the I/O performance of their designs.
The Virtex-II devices’ block RAMs are not well-endowed. For example, the 120-CLB-column ‘2V10000’ device only has six columns of block RAMs. However, the datasheet notes that it has Virtex-EMs and Virtex-IIs. This means that each Virtex-II device contains 556 18-Kb block RAMs, giving it 1.2 MB of block RAM.
Xilinx’s Virtex-II Pro development boards offer designers a development environment to experiment with Virtex-II Pro features. These boards are suitable for rapid prototyping and implementing parallel FPGA design. Additionally, the Virtex-II Pro AFX boards implement applications in Virtex-II Pro FPGAs. If you are looking to make an FPGA with high performance, Xilinx offers a development environment that supports various applications.
In addition to allowing for a high-speed and low-power computing environment, the Virtex II also features a 32-bit RISC core. It will be able to execute 32-bit instructions at up to 400MHz, while the PowerPC will require twice as much silicon space. A Virtex II is ideal for programmable logic, and Xilinx uses Xilinx MicroBlaze soft processor cores.
CoolRunner-II Series
The CoolRunner-II series CPLDs offer a unique combination of high performance and low power, making them ideal for portable devices and high-speed data communications. Its power-saving features and low cost make it ideal for applications ranging from industrial controls to consumer products. Below are the CoolRunner-II’s key features. For more information, please visit our product page. In addition, we’ve provided a brief overview of these products and links to relevant articles, resources, and videos.
The Xilinx Spartan-6 XC6SLX9 FPGA was helpful for the demonstration. Other FPGA device families may require modifications to the User Constraint Files and asynchronous latch instantiation. This article will discuss some of the main features of this FPGA product. However, you should know that it is compatible with the most widely used EDA tools. If you’re interested in implementing a new FPGA design, check out our article on FPGA programming cables.
The CoolRunner-II Series FPGA CPLD is compatible with Intel’s MAX(r) II CPLDs. You can choose an Altera CPLD based on the number of blocks and I/O you need. The LC4064B-75TN100C board contains the XC2C256 Coolrunner-II CPLD and connectors to connect other boards.
This hardware platform is compatible with all significant FPGA processors and FPGA chips, including the popular Intel EPM240 Series. It’s available from Mouser Electronics. You can check out more information about the CPLD at Rayming PCB & Assembly. You’ll also find the coolRunner-II Series FPGA CPUs on the manufacturer’s website. These boards are the most versatile solution for complex logic applications.
Xilinx
Arm Cortex-M processors are compatible with all Xilinx devices and can be helpful in any application. Arm Cortex-M processors also work on the Zynq-7000 and Zynq UltraScale+ famil and depend on ARM architecture. Here’s a comparison of these processors. Which one should I use?
MicroBlaze is a 32/64-bit RISC Harvard architecture soft processor core that enables the Xilinx FPGA portfolio. Its instruction set is tailored to embedded applications and provides complete hardware and software configuration flexibility. It also provides extensive operating system support and real-time capability. Its flexibility also helps developers gear solutions to meet architectural challenges. In addition, the Xilinx Vitis(tm) platform enables flexible embedded application development and offers a range of cost-effective solutions on a single FPGA.
The Xilinx FPGA platform is composed of programmable logic boards governed by a system-on-a-chip called Zynq. These boards are designed to run specific repetitive applications as a “speed-up” and can run routines in local memory. However, the Xilinx FPGAs have limitations. Some applications don’t benefit from the FPGA technology, and others require a faster chip.
It would take AMD many years to develop a team of programmable logic experts to compete with Xilinx. While AMD may be a big player in the hardware market, Xilinx has a wider market. It has a wide range of applications and has few overlaps with AMD’s core business. As a result, its IP can be valuable for various industries.
Tabula
The company’s claim to fame is the first FPGA CPU that uses a full process gate array (FPGA). That’s a big claim for a startup with all-star hardware, VC funding, and years of research and development. But is it realistic? And what will it take to get to market faster? What’s its competitive advantage over the competition? And what will make it different from Xilinx and Altera?
The company is developing a new family of devices based on the Spacetime architecture. Although it hasn’t yet announced a release date, it’s thought that the device will target 40 nm process technology and deliver 2.5x higher logic density, 2.0x more memory ports, and 3.7x higher DSP performance. Moreover, Tabula has developed a new compiler called Stylus, which manages ultra-rapid reconfiguration transparently.
The new architecture of Tabula claims to solve the interconnect bottleneck of FPGAs. This new architecture uses each memory block and LUT multiple times and claims to require less interconnecting. In addition, it uses transparent latches embedded in the chip’s interconnect, which handles routing and temporary state storage between time slices.
During 2008-10, the FPGA market represented one of the few sectors that saw growth. However, as the market for high-end FPGAs was slow, many OEMs opted for the familiar. During this period, four companies emerged as the leaders in device architecture, including Xilinx, Altera, Microsemi/Actel, and Tabula. However, the company has also added new architectural concepts and signed foundry pacts with the likes of Intel.
