Actions
Forum Thread Details
  • Replies 13 replies
  • Subscribers 558 subscribers
  • Views 4822 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Related

The future of "FPGA only" chips compared to SoC and its impact on FPGA engineers

manihatn

Hi All,

We all have noticed the evolution of FPGA from "FPGA-only" chips (from Spartan) to the current generation of Zynq based SoC's and MPSoC's.

The premise for the "7 ways to to Leave your Spartan-6" prompting designs to be migrated from Spartan-6 to Spartan-7 from my understanding was the chip shortage due to pandemic. 

As part of future-proofing product lines to handle feature creeps and having supply-chain reliability, I have always tempted to migrate designs from Spartan to Zynq's.  

I have always wondered, besides the Power consumption (and to certain extent price point) argument, what are people's reason to stick with FPGA-only chips instead of SoC's.

Are there inherent advantages of using FPGA-Only chips instead of SoC's

As  FPGA engineers, there is a growing need to understand the basics of embedded Linux (and some low level software) as the field is gradually moving towards more software defined workfiows targeting  embedded SoCs.

Will be great to hear your thoughts, opinions and personal journey on how you have evolved your skills over the past few years

Parents

  • As far as a personal journey.  I have been tinkering with FPGA tech for a long time.  Until about 2017 I didn't find it compelling enough to try to design with it.

    Since then I have been learning the tool chains and libraries (open and proprietary) to gain enough confidence to build something salable by the time the semiconductor market recovers.

    I think it is becoming easier for one person, or small team with a strong software background, and good basics in electronics to make a competent contribution as the FPGA becomes a more ubiquitous component in small embedded systems.

Reply

  • As far as a personal journey.  I have been tinkering with FPGA tech for a long time.  Until about 2017 I didn't find it compelling enough to try to design with it.

    Since then I have been learning the tool chains and libraries (open and proprietary) to gain enough confidence to build something salable by the time the semiconductor market recovers.

    I think it is becoming easier for one person, or small team with a strong software background, and good basics in electronics to make a competent contribution as the FPGA becomes a more ubiquitous component in small embedded systems.

Children