Chapter 8 · Watch, then practise
IC Technology
Compare fixed and programmable hardware by how their functions are implemented and how a design can change after fabrication.
3 questions · 3 with related videos. Matches are based on playlist titles; broader background matches are labeled.
What to study
- ASIC and FPGA
- Configurable logic and interconnect
- Hardware parallelism
- Processor and programmable-logic integration
Chapter playlists
Choose a playlist
Notes
Introduction to FPGA Part 1 - What is an FPGA? | Digi-Key Electronics
DigiKey · 15:21
The supplementary FPGA introduction supports understanding reconfigurable logic and its difference from fixed-function implementation.
1. ASIC versus FPGA
What is the key implementation difference between an ASIC and an FPGA?
An ASIC’s application-specific circuitry is fixed when fabricated. An FPGA contains configurable logic and interconnect that can implement a chosen digital circuit after fabrication. FPGA reconfiguration supports design iteration and field changes; choosing between them also depends on engineering effort and production requirements.
Introduction to FPGA Part 3 - Getting Started with Verilog | Digi-Key Electronics
DigiKey · 20:44 · Background lecture
Choose a video · 2 lectures
Verilog and FPGA implementation are background for concurrent hardware; this is not a measured acceleration demonstration.
2. Hardware concurrency
Why can an FPGA accelerate parallel processing?
Separate configured circuits can perform independent operations concurrently, rather than sharing one instruction sequence. For example, multiple processing lanes can handle different samples. Achievable throughput still depends on dependencies, available logic, memory bandwidth and timing; an FPGA does not automatically accelerate every algorithm.
Introduction to FPGA Part 11 - RISC-V Softcore Processor | Digi-Key Electronics
DigiKey · 23:06
Choose a video · 2 lectures
The processor and custom-peripheral lessons illustrate combining processor execution with programmable hardware.
3. Mixed implementation
Why combine a processor with programmable logic?
Software on the processor can manage control and communication while dedicated logic performs a timing-sensitive or parallel operation. The interface between them must move data efficiently. This division lets each part use an appropriate implementation instead of requiring the entire application to become a custom circuit.