# FPGA for Beginners: Definition, Landscape and Glossary

- Link: https://studyelectrical.com/2023/08/fpga-for-beginners.html
- Published: 2023-08-04T09:51:56+00:00
- Author: Tesla

An integrated circuit called an **[FPGA](https://www.ampheo.com/c/fpgas-field-programmable-gate-array)**,
or field-programmable gate array which is a part of **[Embedded IC](https://www.ampheo.com/)**,
is made to be customized by a customer or a designer after production; the term “
field-programmable” refers to this process. A hardware description language (HDL),
similar to that used for an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), is typically
used to specify the FPGA settings. They are made up of a network of interconnected
lookup tables (LUTs), which are groups of logic cells. Since the LUTs and fabric
are programmable, the system is adaptable and can use practically any digital algorithm.

![FPGA](https://studyelectrical.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/FPGA.jpg)

## FPGA Landscape

These two large businesses continue to dominate the FPGA market today. In 2016, 
they had nearly 90% of the market. However, for the sake of this series, we shall
be using Xilinx [chips] and tools. A user’s decision between the two is mostly influenced
by their expertise with toolsets.

FPGAs are now widely available and reasonably priced in consumer markets. However,
learning without the guidance and tools offered by a formal class might be overwhelming
due to the intricacy of the hardware and design process. Getting familiar with the
terminology used to describe various aspects of the design process and the hardware
itself is a smart place to start when studying this subject.

Some of the phrases and ideas that are frequently used, such “digital Logic,” “Vivado,”“
bitstream,” and so forth, may have already come up in conversation. There is a sizable
vocabulary that goes along with studying FPGA, but to get us started, we have selected
some of the more often used FPGA terminology and put definitions together in our
glossary below. (The majority of these definitions are derived from their individual
Wikipedia sites or are linked to their original source).

## Glossary of Terms

**Verilog**: Verilog is a hardware description language (HDL) for modeling electronic
systems that is standardized as IEEE 1364. The design and verification of digital
circuits at the register-transfer level of abstraction are where it is most frequently
utilized. In addition, it is applied to the design of genetic circuits as well as
the verification of analog and mixed-signal circuits.

**VHDL**: An electronic design automation tool called VHDL (VHSIC Hardware Description
Language) is used to define digital and mixed-signal systems such integrated circuits
and field-programmable gate arrays. As a general-purpose parallel programming language,
VHDL is also usable.

**Vivado**: With more functionality for system on a chip development and high-level
synthesis than Xilinx ISE, Vivado Design Suite is a software suite made by the company
for the synthesis and analysis of HDL designs. In comparison to ISE, Vivado represents
a complete rewriting and re-thinking of the entire design cycle. Reviewers have 
praised its “well-conceived, tightly integrated, blazing fast, scalable, maintainable,
and intuitive” features.

**C/C++**: Bjarne Stroustrup created the general-purpose object-oriented programming(
OOP) language C++, which is an extension of the C language. As a result, C++ code
can be written in a “C style” or “object-oriented style.”

**FPGA RTL definition**: RTL, or register-transfer level, is a design abstraction
used in the design of digital circuits that describes synchronous digital circuits
in terms of the flow of digital signals (data) between hardware registers and the
logical operations carried out on those signals.

**Bitstream definition in FPGA**: The FPGA configuration file (with a.bit extension).
When the bitstream is ready for use, an FPGA loads it. final outcome of the location
and route phase, obtained after place and route.

**Binary**: Using only the digits 0 and 1, the binary (or base-2) number system 
uses just two digits. Computers only use zeros and ones to do computations and store
data because they function in binary.

**Synthesis**: Employing HDLs (Hardware Description Languages), HLLs (High Level
Languages), and GUIs (Graphical User Interfaces) to create a netlist from a circuit
description.

**Serial Terminal Application**: Tera Term, an open-source, free, software-implemented
terminal emulator program, serves as an illustration of this. It can simulate a 
variety of computer terminals, including the DEC VT100 and DEC VT382. Telnet, SSH
versions 1 and 2, and serial port connections are supported.

**FPGA chip definition**: With FPGA, you have control over both the hardware and
the software, in contrast to microcontrollers, where you only have software control.
Software cannot be run on a CPU unless one is created, at least for now. An FPGA
can be configured to be as basic as a single gate or as complicated as a multi-core
processor. You write some HDL (Hardware Description Language) to develop your design.

Below is a table to help you remember the terms along with their definitions:

| Term | Definition | 
| Verilog | A hardware description language (HDL) used for modeling electronic systems at the register-transfer level. Commonly used in digital circuit design and verification. | 
| VHDL | VHSIC Hardware Description Language; used for defining digital and mixed-signal systems like integrated circuits and FPGAs. Also used as a parallel programming language. | 
| Vivado | Xilinx’s software suite for HDL design synthesis and analysis. Provides features for system-on-a-chip development and high-level synthesis. | 
| C/C++ | General-purpose programming languages. C++ extends the C language with object-oriented programming capabilities. | 
| FPGA RTL  | Register-Transfer Level; describes synchronous digital circuits in terms of data flow between hardware registers and logical operations on signals. | 
| Bitstream  | FPGA configuration file (.bit extension) that contains instructions for FPGA configuration. Loaded onto FPGA for use after place and route. | 
| Binary | Number system using only 0 and 1 digits, fundamental for computer computations and data storage. | 
| Synthesis | Process of generating a netlist from a circuit description using HDLs, HLLs, and GUIs. | 
| Serial Terminal App | Software like Tera Term that emulates computer terminals, supports Telnet, SSH, serial port connections, and more. | 
| FPGA chip  | Field-Programmable Gate Array; allows control over both hardware and software, unlike microcontrollers. Configurable from basic gates to complex processors using HDL. |

## Start Right Now

You should first buy any additional course materials you might require, along with
an FPGA board, of course. Stay tuned for next week when we will offer a thorough
buying guide based on interests and price range if you’re not sure which board to
buy. In order to help you make the best decision possible for your purchase, we 
will then go a little bit more in-depth on how the hardware functions. Make sure
to download Vivado and set up your development environment in the interim. While
you wait for your hardware, feel free to experiment with the simulation tools available
in Vivado.

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