Xilinx System Generator v2.1 Reference Guide

Chapter 1

Introduction

This chapter describes the basic concepts and tools of the System Generator v2.1.

This chapter contains the following sections.

∙Industry and Product Overview

∙System Generator

∙System Level Modeling with System Generator

∙The System Generator Design Flow

∙Arithmetic Data Types

∙Hardware Handshaking

∙Bit-true and Cycle-true Modeling

Industry and Product Overview

In recent years, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) have become key components in implementing high performance digital signal processing (DSP) systems, especially in the areas of digital communications, networking, video, and imaging. The logic fabric of today's FPGAs consists not only of look-up tables, registers, multiplexers, distributed and block memory, but also dedicated circuitry for fast adders, multipliers, and I/O processing (e.g., giga-bit I/O). The memory bandwidth of a modern FPGA far exceeds that of a microprocessor or DSP processor running at clock rates two to ten times that of the FPGA. Coupled with a capability for implementing highly parallel arithmetic architectures, this makes the FPGA ideally suited for creating high-performance custom data path processors for tasks such as digital filtering, fast Fourier transforms, and forward error correction.

For example, all major telecommunication providers have adopted FPGAs for high- performance DSP out of necessity. A third-generation (3G) wireless base station typically contains FPGAs and ASICs in addition to microprocessors and digital signal processors (DSPs). The processors and DSPs, even when running at GHz clock rates, are increasingly used for relatively low MIPs packet level processing, with the chip and symbol rate processing being implemented in the FPGAs and ASICs. The fluidity of emerging standards often makes FPGAs, which can be reprogrammed in the field, better suited than ASICs.

Despite these characteristics, broader acceptance of FPGAs in the DSP community has historically been hampered by several factors. First, there is a general lack of familiarity with hardware design and especially, FPGAs. DSP engineers conversant with programming in C or assembly language are often unfamiliar with digital design using hardware description languages (HDLs) such as VHDL or Verilog. Furthermore, although VHDL provides many high level abstractions and language

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Xilinx Development System

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Xilinx V2.1 manual Chapter Introduction, Industry and Product Overview
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V2.1 specifications

Xilinx V2.1 is a notable iteration in the series of versatile and robust Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) developed to cater to a wide range of applications. Launched to provide enhancements in performance and flexibility, V2.1 embodies sophisticated technologies and features that stand out in the electronics industry.

One of the primary features of Xilinx V2.1 is its improved processing power. The architecture has been optimized to support higher clock speeds and increased logic density, allowing for more complex designs to be implemented effectively. This boost in performance is facilitated by utilizing advanced silicon technologies, which significantly reduce power consumption while maximizing efficiency.

Another significant characteristic of Xilinx V2.1 is its enhanced I/O (Input/Output) capabilities. The device supports a variety of industry-standard interfaces, which include PCI Express, SATA, and various serial communication protocols. Such adaptability ensures seamless integration into existing systems, providing engineers with the flexibility to adapt to various application requirements without the need for substantial redesign efforts.

Xilinx V2.1 also features improved scalability, making it a prime choice for applications that demand diverse performance levels. This device supports an array of configurations and can be used in small-scale projects as well as in larger, more demanding environments requiring extensive resources. This scalability is further aided by support for multiple development platforms, enabling rapid prototyping and simplifying the design process.

Security is increasingly becoming a priority in digital design, and Xilinx V2.1 addresses this concern via hardware security features. It includes enhanced encryption protocols and secure boot functionalities, which help protect intellectual property and sensitive data from unauthorized access.

Additionally, the integration of advanced DSP (Digital Signal Processing) blocks allows Xilinx V2.1 to efficiently handle data-intensive tasks such as video processing and real-time signal analysis. These capabilities make it suitable for applications in telecommunications, automotive systems, and industrial automation.

Xilinx V2.1 also benefits from a rich development environment, including robust software tools that facilitate design entry, simulation, and verification. The support for industry-standard programming languages like VHDL and Verilog simplifies the development process, enabling engineers to design complex systems more efficiently.

In summary, Xilinx V2.1 stands out due to its impressive combination of high performance, flexibility, scalability, security, and comprehensive development support. These features make it a valuable asset for engineers and developers looking to innovate across various sectors, from telecommunications and automotive to industrial applications.
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