Basic Knowledge to Understand FPGAs

Abstract

An FPGA is a wonderful digital device which can implement most of the practically required digital circuits with much easier effort than other solutions. For understanding FPGAs, fundamental digital design techniques such as logic algebra, combinational circuits design, sequential circuits design, and static timing analysis are required. This chapter briefly introduces them first. Then, the position of FPGA among various digital devices is discussed. The latter part of this chapter is for 40-year history of programmable devices. Through the history, you can see why SRAM style FPGAs have become dominant in various types of programmable devices, and how Xilinx and Altera (Intel) have grown up major FPGA vendors. Various small vendors and their attractive trials that are not existing now are also introduced.