A framework that enables systematic analysis of mixed-signal applications on FPGA

Abstract

We present a framework that enables systematic analysis of mixed-signal application on FPGA and show its application during architecture validation of a power controller. The open source synthesizable model generator for mixed-signal blocks (msdsl) is used to create a synthesizable prototype of the analog power control application. A library of instrumentation elements enables control from a host computer, time control, analog event capture, analog stimulus and noise generation, as well as trace, read and write of arbitrary signals. This keeps the effort of building the FPGA application prototype low and provides good debugging and analysis capabilities. The end-result is a unique analysis framework for mixed-signal applications that offers almost real time analog simulation speed - thus considering software as well as analog and digital hardware - no risk of damaging equipment and simulator alike analysis and debugging capabilities at a low overhead through an instrumentation library.