Reconfigurable computing FPGA tools challenges: accessing SRAM design example

Abstract

Simplification of the hardware part of digital design adds complicity to the software tools. In addition, the details of physical hardware wiring, timing, and models' specifications are being illuminated in so many new versions of CAD software. This adds challenges for new designers especially for those in educational institutes. The issue of complex design tools has never been addressed in literature despite its importance. The focus of this paper is, briefly, presenting some of the challenges faced by graduate and new System-on-Chip (SOC) designers. A reconfigurable design example of accessing an off-chip SRAM on the Altera DE2 board is presented. The software/hardware co-design difficulties are listed along with proposed solutions.