A component architecture for FPGA-based, DSP system design

Abstract

Introducing FPGA components into DSP system implementations creates an assortment of challenges across system architecture and logic design. Recognizing that some of the greatest challenges occur in the integration of the various components, we have developed a component architecture and an associated set of software tools, collectively called the Logic Foundry. Using the Logic Foundry, an FPGA-based DSP system can be easily constructed from pre-built components and implemented on a variety of back-end FPGA platforms. The resulting implementation can then be encapsulated and integrated into a variety of front-end software application environments. This paper develops the component architecture and integration capabilities of the Logic Foundry, and examines a number of application case studies that we have experimented with using the Logic Foundry.