ALCHA: New object oriented approach to FPGA project development

Abstract

This paper presents on the objectives and strategies to develop ALCHA: a new object-oriented FPGA programming model and language. ALCHA is aimed at unifying the various aspects of FPGA firmware design (RTL design, finite state machines, timing and design constraints, as well as scripting) into a single language. The ALCHA language is designed to minimise boiler-plate code and use concise syntax in order to improve readability and maintainability. The development of finite state machines is facilitated by means of a procedural programming model. Algorithmic descriptions of circuits, memory initialisers and parameters are supported by means of scripting. ALCHA is expected to offer valuable benefits in reducing development time of projects.