FPGA partial reconfiguration mitigates variability

Eric Shiflet and Lee Hansen, Xilinx
(04/03/2006 9:00 AM EDT), EE Times

Design variability is rapidly becoming the “norm” for electronics products. From packaging to logic functionality, electronic end products are expected to be more customized and configurable based on customer demand and field environment.

For logic design, this means the hardware must be able to handle a variety of functions, which leads to more devices and more real estate. A common method to handle this additional functionality has been to move them into switchable software modules handled by a microprocessor. However, a growing number of applications are relying on FPGA-based partial reconfiguration technology to leave logic functions in hardware, switch them in and out on demand — all while leaving your core logic running.

Click here to read more ...