FPGA programming is the process of designing and planning an application program that operates with specific hardware circuits. It is a hardware-programmable technology that uses the combination of logic gates and memory blocks get more to undertake computing tasks. The main objective is to develop a system that will produce the desired output when powered on.
The process of implementing an FPGA solution involves many steps of planning to make sure that all the features necessary are included and that they function correctly. A requirements document that includes all specifications and details can help in reducing potential issues during the implementation process. It is also a great idea to model the design using tools like Mentor Graphics Questa, Cadence Vivado and Simulink at different stages of development.
VHDL and Verilog have been traditionally the two most popular programming languages used for FPGA programming. VHDL has a syntax similar to C, which makes it simpler to write programs. Verilog has a more V-like structure, and is considered easier to use by some.
Typically the FPGA design is implemented as a logic block called a logical cell (LC) or a logic block (LB). It contains standard logic functions such as subtraction, multiplication, and addition along with basic error-checking for example, the negative and sign of the number. It also includes lookup tables (LUTs) that store predefined lists for logic outputs that can be used with any combination of inputs.