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FPGA

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Strube09:
Hey everyone,

Maybe this is a stupid question but I don't really know much (anything) at all about FPGAs.

I know you can configure the logic around whatever your needs are and configure many logic circuits that operate independently of each other all on one chip. Including a soft core processor.

But, can you design FPGAs to handle analog too? Mainly can you make a comparator, opamp, DAC and ADC? Or would these have to be external peripherals?

Anyone use a Psoc from Cirrus? They look pretty interesting as they can have amps and all sorts of peripherals configured.

Thanks,
Strube

Simon:
To be honest I don't even know what an FPGA is so your question is valid enough for me

David:
The simple answer is no, although mixed-signal FPGAs are starting to be released with ADCs etc... You should look at the architecture of an FPGA and you will better understand them. There's lots on the internet, I would recommend looking at manufacturers websites such as Altera, Xilinx, Actel etc..

David:
Just an addition while we're on the subject: When configuring FPGAs it is important to remember that VHDL/Verilog etc are not programming languages. You are simply describing the operation of the hardware. This is where many people run into problems as they put together some 'code' that just about works without really realising how this is being synthesized into hardware, thus not properly understanding issues such as timing and area optimization.

mikeselectricstuff:
This product has been around a while, but not heard much of it recently - probably a bit niche. In practice unless you need something exoti, hanging discrete ADCs/DACs or a small PIC or AVR off the FPGA is the cheapest way to add analogue IO.

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