Xilinx DSP Design Platforms: Simplifying The Adoption of Fpgas For DSP
Xilinx DSP Design Platforms: Simplifying The Adoption of Fpgas For DSP
Xilinx DSP Design Platforms: Simplifying The Adoption of Fpgas For DSP
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Introduction
Xilinx FPGAs exceed the computational power of DSPs with their inherent
parallelism, breaking the paradigm of sequential execution and accomplishing more
per clock. Figure 1 shows why FPGAs are a popular choice for DSP hardware
platforms when processing bandwidth requirements exceed 10 GMACs.
X-Ref Target - Figure 1
• 3D Medical Imaging
• Wireless Base Stations
(Algoritmic and Processor Forecast) 1,000 GMACs • HD Audio/Video Broadcast
• Radar and Sonar
• HD Video Surveillance
Algorithm Virtex-6 FPGA • Mobile Software Defined Radio
Complexity • MIMO
Performance
32 GMACs
• Portable Ultrasound
• Pico/Femto Base Stations
• Consumer Video
Spartan-6 FPGA • HD Video Surveillance
10 GMACs • Mobile Software Defined Radio
• Automotive Driver Assist
Traditional DSP
Architectures
Time
WP357_01_112009
DDS
16-QAM
DUC X DDC
Modulator
WP357_02_120409
The straightforward nature of this design allows users to focus on design techniques
and concepts. Complete reference designs are available from Xilinx for wireless,
defense, and video applications that can be extended or modified using these design
techniques.
WP357_03_111909
Figure 3: Programming the Xilinx FIR Compiler Using the MathWorks FDATool
A wealth of Xilinx DSP IP is available for use in RTL design flows. The Xilinx DSP
development kit describes how to parameterize and incorporate this IP into RTL
designs and how best to take advantage of FPGA hardware flexibility to implement
high-performance or multi-channel designs.
DAC ADC
DDS
16-QAM
DUC X DUC
Modulator
WP357_04_113009
Figure 4: Xilinx DSP Kit Targeted Reference Design for DAC/ADC Integration
By offering DAC and ADC FMC mezzanine cards as an option, users can configure a
development platform that meets their specific requirements for performance. Users
also gain the flexibility of quickly testing multiple options without board redesign.
Xilinx has key partnerships in place with Avnet and Curtiss-Write to supply FMC
mezzanine cards and reference designs that work with the DSP kits.
Summary
The Xilinx DSP development kits for Spartan-6 and Virtex-6 FPGAs offer an efficient
and cost-effective method of creating DSP designs on Xilinx FPGAs. A complete set of
hardware, development tools, reference designs, and tutorials introduce new users to
the basics of DSP design for FPGAs and then quickly build confidence as reference
designs are extended to reflect typical design scenarios. Additional design flows and
I/O options are available from a robust ecosystem of partners that supply platform
support packages integrated to the DSP development platforms.
Revision History
The following table shows the revision history for this document:
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