I want to design a signal processing system using FPGA. I am not sure if I need to revise the basics of the digital logic to configure FPGA to my specific task. I choose FPGA over ASIC for it cheap cost per performance and the flexibility of reconfiguration. However, I am novice to using the FPGA for any application so far. So I wanted a sort of advice from those who had experience with the device.
Dear Ash,
Yes, you need to have a strong basic in digital logic before moving forward for FPGA implementation. Because, prior to FPGA implementation you should have a sound knowledge on digital architecture so that you can propose your own architecture for any signal processing or communication related algorithms. Once you are done with your digital architecture, then only you should go for RTL implementation. You should always focus on optimized digital architecture, for which strong digital logic design is a prerequisite.
There are tools that can help you make a fast prototype of your DSP algorithm in a FPGA using high level synthesis. Some of these tools use a Simulink model as source code, others use Labview. However, since I never used any of then I can not say anything about their limitations or whether they will be enough to meet your requirements.
First of all, what is your implemented HDL language? Verilog? VHDL? or SystemC? I think that you don't need to know basics of digital logic If you use high-level HDL description to design your DSP. However, there is better if you have studied digital logic. Moreover, there are so many HDL code examples of basic digital logic circuit that can be found by web site, you can directly use them.
If you know what the digital system architecture you want to design at gate level i.e the RTL view than the only thing you require is to know coding in any one HDL language e.g: VHDL, Verilog.
However, if you don't know the architecture of your design, than revise the digital concepts.
I agree with that has been said before by the colleagues specially who gave the advice that one has to have sound knowledge about the digital analysis, and synthesis. You must be able to build digital systems from their diverse building blocks. It is better to review you logic and digital design courses starting from the gate levels up to the microprocessor level. This will help you easily understand the code, propose your preliminary design, analyse, troubleshoot it and finally test it.
Tools are here to help design not to make design. Writing the code is a small portion of the design.
As said before, you can use system level models implemented by simulink and translate it to VHDL but this is very tedious and rigid.
Best wishes
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