A field-programmable gate array is a semiconductor device built around a matrix of configurable logic blocks connected via programmable interconnects. Unlike an ASIC which has its logic permanently etched in silicon, an FPGA loads its configuration from memory at power-up. Engineers write hardware description languages to define the logic, allowing them to prototype complex digital circuits, accelerate specific algorithms, or update hardware functionality in the field.
We ran out of hardware timers on the microcontroller, so we moved the motor control logic into the FPGA.
FPGAs are notoriously power-hungry and expensive compared to microcontrollers, but they execute parallel operations at massive speeds.
Also heard as
- field-programmable gate array
Related terms
ASIC
An application-specific integrated circuit designed for one dedicated task rather than general-purpose use.
HDL
A specialized programming language used to describe the structure and behavior of electronic circuits.
Gate array
A prefabricated silicon chip containing unconnected logic gates.
CPLD
A Complex Programmable Logic Device is an integrated circuit used to implement custom digital logic.