FPGA embedded processors

Due to resources in current devices it is possible to implement so called soft processors using the FPGA's general-purpose logic. The main advantage of embedded processor is:

1) Customization

The designer of an FPGA embedded processor system has complete flexibility to select any combination of
peripherals and controllers. In fact, the designer can invent new, unique peripherals that can be connected
directly to the processor's bus. If a designer has a non-standard requirement for a peripheral set, this can be
met easily with an FPGA embedded processor system.

2) Obsolescence mitigation

FPGA soft-processors are an excellent solution for products which require lifespan that is much longer than the lifespan of a standard electronics product.

3) Component and cost reduction

With the versatility of the FPGA, previous systems that required multiple components can be replaced with
a single FPGA. Certainly this is the case when an auxiliary I/O chip or a co-processor is required next to an
off-the-shelf processor.

4) Hardware acceleration

On of the most compelling reason to choose an FPGA embedded processor is the ability to make
tradeoffs between hardware and software to maximize efficiency and performance. If an algorithm is
identified as a software bottleneck, a custom co-processing engine can be designed in the FPGA specifically
for that algorithm.

Hardware accelerators

FPGAs allow to create higly paralleled accelerators which can significantly increase the speed of execution of complex operations (DSP, image and video processig).
Those co-processors can be attached to the FPGA embedded processor or user logic through special,
low-latency channels, and custom instructions can be defined to exercise the co-processor. With modern
FPGA hardware design tools, transitioning software bottlenecks from software to hardware is much easier
since the software C code can be readily adapted into hardware with only minor changes to the C code. We offer support in translating and adapting C code to HDL netlist.

Graphic solutions

We offer solutions for embedded graphics. Our current products are easily adapted to client's requirements.
Main features:
- simple interface for bidirectional communication (can be connected to any host controller),
- wide range of supported resolutions (800x600, 1024x768,1280x1024 - even 1920x1080)-possiblity of adapting the design to custom resolutions,
- embedded memory controller,
- double buffering,
- independent multi layers,
- translucency,
- hardware cursor,
- embedded fonts,
- simple API.

Cryptography

Nowadays many designs require to send/receive data in secured way. To encrypt/decrypt in real-time data fast and reliable products are needed. We offer AES based encryption/decryption solutions adjusted to particular needs.

LAVA 10

Lava 10 is the complete graphic controller solution based on Xilinx Spartan 3 (XC3S200), ready to use with an external host controller. It has own SDRAM memory. Evaluation board also available. For more info.