The embedded FPGA is not new, but only recently has it started becoming a mainstream solution for designing chips, SoCs, and MCUs. A key driver is today's high-mask costs of advanced ICs. For a chip company designing in high nodes, a change in RTL could cost millions of dollars and set the design schedule back by months. Another driver is constantly changing standards. The embedded FPGA is so compelling because it provides designers with the flexibility to update RTL at any time after fabrication, even in-system. Chip designers, management, and even the CFO like it. Given these benefits, the embedded FPGA is here to stay. However, like any technology, it will evolve to become better and more widespread. Looking back to the 1990s when ARM and others offered embedded processor IP, the technology evolved to where embedded processors appear widely on most logic chips today. This same trend will happen with embedded FPGAs. Continue Reading
Vesper recently launched the VM1010, which is the first wake-on-sound MEMS microphone that consumes nearly zero power. It allows consumers to voice-activate battery-powered smart speakers, smart earbuds and TV remotes without draining the battery. The inaugural member of Vesper's ZeroPower ... Continue reading →...»
During the annual Computex 2017 event, Intel unveiled its new Intel Core X-series processor family with 4 to 18 cores, which now includes the new Intel Core i9 Extreme Edition processor, the first consumer desktop CPU with 18 cores and ... Continue reading →...»
Vishay Precision Group's Micro-Measurements brand recently introduced the S5060 Series of transducer class multi-grid advanced strain sensors. Designed for accurate, cost-effective multi-axis force, torque/axial and torsional load measurements, the Series is well suited for a wide variety of applications, including robotics, factory ... Continue reading →...»
For the last 30 years, C has been my programming language of choice. As you probably know, C was invented in the early 1970s by Dennis M. Ritchie for the first UNIX kernel and ran on a DEC PDP-11 computer. I ... Continue reading →...»
Going back to the basics is never a bad idea. Many electronics engineers are fluent with complex systems-such as microcontrollers, embedded OSes, or FPGAs-but seem to have more difficulties with single transistors. What a shame! A transistor can be a ... Continue reading →...»
Q&A: Outside-the-Box Engineering | RPi-Based Monitor | JEADI ARM Pt. 3 | Automatic Control Pt. 2 | Hybrid Cooling 101 | Power Analysis Attacks | Vintage Programming Languages | LoRa Wireless Communication | The Future of Embedded FPGAs | And More
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KCK Media Corp. serves the international embedded design community with its products and services. As a reliable content provider for professional engineers and programmers, KCK Media Corp. publishes Circuit Cellar magazine, engineering/programming-related books, a website, and a newsletter. KCK Media Corp. also manages international design challenges relating to embedded design and programming.
