The difference between small FPGA and mid-range FPGA

A field programmable gate array (FPGA) is an integrated circuit that can be programmed and reprogrammed by the user after it is manufactured. Unlike a central processing unit that is programmed using a software language, an FPGA is programmed using a parallel hardware language, and its structure is conducive to describing digital electronic features such as logic gates, registers, memory, parallel operations, and I/O functions.

FPGAs consist of a matrix of programmable logic blocks, memory, arithmetic functions, programmable I/Os, and various optimized protocol controllers that can be configured to perform complex digital operations. Most designers use VHSIC Hardware Description Language (VHDL) to describe the functions of FPGAs.

FPGA vendors provide toolsets that compile language descriptions and pre-built IP (intellectual property) blocks into programming files (also called bitstreams) that are loaded into FPGA devices.

The most common metric for comparing FPGA device density is the number of equivalent 4-input look-up tables (LUTs). This metric is also known as logic cells, system logic cells, or logic elements. While the specific implementation of logic in FPGAs varies from vendor to vendor, these metrics are the best way to assess capacity.

There is no universally accepted definition of small FPGAs and mid-range FPGAs in the industry. The number of logic units in small FPGAs is roughly between 5,000 and 100,000, while the number of logic units in mid-range FPGAs is between 100,000 and 500,000.

However, the difference between the two is not only in package size or logic density. Small FPGAs usually focus on I/O expansion, sensor aggregation, and CPU/MCU coprocessor functions. Mid-range FPGAs focus on more complex application processing, covering a wide range of application modes, significantly improving the performance of complex artificial intelligence workloads, and providing the highest level of hardware security required for current and future cybersecurity threats.

In mature and emerging markets such as data centers, networking, industrial control, automotive safety, and infotainment, mid-range FPGAs can deliver faster network speeds and higher processing capabilities while keeping power consumption and cost low.

In its 40-year history of innovation, Lattice has been committed to providing the industry's lowest power small programmable logic devices (PLDs) and FPGAs. When designing FPGA platforms, Lattice strives to achieve the best balance of power consumption, performance and feature sets in the selection of process nodes to meet the needs of the small and medium-sized FPGA market and applications.

The Lattice Nexus platform is designed for small FPGAs. It uses an ultra-low power process based on 28nm FD-SOI technology. At this process node, Lattice offers multiple FPGA families with different functions and densities to serve the small FPGA market. The 28 nm FD-SOI technology provides extremely high energy efficiency for battery-powered devices as well as long-term reliability, including extremely low soft error rates - that is, the FPGA's resistance to high-altitude atmospheric alpha particles, which can destroy the state of storage components in electronic devices.

Lattice Avant, Lattice's mid-range FPGA platform, has a low-power, high-performance architecture that enables complex logic functions, high-speed interfaces, and the best reliability and security in its class, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. The Avant platform uses 16nm FinFET technology, which increases device capacity by 5 times, bandwidth by 10 times, and performance by 30 times compared to Nexus-based devices. Avant FPGAs include a variety of connectivity options, with up to 36 Mb of embedded memory, 1,800 18x18 multiplier blocks, and packages as small as 11 mm x 9 mm.

Avant inherits the advantages of Nexus, while maintaining Lattice's famous low power consumption and small size, while greatly improving throughput and processing capabilities.

The following figure depicts the logic cell capacity of FPGA devices in the Nexus (small) and Avant (medium) platforms.

Choosing the right FPGA is critical to the success of your design. As a leading supplier of low-power, high-reliability, small-size FPGAs, Lattice can provide the appropriate products based on the type of application you are developing:

• General Purpose : Designed to meet a wide range of application needs.

• Embedded Vision: Designed for video bridging and processing.

• Ultra-low power: Designed for power and space constrained applications.

• System Control and Security: Designed for platform management and security .

Lattice also provides a set of intuitive, easy-to-use software design tools and solutions for a variety of market applications such as embedded display processing, artificial intelligence, machine vision, robotics and security.

Visit our product pages to learn more about Nexus, Avant, and all other Lattice FPGAs.