FPGAPALDesign Tools

Abstract

Reconfigurable logic devices such as field programmable logic arrays (FPGAs) or programmable array logics are nowadays introducing a new design paradigm over the possible techniques an electronic or computing designer may choose to make the desired hardware chip running. Thanks to the higher design flexibility and the increasing performances supported by these devices on several aspects such as power, frequency, and dependability, programmable logic devices design tools play a central rule among the computer aided design (CAD) tools available. The basic concept behind this success is the possibility of defining the logic functionality of an electronic circuits without having a direct interface with the silicon layout mask of the chip itself. FPGA CAD tools have an increasing impact on the performances offered by current programmable devices. state‐of‐the‐art CAD tools support both the synthesis of optimized logic functions and the implementation of design referring to the manner in which programmable switches and hard‐wired interconnections are placed between logic functions. In this article survey of the CAD tools for the programmable devices design phases is presented exploring the variety and particularity offered and analyzing the most influcnt results achieved on this area.