Signal Processing and Communications

Xilinx and The MathWorks

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Xilinx's Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) have been used in DSP applications since the early 1990s. Today, many DSP/FPGA designers use Xilinx FPGAs for challenging high-performance applications such as software defined radio, fixed wireless (LMDS/MMDS), QAM demodulation, high speed instrumentation, military/aerospace and so on. Such has the success been of Xilinx FPGAs for high performance DSP applications that, as an example, practically every 3G base station today is using Xilinx FPGAs in some way for DSP.

Whilst DSP processors still represent the mainstream, FPGAs are increasingly being used for applications with sample rates above 1MSPS where DSP processors typically start to run out of steam. Xilinx's FPGAs can support real-time processing rates up to 300 MSPS.

XtremeDSP Initiative
DSP Algorithms/IP Cores
Industry Leading FPGAs for DSP
State-of-the-art DSP Software Flow
DSP Hardware Development Boards
DSP Global Services

XtremeDSP Initiative

XtremeDSP initiative comprises a number of aspects that come together to build the most comprehensive solution for high-performance DSP using FPGAs, available in the industry. An in depth understanding can be gained by visiting: www.xilinx.com/dsp It's a great site to bookmark!

Below you will find a summary of some of the key aspects of the Xilinx XtremeDSP portfolio

XtremeDSP Algorithms/Cores

Many algorithms can be implemented onto Xilinx FPGAs using pre-verified soft DSP cores that can be implemented anywhere on the FPGA fabric. Xilinx has a comprehensive list of algorithms/cores that can be used for DSP, communications and video/imaging. Some categories include:

• Filters (FIR, DA FIR, CIC etc.)
• FFTs (16 -1024 point)
• Error Correction cores - (Reed Solomon, Viterbi, Turbo convolutional encoders/decoders etc)
• Math Functions (add, subtract, multiply, sine/cosine etc.)
• Basic DSP Building blocks - (SRL16, counters, LFSRs, etc)
• Advanced DSP blocks (DDC etc)
• State Machines (Mealy/Moore)

For a complete list of cores, please visit www.xilinx.com/dsp and click "Algorithms/Cores"

Industry's Leading FPGAs for DSP

As the industry leader in FPGAs, Xilinx FPGAs are widely used for high performance DSP applications. Virtex-II Platform FPGAs were launched in early 2001 and have rapidly become the premier platform for high performance DSP applications. In fact the product was voted "Best Product of the Year" in 2001 by Electronic Product Magazine.

For a complete list of FPGAs for DSP, please visit www.xilinx.com/dsp and click "Silicon".

Platform for Programmable Systems including: Integrated PowerPCsTM, 3.125Gbps serial I/Os & high performance DSP, such as 556, 18x18 embedded multipliers (300 Mhz)

Low Cost/High Value FPGAs - Suited for lower cost, yet MAC intensive DSP applications

State-of-the-art DSP Software

The Xilinx System Generator for DSP bridges the gap between the high-level abstract version of a design and its actual implementation in a Xilinx FPGA. The System Generator for DSP developed in partnership with The MathWorks, Inc. enables designers to develop high-performance DSP systems for Xilinx FPGAs using the popular MATLAB/Simulink products from The MathWorks. New capabilities include HDL Co-Simulation, Hardware in the loop (HIL), and the ability to estimate FPGA resources from within Simulink.

For more information on system generator or to download a copy for evaluation, please visit: http://www.xilinx.com/ise/optional_prod/system_generator.htm

Simulink +System Generator for DSP is only part of the tool suite to enable designers to develop high performance DSP designs using FPGAs. The other part includes the industry's best ISE FPGA implementation software suite for synthesizing VHDL that is output by System Generator and then doing place and route on the FPGA. (Note users can also use third party tools from Mentor Graphics or Synplicity to perform HDL synthesis)

For more information on Xilinx FPGA Implementation Software, please visit: www.xilinx.com/ise

XtremeDSP Hardware Development Boards

As part of the XtremeDSP Initiative, Xilinx has partnered with numerous OEMs to provide a variety of prototyping and development platforms. This approach complements the extensive FPGA, Software, and IP offerings by speeding up system design. Additionally, hardware designers can verify design functionality quickly and effectively thus easing time to market constraints.

DSP development boards from Xilinx are available in three main catagories:

• General purpose
• Software Defined Radio (SDR)
• Video/Imaging

For more information on system generator or to download a copy for evaluation, please visit: http://www.xilinx.com/xlnx/xebiz/designResources/ip_product_details.jsp?key=dr_dt_system_generator

XtremeDSP Global Services

Xilinx also offers a number of global services as part of its DSP solution. These include:

Customer Training
Xilinx, in conjunction with MathWorks has embarked upon an initiative to train DSP designers, FPGA designers and system architects on how to effectively implement high-performance DSP systems onto industry leading FPGAs. The two companies launched a joint training program in January 2002 that spans multiple locations worldwide. Classes include the following:

1. Simulink for Signal Processing (from The MathWorks)
2. DSP Design Flow for FPGAs - A Hands on Approach (from Xilinx)
3. (Advanced) DSP Implemention Techniques (from Xilinx)

For more information on Xilinx DSP Customer Training Classes visit: http://www.xilinx.com/support/training/courses.htm

XtremeDSP Design Services

Xilinx offers customers a number of DSP design services for conducting turn-key DSP designs on FPGAs. Design services include consulting on system architectures, IP development, design conversions from ASICs/other FPGAs into Xilinx FPGAs, embedded system software development and customized solution development.

For more information on Xilinx DSP Design Services visit: www.xilinx.com/dsp and click "Design Services".

XtremeDSP Field Specialists and XPERTS partners

Having led the industry in the field of high-performance DSP FPGAs for some time, Xilinx has developed a wealth of design expertise which is available to customers through dedicated DSP specialists in the field and DSP XPERTs partners. To find out where the nearest DSP specialist is to you, please contact your local Xilinx sales office by visiting: http://www.xilinx.com/company/sales/offices.htm

Xilinx^TM, Virtex^TM Virtex-II Pro^TM , Spartan-IIE^TM , System Generator^TM for DSP are all registered trademarks for Xilinx. The PowerPC logo and PowerPC Architecture are trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation.