Both Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and Central Processing Unit (CPU) play an active role in the development of digital circuits. In this article, you will find out the individual roles they play and the common differences between them. You are also going to find out the common ground the two share.
What is a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)?
An FPGA, according to Xilinx, is a “semiconductor device based around a matrix of Configurable Logic Blocks (CLBs) connected via programmable interconnects.”
The Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) also consists of a set of logic resources/blocks that can either be modified or configured to fit into different applications.
In terms of digital circuit configurations, an FPGA helps to facilitate the real-time configuration of the integral components of the targeted applications/devices, including the reconfiguration of the base architecture.
How does a Central Processing Unit work?
A Central Processing Unit or CPU is the core platform or architecture, upon which the computing or configuration of different devices can be done. Typically, the CPU works by using a base chip that facilitates the execution of a program based on the specific instructions. These set of instructions are either implemented or carried out in the sequential manner of the programming.
Also, using a CPU enables the writing of software for an instruction-based architecture. The instruction would later be distributed throughout the other components of the motherboard (circuit board).
Today, the use of the FPGA and CPU is gaining traction, depending on the targeted applications and the configuration process. Digital circuit designers tend to lean more on the side of FPGA, thereby, triggering the idea that it has more to offer.
Advantages of CPU
Let us look at some of the benefits of using a Central Processing Unit (CPU) to facilitate the development of digital circuits.
General-Purpose
The CPU is what we conventionally call “jack of all trades.” It typically fits into a wide range of use cases, because of the general-purpose design.
Worthy of mention is that the generalized perspective of the designs makes it possible for the digital circuits across different industries to be configured.
In addition to this, it provides ease of programming the circuits and enables digital circuit multitasking.
Ideal for Complex Designs
Central Processing Units (CPUs) are ideal for use when configuring complex digital circuits. The units do not only process these complex logic operations, but also find a footing in the datacenter applications.
Downsides to Using a CPU
Although a Central Processing Unit (CPU) facilitates digital circuit configurations, it still has some areas that need improvements. From high latency to delayed configuration timeframes, the downsides are too many to ignore.
Here are some of the common disadvantages of working with a CPU for your next digital circuit project:
Higher Power Consumption
CPUs consume more power than an FPGA does and that is because of the increased numbers of instruction sets and data stored in the cache.
Low Performance
In terms of computing, the CPU lags behind. This is because of the parallel computing capabilities and serial computing requirements that depend on the CPU cores.
FPGA vs CPU: What is the Difference
There have been series of debates and counter-opinions on the viability of prioritizing an FPGA over a CPU and vice-versa.
Here are some of the major differences between the two.
1. Design Flexibility
We give it up for the Central Processing Unit (CPU), which is flexible enough, in terms of the design. However, it tends to lose the ground to the Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), which comes with the option of porting the completed designs.
Thanks to the FPGA’s unique programming languages (VHDL and Verilog), the completed designs can be ported to other systems for onward configurations.
Another advantage to this is that the design portability also works for CPUs, only if a higher configuration or programming language was used for the initial configuration. The likes of Java and C/C++ are two of the common types of programming languages to use for CPU programming and design porting.
2. Real-Time Design Processing
FPGAs have the upper hand here. The systems are processed in real-time, thanks to the accommodation of several configuration requirements.
One of the reasons why a CPU may be unable to something similar is because it doesn’t always support time critical processing, unlike an FPGA which does.
3. Excessive Power Consumption
This is one of the downsides to working with either the CPU or FPGA for digital circuit configurations. By default, the both can increase the power needs of the motherboard, especially when high-powered system requirements are in use.
However, it is sometimes easier to regulate the excessive power consumption on an FPGA than that of a CPU. The CPU’s takes more time because of the increased numbers of complex logic operations and multiple data storages in the cache.
4. Speed of Execution
It is one thing to configure or program a digital circuit with either the FPGA or CPU. It is another to make sure that the system is up and running in the shortest time possible.
On the one hand, we have an FPGA tending to deploy the solutions faster than a CPU would and because of an obvious reason – the absence of software-based code in the FPGA. Thus, it takes the FGPA less time to deploy the configured system because the codes aren’t there to take all the time in the world.
5. Application Scenarios/Targeted Markets
Both the FPGA and CPU digital circuit solutions are targeted to specific markets or applications. The targeted markets tend to align with the complexity of the solutions and the current needs in those markets.
By design, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) works best for the Big Data, Deep Learning and middle application markets.
CPU digital circuit solutions are best for the datacenter, and PC markets. With the generalized design overview, CPUs can also be used in several other applications or markets.
Conclusion: Making the best of both Worlds
Both the Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and Central Processing Unit (CPU) make digital circuit designs easier, albeit using different methods. Depending on the design you have at hand, you may want to combine the both to get the best results possible.
