Micros/FPGA

The brains of an embedded system are typically the microprocessors (μP), microcontrollers (μC), or digital signal processors (DSP). Embedded designs are becoming increasingly more distributed, requiring a corresponding increase in the number of μP and μC in the design chartered to do individualized tasks. The growing number of processing elements further increases the number of communication paths in the design, adding to system complexity.

Other types of processing devices are application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC) and field programmable gate arrays (FPGA). These devices are used for tasks ranging from consolidating functionality in a system, to tasks requiring specialized computing power. One significant benefit of the FPGA is their reprogrammable capability, which can significantly decrease design times. With design improvements, FPGAs are increasing in performance and decreasing in cost.

Advances in design tools allow for higher levels of abstraction, quicker synthesis of complex designs and complete place and route cycles to be performed in less time. As designs grow in sophistication and complexity, similar advances must occur in debugging and verification tools and techniques.

Application Information

Embedded Systems: Test & Measurement Challenges Primer
In this primer, we look at the various elements of embedded systems in detail, and describe some of the challenges that arise in their implementation: challenges that are being addressed by a new generation of test & measurement tools.

Simplifying Xilinx and Altera Debug
This application note focuses on the issues and techniques that can help you become more efficient when debugging your FPGA systems.

Select the Correct Debug Methodology for Your Altera FPGA Design
Tektronix, First Silicon Solutions (FS2), and Altera have teamed up to provide a robust solution to enable quick identification and troubleshooting of even the most difficult bugs. This application note discusses how to select the correct debug methodology for your Altera FPGA design.

Solutions to Embedded System Design Challenges
In this tutorial, we will examine ways to improve productivity in embedded system validation and debug.

Breakthrough Solutions for the Latest Automotive Designs
This document describes a new generation of Tektronix test and measurement instruments and software that has been designed to help automotive engineers deal with embedded systems measurement challenges.

First Silicon Solutions FPGAView Datasheet
FPGAView allows design engineers to quickly and easily measure signals inside their Altera FPGA design and select which group of internal signals to probe without having to recompile their design.

View More Application Information »

Tektronix documents require the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.