Embedded Memory in FPGAs: Recent Research Results
Steven J.E. Wilton
IEEE Pacific Rim Conference on Communications, Computers and Signal Processing, 1999
Abstract
Recent dramatic improvements in integrated circuit fabrication
technology have led to Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) capable of
implementing entire digital systems. Unlike the smaller circuits that have
traditionally been targeted to FPGAs, these large systems often contain
memory. Architectural support for the efficient implementation of memory in
next-generation FPGAs is therefore crucial.
In this paper, we will describe recent research into FPGA memory
architectures. We seek to uncover not only the best architecture for the
memory arrays themselves, but the best architecture for their
interconnection, and the interconnection of the memory architecture to the
rest of the FPGA. We also show how memory arrays that are not used to
implement storage can be used to implement the logic parts of circuits very
efficiently. Many of the early research results have already been used in
commercial FPGAs; others are likely to be used in the future.
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