Languages

Hardware Descriptor languages (HDLs) have been the way of doing design entry for FPGAs and ASICs for 20+ years.  In the hands of an experienced engineer, designs that are reusable, scalable, testable, and maintainable are easy to achieve.  However, engineers who are recent graduates often need additional training beyond the academic training they received at University.

As FPGAs today have more resources, other design methodologies are gaining in popularity.  HLS based tools allow algorithm designers to work in the C/C++ world, and in conjunction with directives, allow trade offs to be made between latency and real estate.

Other design entry methods exist for the systems engineer familiar with Matlab's SimuLink tool.  SystemGenerator allows the system engineer to rapidly prototype and test signal processing algorithms using the familiar simulink interface.  Furthermore, the system engineer can speed up their design verification by utilizing SystemGenerator's Hardware In the Loop (HWIL) feature, allowing cycle by cycle and bit for bit comparisons of SystemGenerator models with an implemented design.

Tcl is a powerful scripting language that allows engineers to automate synthesis, implementation, verification, and even HWIL verification of FPGAs.  For example, nightly regressing tests can be written to discover design defects earlier in the design cycle.

Whether you're interested in learning an HDL, HLS, SystemGenerator, or Vitis, the following training is of great value to get the most performance out of the available FPGA/SoC/ACAP resources.