FPGA Programming with Speedgoat: Real-Time Signal Processing

This lecture covers the implementation of a square function generator using Speedgoat FPGA technology. The instructor demonstrates how to create a Simulink model that generates a tunable square wave signal, allowing adjustments to its period and amplitude. The model also includes real-time monitoring of analog inputs via the PCI bus, facilitating the observation of generated signals. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding fixed-point representation for analog signals, detailing how values are interpreted within the FPGA environment. The instructor explains the use of triggers for signal conversion and the role of memory in storing sampled data. Additionally, the lecture highlights the significance of adaptive pipelining in optimizing the design for FPGA resources. The instructor walks through the HDL Workflow Advisor, showcasing how to generate HDL code from the Simulink model, ensuring compatibility with the FPGA hardware. The session concludes with a demonstration of the synthesis process and the generation of a bitstream for real-time applications, emphasizing practical aspects of FPGA programming.