Reconfigurable Logic

Reconfigurable logic devices are digital circuits whose functionality can be defined by programming logical equations and instantiating generic elements using high-level languages ​​such as VHDL and Verilog, which define the active internal connections within the device. These types of circuits, and especially the FPGAs, are used today in digital systems to perform an immense variety of functions, replacing other more specific circuits such as logic gates, registers, memories, multiplexers, processors, etc.

In the instrumentation that we develop in the Division, FPGAs are a critical element since they adapt perfectly to the needs of our systems, allowing to manage a large number of high-speed digital signals in a parallel and flexible way. They also allow the capture, storage, processing and transmission of high performance data.

We mainly work with Xilinx devices, although we also have experience in devices from other manufacturers such as Altera or ACTEL / Microsemi. As for Xilinx devices, we use everything from low-cost families, such as Spartan, to the most powerful devices of the Virtex family, as well as SOC ZYNQ circuits. We adapt to the technological evolution to use at all times the most appropriate devices in terms of processing power / price ratio, taking into account the future needs of the experiment.

To carry out the developments with Xilinx we use the programming and simulation environments ISE and Vivado. We also have several development cards that allow us to evaluate the devices before using them in our own hardware designs.