Embedded FPGAs, or Field Programmable Gate Arrays, are Integrated Circuits (ICs) designed to be configured by the customer or designer after manufacturing—hence the name 'field-programmable'. These versatile components are made of an array of programmable logic blocks and a hierarchy of reconfigurable interconnects, allowing them to perform complex combinational functions. With their reprogrammable nature, FPGAs can be used to impLEMent any logical function that an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) could perform. Main functions include digital signal processing, hardware acceleration, and acting as hardware platforms for prototyping and impLEMenting software-defined functions.
The primary uses of Embedded FPGAs encompass a wide range of applications, from telecommunications to automotive systems, due to their reconfiguration capabilities and high levels of integration. Characteristics such as high performance, flexibility, and the ability to update functionalities post-deployment without hardware changes, make FPGAs ideal for adaptive technologies and rapid prototyping. Several leading manufacturers of Embedded FPGAs include Xilinx, Intel (formerly Altera), Microsemi, and Lattice Semiconductor.