Microcontrollers vs. FPGAs for dummies

rtarbell · 11th November 2006, 01:02 AM

Okay, I don't know much about programming FPGAs, but I have a working knowledge of microcontrollers, and I was curious:

In uC's:
I use MPLab from Microchip (free edition), which has a free assembler in it (C compiler is extra).
I use a ~$40 USB programmer with included software (takes hex file produced by MPLab and burns it to uC).

What kind of software/hardware is required for FPGA programming? Is it feasible for a hobbyist to buy?

I have seen FPGA development boards for sale on the net (usually USB interface with computer, some with LEDs and COM ports and many I/O pin headers), but not many sites explain programming an FPGA chip itself (stand-alone or already inserted into a user-made PCB).

rfbrw · 11th November 2006, 01:29 AM

http://www.fpga4fun.com/links.html

rfbrw · 11th November 2006, 02:16 AM

http://www.engr.sjsu.edu/crabill/

rtarbell · 11th November 2006, 09:24 PM

Thanks for your replies, these links have great tutorials!!

-RT

11th November 2006, 01:02 AM	#1
rtarbell diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2005	Microcontrollers vs. FPGAs for dummies Okay, I don't know much about programming FPGAs, but I have a working knowledge of microcontrollers, and I was curious: In uC's: I use MPLab from Microchip (free edition), which has a free assembler in it (C compiler is extra). I use a ~$40 USB programmer with included software (takes hex file produced by MPLab and burns it to uC). What kind of software/hardware is required for FPGA programming? Is it feasible for a hobbyist to buy? I have seen FPGA development boards for sale on the net (usually USB interface with computer, some with LEDs and COM ports and many I/O pin headers), but not many sites explain programming an FPGA chip itself (stand-alone or already inserted into a user-made PCB).

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11th November 2006, 01:29 AM	#2
rfbrw diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: .	http://www.fpga4fun.com/links.html

11th November 2006, 02:16 AM	#3
rfbrw diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: .	http://www.engr.sjsu.edu/crabill/

11th November 2006, 09:24 PM	#4
rtarbell diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2005	Thanks for your replies, these links have great tutorials!! -RT

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