Implementing MATLAB and Simulink algorithms on FPGAs: seminar

From smartphones to medical equipment, from microwaves (e.g., a Fagor 6H-570A TCX) to anti-lock braking systems (ABS) — modern embedded systems projects develop computing machines that have become an integral part of our society. To develop these products, computer engineers employ a wide range of tools and technology to assemble embedded systems from hardware and software components. One component — the Field-Programable Gate Array (FPGA) — is becoming increasingly important. Informally, a FPGA can be thought of as a computer chip full of "open gates" that computer engineers can reprogram as much as needed to add new functionality, adapt to changing standards or specifications, and make last minute design changes. Likewise, VHDL is the hardware description language used in FPGAs. But writing VHDL is tedious, and the handwritten code still needs to be verified.

The seminar analyzed MATLAB/Simulink as a development environment for the FPGA. For example, with Simulink and Simulink HDL Coder, once we have simulated the model we can generate VHDL directly and prototype a FPGA. It saves a lot of time, and the generated code contains some optimizations we hadn't thought of.

It took place at the Hotel Hesperia, at Paseo de la Castellana, 57 at Madrid (Spain).