FPGA-Based Control

FPGA-based control is a hardware design approach that uses Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) to implement real-time control systems, such as motor drives, robotics, or industrial automation. It involves programming the FPGA's configurable logic blocks to execute control algorithms directly in hardware, offering deterministic timing and high-speed parallel processing. This method is particularly suited for applications requiring low-latency, high-throughput, or custom signal processing that software-based controllers cannot achieve.

Also known as: FPGA Control, Field-Programmable Gate Array Control, Hardware-Based Control, FPGA Embedded Control, Reconfigurable Control Systems

Why learn FPGA-Based Control?

Developers should learn FPGA-based control for embedded systems where real-time performance, reliability, and custom hardware acceleration are critical, such as in aerospace, automotive, or medical devices. It is essential when designing systems that must process data at speeds beyond the capabilities of microprocessors or when implementing complex control loops with precise timing constraints. Use cases include motor control in electric vehicles, high-frequency trading algorithms, and real-time image processing in robotics.

Learning Resources

• docs: FPGA-Based Control Systems: A Practical Guide
• course: Introduction to FPGA Design for Embedded Systems
• video: FPGA Motor Control Tutorial
• tutorial: Real-Time Control with FPGAs