Book Image

Architecting High-Performance Embedded Systems

By : Jim Ledin
4 (1)
Book Image

Architecting High-Performance Embedded Systems

4 (1)
By: Jim Ledin

Overview of this book

Modern digital devices used in homes, cars, and wearables contain highly sophisticated computing capabilities composed of embedded systems that generate, receive, and process digital data streams at rates up to multiple gigabits per second. This book will show you how to use Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) and high-speed digital circuit design to create your own cutting-edge digital systems. Architecting High-Performance Embedded Systems takes you through the fundamental concepts of embedded systems, including real-time operation and the Internet of Things (IoT), and the architecture and capabilities of the latest generation of FPGAs. Using powerful free tools for FPGA design and electronic circuit design, you’ll learn how to design, build, test, and debug high-performance FPGA-based IoT devices. The book will also help you get up to speed with embedded system design, circuit design, hardware construction, firmware development, and debugging to produce a high-performance embedded device – a network-based digital oscilloscope. You’ll explore techniques such as designing four-layer printed circuit boards with high-speed differential signal pairs and assembling the board using surface-mount components. By the end of the book, you’ll have a solid understanding of the concepts underlying embedded systems and FPGAs and will be able to design and construct your own sophisticated digital devices.
Table of Contents (15 chapters)
1
Section 1: Fundamentals of High-Performance Embedded Systems
5
Section 2: Designing and Constructing High-Performance Embedded Systems
10
Section 3: Implementing and Testing Real-Time Firmware

Adapting the circuit in case of problems

In Chapter 7, Building High-Performance Digital Circuits, we discussed various techniques for repairing problems resulting from improper assembly of the circuit board. The base assumption behind those procedures was that the circuit design was correct, and that any issues that arose were related to the assembly process.

You may reach a point where you identify one or more problems with the design of the circuit itself during testing. Once a design problem has been identified, it might be straightforward to revisit the circuit schematic and make the necessary corrections. The immediate problem, though, is that the PCB you are working with cannot be fixed as easily. Ordering a revised board will cost money and take time. It may be helpful to explore the possibility of modifying the PCB in order to implement immediate design changes.

Depending on the specific problem, it may be possible to make some modifications to the circuit board that...