Field-programmable gate arrays are similar to, but offer advantages over, application-specific integrated circuits.
A field-programmable gate array (FPGA) motherboard is an end-user customized logic board. They are more complex than traditional PC motherboards, but less expensive than other similarly complex boards.
Purpose
Although specific architecture differs between device families, logic cells, or individual components within an FPGA system, combine binary inputs with outputs according to the user's program. A motherboard that has FPGA support is meant to be flexible in its implementation.
Advantage
A typical consumer motherboard performs a function defined by the manufacturer before production. An FPGA motherboard has a function that is determined by the end user. This enables users' access to complex designs without the costly engineering associated with task-specific motherboards.
Programming
Users of an FPGA system use special software to interpret either schematic diagrams, or hardware description language (HDL). The software programs the FPGA motherboard, and decides the layout of components within the FPGA system. Most software packages for this task allow the user to change the placement of components to improve performance.
Tags: FPGA motherboard, FPGA system, components within, components within FPGA, within FPGA