FPGA-based embedded system design

Since the latest IC technology supports the integration of soft or hard CPU cores with dedicated logic on a single silicon chip, it leads FPGA into embedded system design and arouses the innovation of design methodology. In this paper, a general introduction of embedded system and the FPGA-based SOPC development are discussed. The FPGA-based embedded system can contain microprocessor IP cores and support embedded operating system. The mixed design flow is illustrated and a data transmitting/receiving converter between serial port and network interface is taken as a design example.