Hardware and software development and integration in an FPGA embedded processor based control system module for the ALS

The emergence of field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) with embedded processors and significant progress in their development tools have contributed to the realization of system-on-a-chip networked front-end systems [1]. Embedded processors are capable of running full-fledged real-time operating systems (RTOSs) and serving channels via Ethernet while high speed hardware functions, such as digital signal processing and high performance interfaces, run simultaneously in the FPGA logic [2]. Despite significant advantages of the system-on-a-chip implementation, engineers have shied away from designing such systems due to the perceived daunting task of integrating software to run a RTOS with custom hardware. However, advances in embedded development tools considerably reduce the effort required for software/hardware integration. This paper will describe the implementation and integration of software and hardware in an FPGA embedded processor system as illustrated by the design of a new control system module for the advanced light source (ALS) at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL).