29-07-2022, 09:01 PM
(This post was last modified: 29-07-2022, 09:02 PM by Mike Watterson.)
Probably now something does it with the FPGA translated to an ASIC with 8 or 16 pins and 1/1000th or less power consumption. FPGAs are for prototyping and low volume. The designs can be automatically converted to a cheap, small package, small chip at low power. An FPGA has the wiring diagram in RAM tables and much of the logic in RAM tables. Some dedicated I/O and multipliers. An FPGA is expensive and takes a lot of power because it totally general purpose.
Over 10 years ago people were doing SVGA graphics from an FPGA using resistors as the DAC for each of the R G B. One wonders what is in the €15 approx magic boxes for component to HDMI or composite to HDMI and vice versa. Certainly not FPGAs at the power consumption and price? Probably prototyped on them.
The snag with cheap ASIC from FPGA prototype is that the setup cost might be $500,000! Then 50c each for the chips if you buy enough!
A €15 Dealz (Poundland) radio is using a dedicated ASIC ( probably prototyped in DSP on an FPGA). No tuned circuits at all. Whip via capacitor for VHF and SW. One pin for ferrite rod. A polymer pot "tunes" it. Works better than a cheap superhet.
Over 10 years ago people were doing SVGA graphics from an FPGA using resistors as the DAC for each of the R G B. One wonders what is in the €15 approx magic boxes for component to HDMI or composite to HDMI and vice versa. Certainly not FPGAs at the power consumption and price? Probably prototyped on them.
The snag with cheap ASIC from FPGA prototype is that the setup cost might be $500,000! Then 50c each for the chips if you buy enough!
A €15 Dealz (Poundland) radio is using a dedicated ASIC ( probably prototyped in DSP on an FPGA). No tuned circuits at all. Whip via capacitor for VHF and SW. One pin for ferrite rod. A polymer pot "tunes" it. Works better than a cheap superhet.
