Reconfigurable Computing: Accelerating Computation with Field-Programmable Gate Arrays

This volume is unique: the first comprehensive exposition of the exciting new field of Reconfigurable Computing with FPGAs. By mapping algorithms directly into programmable logic, FPGA accelerators offer and deliver 10X-100X performance increases over microprocessors for a large range of application domains. Reconfigurable computing is found in virtually every computing milieu, from satellites to supercomputers. By loading new hardware circuits onto the FPGA, or even modifying parts of the circuit during operation, reconfigurable computers achieve performance rivaling application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), yet are built from commodity parts.The authors are among the originators of Reconfigurable Computing and are recognized leaders in the field. Drawing on their deep familiarity with RC, they survey every aspect of the field, from FPGA device architecture, reconfigurable systems architectures, programming languages and compilation tools to the application domains of signal processing, image processing, network security, bioinformatics, and supercomputing. Although citations to original sources are abundant, nevertheless, the book is accessible to the science and technology practitioner and student.