Conclusion and Future Lines of Research

Abstract

The main focus of this book has been the exploration and optimization of tree-based and mesh-based FPGA architectures. The study’s purpose has been to find the ways to improve the overall efficiency of FPGA architecture with or without compromising their principle advantages. In this regard two distinct FPGA architectures have been under consideration: one is the island-style while the other is hierarchical. Mesh-based (island-style) architecture is a known, well explored and thoroughly investigated architecture. Tree-based (hierarchical) architecture, despite its good performance, is relatively less explored FPGA architecture. The two architectures have a lot in common in terms of basic logic and routing resources. However, the global arrangement of logic and routing resources and the detailed interconnect topologies of their switch blocks make them the two distinct architectures.