Migration from microcontroller to FPGA based SoPC design: Case study: LMS adaptive filter design on Xilinx Zynq FPGA with embedded ARM controller

Abstract

Embedded Systems Design primarily focuses on three hardware platforms namely Microcontroller, Digital Signal Processor and Field Programmable Gate Array. The competency gained in Microcontroller based design can be utilized in control structures design predominantly implemented as sequential structure for example state machines. FPGA applications usually require a combination of parallel and sequential operations, with data flow being predominantly parallel and control structures predominantly sequential. However, complex control structures if implemented as a state machine can become unwieldy, increasing the verification time and making modifications later in the development cycle more difficult. Embedded processor in FPGA come in very handy in implementing sequential instruction based processing similar to Microcontroller based design. System design On Programmable Chip (SoPC) is an easy migration path from microcontroller based systems design to FPGA based embedded system design. FPGA-based SoPC approach is easier, faster, and more economical in low to medium quantity production. The paper envisages the design around SoPC using Xilinx Zynq FPGA platform having Dual ARM cortex Microcontroller to design and develop a multi order LMS adaptive filter for Echo cancellation application as a case study.