Synthesizable code

Definition

Synthesizable code refers to a subset of hardware description language (HDL) code that can be transformed into a physical electronic circuit through synthesis tools. This code is designed to describe the desired hardware behavior in a way that can be mapped to the resources available on devices like FPGAs, ensuring that it adheres to the limitations and capabilities of actual hardware implementations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Synthesizable code must follow strict syntax and semantics defined by HDLs like VHDL or Verilog to ensure compatibility with synthesis tools.
2. Not all constructs in HDLs are synthesizable; for example, certain high-level programming constructs may not have a direct hardware counterpart.
3. The effectiveness of synthesizable code can significantly impact the performance, area, and power consumption of the resulting hardware implementation.
4. Using synthesizable code allows for rapid prototyping and testing of hardware designs, especially in environments using FPGAs.
5. Designers must consider timing constraints and resource limitations when writing synthesizable code to ensure successful implementation on target hardware.

Review Questions

• How does synthesizable code differ from non-synthesizable code in terms of its application in hardware design?
  • Synthesizable code is specifically written to be transformed into physical hardware using synthesis tools, while non-synthesizable code includes constructs that cannot be directly translated into hardware components. This means that only synthesizable code can be used for implementing designs on devices like FPGAs. Designers must carefully choose their coding practices to ensure that their HDL descriptions can be synthesized effectively.
• Discuss the importance of adhering to the constraints of synthesizable code when designing for FPGAs.
  • Adhering to the constraints of synthesizable code is crucial when designing for FPGAs because it ensures that the resulting design can be efficiently implemented within the device's resource limitations. Designers need to avoid using high-level constructs that aren't compatible with synthesis tools to prevent synthesis errors or inefficient designs. This consideration directly affects performance, area utilization, and power consumption, making it essential for successful FPGA applications.
• Evaluate how advancements in synthesis tools have impacted the development and use of synthesizable code in modern electronic design.
  • Advancements in synthesis tools have significantly enhanced the development and use of synthesizable code by providing better optimization algorithms and more sophisticated error-checking features. These improvements allow designers to write more complex HDL descriptions while ensuring efficient mapping to hardware resources. Consequently, this leads to faster design cycles, enabling rapid prototyping and innovation in electronic systems. As synthesis tools become more capable, the flexibility and efficiency of synthesizable code continue to evolve, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in reconfigurable computing.

Related terms

Hardware Description Language (HDL): A specialized programming language used to describe the structure and behavior of electronic circuits.

Synthesis: The process of converting synthesizable HDL code into a netlist, which represents the physical components and their connections in an electronic circuit.

FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array): A type of integrated circuit that can be configured by the user after manufacturing, allowing for customizable hardware implementations based on synthesizable code.