Programming an FPGA-based Super Computer Using a C-to-VHDL Compiler: DIME-C

Since their invention in the 1980s, the logic density of FPGAs has increased exponentially with time. This increase of logic density first led to the development of synthesisable HDLs, and is now leading to the development of high-level languages that target FPGAs (FPGA HLLs). There is now a range of C-to-VHDL compilers, FPGA HLLs that use variant of the ANSI C syntax as their input. These languages have many features in common, as well as distinguishing features. The authors present Nallatech's DIME-C compiler, its features and its novelties. The DIME-C compiler has been used to program a 64-node FPGA supercomputer created as part of the FPHCA project [7]. Using DIME-C to program the supercomputer resulted in significant performance increases (up to 110×) and increased productivity. Some conclusions on design methodology are then drawn.