FPGA architectural research: a survey

A recent article by S. Brown and J. Rose (see ibid., vol.13, no.2, p.42-57, 1996) summarized the classes of field programmable devices currently available and described many of the most important commercial devices. We describe current research studies, evaluating the enhancements to FPGA architecture each recommends and how these architectures affect the two most important metrics: total chip area and speed performance. We also note examples of commercial products possessing features consistent with the recommendations of the research studies.