## FPGA vs Micro Controllers

It all starts in undergraduate studies. You are introduced Java or C++. You are using these programming languages on a high performance general purpose processor. The first few programs you write are performing basic arithmetic which isn’t computationally demanding. Next, you enter your senior year or your first job where you are interested in developing embedded applications. Now you have to do is decide what processing platform you want to use. (more…)

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## Begin Learning VHDL Projects

So you’re ready to start learning VHDL but you don’t know where to start. Just getting files to compile for the first time is a good step. After that, writing code that compiles and performs as expected is a good check to ensure you can change code meaning you development environment is setup correctly. (more…)

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## HDL Design Process

The HDL design process is imperative to have when designing a complex system. When you are first starting out a HDL design process may seem to be too cumbersome when trying to get a counter to work. But when you are moving data from an ADC clock domain to a faster signal processing clock domain, performing signal processing techniques, and switching clock domains again to send the data off to its destination a HDL design process is imperative to ensure proper operation of the system. It’s good practice to follow the HDL design process laid out here to ensure your ability to handle large and complex systems. (more…)

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The Euclidean Distance between two points, $$(x_1,y_1)$$ and $$(x_2,y_2)$$, is $$\sqrt{(x_1-x_2)^2 + (y_1-y_2)^2}$$. This classic equation extends to 3-dimensions as well, $$\sqrt{(x_1-x_2)^2 + (y_1-y_2)^2+(z_1-z_2)^2}$$. There are many applications for the Euclidean distance equation. Anything from collision detection in video games to space travel, to even machine learning algorithms (see blog post K-Means Clustering Post). (more…)