FPGA Design for Video Streaming Applications

Executive Summary

Our customer is a privately-held fabless semiconductor company.

The FPGA based SoC consists of Video Buffer, Frame Controller, DMA Controller, SDRAM Controller, USB Interface Controller, I2C Controller and Host Interface. The streaming data input is at 108 MHz, 8-bit at 30 frames per second. The internal architecture of the SoC works at 60MHz 16-bit. The host microcontroller interface works at 25MHz. The video processing board along with the CMOS imaging sensor is interfaced to the personal computer through USB port. The FPGA performs operations like data capture from the imaging sensor, storing the data into the memory and retrieving it back to transfer it to the USB interface.

Our customer decided to outsource FPGA design to a company skilled in design of SoC for video applications, verification and board bring up services. eInfochips engaged with the customer for the development of an FPGA based SoC design targeted at high speed streaming video data transfer application. Owing to a long history of FPGA design services, eInfochips was able to deliver a fully functional and optimal RTL within the stipulated time frame.

The Customer

Our customer is focused on delivering imaging, video and storage solutions for a wide range of applications in the video/broadcast, medical, storage, military and test/measurement markets. Customer uses proprietary algorithms to build flexible, fully programmable signal processing based products.

The Challenge

  • To optimize architecture of the entire system
  • To use the USB power for selection of FPGA device

The Solution

eInfochips offered the following RTL design services:

  • Prepared the architecture, design, test plan and functional coverage goals for various blocks in the chip
  • Developed the design and performed functional and gate level verification with 99% functional coverage
  • Performed synthesis, PAR and timing analysis using Actel Libero IDE 7.0
  • Tested the SoC along with other peripheral components on a dedicated board for a video transfer application

Technology

  • Industry: Video
  • Technology: I2C, BT.656, 8051 interface, Dual Channel DMA, SDRAM controller
  • Device: Actel ProASIC3 A3P600 (75% Usage)
  • Frequency: 70 MHz
  • Languages: Verilog
  • Tools: VerilogXL, NCVerilog, Libero IDE

The Benefit

  • The FPGA was successfully demonstrated to work at full speeds and fully complied with the performance requirements stated by the customer
  • Implemented a high performance video data transfer application for streaming video data with a data rate of 960 mbps