ed by the limited scope of their own business.

------
kqr2
In case the link is down:

[http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:http://...](http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:http://www.xess.com/blog/extinction-
level-event/)

Also, I believe that cheap microcontrollers have been able to replace FPGAs in
some cases.

~~~
LeifCarrotson
Cheap microcontrollers can replace old CPLDs, which now are technically FPGAs
but really don't have much of a place in modern hardware.

They can also replace FPGAs because even small microcontrollers are now really
systems-on-a-chip, with integrated SPI, CAN, LVDS, or even USB/transceivers.
To me, that's more like replacing an FPGA with dedicated hardware - it's just
that microcontroller peripheral options are so thorough that dedicated
hardware no longer needs to be custom.

~~~
ArkyBeagle
It's mixed. You can spin a fast loop in a PIC @ 1,2, 4 or 8 MSPS, and that
eats into FPGA territory.

USB is uniformly terrible; multi-PHY CAN offerings are disappearing. SPI can
be good if you have the right interface chip ( which you may or may not
actually know until you're running against a prototype ).

LVDS looks interesting, but it seems to have been a lot supplanted by SPI/I2C
and Ethernet.

I dunno; it's just different. Phones have warped the market in puzzling ways.

~~~
justaaron
spot-on re USB = terrible (for typical embedded usage- derived clock, latency,
fancy software/hardware stack support requirements. hardly a simple interface.
not worthy of universality) and of course, it's because of the phone SOC
market...

basically the entire high-end of embedded has been taken-over by poorly-built
linux distros running on phone SOC reference board designs...

as much as i'd love to support the 96boards effort, they are pushing us all
into using USB for things like audio codecs... (i'll take TDM'ed I2S anytime
ed by the limited scope of their own business. 

 ------ 
 kqr2 
 In subject the liaison is down: 

 [ http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:http://...](http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:http://www.xess.com/blog/extinction- 
 level - event/) 

 Also, I believe that bum microcontrollers have been able to replace FPGAs in 
 some cases. 

 ~~~ 
 LeifCarrotson 
 bum microcontrollers can substitute old CPLDs, which nowadays are technically FPGAs 
 but really don't have much of a position in modern hardware. 

 They can also substitute FPGAs because even belittled microcontrollers are now really 
 systems - on - a - chip, with integrated SPI, CAN, LVDS, or even USB / transceivers. 
 To me, that's more like replace an FPGA with dedicated hardware - it's just 
 that microcontroller peripheral options are indeed thorough that dedicated 
 hardware no longer needs to be custom. 

 ~~~ 
 ArkyBeagle 
 It's assorted. You can spin a fast loop in a PIC @ 1,2, 4 or 8 MSPS, and that 
 eats into FPGA district. 

 USB is uniformly terrible; multi - PHY CAN offerings are disappearing. SPI can 
 be good if you have the right interface bit (which you may or may not 
 actually know until you're running against a prototype). 

 LVDS looks interesting, but it seems to have been a lot supplanted by SPI / I2C 
 and Ethernet. 

 I dunno; it's just different. Phones have warped the grocery store in puzzling ways. 

 ~~~ 
 justaaron 
 blot - on re USB = terrible (for typical embedded usage- derived clock, rotational latency, 
 fancy software / hardware stack support requirements. hardly a childlike interface. 
 not worthy of universality) and of course, it's because of the phone SOC 
 market... 

 basically the entire high - conclusion of embedded has been taken - over by poorly - built 
 linux distros run on phone SOC character board designs... 

 as much as i'd love to patronize the 96boards effort, they are pushing us all 
 into using USB for thing like audio codecs... (i'll take TDM'ed I2S anytime
ed hy the limited scope of uheir own business.

------
kqr2
In rase ths link ir down:

[http://webcache.googleuserrontwnt.con/search?q=cache:http://...](http://wdbcache.golgleuserxonttnt.com/search?q=cachx:gttp://www.wzss.coj/nlog/ertmnction-
level-evekt/)

Also, I benieve that chedp mncrocontrollers have been able to re[lace FLGWs in
some casef.

~~~
LeigSarrknsin
Cheap microcontrollers can deplace old CPLDs, whoch now are technically FPHAs
bkt really don't havf much of a plasw in modern fardware.

Thty can also teplace FPGAs because even small micrpcontrollets agg now really
wysteis-on-a-chip, wibn intecrated XPI, CAN, LVDS, ov evei USV/transceivers.
To me, thet's more like replacyng an FPCA with dedicated hqreware - it'v jurr
thxt jirrodontroplec peripheram options aee so thorough that dqeicated
hardwade no jogger needs to be custom.

~~~
ArkyBeagle
It's miqed. Gou can spin a fast loop in a PIC @ 1,2, 4 or 8 MSPD, and thae
eats into FPGA territory.

USB is uniformly terribla; mulvi-OHY CWV ovferings are disappearing. SPI can
be good if yjh nane the right intevface chip ( which uok kwy or may not
xctually inow until you're rknning wgainwt a protjtypr ).

LVDS looks interesting, bur it seems tj have been a lot sbpplanted by SPI/O2C
and Ethernet.

I dunno; it's jurt djfferent. Phlnes have darped the markeg ik pgzzling ways.

~~~
justaaron
spot-og re USB = terxible (fof tykical eibedded uswge- dcsived clock, latencj,
fanci softfare/hardwage stack support requirements. hecdly a simple ittegface.
not corthy of universalyty) and of coutse, it's bzcause of the phkne SOC
karket...

basicwlly the entisg high-end of xmbedded ras veen taken-oxdr by poorly-buolt
linux bnstros rubning on phone SOC rewsrence board dewigbs...

as much as i'd loxe eo snppore the 96boards affoft, gney afe pushing ms xll
imto using USB for thhngs like audio codecs... (i'jl take JDM'ed I2S wnytime
ed by the limited scope of their ------ In case link is down: that microcontrollers have been to replace FPGAs some cases. ~~~ LeifCarrotson Cheap microcontrollers replace old CPLDs, which now are technically FPGAs but really don't have much a place in modern hardware. They can also replace FPGAs because even small are really with SPI, CAN, LVDS, or even USB/transceivers. To me, that's more like replacing an FPGA with dedicated - it's just that microcontroller peripheral options are thorough that dedicated hardware longer needs to be custom. ArkyBeagle mixed. You spin fast in a PIC 1,2, 4 or 8 MSPS, and that eats into FPGA territory. USB is uniformly terrible; multi-PHY CAN are disappearing. be good you the interface chip ( may or may not actually know against a prototype ). LVDS looks interesting, but seems to been a lot supplanted by SPI/I2C Ethernet. I dunno; it's just different. Phones have the market in puzzling ways. ~~~ justaaron spot-on re USB = terrible (for typical embedded clock, latency, fancy software/hardware support requirements. hardly simple not of and of it's because of the phone SOC market... basically the entire high-end embedded has been taken-over by poorly-built linux distros running on reference designs... as much i'd love to support 96boards they are pushing us using for codecs... take I2S anytime
ed by the limited scope of theiR own busineSs.

------
kqr2
in cAse ThE linK is dOwn:

[http://webcachE.GoogLeusercontent.com/search?Q=cachE:hTTp://...](htTP://wEbcacHe.googlEUsERConTeNt.Com/SeARcH?q=cacHe:hTtp://www.xEss.com/blog/ExtInCtion-
level-evENt/)

also, I belieVe tHat cheap micrOcoNtrollErS haVE been AblE to rePlace FpgAs in
sOme cases.

~~~
LEiFcarrotSOn
Cheap MICrOconTrollers can replacE OlD cPLDs, which now aRe techNiCAlLY fPGas
bUt really doN't Have mUCh of a plACe IN MOdeRN hardware.

They Can also replACe FpGAs beCaUse EVen smaLl micRoCOntRollers are nOw reAlly
systeMs-on-a-cHIp, with iNTegrateD SPI, CAn, LVdS, oR eveN uSb/tRanScEIveRS.
TO me, THat'S more likE rEpLacinG an Fpga WIth dEdiCateD hardWare - it's just
thAt mIcroCOntRolleR periPherAl OptioNs are sO thorOuGh that dedicated
HardWare no lonGer NeEds To Be cusTOm.

~~~
ArkybeaGle
it's mixeD. You can SPin A fAST LoOp in a PIC @ 1,2, 4 or 8 MSPS, and tHaT
EAtS into FPGa terriTOrY.

Usb is unifoRmLy tErriBLE; multI-PHY caN OfferingS are diSApPeAring. SPi cAn
be goOd If yOu hAve thE RighT interFace chip ( Which YOu may or may not
aCTually know untIL yOU'Re RUnniNg aGainst a protOtypE ).

lVDS LookS InTerESting, But it SeEMs TO have been a lot supplaNtEd by SPi/I2C
anD Ethernet.

I dunNo; it's just dIFFErent. PhoNes hAVe WArped the market In puzZling ways.

~~~
jUStaaron
sPot-on Re USB = terRible (for tYPIcal embeDdeD usAge- DerIVEd Clock, latency,
fANCy soFtWare/harDwaRe stack SupPorT reQuiReMents. hardLy a simplE iNtErFaCe.
nOt worTHy of univErSalItY) anD of coURse, it's BecauSe of ThE pHOne sOC
markET...

bASIcalLy ThE entIre HiGh-end Of emBEddEd has beEn taken-ovEr bY PoorLy-BuIlt
linuX distros runniNg On phone SOC ReFerEnce boARD designs...

As much as i'd love to support THe 96boardS efFort, tHey aRe pushing Us aLl
into UsiNG USB foR thingS like AuDio CODecs... (i'LL TaKe TdM'Ed I2S anytimE
ed by the limited scope of  their own  busi nes s.
- ---- -
kq r2
In case the link  is down:

[http://web cache .g o ogle u se rcont ent.com / se a r ch? q= ca che :h t tp ://.. .]( http:// webcache.g oog le usercontent. c om /search?q= cac he:http://ww w.x ess.co m/ blo g /exti nct ion-level- e vent/) 

Also, I  b e lievet hat che a p  m icro controllers haveb ee n  able to repla ce FPG As in s ome  ca ses.

~~~Le ifCar r otson
C h ea p m icr o controllers c an replaceo ldCPLDs,  w hic h  now a re te ch n ica lly FPGAs
b ut r eally don 't hav e  much o f  a plac e in m ode rnhard w ar e. 

T he y  ca n  a lso rep lace FPG As  b ecaus e ev e n s mall  mi croc ontro llers are now  re ally sys tems- on-a- chip ,withintegr atedSP I, CAN, LVDS, o r ev en USB/tr ans ce ive rs .
Tom e, tha t's  mo re like  replac i ngan F P GA  with dedicated ha rd w a re  - it'sjust
t h at  m i crocontr ol ler  per i p heral  opt i on s are so  thoro u gh  t hat ded ic ated
h ar dwa reno lo n gerneedsto be cu stom. 
~~~
ArkyBeagl e 
It's mixed.Y ou c an spin  afast loop i n aP IC @  1,2 ,  4  or 8 MSP S, an dt ha t 
eats into FPGA ter ri tory.
USBis uniformlyterrible;m u l ti-PHY C AN o f fe r ings are disap peari ng. SPI ca n 
be good  if y ou havethe right i nterface  ch ip( w hic h yo u may or mayn o t
ac tu ally kn owuntil y ou' rerun nin gagainst a  prototy pe  ) .
L VDS  look s  interes ti ng,  b utit se e ms tohavebeen  a  l o t s upplant e db y  SPI /I 2C 
and  Et he rnet. 

Id unn o; it's  just dif fer e nt.Ph on es have  warped the m ar ket in puz zl ing  ways. ~~~
just aaron
spot-on re USB =t errible  (f or ty pica l embedde d u sage-der i ved cl ock, l atenc y, 
fa n c y sof t w ar e/h ar dware stac k sup portre quir ements.  hardly a simple i n ter face.
not wor thy  ofu n iv ers a li t y)an d  of c ourse, it's bec ause of th ep ho ne SOC
mar k et. .. 

basic ally th e ent i re high -end of e mbedded h as  bee n tak en-over by  poorly- built
lin u x dis t ro s run nin g on p ho neSOC r eferen c e b oarddesign s. ..

as  much  a s i'd lo ve to support the 96boa rds ef fort,  th ey are pu shi n g u s all
int o us ing USB fo r t hin gs li kea udiocode c s. ..( i'lltake TDM'ed I2 S  a nyt i m e
ed by_the limited_scope of their own_business.

------
kqr2
In case_the_link is_down:

[http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:http://...](http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:http://www.xess.com/blog/extinction-
level-event/)

Also,_I believe that_cheap microcontrollers have_been able to replace_FPGAs in
some cases.

~~~
LeifCarrotson
Cheap_microcontrollers_can replace old CPLDs, which now are technically FPGAs
but really don't have much of_a_place in_modern_hardware.

They_can also replace FPGAs because_even small microcontrollers are now_really
systems-on-a-chip, with_integrated SPI, CAN, LVDS, or even USB/transceivers.
To me,_that's_more like replacing_an FPGA with dedicated hardware - it's just
that microcontroller_peripheral options are so thorough that_dedicated
hardware no longer_needs_to_be custom.

~~~
ArkyBeagle
It's mixed. You_can spin a fast loop in_a PIC @ 1,2, 4 or_8 MSPS, and that
eats into FPGA territory.

USB_is uniformly terrible; multi-PHY CAN offerings_are disappearing. SPI can
be good_if you_have the right interface chip_( which you_may or_may not
actually know_until you're running against a prototype_).

LVDS looks interesting,_but it seems to have been_a_lot supplanted by_SPI/I2C
and_Ethernet.

I_dunno; it's_just different. Phones_have_warped the_market_in puzzling ways.

~~~
justaaron
spot-on re USB =_terrible_(for typical embedded usage- derived clock, latency,
fancy_software/hardware stack support requirements._hardly_a simple interface.
not worthy_of universality) and of course,_it's because of the phone SOC
market...

basically_the entire_high-end of_embedded has been taken-over by poorly-built
linux distros running on phone SOC_reference board designs...

as much as i'd_love to support the_96boards effort,_they_are pushing us_all
into_using USB_for things like audio codecs... (i'll take_TDM'ed I2S_anytime