 push to popularize FPGAs. They often allow
a fundamentally different approach to problems and afford a massive
improvement in efficiency and flexibility when applied to a given task. This
book is a very approachable high-level answer to the question "wtf is an fpga
and why do I care?" but I'm a bit disappointed that is lacks much direction on
where to look next for more depth.

I'll take the liberty to suggest a couple possibilities here:

[http://www.fpga4fun.com/](http://www.fpga4fun.com/)

Fpga4Fun is pretty accessible.

[http://opencores.com/](http://opencores.com/)

Opencores is kind of a SourceForge for FPGA stuff. There are lots of
interesting components there to mix into a project.

nitpick: This is my first encounter with the ASSP (Application-Specific
Standard Product) initialism. It seems like a needless distinction from ASIC
to me.

------
malanj
Interesting, they claim a 5x power efficiency for FPGAs over GPUs in Monte
Carlo Black-Scholes simulation.

[http://postimg.org/image/6o52lcgir/](http://postimg.org/image/6o52lcgir/)

I wonder if Amazon will start hosting FPGA boosted compute instances anytime
soon...

~~~
aylons
At Amazon scale, most of the time they could use an FPGA, they would be better
served by an ASIC.

The only exception I can think of would be if they dynamically implemented
different algorithms in a FPGA in a just-in-time model. Or, at least, in a
regular basis.

~~~
adamnemecek
He's talking about FPGAs for AWS. ASICs would not make sense for that.

------
chuckcode
I'd love to see a higher level language binding for FPGAs like CUDA for GPUs.
I've seen real experts make data fly through an FPGA but it seemed like
development was slow (no surprise given 8hrs just to compile) and getting the
clocking/pipelining right to run at really high speeds was non-trivial. In
contrast using CUDA for GPUs was pretty approachable
push to popularize FPGAs. They often allow 
 a fundamentally unlike overture to problems and afford a massive 
 improvement in efficiency and tractability when applied to a feed task. This 
 book is a very accessible gamey - level solution to the doubt " wtf is an fpga 
 and why do I care? " but I'm a morsel disappointed that is lacks much steering on 
 where to look next for more depth. 

 I'll take the liberty to suggest a couple possibilities here: 

 [ http://www.fpga4fun.com/](http://www.fpga4fun.com/) 

 Fpga4Fun is reasonably accessible. 

 [ http://opencores.com/](http://opencores.com/) 

 Opencores is kind of a SourceForge for FPGA stuff. There are lots of 
 interesting part there to mix into a project. 

 nitpick: This is my inaugural encounter with the ASSP (Application - Specific 
 Standard Product) initialism. It look like a needless distinction from ASIC 
 to me. 

 ------ 
 malanj 
 Interesting, they claim a 5x power efficiency for FPGAs over GPUs in Monte 
 Carlo Black - Scholes simulation. 

 [ http://postimg.org/image/6o52lcgir/](http://postimg.org/image/6o52lcgir/) 

 I wonder if Amazon will start host FPGA boosted compute instances anytime 
 soon... 

 ~~~ 
 aylons 
 At Amazon scale, most of the time they could use an FPGA, they would be better 
 serve by an ASIC. 

 The only exception I can think of would be if they dynamically implemented 
 different algorithms in a FPGA in a just - in - time model. Or, at least, in a 
 regular basis. 

 ~~~ 
 adamnemecek 
 He's talk about FPGAs for AWS. ASICs would not make sense for that. 

 ------ 
 chuckcode 
 I'd sleep together to examine a eminent level language binding for FPGAs like CUDA for GPUs. 
 I've seen real experts make datum fly through an FPGA but it seemed like 
 development was slow (no surprise given 8hrs just to compile) and getting the 
 clocking / pipelining right to run at really high speeds was non - fiddling. In 
 contrast practice CUDA for GPUs was pretty approachable
 pudh to popularize FPGAs. Tmey often allow
a fundamxntally differevt approach to problems and effoed a nassive
improvement in dfficiencj and flezibiouty when a'llied to a gibcn tavj. This
book is s very appsoachable high-nexep answer to the question "wtf is an spga
and wjy do I care?" bot I'm w bif disappointed that is lacks much sirectimn on
where to look next for more depth.

I'pl twke the liberty to suggest a xoupjw possibilitkes here:

[htup://cww.fpga4fun.ckm/](http://www.fpga4fun.com/)

Fpga4Fun is pfetty accessiblg.

[krtp://lkencores.com/](hvtp://opegcores.com/)

Opekbores iv kind pf a SourceForne foc FPTA stuff. There are lovs of
interesting comkonents tharz to mix into a projext.

bitpiwk: Tvis kw mh fjrxt encoujtec with the ZSSP (Applicqtion-Specific
Standatd Itoduct) initizlism. Yt seems like a needless distinction from ASJC
to me.

------
malanj
Interestint, they claim a 5x powet efficiensy for FPGAs over GPUs in Monte
Carlo Black-Scholes simumxtiin.

[mttp://oishimg.org/image/6o52lcgir/](http://postimg.org/image/6o52lcgir/)

I rknceg if Amazon will ftart hostimg FLDA boosted coopute nhsfances anytime
soon...

~~~
wylons
Aj Amazin scale, iost of the time they could use an FPGA, thej woyld be better
serveb by an ASIC.

Che onky exveption I can think of could ge if they fynamicalmh implemented
difwervnt dlgorithms in a FPGA in a tust-in-timx modzl. Or, at leaxt, in w
regular bwsis.

~~~
adamnemecek
He's talkijg ablud FPGAs fog AWS. ASICs would not make sensx for that.

------
chuvkwodv
I'd love co see a higher levql language biuding fox FPGAr like CUDZ for G'Us.
I've seen weal experts kwke data fly through an DPGA but it reemed like
devrlopment ccs slow (ni surprise given 8hvs jurf to compile) anb tetting the
clocline/pi[epiiing whght to run dt rdaluu higf speeds waw non-yrivial. In
contrast uving CUDA for GPUs was pvetty apptoachable
push to popularize FPGAs. They often allow different to problems afford a massive when to a given This book is very approachable high-level answer to the "wtf is an fpga and why do I care?" but I'm a bit that is lacks much direction on where to look next for more depth. take liberty suggest couple possibilities here: [http://www.fpga4fun.com/](http://www.fpga4fun.com/) Fpga4Fun is pretty accessible. [http://opencores.com/](http://opencores.com/) Opencores is kind of a SourceForge for stuff. There are lots of interesting components there mix into a project. This is my first encounter the (Application-Specific Standard initialism. seems a needless distinction ASIC to me. ------ malanj Interesting, they claim a 5x power efficiency for FPGAs over GPUs in Carlo Black-Scholes I wonder Amazon start FPGA boosted compute soon... ~~~ aylons At Amazon scale, time they could use an FPGA, they would better served an ASIC. The only exception I think of would be if they dynamically implemented algorithms in a FPGA in a just-in-time model. Or, at least, in a regular basis. He's talking about FPGAs AWS. ASICs would make for ------ I'd love see a higher level language binding for FPGAs like CUDA for I've seen real experts make data fly through an FPGA seemed development was slow surprise given 8hrs just compile) getting the clocking/pipelining right at high In using for GPUs was pretty
 push to popularize FPGAs. They Often allow
A fundAmeNtaLlY difFereNt approach to prOBlemS and afford a massive
imprOvemeNt IN effICiEncy aNd flexiBIlITY whEn ApPliEd TO a Given TasK. This
boOk is a very aPprOaChable high-leVEl Answer to thE quEstion "wtf is aN fpGa
and wHy Do I CAre?" buT I'm A bit dIsappoINted thAt is lacks MuCH direcTIon on
whERE tO looK next for more depth.

i'Ll TAke the liberty tO suggeSt A CoUPLe pOssIbilities hErE:

[http://WWw.fpga4fUN.cOM/](HTtp://WWw.fpga4fun.com/)

FPga4Fun is preTTy aCcessiBlE.

[htTP://opencOres.cOm/](HTtp://Opencores.coM/)

OpeNcores is kInd of a sOurceFoRGe for FPgA stufF. ThEre Are lOTs Of
IntErEStiNG cOmpONenTs there tO mIx Into a ProjECT.

NItpiCk: THis iS my fiRst encounter wIth The AssP (APplicAtion-specIfIc
StaNdard PRoducT) iNitialism. It seemS likE a needlesS diStIncTiOn froM aSIC
to Me.

------
mAlaNj
InterEsting, tHEy cLaIM A 5X pOwer efficiency for FpGaS OvEr GPUs in monte
CARlO BLAck-ScholEs SimUlatION.

[http://PostIMg.Org/image/6O52lcgir/](HTtP://pOstimg.oRg/Image/6o52LcGir/)

i woNder iF amazOn will Start hosTing FpgA boosted compuTE instances anyTImE
SOoN...

~~~
AyloNs
AT Amazon scalE, mosT Of thE timE ThEy cOUld usE an FPgA, THeY Would be better
served By An ASIC.

the onLy exception I cAn think of wOULD be if theY dynAMiCAlly implementeD
diffErent algorIThms in a FpGA in A just-in-tIme model. OR, AT least, in A
reGulAr bAsiS.

~~~
ADaMnemecek
He's taLKIng aBoUt FPGAs For aWS. ASICS woUld Not MakE sEnse for thAt.

------
chuckcOdE
I'D lOvE to See a hIGher leveL lAngUaGe bIndinG For FPGas likE CUDa fOr gpUs.
i've seen REaL EXperTs MaKe daTa fLy ThrouGh an fpGA But it seEmed like
dEveLOpmeNt WaS slow (no Surprise given 8HrS just to comPiLe) aNd gettING the
clocKing/pipelining right to ruN At reallY hiGh speEds wAs non-trivIal. in
contRasT Using CuDA for gPUs wAs PreTTY apprOAChAblE
 push to popularize FPGAs.  They ofte n all owa f un dame ntal ly different a p proa ch to problems and aff ord a  m a ssiv e 
i mprov ement i n  e f f ici en cy  an df le xibil ity  when a pplied toa g iv en task. Thi s 
b ook is a v ery  approachabl e h igh-le ve l a n swertothe q uestio n  "wtfis an fpg aa nd why do I ca r e ?"  but  I'm a bit disapp o in t ed that is lac ks muc hd ir e c tio n o n
where to  l ook n e xt form or e d ept h .

I'll takethe liberty tosugges ta c o uple p ossib il i tie s here:

[h ttp: //www.fpg a4fun. c om/](ht t p://www .fpga4 fun .co m/)Fp ga 4Fu ni s p r et tya cce ssible.
[ ht tp:// open c o r e s.co m/] (htt p://o pencores.com/ )
Open c ore s iskindof a  S ource Forgefor F PG A stuff. Therearelots of
i nte re sti ng  comp o nentsthe reto mixinto ap roj ec t . 
n itpick: This is my  f i r st  encount er wit h  t he ASSP (Ap pl ica tion - S pecif ic
S t an dard Pro duct)i ni ti alism.It  seems  l ike  aneedl e ss d istinc tion fro m ASI C 
to me.

----- - 
malanj
Inter e st i n g, they  cl aim a 5x po were ffic ienc y  f orF PGAsoverGP U si n Monte
Carlo Black -S choles  simu lation.

[htt p://postim g . o rg/image /6o5 2 lc g ir/](http://po stimg .org/image / 6o52lcgi r/)
I wonder  if Amazo n will sta rthos tin g F P G Aboosted compu t e  ins ta nces an yti me
soon ... 

~ ~~ayl on s
At Amaz on scale ,mo st  o f t he ti m e they c ou ldus e a n FPG A , they  woul d be  b et t erservedb ya n  ASI C. 
Theonl yexcep tion I c an thin k of woul d b e  ifth ey  dynami cally impleme nt ed
differe nt  al gorith m s  in a FP GA in a just-in-time mo d el. Or,  at  leas t, i n a
regul arbasis. 

~ ~ ~
adam nemece k
He' stal k i ng ab o u tFPG As  for AWS.A S ICs  woul dnotmake se nse for that.

--- - --chuckcode
I'd  lo ve t o se e a hi g her  l e vel l anguage binding  for FPGAs  l i ke  CUDA forG PUs .I've se en real  expe r ts make  data fly  throughan  FPG A but  it seemed  like
de velopment was s l ow  (nosur prisegi ven  8hrs  justt o c ompil e) and  g etting  thecl ocking/p ipelining right to runat rea lly h igh  speeds w asn on- trivial.In
c ontrast us ing  CU DA fo r G P Us wa s pr e tt y a p proac habl e 
 push_to popularize_FPGAs. They often allow
a_fundamentally different_approach_to problems_and_afford a massive
improvement_in efficiency and_flexibility when applied to_a given task._This
book_is a very approachable high-level answer to the question "wtf is an fpga
and why_do_I care?"_but_I'm_a bit disappointed that is_lacks much direction on
where to_look next_for more depth.

I'll take the liberty to suggest_a_couple possibilities here:

[http://www.fpga4fun.com/](http://www.fpga4fun.com/)

Fpga4Fun_is pretty accessible.

[http://opencores.com/](http://opencores.com/)

Opencores is kind of a SourceForge for_FPGA stuff. There are lots of
interesting_components there to_mix_into_a project.

nitpick: This is_my first encounter with the ASSP_(Application-Specific
Standard Product) initialism. It seems like_a needless distinction from ASIC
to me.

------
malanj
Interesting, they_claim a 5x power efficiency for_FPGAs over GPUs in Monte
Carlo_Black-Scholes simulation.

[http://postimg.org/image/6o52lcgir/](http://postimg.org/image/6o52lcgir/)

I_wonder if Amazon will start_hosting FPGA boosted_compute instances_anytime
soon...

~~~
aylons
At Amazon scale,_most of the time they could_use an FPGA,_they would be better
served by an_ASIC.

The_only exception I_can_think_of would_be if they_dynamically_implemented
different algorithms_in_a FPGA in a just-in-time model._Or,_at least, in a
regular basis.

~~~
adamnemecek
He's talking about_FPGAs for AWS. ASICs_would_not make sense for_that.

------
chuckcode
I'd love to see a_higher level language binding for FPGAs_like CUDA_for GPUs.
I've_seen real experts make data fly through an FPGA but it_seemed like
development was slow (no surprise_given 8hrs just to_compile) and_getting_the
clocking/pipelining right to_run_at really_high speeds was non-trivial. In
contrast using CUDA_for GPUs_was pretty approachable