To learn FPGA programming, I plan to code up a simple Neural Network in FPGA (since it's massively parallel; it's one of the few things where an FPGA implementation might have a chance of being faster than a CPU implementation).
Though I'm familiar with C programming (10+ years). I'm not so sure with FPGA development stuff. Can you provide a guided list of what I should do / learn / buy?
Thanks!
A neural network may not be the best starting point for learning how to program an FPGA. I would initially try something simpler like a counter driving LEDs or a numeric display and build up from there. Sites that may be of use include:
You may also like to consider using a soft processor in the FPGA to help your transition from C to VHDL or Verilog. That would allow you to move small code modules from one to the other to see the differences in hardware. The choice of language is somewhat arbitrary - I code in VHDL (syntactically similar to ADA) most of the time, but some of my colleagues prefer Verilog (syntactically similar to C). We debate it once in a while but really it's personal choice.
As for the buyers / learners guide, you need:
Patience :) - The design cycle for FPGAs is significantly longer than for software due to the number of extra 'free parameters' in the build, so don't be surprised if it takes a while to get designs working exactly the way you want.
A development board - For learning, I would buy one from one of the three bigger FPGA vendors: Xilinx, Altera or Lattice. My preference is Xilinx at the moment but all three are good. For learning, don't buy one based on the higher-end parts - you don't need to when starting using FPGAs. For Xilinx, get one based on the Spartan series such as the SP601 (I have one myself). For Altera, buy a Cyclone one. The development boards will be significantly cheaper than those for the higher-end parts.
A programming cable - Most companies produce a USB programming cable with a special connector to progr
I'll give you yet a third recommendation: Use VHDL. Yes, on the surface it looks like ADA. While Verilog bears a passing resemblance to C. However, with Verilog you only get the types that come with it out of the box. With VHDL you can define your own new types which lets you program at a higher level (still RTL, of course). I'm pretty sure the Xilinx and Altera free tools support both VHDL and Verilog. "A Designers Guide to VHDL" by Ashenden is a good VHDL book.
VHDL has a standard fixed-point math package which can make NN implementation easier.