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Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)
Field Programmable Gate Array is a semiconductor device that is basically an integrated circuits that
contain a bunch of logic gates and I/O circuitry circuit based around a matrix of configurable logic blocks
(CLBs) connected via programmable interconnects. FPGAs are designed to be reprogrammed for a desired
application or functionality requirements after manufacturing by a customer or a designer. A FPGA can be
something as simple as an and gate, or something as complex as a multi-core processor. To create a design,
it can be written using some Hardware Description Language (HDL).
Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC)
Application-Specific Integrated Circuit is a kind of an integrated circuit (IC) customized that is specially
built for a specific use, rather than intended for general-purpose use. For example, a chip designed to run
in a digital voice recorder is an ASIC. There are three different categories of ASICS which is full-custom
made for a specific purpose, semi-custom for partly customized to perform different functions within the
field of their general area of application and platform made from predefined platform slices, where each
slice is a pre-manufactured device, platform logic or entire system.
Digital Signal Processor (DSP)
A Digital Signal Processor (DSP), is a specialized microprocessor that has an architecture which is
optimized for the fast operational needs of digital signal processing. It takes real-world signals like voice,
audio, video, temperature, pressure, or position that have been digitized and then mathematically
manipulate them. A Digital Signal Processor (DSP) can process data in real time, making it ideal for
applications that can't tolerate delays.
Embedded System
An embedded system is a computer system that has software embedded into hardware, which makes a
system dedicated for an application or specific part of an application or product or part of a larger system
with a dedicated function within a larger mechanical or electrical system other than general purpose
computer. System is a way of working, organizing or performing one or many tasks according to a fixed
set of rules, program or plan. In other words, an arrangement in which all units assemble and work together
according to a program or plan. It processes a fixed set of pre-programmed instructions to control
electromechanical equipment which may be part of an even larger system.
Bioinformatics
Bioinformatics is the application of computer technology to the management of biological information.
Computers are used to gather, store, analyze and integrate biological and genetic information which can
then be applied to gene-based drug discovery and development. It applications represent the increasingly
important workloads and biological data processing ubiquitously relies on the high-end systems equipped
with expensive, general-purpose processors.
In general all these technologies invented are related to each other in order to simplify the life of
human. As we can say that FPGA is relatable with ASIC is the purpose. For an instant, FPGA is likely to
be a general purpose use that is programmable rather than the ASIC which is designed for a particular use
that cannot be altered after being manufactured. In term of speed, ASIC rules out FPGA due to specifically
designed for a task. However, FPGAs are cost effective for small applications but vice versa when it comes
to complex and large volume designs. In term of power, FPGA designs consume more power than ASIC as
the unwanted circuitry results wastage of power. Production time for FPGA designs take less time compared
to ASIC designs. It needs no layouts, mask or back-end processes.
For Digital Signal Processor is much more into mathematically by processing the received analog
signal and convert it into digital signal at a significant speed than the others. DSP optimizes transistor use
and clock cycles for the required operations. Thus, its information can be transmitted by using a computer
to control such things as security, telephone, home theater systems, and video compression efficiently.
Whereas, Embedded System is likely to be use with larger scale machinery where it use a software that is
embedded inside the hardware for a particular task. Last but not least, the Bioinformatics is a computer
technology that is specific in field of medical or biological in gathering, storing or analyzing and integrating
the biological and genetic. In a nut shell, all the technologies are related and act as a complement for each
other to support the loopholes.
BLOCK DIAGRAM