The Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) technology, powered with advanced simulation and synthesis tools is becoming the most preferred platform for the rapid development of highly integrated digital systems. Long design cycle is no longer acceptable in the presence of shorter Time-to-Market (TTM) pressures for products with increasingly shorter market windows.

Source code changes are straightforward for implementation and can be applied easily even in the last minute phase. In the case of mixed signal designs, it is possible to bridge analog sub blocks in various ways to accomplish required functionality, e.g. by setting equivalent digital model, by playing prerecorded typical sequences from memory, or by external connection with expected analog adjusted source. Such prototyping makes pre silicon validation simple, reliable and cost effective. It is trustworthy methodology which prevents taped out design failures.

Final results achieved on prototyping platforms are:

• Cost effective
• Reliable
• Consistent
• On real HW in real time
• Simple for redesign
• Ready for validation, testing and bug fixing
• Working on the real hardware in the real time