Back to top
FPGA Design & Development
Award-Winning Custom FPGA Solutions – from Concept to Completion
Your Expert FPGA Services Partner
In a world driven by high-speed data, artificial intelligence, and edge computing, FPGA technology remains at the heart of innovation. At Fidus, we combine over two decades of experience with deep specialization in FPGA design to deliver solutions that are precise, scalable, and future-ready. Whether you’re tackling real-time processing, signal integrity challenges, or complex hardware-software integration, our award-winning, cross-functional engineering team excels in electronic services including architecture definition, high-level synthesis, and FPGA prototyping, backed by rigorous validation and verification processes.
With proven capabilities across AMD’s Versal, Altera’s Agilex, and other leading FPGA platforms, Fidus ensures every design delivers optimized performance, power efficiency, and reliability. As a trusted partner to some of the largest names in technology, our tailored methodologies and strong vendor relationships accelerate project timelines, reduce costs, and deliver first-time-right results.
Fidus wins AMD Partner of the Year 2024
Last June, Fidus was honored as the AMD Adaptive Compute Partner of the Year for our exceptional expertise in FPGA design, deep collaboration with AMD, and consistent delivery of innovative, high-performance solutions across the new Embedded+ portfolio, Zynq™ Ultrascale+ and Versal Adaptive SoCs, FPGAs (including Spartan™, Artix™, Kintex™, and Virtex™ families), and Kria™ SOMs portfolios.
FPGA Services Offered
- FPGA Architecture and Specification: Define robust architectures and detailed specifications tailored to your project requirements. Our expert-driven approach ensures intricate design alignment and operational excellence from the very start.
- FPGA-Based System Design: Integrate FPGA designs seamlessly with your larger systems using state-of-the-art techniques and tools to guarantee system-wide compatibility and exceptional performance.
- Custom FPGA Design: Develop optimized FPGA designs for performance, power, and resource efficiency, enabling high computing power and parallelism for real-time capabilities, edge computing, and multi-peripheral systems.
- High-Level Synthesis (HLS): Translate high-level algorithmic descriptions into efficient FPGA hardware implementations, enabling faster design cycles and reduced time-to-market.
- FPGA Prototyping: Rapidly prototype and validate concepts to accelerate your development cycle, focusing on technical nuances to ensure optimal functionality and performance from the concept stage.
- FPGA PCB Design: Design advanced printed circuit boards integrating FPGAs as co-processors or main controllers to enable high-speed data processing and complex peripheral integration. Our team ensures optimized layouts, functional validation, and seamless prototype testing.
- IP Core Development and Integration: Design, customize, and seamlessly integrate third-party IP cores, hard and soft IP cores developed in Verilog or VHDL for FPGA and CPLD designs. Expertise includes soft cores for PCI-Express, Ethernet controllers, UART, soft microprocessors, and interfaces, ensuring compatibility and optimized performance across various systems.
- CPLD Design: Develop efficient CPLD-based solutions for applications requiring high-speed data processing in smaller tasks. CPLDs offer lower cost, higher energy efficiency, faster routing times, and enhanced security through built-in memory storage, making them ideal for microcontroller or microprocessor-based systems.
- High-Speed Transceivers: Design and optimize high-speed transceiver interfaces for reliable, low-latency communication, including PCIe, Ethernet, and SERDES. Ensure robust performance for data centers, telecommunications, and other demanding applications.
- Hardware Validation: Validate FPGA performance on target hardware to guarantee real-world reliability, using advanced tools like signal generators, oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and logic analyzers to verify signal integrity and hardware behavior.
- FPGA Validation: Validate FPGA designs through rigorous real-world scenario testing, ensuring they meet operational requirements and perform reliably under varying conditions.
- Functional Verification: Ensure design accuracy and functionality through meticulous simulation and benchmarking, including detailed simulations, use case verification, and expert design analysis to meet the highest industry standards.
- Advanced Simulation Tools: Leverage industry-leading tools like MATLAB/Simulink, ModelSim, and Questa for precise simulation, validation, and early detection of design issues to ensure reliability before deployment.
- Protocol Compliance Testing: Verify FPGA designs meet industry-specific communication and interface standards, ensuring every signal interface is correctly connected and functional.
- Debug and Optimization: Identify and resolve design issues early with advanced debugging tools, including integrated logic analyzers, to optimize performance and functionality at both the logical and hardware levels.
- Seamless System Integration: Integrate FPGA and CPLD designs into larger embedded systems with minimal disruption and optimized performance, ensuring seamless interaction with microcontrollers and microprocessors.
- Embedded Software Development: Develop custom drivers, firmware, and real-time operating systems (RTOS) to complement FPGA designs.
- Board Support Package (BSP) Development: Create robust BSPs for smooth hardware-software interaction.
- Multi-Platform Compatibility: Ensure FPGA solutions are compatible with leading embedded platforms and architectures, including ARM, x86, and other industry-standard frameworks.
- Performance Tuning: Optimize FPGA and software integration for maximum efficiency and responsiveness.
Our team leverages industry-leading FPGA development tools to ensure precision, efficiency, and reliability across every project:
- Altera Quartus Prime
- AMD/Xilinx Vivado™, Vitis, and Vitis AI
- Lattice Radiant, Propel, and Diamond
- Microchip Libero
- Synplify Pro
- Mentor ModelSim and Mentor Graphics® Questa®
- NC-Sim
- Verilog-XL
- Synopsys Design Compiler®
- SystemC, VHDL, Verilog
- Design Review Services: Receive expert guidance through comprehensive design reviews and audits.
- Streamlined Project Management: Our agile project management approach ensures clear communication, efficient task delegation, and on-time delivery. With a focus on minimizing rework and aligning multi-disciplinary teams, we keep complex projects on schedule and on budget.
- On-Demand Support: Access dedicated technical support for FPGA design, development, and deployment challenges.
- Access to Cross-Functional Experts: Leverage our in-house expertise across multiple disciplines, including embedded software, ASIC design and verification, signal integrity (SI), hardware design, and PCB layout. This cross-functional collaboration ensures faster troubleshooting, optimized workflows, and seamless alignment across all project stages.
- Knowledge Transfer: Equip your team with best practices and advanced FPGA design methodologies through tailored training sessions.
- Documentation and Guidance: Benefit from detailed documentation and step-by-step guidance for future reference.
Specialized Expertise
- High-Speed Transceivers: Expertise in transceivers supporting data rates up to 224G-PAM4, enabling advanced applications such as 400G/800G Ethernet, HDMI 2.1, and PCIe 5.0 x16.
- Interface Protocols: Deep experience in protocols like PCIe Gen 2/3/4/5, GbE, Fiber Channel, SATA, XAUI, RapidIO, InfiniBand, SerialLite, HD-SDI, and Aurora.
- High-Speed Memory Interfaces: Proven designs in DDR2/3/4/5, LPDDR, QDR II, RLDRAM, Hybrid Memory Cube, and HBM.
- Digital Signal Processing (DSP): Specialized capabilities in Software Defined Radio (SDR), filters, and echo-cancellation.
- CPLD Design Expertise: Specialized in designing CPLD-based systems for high-speed data processing in microcontroller-driven applications, emphasizing energy efficiency, security, and faster routing times.
- Video Processing: Advanced video design expertise including DVI/HDMI, MIPI, ISP, image enhancement, scaling, overlay, and format conversion.
- Chip-Down and Module-Level Design: Proficient in chip-down designs (including clam-shell) and module-level designs (DIMM, RDIMM, SO-DIMM).
- ASIC-to-FPGA Conversion: Seamlessly convert low-volume or discontinued ASICs to FPGA platforms while maintaining performance and compatibility.
Innovation Examples
Sub-Pico Second Differential Trace Matching
We achieved the challenging task of matching thousands of differential traces to under 1 picosecond (<1ps) on a single board. To put this in perspective, 1 picosecond is one billionth of a second, and achieving this level of precision is critical for real-time data movement in AI, machine learning, supercomputing, and edge computing applications. Our ability to deliver such high-speed, low-latency solutions positions Fidus as a key player in industries where performance and timing are paramount.
AI Chip Boards with 224G PAM4 Interfaces
Fidus was among the first companies globally to design and prototype a board leveraging 224G-PAM4 transceiver technology—an achievement accomplished over a year ago. Only a few companies globally operate at this cutting-edge speed, demonstrating our leadership in high-speed data transmission. This board was developed for a hyperscaler application, and we are now in discussions with new customers to replicate this success. Our early entry into 224G PAM4 technology underscores our ability to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the AI and data center space.
48-Layer PCB Development
Five years ago, Fidus successfully developed a 48-layer PCB with over 600 traces matched to <1 ps, demonstrating our expertise in high-precision multilayer board design. This accomplishment involved the complex process of gluing two boards together—at a time when only three manufacturers worldwide could handle such intricate work. Our ability to deliver this highly sophisticated design reflects Fidus’ long-standing expertise and foresight in pushing technological boundaries, well ahead of market demand.
1000 Amp Power Distribution Network
Our team successfully designed a power distribution network capable of handling up to 1000 Amps across a single board—a feat of engineering that is extremely rare due to the unusually high amperage. This design was created for an AI supercomputer, and it showcases our expertise in developing solutions for the most demanding applications in AI and supercomputing. The mechanical design and precision required for such high power densities further illustrate Fidus’ innovation in power distribution and board-level engineering.
Frequently Asked Questions
When selecting an FPGA services partner, technical expertise, a proven track record, and experience with the latest FPGA technologies are essential. However, one of the most critical factors is the ability to offer a broad range of complementary disciplines under one roof. At Fidus, our FPGA services are backed by in-house experts in ASIC design, verification, and validation, UVM verification, hardware design, PCB layout and packaging, embedded software, signal and power integrity, and mechanical and thermal design.
This multi-disciplinary expertise ensures seamless collaboration across every stage of the project, reducing handover risks, optimizing workflows, and delivering a cohesive, end-to-end solution. Combined with our strong vendor partnerships and a commitment to a ‘First Time Right’ approach, Fidus delivers FPGA solutions that are precise, reliable, and aligned with your project goals.
The process typically begins with an initial consultation to understand your project requirements, technical challenges, and goals. This conversation helps us align on scope, timelines, and potential solutions. Before diving into any technical details, we are happy to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) to ensure your intellectual property and sensitive information remain fully protected.
At Fidus, we prioritize trust and transparency from day one, creating a secure foundation for collaboration. Once the NDA is in place, our team will work closely with you to outline the next steps, including a project proposal, resource planning, and key milestones.
Absolutely. Collaboration is central to how we work. Fidus doesn’t just deliver results—we empower your team with knowledge and best practices gained from decades of experience. Whether it’s through joint design reviews, hands-on workshops, or knowledge transfer sessions, we ensure your in-house engineers gain valuable insights and skills throughout the project. Our goal is to leave your team better equipped to tackle future challenges independently.
Partnering with Fidus means working with a team that integrates seamlessly with your workflows. From the outset, we establish clear communication channels, regular progress updates, and a collaborative approach tailored to your project needs. Our clients often remark on our transparency, technical depth, and ability to deliver ‘First Time Right’ results. As one client, Alex Grant from CoreTech Systems, said:
“Working with Fidus felt like an extension of our own engineering team. Their expertise and commitment to our success exceeded our expectations from day one.”
Expect professionalism, open collaboration, and technical excellence every step of the way.
At Fidus, innovation is built into our DNA. We dedicate internal resources to exploratory R&D projects, allowing our engineers to experiment with emerging technologies, optimize methodologies, and stay ahead of industry trends. Like other world-class engineering companies, we reserve dedicated time for internal development projects, empowering our team to refine skills, test new tools, and build cutting-edge prototypes. This commitment ensures our clients benefit from the latest advancements in FPGA, ASIC, embedded systems, and hardware design.
Project timelines vary depending on complexity, scope, and specific requirements. Smaller FPGA design tasks can often be completed in a few weeks, while more complex projects involving architecture definition, verification, and system integration may span several months. At Fidus, we prioritize efficient project management, clear communication, and a ‘First Time Right’ approach to ensure timely delivery without compromising quality.
At Fidus, project completion isn’t the end of our partnership—it’s the beginning of long-term support and collaboration. Once the initial deliverables are met and thoroughly validated, we provide comprehensive documentation, including design files, test results, and user guides, ensuring your team has everything needed for smooth handover and future reference.
Beyond delivery, we offer post-deployment support and maintenance, addressing any unforeseen issues, updates, or optimizations as your product evolves. Our experts remain available for additional training sessions, knowledge transfer, or future enhancements. With Fidus, you gain a trusted partner committed to the long-term success and reliability of your FPGA solution.
The cost of an FPGA varies widely depending on factors such as performance requirements, complexity, size, power efficiency, and specific features needed for your application. Entry-level FPGAs might cost a few dollars, while high-performance or specialized FPGAs used in AI, data centers, or aerospace applications can cost thousands. At Fidus, we help clients make informed decisions on FPGA selection to balance performance, cost, and long-term scalability.
Comprehensive FPGA support from start to finish.
Join forces and gain the confidence of an expert throughout your FPGA development process.