EP3CLS100F484C7

FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays) are integrated chips that contain an array of circuits connected by programmable interconnects. As their name implies, FPGAs are, unlike ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), programmed and configured via software rather than physically wired up. This makes them ideal for applications where high levels of flexibility and/or reconfigurability are required. One such example is EP3CLS100F484C7.

The EP3CLS100F484C7 is an embedded FPGA (eFPGA) manufactured by Altera, who specialize in FPGA products. This particular part is part of their Stratix III device family, a series of mid-range FPGAs that offer a combination of high performance, low power consumption and a wide array of features. This eFPGA is designed for a wide range of embedded applications including networking, storage, communications, industrial and automotive. It features a Spartan-3AN FPGA core with built-in memory, analog I/O, and configurable interconnects, making it well-suited for high-throughput and low-power designs. The chip also includes integrated power-management features, which cut down on board space and simplify design.

In terms of its working principle, EP3CLS100F484C7 consists of an array of programmable logic blocks with programmable interconnects between them. These logic blocks can be configured by loading a custom bitstream into the device\'s memory. This bitstream contains a set of instructions that define how the logic blocks are connected. Once loaded, the design is instantiated and can be used to perform the desired task. To reconfigure the device, a new bitstream needs to be loaded.

Overall, the EP3CLS100F484C7 is a versatile and powerful device and it is well suited for embedded applications such as those found in networking, storage, communications, industrial and automotive. It is also highly configurable and reconfigurable, making it ideal for applications that require high levels of flexibility. Utilizing its integrated power-management features, power consumption can be greatly reduced, resulting in more efficient designs.