FPGA Digital Signal Processing

GaGe eXpert FPGA DSP TechnologyGaGe provides several eXpert FPGA processing firmware options for use with CompuScope Digitizers. All standard default CompuScope Digitizer model configurations can store raw acquired waveform data to onboard sample memory and then transfer them quickly to the user for analysis, display and/or storage. The addition of optional eXpert FPGA processing firmware features allow for some signal processing analysis, or other specific functionality, to be performed on the digitizer hardware itself within its onboard Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA).

Unlock ultra-fast, real-time signal intelligence with GaGe’s FPGA Digital Signal Processing (DSP) solutions—designed to revolutionize how engineers, scientists, and developers capture, analyze, and interpret complex waveform data. Whether you’re pushing the boundaries of aerospace, medical imaging, radar testing, or spectrum monitoring, these onboard FPGA DSP firmware options eliminate bottlenecks and supercharge your system performance with precision and speed that conventional processing can’t match.

Engineered to run directly on GaGe’s CompuScope Digitizers, eXpert FPGA DSP firmware delivers immediate signal analysis without bogging down your host PC. You gain full-speed sampling, smarter data flow, and hands-off automation—allowing your team to do more, faster, and with greater accuracy.

eXpert FeatureeXpert DatasheetCobraCobraMaxEONOctopusRazorEdgeRazorPlusRazorMax
PCIe Data Streaming

Allows for data streaming mode of acquired data directly through the PCIe interface to the host PC RAM and on to targeted host based CPU or dedicated processing cards for analysis and/or to high-speed storage systems for real-time signal recordings.



Signal Averaging

Allows for detection of very small repetitive signals in a noisy environment. Using rapid signal averaging, small signals can be extracted from a background of high amplitude noise, which may even be larger than the actual signal itself.



Optical Coherence Tomography

Supports variable rate k-clocking or inactive external clock by simultaneously digitizing the interferometer signal with the returned optical signal for use with OCT applications.



Fast Fourier Transform

Allows 8192 point FFT calculation analysis directly on the digitizer and transfer of multiple Fourier Spectra to the host PC in a single PCIe transfer.

Key Features & Benefits of Gage FPGA Digital Signal Processing

  • Real-Time Data Streaming:
    Stream data directly through the PCIe interface to your host system in real time—no waiting, no interruptions. Bypass memory limitations and process massive data volumes continuously or in segmented bursts with zero downtime.
  • Advanced Signal Averaging:
    Extract weak signals buried in noise using high-speed onboard averaging. With rates exceeding 100,000 waveforms/sec, reduce noise by up to 1,000x and sharpen your signal clarity—perfect for high-sensitivity applications.
  • Accelerated FFT Analysis:
    Offload intensive Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) computations to the onboard FPGA. Perform 8192-point FFTs without host CPU load and transfer multiple spectra in a single shot—ideal for radar, ultrasound, and communication systems.
  • High-Precision OCT Processing:
    Transform Optical Coherence Tomography with virtual k-clocking and synchronized multi-channel acquisition. Digitize interferometer and optical signals simultaneously, compensating for laser nonlinearities with sub-nanosecond precision.
  • Reduce System Overhead:
    Free your host system to perform other tasks while the FPGA handles complex data reduction, analysis, and filtering at the acquisition source—delivering efficiency and speed where it matters most.
  • Scalable, Field-Upgradeable, and Customizable:
    Add FPGA features anytime—no hardware return needed. Load new firmware via flash memory and tailor signal processing with custom FPGA designs, built to match your application needs exactly.
  • Compatible Across Leading CompuScope Digitizers:
    Seamlessly integrate with EON Express, RazorMax Express, and other high-performance GaGe digitizer models. Build flexible solutions for both lab and field use.

FAQs

FPGA DSP uses reprogrammable hardware (Field Programmable Gate Arrays) to process signals directly on the digitizer, enabling real-time data manipulation at full acquisition speeds without relying on the host system CPU.

It enables real-time data handling at full sampling speeds, reduces data traffic, improves system responsiveness, and allows faster decisions in critical applications.

Each CompuScope digitizer can run one FPGA firmware feature at a time. However, firmware can be swapped or upgraded easily based on your needs.

Aerospace, defense, medical imaging, automotive testing, communications, and research labs all benefit from the speed and precision of FPGA-based DSP.

Absolutely. GaGe’s eXpert FPGA firmware options allow for custom algorithm development tailored to your specific application—whether it’s FFT, signal averaging, or optical coherence tomography (OCT). The firmware can be updated in the field without returning the hardware.

FPGA Digital Signal Processing differs from conventional DSPs by executing signal processing tasks directly in reconfigurable hardware rather than through sequential software on a microprocessor. This hardware-based approach allows FPGAs to process data in real time at full sampling rates, with ultra-low latency and massive parallelism—handling multiple operations simultaneously. Unlike conventional DSPs, which rely on data transfers and are limited by CPU speed and memory bandwidth, FPGA DSPs perform analysis right in the digitizer, reducing system bottlenecks and freeing the host computer for other tasks. The result is faster, more efficient, and highly customizable signal processing ideal for demanding, high-throughput applications.

FeatureFPGA DSPConventional DSP
Processing TypeHardware-level parallelSoftware-level sequential
SpeedReal-time, ultra-fastFast, but limited by CPU speed
LatencyDeterministic, lowVariable, higher
IntegrationOnboard with digitizerExternal or post-acquisition
CustomizationHigh (reprogrammable logic)Limited to software settings
Data ThroughputExtremely highModerate to high (with bottlenecks)