Xilinx vs Intel (formerly Altera) Product Comparisons

Overview

In the rapidly evolving world of programmable logic devices, two giants stand out: Xilinx and Intel (formerly Altera). These industry leaders have been at the forefront of Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) technology for decades, driving innovation and shaping the landscape of hardware acceleration and reconfigurable computing.

This comprehensive comparison aims to provide engineers, system architects, and decision-makers with an in-depth analysis of Xilinx and Intel FPGA offerings. We'll explore their product lines, performance metrics, development ecosystems, and market positioning to help you make informed decisions for your next project or strategic investment.

As we delve into this comparison, we'll consider various factors that influence FPGA selection, including performance, power efficiency, scalability, and total cost of ownership. Our goal is to offer a balanced, expert-level examination of these two powerhouses in the FPGA market.

Company Backgrounds

Xilinx: Pioneering Programmable Logic

Founded in 1984 by Ross Freeman, Bernie Vonderschmitt, and Jim Barnett, Xilinx has been a trailblazer in the FPGA industry. The company introduced the world's first commercially viable FPGA, the XC2064, in 1985. Over the years, Xilinx has consistently pushed the boundaries of FPGA technology, introducing innovations such as the Virtex series, the Zynq SoC platform, and more recently, the Versal Adaptive Compute Acceleration Platform (ACAP).

In 2022, Xilinx was acquired by AMD, further strengthening its position in the market and potentially opening new avenues for technological synergies.

Intel (Altera): From Challenger to Industry Giant

Altera, founded in 1983 by Rodney Smith, was a formidable competitor to Xilinx from the outset. The company made significant strides in FPGA technology, introducing innovative products like the Stratix series and the Cyclone family for cost-sensitive applications

In 2015, Intel acquired Altera for $16.7 billion, marking a significant shift in the FPGA landscape. This acquisition allowed Intel to integrate FPGA technology with its processor expertise, leading to new product lines and acceleration solutions for data centers and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and 5G networks.

Market Position and Reputation

Both Xilinx (now part of AMD) and Intel's FPGA division hold dominant positions in the global FPGA market. Xilinx has long been recognized for its cutting-edge technology and extensive product range, often being first to market with new process nodes and architectural innovations. Intel's FPGA division, leveraging Altera's strong foundation and Intel's manufacturing capabilities, has become a formidable competitor, particularly in data center and networking applications.

The rivalry between these two companies has driven rapid advancements in FPGA technology, benefiting customers across various industries. Both are highly regarded for their product quality, performance, and customer support.

FPGA Product Lines Overview

Xilinx Product Families

Virtex Series: Flagship high-performance FPGAs

• Latest: Virtex UltraScale+
• Key features: High bandwidth memory (HBM), advanced SerDes
• Target applications: High-performance computing, AI acceleration, 5G infrastructure

Kintex Series: Mid-range performance-per-watt optimized FPGAs

• Latest: Kintex UltraScale+
• Key features: Balanced performance and cost
• Target applications: Video processing, medical imaging, mid-range data center acceleration

Artix Series: Low-power, small form-factor FPGAs

• Latest: Artix UltraScale+
• Key features: Low power consumption, compact design
• Target applications: Embedded vision, industrial IoT, automotive systems

Spartan Series: Cost-optimized FPGAs

• Latest: Spartan-7
• Key features: Low cost, essential functionality
• Target applications: Consumer electronics, industrial control systems

Zynq Series: System-on-Chip (SoC) with integrated ARM processors

• Latest: Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC and RFSoC
• Key features: Integrated processing system, programmable logic, and in some models, integrated RF data converters
• Target applications: Software-defined radio, radar systems, embedded vision platforms

Intel FPGA Product Families

Stratix Series: High-end FPGAs for performance-critical applications

• Latest: Stratix 10 and Agilex
• Key features: HyperFlex architecture, integrated ARM cores (in some models)
• Target applications: High-performance computing, 5G networks, data center acceleration

Arria Series: Mid-range FPGAs balancing performance and power efficiency

• Latest: Arria 10 and Agilex
• Key features: Optimized power efficiency, integrated ARM cores (in some models)
• Target applications: Edge computing, industrial automation, broadcast systems

Cyclone Series: Low-cost, low-power FPGAs

• Latest: Cyclone 10
• Key features: Cost-effective, low power consumption
• Target applications: Consumer electronics, automotive, industrial IoT

MAX Series: CPLDs (Complex Programmable Logic Devices)

• Latest: MAX 10
• Key features: Instant-on functionality, integrated ADC
• Target applications: System management, power sequencing, sensor interfaces

eASIC: Structured ASICs for custom logic implementation

• Key features: Lower NRE costs compared to full custom ASICs, faster time-to-market
• Target applications: ASIC prototyping, low to mid-volume production runs

Both Xilinx and Intel offer a wide range of FPGA products catering to various performance, power, and cost requirements. In the next sections, we'll dive deeper into performance comparisons, technical specifications, and development ecosystems to provide a more comprehensive analysis of these product lines.