Intel Altera is a major player in the field of programmable logic devices (PLDs), providing cutting-edge technology that supports a wide range of industries, from telecommunications and automotive to data centers and healthcare. Since its acquisition by Intel in 2015, Altera has become an integral part of Intel’s strategy to offer advanced solutions in programmable hardware, combining Intel’s expertise in processing with Altera’s leadership in Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) and related technologies. This article explores the history, product offerings, technological innovations, and the impact of Intel Altera on modern computing.
A Brief History of Altera
Founded in 1983, Altera quickly became one of the pioneers in the development of programmable logic devices, focusing on FPGAs and Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs). These programmable components offered greater flexibility and reconfigurability compared to fixed-function integrated circuits (ICs), allowing designers to adapt their hardware to changing requirements without needing new physical designs.
In 2015, Intel acquired Altera for $16.7 billion, marking one of the biggest acquisitions in the semiconductor industry. This acquisition allowed Intel to enter the programmable logic market and provide a comprehensive solution that integrates FPGAs with its central processing unit (CPU) and data center products. Today, Intel Altera’s FPGA technology plays a key role in Intel’s efforts to address emerging needs in artificial intelligence (AI), 5G, and high-performance computing (HPC).
Product Offerings
Intel Altera offers a range of programmable solutions that cater to various industries and applications:
1. FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays)
FPGAs are Intel Altera’s flagship product, offering the ability to configure and reprogram the hardware after manufacturing. These devices consist of an array of configurable logic blocks, memory, and I/O connections, all interconnected by programmable routing resources. FPGAs are used in applications where flexibility and real-time processing are required, such as telecommunications, automotive systems, and data centers.
Key FPGA Families:
- Intel Stratix Series: High-performance FPGAs designed for demanding workloads, such as high-speed networking, data center acceleration, and signal processing.
- Intel Arria Series: Balancing performance and power efficiency, Arria FPGAs are ideal for applications such as video processing, medical imaging, and industrial automation.
- Intel Cyclone Series: Cost-effective and power-efficient FPGAs that are widely used in embedded systems and IoT applications.
2. SoC FPGAs (System-on-Chip)
Intel Altera offers System-on-Chip (SoC) FPGAs, which combine FPGA fabric with an embedded processor. This integration allows for a more efficient and powerful solution, reducing system complexity and improving performance. The Intel Arria 10 and Cyclone V SoCs are examples of devices that merge programmable logic with ARM-based processors, enabling a seamless combination of software and hardware in a single chip.
3. Hard IP and Accelerators
Intel Altera FPGAs often include Hard IP blocks (pre-designed and fixed-function modules) to accelerate specific tasks, such as memory controllers, high-speed transceivers, and PCIe interfaces. These hard IPs boost performance and simplify design by offering ready-made solutions for common functions.
Additionally, Intel’s integration of FPGAs with data center technologies provides high-performance acceleration for AI, machine learning, and data analytics, allowing companies to offload critical tasks from CPUs to FPGAs for faster processing.
4. Quartus Prime Design Software
Intel Altera offers Quartus Prime, a comprehensive design software suite that allows engineers to develop and optimize FPGA-based systems. This software supports advanced features like high-level synthesis (HLS), enabling developers to write FPGA configurations using familiar languages such as C and C++. Quartus Prime facilitates faster design cycles, simplifying the process of creating complex FPGA-based systems.
Key Innovations of Intel Altera
1. Integration with Intel Xeon Processors
One of the most significant advancements following Intel’s acquisition of Altera has been the integration of FPGAs with Intel Xeon processors. This hybrid architecture provides powerful computing platforms for data centers, offering the flexibility to accelerate specific workloads such as AI, machine learning, and deep learning inference.
By pairing Xeon processors with Altera FPGAs, Intel delivers scalable and reconfigurable solutions that address the growing demand for real-time processing in industries like cloud computing, telecommunications, and finance.
2. High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM) Integration
Intel Altera has also pioneered the use of High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM) in FPGAs, allowing for significant improvements in data throughput and performance. HBM integration helps reduce latency and improve data bandwidth, making it ideal for data-intensive applications, such as AI, video processing, and data analytics.
3. AI and Machine Learning Acceleration
Intel Altera’s FPGAs are playing an increasingly important role in AI and machine learning applications. The FPGA fabric can be customized to accelerate deep learning tasks, such as neural network inference, delivering higher performance per watt compared to traditional CPU- or GPU-based systems.
Intel’s AI-focused FPGA products, like the Intel Stratix 10 NX, are specifically optimized for AI workloads, providing high compute density and low latency, making them well-suited for both cloud and edge AI applications.
Applications Across Industries
Intel Altera’s technology is deployed in various industries to meet a wide range of needs:
- Data Centers: FPGAs are used to accelerate tasks such as encryption, compression, and data analytics, improving performance and efficiency in cloud and hyperscale data centers.
- Telecommunications: Intel Altera FPGAs enable the deployment of 5G infrastructure, helping to manage high-speed data transmission and network functions in real time.
- Automotive: In the automotive sector, Intel Altera’s FPGAs are used in advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), autonomous driving, and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication.
- Healthcare: Medical devices and systems, such as ultrasound machines, CT scanners, and wearable monitoring devices, leverage Intel Altera’s FPGAs for real-time data processing and image reconstruction.
The Future of Intel Altera
As the world moves toward a future driven by AI, IoT, and 5G, Intel Altera is poised to play a key role in shaping the next generation of computing. With its ability to provide adaptable, high-performance hardware solutions, Intel Altera is well-positioned to meet the growing demand for real-time processing, machine learning acceleration, and edge computing.
The integration of Intel’s advanced semiconductor technologies with Altera’s programmable logic expertise will continue to drive innovations that benefit a broad range of industries. From accelerating AI workloads to enabling flexible 5G networks, Intel Altera’s contributions will remain critical in meeting the technological challenges of tomorrow.
In conclusion, Intel Altera represents a fusion of two industry leaders—Intel’s processing prowess and Altera’s FPGA expertise—working together to deliver flexible, high-performance solutions for the evolving needs of modern computing. With a commitment to innovation and a focus on programmable logic, Intel Altera is at the forefront of the programmable future, powering next-generation applications and driving progress across industries.