smallNet: Implementation of a convolutional layer in tiny FPGAs

Fuente: arXiv
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Hauptverfasser: Bascuñán, Fernanda Zapata, Fuster, Alan Ezequiel
Format: Preprint
Veröffentlicht: 2025
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author Bascuñán, Fernanda Zapata
Fuster, Alan Ezequiel
author_facet Bascuñán, Fernanda Zapata
Fuster, Alan Ezequiel
contents Since current neural network development systems in Xilinx and VLSI require codevelopment with Python libraries, the first stage of a convolutional network has been implemented by developing a convolutional layer entirely in Verilog. This handcoded design, free of IP cores and based on a filter polynomial like structure, enables straightforward deployment not only on low cost FPGAs but also on SoMs, SoCs, and ASICs. We analyze the limitations of numerical representations and compare our implemented architecture, smallNet, with its computer based counterpart, demonstrating a 5.1x speedup, over 81% classification accuracy, and a total power consumption of just 1.5 W. The algorithm is validated on a single-core Cora Z7, demonstrating its feasibility for real time, resource-constrained embedded applications.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2509_25391
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle smallNet: Implementation of a convolutional layer in tiny FPGAs
Bascuñán, Fernanda Zapata
Fuster, Alan Ezequiel
Hardware Architecture
Since current neural network development systems in Xilinx and VLSI require codevelopment with Python libraries, the first stage of a convolutional network has been implemented by developing a convolutional layer entirely in Verilog. This handcoded design, free of IP cores and based on a filter polynomial like structure, enables straightforward deployment not only on low cost FPGAs but also on SoMs, SoCs, and ASICs. We analyze the limitations of numerical representations and compare our implemented architecture, smallNet, with its computer based counterpart, demonstrating a 5.1x speedup, over 81% classification accuracy, and a total power consumption of just 1.5 W. The algorithm is validated on a single-core Cora Z7, demonstrating its feasibility for real time, resource-constrained embedded applications.
title smallNet: Implementation of a convolutional layer in tiny FPGAs
topic Hardware Architecture
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.25391