Implementing a CIC filter on FPGA

Cascaded integrator–comb filter

Overview

In digital signal processing, a cascaded integrator–comb (CIC) is an optimized class of finite impulse response (FIR) filter combined with an interpolator or decimator.

A CIC filter consists of one or more integrator and comb filter pairs. In the case of a decimating CIC, the input signal is fed through one or more cascaded integrators, then a down-sampler, followed by one or more comb sections (equal in number to the number of integrators). An interpolating CIC is simply the reverse of this architecture, with the down-sampler replaced with a zero-stuffer (up-sampler).

The system function for the composite CIC filter referenced to the high sampling rate, fs is:

Where:

R = decimation or interpolation ratio

M = number of samples per stage (usually 1 but sometimes 2)

N = number of stages in filter

(Cascaded Integrator – comb filter block diagram)

Designing a CIC filter

A Simple Python example code

Implementing a CIC filter on FPGA

Beware of bit growth of CIC filter.

BITGROWTH = N.log2(RM)

  • Implementing Comb stages on FPGA

Verilog code as below is a comb stage, just for your reference


(RTL view of a comb stage)

For designing Comb block with many stage, We can use generate block


(RTL view of Comb bock)
  • Implementing an Integrator stage on FPGA
(RTL view of a integrator stage)

For designing Integrator block with many stage, We can use generate block

(RTL view of Integrator bock)

Using Python to generate test input, then feed to the ModelSim/Questa to simulate Verilog code, then Python read the output.

Simulation result as below

(Full test diagram)

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