Intel Altera, a subsidiary of Intel Corporation, is a leading player in the field of programmable logic devices, particularly known for its Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). Acquired by Intel in 2015, Altera has since been integrated into Intel’s broader portfolio, bringing together Intel’s advanced processor technologies with Altera’s pioneering FPGA solutions. This synergy has allowed Intel Altera to drive innovation across a wide array of industries, from data centers to telecommunications to automotive systems.

The Legacy of Altera
Founded in 1983, Altera was one of the early pioneers in the development of FPGAs, a technology that allows for the customization of digital circuits after manufacturing. Altera’s commitment to innovation led to the development of numerous generations of FPGAs, each offering increased performance, efficiency, and flexibility. Altera’s FPGAs have been widely adopted in various applications, from consumer electronics to industrial automation, establishing the company as a leader in the programmable logic industry.

Intel’s Acquisition of Altera
In June 2015, Intel announced its intention to acquire Altera for approximately $16.7 billion. The acquisition, completed in December 2015, was a strategic move to enhance Intel’s capabilities in the programmable logic space and to integrate FPGAs with Intel’s core processor technologies. This acquisition allowed Intel to offer a more comprehensive range of solutions that combine FPGAs with CPUs and other components, providing customers with highly flexible and powerful computing platforms.

Intel Altera Product Portfolio
Under the Intel Altera brand, the company continues to develop and market a range of advanced FPGA products and solutions:

FPGA Families:

Stratix Series: These high-performance FPGAs are designed for demanding applications requiring maximum processing power and bandwidth. The Stratix series is used in areas such as data centers, telecommunications, and high-performance computing.
Arria Series: Balancing performance with cost-effectiveness, the Arria FPGAs are suitable for mid-range applications, including networking, automotive, and industrial automation.
Cyclone Series: Known for their cost efficiency and low power consumption, Cyclone FPGAs are used in a variety of applications, including consumer electronics, industrial control, and embedded systems.
SoCs (System-on-Chip): Intel Altera’s SoCs combine FPGA fabric with an ARM-based processor, enabling a powerful and flexible platform for embedded systems. The Cyclone V SoC and Arria 10 SoC families integrate processing and programmable logic in a single device, making them ideal for applications requiring real-time processing and system customization.

Intel Agilex FPGAs: Agilex FPGAs represent the latest generation of high-performance devices, incorporating advanced features such as Intel’s Hyperflex FPGA architecture and support for the latest high-bandwidth memory standards. These FPGAs are designed for data-intensive applications, including AI, machine learning, and data center acceleration.

Intel FPGA SDKs and Tools: Intel Altera provides a comprehensive suite of development tools and software, including the Intel Quartus Prime Design Software and Intel FPGA SDK for OpenCL. These tools support efficient design, optimization, and deployment of FPGA-based applications, simplifying the development process for engineers and designers.

Applications and Impact
Intel Altera’s FPGA solutions have a profound impact across various sectors:

Data Centers: FPGAs are increasingly used in data centers to accelerate workloads, including AI and machine learning, data analytics, and network processing. Intel Altera’s FPGAs provide high-performance, low-latency solutions that enhance data center efficiency and scalability.

Telecommunications: In the telecommunications industry, FPGAs are employed in network infrastructure to support high-speed data transmission, signal processing, and network function virtualization (NFV). Intel Altera’s FPGAs enable the deployment of 5G networks and advanced communication systems.

Automotive: The automotive sector benefits from Intel Altera’s FPGAs in applications such as advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), infotainment, and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication. FPGAs provide the necessary computational power and flexibility for real-time processing and system integration.

Industrial Automation: Intel Altera FPGAs are used in industrial control systems, robotics, and manufacturing automation. Their ability to handle complex algorithms and real-time processing makes them suitable for high-precision tasks and system optimization.

Aerospace and Defense: In aerospace and defense, Intel Altera’s FPGAs are utilized in mission-critical applications, including radar, electronic warfare, and satellite communications. Their reliability and adaptability make them ideal for high-performance, high-reliability systems.

The Future of Intel Altera
As technology continues to evolve, Intel Altera is well-positioned to drive future innovations in programmable logic and adaptive computing. The integration of FPGAs with Intel’s processing technologies opens up new possibilities for creating more powerful and flexible computing solutions. Intel Altera’s commitment to advancing FPGA technology, combined with its expertise in high-performance computing, ensures that it will remain a key player in shaping the future of digital electronics.

Conclusion
Intel Altera represents a fusion of innovation and technology, combining the pioneering spirit of Altera with the technological prowess of Intel. Through its diverse portfolio of FPGA products and solutions, Intel Altera is transforming industries and driving advancements in computing. Whether accelerating data center performance, enabling next-generation telecommunications, or enhancing automotive and industrial systems, Intel Altera continues to push the boundaries of what is possible with programmable logic. As the demand for adaptive and high-performance computing solutions grows, Intel Altera will remain at the forefront, delivering cutting-edge technology to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving world.