8.1   INTRODUCTION

During the course of writing this text we have seen significant developments in FPGA architectures, applications, and also the business side of the industry itself. Inevitably there will be novel developments and business rearrangements during the course of book production, but it seems useful to bring out distinctive features of new developments, rather than leaving the reader with an outdated view of the FPGA industry and marketplace. The sections given here have largely been contributed by the companies responsible, with strict editorial limits on size. Further details can readily be obtained from the companies concerned. Our list is not comprehensive, and there is no slight intended to companies that have been left out.