System to integrate FPGA functions into a pipeline processing environment

An integrated support tool set that allows a programmer to design an efficient pipelined FPGA, the support tool set comprising:

• a plurality of system operators having inputs and outputs, the operators tailored for pipeline operation, outputs of a first operator connectable directly to inputs of subsequent operators, avoiding intermediate storage in a memory;
• a set of programmed commands for interconnecting a set of operators to form a larger structure;
• an on-going process that builds an pipeline model of the larger structure;
• an invokable VHDL process that generates a VHDL description of the FPGA portion of the pipeline model for a target FPGA chip mounted on a preselected board type, the VHDL description usable by a VHDL compiler to generate a FPGA programming bitstream;
• an on-going synthesis process that builds a simulation of the larger structure for use in determining whether the larger structure is operating to meet a stated goal.