This is the inaugural posting to our FPGA Soft Systems Blog. Just what is a soft system you may ask? A soft system is a combination of programmable hardware, usually in the form of a Field Programmable Gate Array, and software that is optimized to perform a useful task. Soft systems can be embedded within traditional electronic systems or they can stand alone. The key point is that the hardware can be changed– late in development or even “in the field” , by modifying a hardware programming file. Soft systems create opportunities for innovative new products and increased profit. This blog will discuss the development challenges, market, technologies, and the use of soft systems.