Advances in VLSI and Embedded Systems: FPGA-Based Design, Low-Power Microcontrollers, and Nanowire Growth Technologies A-Review

Abstract: Very-large-scale integration (VLSI) and embedded systems are moving toward heterogeneous designs where speed, energy efficiency, flexibility, and device innovation must work together. This review discusses three important areas: FPGA-based system design, low-power microcontrollers, and semiconductor nanowire growth. FPGAs are valuable for rapid prototyping, parallel processing, hardware acceleration, and hardware/software co-design. Low-power microcontrollers support battery-operated sensing, wireless embedded platforms, TinyML, and always-on edge intelligence. Nanowire growth offers possibilities for future transistor channels, sensitive sensors, and post-planar nanoelectronics devices. The review shows that these topics are often studied separately, although future embedded platforms will need closer cooperation between reconfigurable hardware, efficient control units, and emerging nanoscale devices. FPGAs can provide strong acceleration but may consume more power. Microcontrollers are energy efficient but limited in memory and throughput. Nanowire devices are promising but still face integration and manufacturing challenges. The paper identifies the need for cross-layer co-design methods that connect architecture, firmware, security, power modelling, and device technology for practical future VLSI systems in IoT, healthcare, instrumentation, and edge computing.

Keywords: VLSI; FPGA-Based Design; Low-Power Microcontrollers; Nanowire Electronics