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To simplify the design of complex systems in FPGAs, there exist libraries of predefined complex functions and circuits that have been tested and optimized to speed up the design process.

These predefined circuits are commonly called IP cores, and are available from FPGA vendors and third-party IP suppliers ( rarely free, and typically released under proprietary licenses ).

Other predefined circuits are available from developer communities such as OpenCores ( typically released under free and open source licenses such as the GPL, BSD or similar license ), and other sources.