This paper shows why combining Model-Based Design with FPGAs has been a game-changer for wireless infrastructure development. It traces the evolution of Xilinx FPGAs and Model-Based Design with MATLAB® and Simulink® across three generations of wireless infrastructure standards and shows how wireless communication companies are combining FPGAs with Model-Based Design to deliver high-quality products that meet 3G, 4G, and 5G standards.