Intermediate VHDL Coding for Synthesis Intermediate Level. 2 Days: 50% Lecture, 50% Labs Course Overview
An in-depth study of VHDL coding styles, methodologies, and design techniques used to efficiently synthesize digital hardware (ASICs and FPGAs).
Class topics focus on mapping digital hardware structures to vendor independent VHDL code. Detailed do's and don'ts of synthesis coding styles are discussed. Lecture and laboratory materials illustrate the optimization differences achieved by different VHDL coding styles. Students will learn proven coding practices that result in smaller and faster designs.
Synthesis coding styles recommended in this course are also recommended by IEEE standard 1076.6, Standard For VHDL Register Transfer Level Synthesis. As a result, no matter whose synthesis tool you use, the synthesis coding styles and techniques you learn will yield effective results.
Intended Audience
The numerous examples in this course make it suitable for a student with limited VHDL. The application focus of this course results in the student being ready for VHDL based ASIC or FPGA design.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
Write efficient, vendor independent VHDL code
Use best coding styles and practices to create ASIC and FPGA logic
Understand and avoid problematic hardware coding styles
Use code templates to create a design from the block diagram
Read VHDL code and draw the corresponding hardware (reverse engineer)
Use types, overloading, and conversion functions from standard VHDL packages (std_logic_1164, numeric_std, and std_logic_arith)
Course Outline
Day 1, Module Syn1
Synthesis Overview
Combinational Logic
Registers and Latches
UART Transmitter: RTL Code + Statemachine
Day 2, Module Syn2
Numeric Types and Packages
Arithmetic Logic
Comparison and Multiplication
Partitioning
Synthesis Process
Prerequisites
Students taking this course should have working knowledge of digital circuits and
prior exposure to VHDL through experience or the course:
Customization
All of our courses can be customized to meet your specific needs.
For some ideas, see customized courses.
Training Approach
This hands-on, how-to course is taught by experienced hardware designers using a computer driven
projector. We prefer and encourage student and instructor interaction.
Questions are welcome. Bring problematic code.