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AXI4 Implementations in FPGA Designs

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Based on 62 ratings
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Scott Dickson

A full instructional series for all aspect of the AXI4 Bus protocol, including AXI4 Stream, AXI4-Lite, and AXI4.  Each flavor of AXI4 has a bus flow, handshake, and signal requirements described in detail.  An example implementation for a Master and Slave in each of the subsets of AXI4 are included, with simulation demonstrations using example testbenches in edaplayground, and vivado, included using the vivado block diagram with AXI4 Protocol checking.

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A full instructional series for all aspect of the AXI4 Bus protocol, including AXI4 Stream, AXI4-Lite, and AXI4.  Each flavor of AXI4 has a bus flow, handshake, and signal requirements described in detail.  An example implementation for a Master and Slave in each of the subsets of AXI4 are included, with simulation demonstrations using example testbenches in edaplayground, and vivado, included using the vivado block diagram with AXI4 Protocol checking.

We learn the differences between each of the AXI4 flavors, where the AXI4 Stream protocol is used for uni-directional bulk data transfers from a master to a slave without addressing information.   The AXI4 Stream protocol is the easiest to implement and the most common. 

The AXI4-Lite protocol is the other common interface that we learn how to implement.   We get a full understanding of how the AXI4-Lite Master handshakes with the AXI4-Lite Slave with both address and data, and allows single word writes and reads, with slave responses on valid or error transactions.

The full AXI4 protocol provides the highest data bandwith with burst modes up to 256 words of size 128 bytes.  With 5 separate busses, including an Address Write Bus, a Data Write bus, an Address Read Bus, a Read Bus, and a Write Reponse bus, each with separate handshaking, there is an extensive understanding required to implement the RTL components successfully.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Learn the fpga based axi4 bus protocol, including axi4-lite and axi4 stream with rtl / verification in vhdl and verilog
  • Axi4 bus signals and master / slave handshaking
  • Verification of the axi4 protocol and interfacing to vendor ip
  • Simulation demonstrations in verilog and vhdl with sample code files

Syllabus

Introduction

An introduction to AXI4.   Including why we would want to use the AXI4 protocol, and the different versions of the AXI4 protocol and where we might want to utilize them.

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Introduction to the AXI4 Stream protocol, including interface signals, Master / Slave handshaking, and implementation scenarios.

A complete look into how to implement an AXI4 Stream Slave in VHDL.  Included is a look at a sample RTL design, verification testbench, and demonstration simulations in edaplayground, and vivado.

A complete look into how to implement an AXI4 Stream Slave in Verilog.  Included is a look at a sample RTL design, verification testbench, and demonstration simulations in edaplayground, and vivado.

A look at how to implement an AXI4 Stream Master in VHDL.  Included is the signal list of the required interface, a state machine that follows the flow of the Stream transaction, including transfer stalls from the slave.  A verification testbench, with demonstrations in edaplayground, vivado, and vivado block diagram with protocol checking is included.

Introducing the AXI4-Lite Bus protocol, which is a subset of the full AXI4 Bus.  A simpler and easier bus that is limited to single word transactions on either a 32-bit or 64-bit data bus.

A step by step approach to implementing an AXI4-Lite Slave component in VHDL.   Reviewing the port list for the signals required, and coding up a state machine for the transaction flow and handshakes.   Included are demonstrations in edaplayground, vivado, including a protocol checker in vivado.

A step by step approach to implementing an AXI4-Lite Slave component in Verilog.   Reviewing the port list for the signals required, and coding up a state machine for the transaction flow and handshakes.   Included are demonstrations in edaplayground, vivado, including a protocol checker in vivado.

A complete look into implementing an AXI4-Lite Master component in VHDL.  Review of the required signal list.  Understanding a state machine approach to the transaction flow.  Included is a verification testbench, with corresponding demonstrations in edaplayground, and vivado, with vivado protocol checking.

A complete look into implementing an AXI4-Lite Master component in Verilog.  Review of the required signal list.  Understanding a state machine approach to the transaction flow.  Included is a verification testbench, with corresponding demonstrations in edaplayground, and vivado, with vivado protocol checking.

An introduction to the full AXI4 Bus.  Explanation of the full signal list, which signals are significant, and how burst writes and reads are executed.

Follow along with an implementation in VHDL of an AXI4 Slave module that contains registers and memory that are written from the AXI4 bus.  The slave will support bursts into and out of memory, as well as emulate slave wait states.  Demonstrations in edaplayground, and vivado are included.

Follow along with an implementation in Verilog of an AXI4 Slave module that contains registers and memory that are written from the AXI4 bus.  The slave will support bursts into memory, as well as emulate slave wait states.  Demonstrations in edaplayground, and vivado are included.

A comprehensive look at the implementation of an AXI4 Master VHDL component, that supports bursts, slave stalls, and master wait states.   The transaction flow is controlled with a state machine, with the corresponding outputs to the slave.   Included is a verification testbench with demonstrations in edaplayground, vivado, and using a vivado block diagram with a protocol checker.

A comprehensive look at the implementation of an AXI4 Master Verilog component, that supports bursts, slave stalls, and master wait states.   The transaction flow is controlled with a state machine, with the corresponding outputs to the slave.   Included is a verification testbench with demonstrations in edaplayground, vivado, and using a vivado block diagram with a protocol checker.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides hands-on experience with implementing AXI4 protocols in both VHDL and Verilog, which are essential skills for FPGA development
Includes simulation demonstrations using industry-standard tools like Vivado and Edaplayground, which allows learners to test and verify their designs
Covers AXI4-Stream, AXI4-Lite, and full AXI4 protocols, which provides a comprehensive understanding of the AXI4 family of interfaces
Focuses on practical implementation with example master and slave designs, which helps learners translate theoretical knowledge into real-world applications
Requires access to FPGA development tools such as Vivado, which may present a barrier to entry for some learners due to licensing costs
Emphasizes RTL (Register Transfer Level) design and verification, which is crucial for hardware engineers working with FPGAs

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Reviews summary

Practical axi4 implementation in fpga

According to learners, this course provides a practical and hands-on approach to implementing the AXI4 Bus protocol, covering AXI4 Stream, AXI4-Lite, and AXI4 Full. Students particularly appreciate the detailed explanations and the inclusion of helpful VHDL and Verilog code examples, which many found worked out of the box. The clear simulation demonstrations using tools like Vivado and edaplayground are highlighted as a positive aspect that aids understanding. While the course is seen as providing a solid foundation, some reviewers noted that the AXI4 Full section could benefit from more depth on complex aspects, and a few felt the explanations for Verilog examples were slightly less detailed than the VHDL ones. Overall, the course receives largely positive feedback.
Demonstrations in Vivado and edaplayground aid understanding.
"Simulations demos were clear."
"Vivado demos were useful. Solid foundation provided."
"Simulation demos helped a lot in understanding flow."
"Vivado integration examples are spot on."
Provides helpful VHDL/Verilog code examples.
"Code examples for VHDL/Verilog were super helpful and worked out of the box. Simulations demos were clear. Highly recommend for anyone working with FPGAs. Practical and well-structured."
"Excellent, comprehensive overview of AXI4 protocols. Instructor clearly knows the material. Walkthroughs of VHDL/Verilog implementations are practical. Simulation demos helped a lot in understanding flow."
"Provided a good introduction to AXI4 for someone new to it. The practical examples were key. VHDL code was good."
"Best resource I found for AXI4 Stream/Lite implementations. Clear, concise, and the provided code is a lifesaver. Vivado integration examples are spot on."
Verilog explanations sometimes felt less detailed.
"The VHDL examples were better explained than the Verilog ones."
"I found the VHDL examples were better explained than the Verilog ones."
"The Verilog explanations sometimes felt less detailed compared to the VHDL sections."
The AXI4 Full section could use more detail.
"Full AXI4 section was a bit fast-paced, could use more depth on burst complexities. Code examples were good. Vivado demos were useful. Solid foundation provided."
"Needed external resources for some advanced AXI4 Full concepts. Good starting point but not exhaustive."
"Good coverage of AXI4 Lite and Stream. Full AXI4 section was a bit fast-paced, could use more depth on burst complexities."
Not suitable for complete beginners.
"Not for complete beginners, need some FPGA background."
"Needed external resources for some advanced AXI4 Full concepts. Good starting point but not exhaustive."
"Some parts dragged, others rushed. Code examples had minor issues initially, needed debugging. Not for complete beginners, need some FPGA background."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in AXI4 Implementations in FPGA Designs with these activities:
Review Digital Design Fundamentals
Reviewing digital design fundamentals will help you better understand the underlying principles of AXI4 implementations in FPGAs.
Browse courses on Digital Design
Show steps
  • Review Boolean algebra and logic gates.
  • Study combinational and sequential logic circuits.
  • Practice designing simple digital circuits.
Read 'FPGA Prototyping by VHDL Examples'
Reading this book will provide practical examples of FPGA prototyping using VHDL, which is highly relevant to the course.
View FPGA Prototyping by VHDL Examples on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the chapters related to memory interfaces and data transfer.
  • Study the VHDL code examples provided in the book.
  • Try implementing some of the examples on your own FPGA development board.
Implement AXI4-Stream FIFO
Practicing the implementation of an AXI4-Stream FIFO will reinforce your understanding of the AXI4-Stream protocol and its handshaking mechanism.
Show steps
  • Design the FIFO interface with AXI4-Stream signals.
  • Implement the FIFO logic using VHDL or Verilog.
  • Simulate the FIFO to verify its functionality.
  • Integrate the FIFO into a larger AXI4-Stream system.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a blog post on AXI4 Verification
Creating a blog post on AXI4 verification will help you solidify your understanding of the verification process and share your knowledge with others.
Show steps
  • Research different AXI4 verification techniques.
  • Write a blog post explaining the basics of AXI4 verification.
  • Include code examples and diagrams to illustrate your points.
  • Publish your blog post on a relevant platform.
Design an AXI4-Lite controlled LED driver
Starting a project to design an AXI4-Lite controlled LED driver will provide hands-on experience with implementing AXI4-Lite and interfacing it with hardware.
Show steps
  • Design the AXI4-Lite interface for the LED driver.
  • Implement the LED driver logic in VHDL or Verilog.
  • Connect the AXI4-Lite interface to the LED driver logic.
  • Test the LED driver by writing to the AXI4-Lite registers.
Contribute to an AXI4 Open Source Project
Contributing to an open-source AXI4 project will provide valuable experience working with real-world AXI4 implementations and collaborating with other engineers.
Show steps
  • Find an open-source AXI4 project on GitHub or GitLab.
  • Study the project's code and documentation.
  • Identify a bug or feature that you can contribute to.
  • Submit a pull request with your changes.
Read 'High-Level Synthesis: From Algorithm to Digital Circuit'
Reading this book will provide insights into high-level synthesis techniques for generating AXI4 interfaces, which can improve design productivity.
View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the chapters related to HLS for memory interfaces.
  • Study the examples of HLS code for AXI4 interfaces.
  • Experiment with HLS tools to generate RTL code from high-level descriptions.

Career center

Learners who complete AXI4 Implementations in FPGA Designs will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
RTL Engineer
An RTL Engineer is a hardware designer that uses register-transfer level languages like Verilog and VHDL to create digital circuits. This role requires in-depth knowledge of hardware design, testing and verification. An understanding of bus protocols, such as AXI4 is essential to creating efficient and high performance hardware. This course is extremely relevant to the work of an RTL Engineer by providing deep instruction on implementing various AXI4 protocols, including AXI4 Stream, AXI4-Lite, and full AXI4. The course includes practical design examples and verification testbenches that are similar to the tasks of an RTL Engineer.
See salaries and explore the career path for RTL Engineer
FPGA Designer
An FPGA Designer works with programmable logic devices to create custom hardware solutions, often used for high-performance computing, signal processing, and embedded systems. This role requires a deep understanding of hardware description languages such as Verilog and VHDL, as well as knowledge of bus protocols like AXI4. This course provides instruction on AXI4 implementations, including AXI4 Stream, AXI4-Lite, and AXI4, all of which are essential for interfacing with various components within an FPGA design. It teaches implementation of masters and slaves in different AXI4 flavors. The course's focus on simulation and verification using edaplayground and Vivado aligns perfectly with the practical needs of an FPGA designer.
See salaries and explore the career path for FPGA Designer
Hardware Verification Specialist
A Hardware Verification Specialist focuses on creating test plans and implementing verification strategies to ensure hardware designs function correctly. They often work on complex protocols, like AXI4, and require a deep understanding of how these protocols work, as well as the simulation and verification process. This course on AXI4 implementations is ideal for a hardware verification specialist. The practical implementation examples in VHDL and Verilog, combined with the simulation and verification demonstrations using edaplayground and Vivado, make this course particularly relevant to their work. A hardware verification specialist will benefit from understanding the nuances of the AXI4 bus protocols in detail.
See salaries and explore the career path for Hardware Verification Specialist
Verification Engineer
A Verification Engineer focuses on ensuring that hardware designs meet their specifications and operate correctly. This includes writing testbenches, debugging issues, and using simulation tools. A strong understanding of AXI4 protocols is essential for verifying the correct behavior of bus interfaces. This course provides detailed instruction on AXI4 Stream, AXI4-Lite, and AXI4 with practical examples, as well as verification testbenches. The course includes simulation demonstrations in various tools, which directly aligns with the day-to-day tasks of a verification engineer. The focus on verification and troubleshooting makes this course particularly valuable to a verification engineer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Verification Engineer
ASIC Designer
An Application Specific Integrated Circuit Designer is responsible for the design of integrated circuits for specific uses, often leveraging complex bus protocols like AXI4. This course on AXI4 implementations provides critical insights into the intricacies of the protocol from both a master and slave perspective, and will help an ASIC Designer integrate different intellectual property cores into their design. Through a detailed study of AXI4, AXI4-Lite, and AXI4 Stream, this course will help an ASIC designer ensure efficient data transfers within their design. The use of simulation and verification tools that are used in this course will help an ASIC Designer develop robust and reliable circuits.
See salaries and explore the career path for ASIC Designer
Digital Design Engineer
A Digital Design Engineer designs and develops digital circuits and systems that make up many of today's electronic devices. These systems often use bus protocols such as AXI4 for communication between components. This course directly addresses the needs of a Digital Design Engineer by providing a comprehensive study of AXI4 implementations, including AXI4 Stream, AXI4-Lite, and full AXI4. The course's focus on practical implementation, with examples in VHDL and Verilog, as well as simulation demonstrations, makes it valuable for someone in this role. This course helps a Digital Design Engineer understand how to implement and verify these complex protocols, which is crucial for their role.
See salaries and explore the career path for Digital Design Engineer
System on a Chip Engineer
A System on a Chip Engineer designs and integrates multiple hardware and software components into a single integrated circuit. The AXI4 bus is commonly used for on-chip communication for many of today's System on a Chip designs. This course gives detailed instructions on the implementation of AXI4, AXI4-Lite, and AXI4 Stream, allowing an engineer to design high-performance System on a Chip devices. The course focuses on understanding the specific nuances of each AXI4 flavor, which is beneficial for this role. The hands-on examples and demonstrations in the course also help a System on a Chip Engineer create more robust and efficient integrated systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for System on a Chip Engineer
Hardware Engineer
A Hardware Engineer designs, develops, and tests physical components and systems. This role encompasses both analog and digital circuit design. A deeper understanding of digital communication protocols like AXI4 helps improve the performance of hardware systems, especially FPGAs. This course's AXI4 implementations section teaches the bus flow, handshake, and signal requirements for each type, which is critical for a hardware engineer when implementing hardware designs. This course also includes master and slave design for each variation of AXI4, as well as simulation demonstrations, which are useful for Hardware Engineers in troubleshooting and debugging.
See salaries and explore the career path for Hardware Engineer
Embedded Systems Engineer
An Embedded Systems Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and testing software and hardware for embedded systems. These systems are usually found in devices such as automobiles and appliances. This role requires a understanding of hardware communication protocols like AXI4, especially when working with FPGAs for hardware acceleration. This course offers detailed instruction on implementing AXI4 Stream, AXI4-Lite, and AXI4 protocols allowing for more efficient data transfer in embedded systems. The detailed AXI4 design and simulation demonstrations included in this course are highly relevant to embedded systems design.
See salaries and explore the career path for Embedded Systems Engineer
Hardware Validation Engineer
A Hardware Validation Engineer is responsible for testing and validating hardware designs to ensure they meet performance and reliability standards. They often work with bus protocols such as AXI4, and need to understand the signal requirements and handshaking protocols. This course provides a comprehensive view of AXI4, AXI4-Lite and AXI4 Stream, complete with practical implementation examples and simulation demonstrations, which may be helpful for a Hardware Validation Engineer. By gaining a deeper understanding of the underlying AXI4 protocol, the Hardware Validation Engineer is able to make more robust tests and properly validate specific hardware.
See salaries and explore the career path for Hardware Validation Engineer
Semiconductor Engineer
A Semiconductor Engineer works with the design and fabrication of semiconductor devices. These devices are often integrated into larger systems using on-chip bus protocols such as AXI4. This course, which provides in depth instruction on the implementation of AXI4, AXI4-Lite, and AXI4 Stream may be useful for a Semiconductor Engineer. By understanding the intricacies of the AXI4 protocol, they can tailor their designs and fabrication processes. The design and simulation examples that are part of this course can also give them a better understanding of how their designs will perform in a full system.
See salaries and explore the career path for Semiconductor Engineer
Computer Architect
A Computer Architect designs computer systems by creating the specifications and the interactions between various system components. This often requires a deep understanding of the bus protocols used within those systems. This course, focusing on AXI4 implementations, is useful for understanding how data is transferred and managed within a system. By looking at specific AXI4 implementations, an architect can better understand the details of the bus flows. While this course is focused on implementation, it can be a useful tool for computer architects that need a deeper knowledge of how a specific bus protocol works. This course may be useful for a computer architect.
See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Architect
Research Scientist
A Research Scientist working in hardware engineering, often investigates new hardware technologies, including those that leverage FPGAs and custom bus protocols. This course, focusing on AXI4 implementations, may help a Research Scientist understand practical implementation issues, as well as verification strategies for these protocols. By looking at AXI4, AXI4-Lite, and AXI4 Stream, they can gain insights into the trade-offs and challenges of using these common communication standards. The course's hands-on demonstrations, such as using Vivado, may be useful to understand the overall process for hardware implementation, but does not cover research specific practices.
See salaries and explore the career path for Research Scientist
Technical Consultant
A Technical Consultant provides expert advice and solutions to clients on various technology-related projects. This role may include advising on the implementation and verification of complex hardware systems. A solid understanding of AXI4 protocols, as taught in this course, could be useful when advising clients on system integration. The detailed instruction on AXI4 Stream, AXI4-Lite and full AXI4 implementation is applicable to consultants who need a strong understanding of hardware. This course may be useful to a technical consultant.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Consultant
Firmware Engineer
A Firmware Engineer develops the low-level software that controls hardware components in embedded systems. They often need to interface with hardware components via bus protocols such as AXI4. This course on AXI4 implementations is applicable to the firmware engineer because it provides a detailed understanding of AXI4 protocols, including AXI4 Stream, AXI4-Lite and full AXI4. The implementations and demonstrations using VHDL and Verilog will help firmware engineers in understanding the hardware side of the interfaces they work with daily. The course’s focus on understanding AXI4 protocol flows, master/slave handshaking and bus behavior makes it particularly useful for a firmware engineer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Firmware Engineer

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in AXI4 Implementations in FPGA Designs.
Cover image
FPGA Prototyping by VHDL Examples
Save
Provides practical examples of FPGA prototyping using VHDL. It covers various design techniques and implementation details relevant to AXI4 implementations. It is particularly useful for understanding how to translate theoretical concepts into working hardware designs. This book serves as a good reference for those new to FPGA development.
FPGA Prototyping by VHDL Examples
Paperback
Check
FPGA Prototyping by VHDL Examples
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Putting Knowledge to Work
Save
Explores the process of high-level synthesis (HLS), which can be used to automatically generate RTL code for AXI4 interfaces from higher-level descriptions. It provides insights into the optimization techniques and trade-offs involved in HLS. This book is useful for those looking to automate the design process and improve design productivity. It is more valuable as additional reading to expand on the course.
Putting Knowledge to Work
Paperback
Check
Putting Knowledge to Work
Kindle Edition
Check

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Rating
4.7 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Effort
8 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructor
Scott Dickson
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides hands-on experience with implementing AXI4 protocols in both VHDL and Verilog, which are essential skills for FPGA development
Includes simulation demonstrations using industry-standard tools like Vivado and Edaplayground, which allows learners to test and verify their designs
Covers AXI4-Stream, AXI4-Lite, and full AXI4 protocols, which provides a comprehensive understanding of the AXI4 family of interfaces
Focuses on practical implementation with example master and slave designs, which helps learners translate theoretical knowledge into real-world applications
Requires access to FPGA development tools such as Vivado, which may present a barrier to entry for some learners due to licensing costs
Emphasizes RTL (Register Transfer Level) design and verification, which is crucial for hardware engineers working with FPGAs
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