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Getting Started with FPGA Programming with VHDL

Dmitri Nesteruk

Field Programmable Gate Arrays are a technology that sits between general-purpose microprocessors and fixed-structure Application Specific Integrated Circuits, and you can build almost anything with them. This course will teach you how.

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Field Programmable Gate Arrays are a technology that sits between general-purpose microprocessors and fixed-structure Application Specific Integrated Circuits, and you can build almost anything with them. This course will teach you how.

Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)s provide both the ability to effectively design your own processor to perform a specific task yet, at the same time, allow for later reprogramming the processor in the field. FPGAs are used across many industries, from home automation to financial engineering, aerospace and many others. While this all sounds deadly serious, it's important to understand that working with FPGAs can also be quite fun. You can think of them as the world's fastest set of Lego blocks. What you can build with an FPGA is mostly limited only by your imagination. In this course, Getting Started with FPGA Programming with VHDL, you'll first learn an overview of FPGA architecture. Next, you'll learn the fundamentals of VHDL programming language. Finally, you'll wrap up the course by learning about debugging and analysis. You'll look at how to create configurations, define signals and triggers to monitor, configure signals, and recompile to embed the logic analyzer in the design. By the end of this course, you'll have a strong foundation of FPGA programming with the VHDL language to use in your own work.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview
FPGA Technology Overview
Digital Design Primer
Introduction to VHDL
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Writing Sequential Code
Writing Concurrent Code
Packages and Components
Debugging and Analysis

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Builds a strong foundation for beginners by teaching basic FPGA concepts
Strengthens an existing foundation by exploring more advanced FPGA concepts
Uses VHDL, an industry-standard language for FPGA programming
Provides hands-on labs and interactive materials for practical learning
Might require some background knowledge as it explicitly advises taking other courses first

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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 Getting Started with FPGA Programming with VHDL with these activities:
Review digital logic design concepts
Refreshing digital logic design concepts provides a strong foundation for understanding FPGA programming.
Browse courses on Digital Logic Design
Show steps
  • Go through your notes or textbooks from previous courses on digital logic design
  • Review online tutorials or videos on topics such as Boolean algebra, combinational circuits, and sequential circuits
  • Practice solving problems related to digital logic design
Join a study group for FPGA programming in VHDL
Joining a study group helps reinforce concepts, clarify doubts, and exchange knowledge with peers.
Show steps
  • Find or create a study group with fellow students enrolled in the FPGA programming course.
  • Meet regularly to discuss course content, work on assignments together, and prepare for assessments.
  • Share knowledge and resources, such as notes, practice exercises, and online materials.
  • Provide feedback and support to other group members.
Build projects using Verilog tutorial
Following Verilog tutorials helps reinforce the concepts of hardware description language and digital design.
Show steps
  • Find online tutorials that provide step-by-step instructions on building hardware projects using Verilog.
  • Choose a project that aligns with your interests and skill level.
  • Follow the tutorial instructions carefully, implementing the Verilog code and simulating the design.
  • Troubleshoot any errors encountered during the implementation or simulation process.
Two other activities
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Show all five activities
Design and simulate a traffic light control system
Designing and simulating a traffic light control system provides hands-on experience in applying digital design concepts.
Show steps
  • Plan the traffic light control system, including the states, transitions, and inputs/outputs.
  • Use VHDL or Verilog to implement the design of the traffic light controller.
  • Simulate the design to verify its functionality under different scenarios.
  • Evaluate the simulation results and make necessary modifications to the design.
Design and build a simple FPGA-based calculator
Building a calculator from scratch provides a comprehensive and challenging project that integrates various FPGA concepts.
Show steps
  • Choose the architecture and components for your calculator, including the display, keypad, and logic circuitry.
  • Develop the VHDL or Verilog code for the calculator's functionality, including arithmetic operations, input handling, and display control.
  • PCB design and layout for the calculator circuit, considering factors such as component placement, routing, and power distribution.
  • Assemble and test the calculator prototype, troubleshooting any issues and making necessary adjustments.

Career center

Learners who complete Getting Started with FPGA Programming with VHDL will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
FPGA Engineer
FPGA Engineers design and build systems using Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). By using the VHDL programming language, FPGA Engineers can create configurations, define signals and triggers to monitor, configure signals, and recompile to embed the logic analyzer in the design. This course will help you build a foundation in FPGA programming with the VHDL language so that you can be an effective FPGA Engineer.
Computer Hardware Engineer
Computer Hardware Engineers research, design, develop, and test computer hardware systems using Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). FPGAs are used in a wide variety of applications, from consumer electronics to medical devices to aerospace systems. This course will help you build a foundation in FPGA programming with the VHDL language so that you can be an effective Computer Hardware Engineer.
Electrical Engineer
Electrical Engineers design, develop, test, and maintain electrical systems and components. This includes designing and building systems using Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). FPGAs are used in a wide variety of applications, from consumer electronics to medical devices to aerospace systems. This course will help you build a foundation in FPGA programming with the VHDL language so that you can be an effective Electrical Engineer.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers design, develop, test, and maintain software systems. This includes developing software for systems that use Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). FPGAs are used in a wide variety of applications, from consumer electronics to medical devices to aerospace systems. This course will help you build a foundation in FPGA programming with the VHDL language so that you can be an effective Software Engineer.
Embedded Systems Engineer
Embedded Systems Engineers design, develop, test, and maintain embedded systems. This includes designing and building systems that use Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). FPGAs are used in a wide variety of applications, from consumer electronics to medical devices to aerospace systems. This course will help you build a foundation in FPGA programming with the VHDL language so that you can be an effective Embedded Systems Engineer.
Robotics Engineer
Robotics Engineers design, develop, test, and maintain robots. This includes designing and building robots that use Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). FPGAs are used in a wide variety of applications, from consumer electronics to medical devices to aerospace systems. This course will help you build a foundation in FPGA programming with the VHDL language so that you can be an effective Robotics Engineer.
Aerospace Engineer
Aerospace Engineers design, develop, test, and maintain aerospace systems. This includes designing and building aerospace systems that use Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). FPGAs are used in a wide variety of applications, from consumer electronics to medical devices to aerospace systems. This course will help you build a foundation in FPGA programming with the VHDL language so that you can be an effective Aerospace Engineer.
Signal Processing Engineer
Signal Processing Engineers design, develop, test, and maintain signal processing systems. This includes designing and building signal processing systems that use Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). FPGAs are used in a wide variety of applications, from consumer electronics to medical devices to aerospace systems. This course will help you build a foundation in FPGA programming with the VHDL language so that you can be an effective Signal Processing Engineer.
Control Systems Engineer
Control Systems Engineers design, develop, test, and maintain control systems. This includes designing and building control systems that use Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). FPGAs are used in a wide variety of applications, from consumer electronics to medical devices to aerospace systems. This course will help you build a foundation in FPGA programming with the VHDL language so that you can be an effective Control Systems Engineer.
Telecommunications Engineer
Telecommunications Engineers design, develop, test, and maintain telecommunications systems. This includes designing and building telecommunications systems that use Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). FPGAs are used in a wide variety of applications, from consumer electronics to medical devices to aerospace systems. This course will help you build a foundation in FPGA programming with the VHDL language so that you can be an effective Telecommunications Engineer.
Power Systems Engineer
Power Systems Engineers design, develop, test, and maintain power systems. This includes designing and building power systems that use Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). FPGAs are used in a wide variety of applications, from consumer electronics to medical devices to aerospace systems. This course will help you build a foundation in FPGA programming with the VHDL language so that you can be an effective Power Systems Engineer.
Automotive Engineer
Automotive Engineers design, develop, test, and maintain automotive systems. This includes designing and building automotive systems that use Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). FPGAs are used in a wide variety of applications, from consumer electronics to medical devices to aerospace systems. This course will help you build a foundation in FPGA programming with the VHDL language so that you can be an effective Automotive Engineer.
Medical Device Engineer
Medical Device Engineers design, develop, test, and maintain medical devices. This includes designing and building medical devices that use Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). FPGAs are used in a wide variety of applications, from consumer electronics to medical devices to aerospace systems. This course will help you build a foundation in FPGA programming with the VHDL language so that you can be an effective Medical Device Engineer.
Defense Contractor
Defense Contractors design, develop, test, and maintain defense systems. This includes designing and building defense systems that use Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). FPGAs are used in a wide variety of applications, from consumer electronics to medical devices to aerospace systems. This course will help you build a foundation in FPGA programming with the VHDL language so that you can be an effective Defense Contractor.
Chemical Engineer
Chemical Engineers design, develop, test, and maintain chemical processes. This includes designing and building chemical processes that use Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). FPGAs are used in a wide variety of applications, from consumer electronics to medical devices to aerospace systems. This course may help you build a foundation in FPGA programming with the VHDL language so that you can be an effective Chemical Engineer.

Reading list

We've selected 15 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 Getting Started with FPGA Programming with VHDL.
Provides a comprehensive overview of FPGA programming with VHDL, including topics such as FPGA architecture, VHDL language basics, and design methodologies. Can be used as a textbook or reference.
Provides a practical introduction to FPGA prototyping using Verilog. It covers a wide range of topics, from basic concepts to advanced techniques, and valuable resource for both students and professionals.
Provides a comprehensive overview of FPGA-based system design. It covers a wide range of topics, from basic concepts to advanced techniques, and valuable resource for both students and professionals.
Provides a comprehensive overview of advanced FPGA design. It covers a wide range of topics, from basic concepts to advanced techniques, and valuable resource for both students and professionals.
Provides a comprehensive overview of advanced digital design techniques using the Verilog HDL. It covers a wide range of topics, from basic concepts to advanced techniques, and valuable resource for both students and professionals.
Provides a practical introduction to rapid prototyping of digital systems using FPGAs. It covers a wide range of topics, from basic concepts to advanced techniques, and valuable resource for both students and professionals.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the Verilog Programming Language Interface (PLI). It covers a wide range of topics, from basic concepts to advanced techniques, and valuable resource for both students and professionals.
Provides a comprehensive overview of digital systems design using VHDL. It covers the basics of digital systems design, as well as advanced topics such as pipelining and memory.
Covers the fundamentals of digital design and computer architecture, providing a strong foundation for understanding FPGA programming. Useful as a prerequisite or background reading.
A practical guide to FPGA prototyping using VHDL examples. Includes step-by-step instructions and code snippets that can be used as a reference for hands-on projects.
Classic textbook on digital design and provides a comprehensive overview of the field. It covers a wide range of topics, from basic concepts to advanced techniques, and valuable resource for both students and professionals.
Provides a comprehensive overview of SystemVerilog for verification. It covers the basics of SystemVerilog for verification, as well as advanced topics such as constrained random testing.
Provides a hands-on approach to learning VHDL programming. It includes numerous examples and exercises to help readers learn the basics of VHDL.
Provides a hands-on approach to learning FPGA prototyping using Verilog. It includes numerous examples and exercises to help readers learn the basics of FPGA prototyping.

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