Vhdl

too vast, too complex, too grand ... for description. John Wesley Powell-1870 (discovering the Grand Canyon) VHDL is a big world. A beginner can be easily disappointed by the generality of this language. This generality is explained by the large number of domains covered - from specifications to logical simulation or synthesis. To the very beginner, VHDL appears as a "kit". He is quickly aware that his problem may be solved with VHDL, but does not know how. He does not even know how to start. In this state of mind, all the constraints that can be set to his modeling job, by using a subset of the language or a given design methodology, may be seen as a life preserver. The success of the introduction of VHDL in a company depends on solutions to many questions that should be answered months before the first line of code is written: • Why choose VHDL? • Which VHDL tools should be chosen? • Which modeling methodology should be adopted? • How should the VHDL environment be customized? • What are the tricks? Where are the traps? • What are the differences between VHDL and other competing HDLs? Answers to these questions are organized according to different concerns: buying the tools, organizing the environment, and designing. Decisions taken in each of these areas may have many consequences on the way to the acceptance and efficiently use of VHDL in a company.

This book is intended to be a working reference for electronic hardware de signers who are interested in writing VHDL models. A handbook/cookbook approach is taken, with many complete examples used to illustrate the fea tures of the VHDL language and to provide insight into how particular classes of hardware devices can be modelled in VHDL. It is possible to use these models directly or to adapt them to similar problems with minimal effort. This book is not intended to be a complete reference manual for the VHDL language. It is possible to begin writing VHDL models with little background in VHDL by copying examples from the book and adapting them to particular problems. Some exposure to the VHDL language prior to using this book is recommended. The reader is assumed to have a solid hardware design background, preferably with some simulation experience. For the reader who is interested in getting a complete overview of the VHDL language, the following publications are recommended reading: • An Introduction to VHDL: Hardware Description and Design [LIP89] • IEEE Standard VHDL Language Reference Manual [IEEE87] • Chip-Level Behavioral Modelling [ARMS88] • Multi-Level Simulation of VLSI Systems [COEL87] Other references of interest are [USG88], [DOD88] and [CLSI87] Use of the Book If the reader is familiar with VHDL, the models described in chapters 3 through 7 can be applied directly to design problems.

CD-ROM contains: Access to an introductory version of a graphical VHDL simulator/debugger from FTL Systems -- Code for examples and case studies.

A working reference for hardware designers. Includes complete examples used to illustrate features of VHDL language and provides insight into particular classes of hardware devices modelled in VHDL. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

A Guide to VHDL, Second Edition is intended for the working engineer who needs to develop, document, simulate, and synthesize a design using the VHDL language. It is for system and chip designers who are working with VHDL CAD tools, and who have some experience programming in Fortran, Pascal, or C and have used a logic simulator. A Guide to VHDL, Second Edition includes a number of paper exercises and computer lab experiments. If a compiler/simulator is available to the reader, then the lab exercises included in the chapters can be run to reinforce the learning experience. For practical purposes, this book keeps simulator-specific text to a minimum, but does use the Synopsys VHDL Simulator command language in a few cases. A Guide to VHDL, Second Edition is designed as a primer and its contents are appropriate for an introductory course in VHDL. The VHDL language was updated in 1992 with some minor improvements. In most cases, the language is upward compatible. Although this book is based primarily on the VHDL 1987 standard, this new second edition indicates the significant changes in the 1992 language to assist the designer in writing upwardly compatible code.

* Teaches VHDL by example * Includes tools for simulation and synthesis * CD-ROM containing Code/Design examples and a working demo of ModelSIM

A completely updated and expanded comprehensive treatment of VHDL and its applications to the design and simulation of real, industry-standard circuits. This comprehensive treatment of VHDL and its applications to the design and simulation of real, industry-standard circuits has been completely updated and expanded for the third edition. New features include all VHDL-2008 constructs, an extensive review of digital circuits, RTL analysis, and an unequaled collection of VHDL examples and exercises. The book focuses on the use of VHDL rather than solely on the language, with an emphasis on design examples and laboratory exercises. The third edition begins with a detailed review of digital circuits (combinatorial, sequential, state machines, and FPGAs), thus providing a self-contained single reference for the teaching of digital circuit design with VHDL. In its coverage of VHDL-2008, it makes a clear distinction between VHDL for synthesis and VHDL for simulation. The text offers complete VHDL codes in examples as well as simulation results and comments. The significantly expanded examples and exercises include many not previously published, with multiple physical demonstrations meant to inspire and motivate students. The book is suitable for undergraduate and graduate students in VHDL and digital circuit design, and can be used as a professional reference for VHDL practitioners. It can also serve as a text for digital VLSI in-house or academic courses.

Since the publication of the first edition of The Designer's Guide to VHDL in 1996, digital electronic systems have increased exponentially in their complexity, product lifetimes have dramatically shrunk, and reliability requirements have shot through the roof. As a result more and more designers have turned to VHDL to help them dramatically improve productivity as well as the quality of their designs. VHDL, the IEEE standard hardware description language for describing digital electronic systems, allows engineers to describe the structure and specify the function of a digital system as well as simulate and test it before manufacturing. In addition, designers use VHDL to synthesize a more detailed structure of the design, freeing them to concentrate on more strategic design decisions and reduce time to market. Adopted by designers around the world, the VHDL family of standards have recently been revised to address a range of issues, including portability across synthesis tools. This best-selling comprehensive tutorial for the language and authoritative reference on its use in hardware design at all levels--from system to gates--has been revised to reflect the new IEEE standard, VHDL-2001. Peter Ashenden, a member of the IEEE VHDL standards committee, presents the entire description language and builds a modeling methodology based on successful software engineering techniques. Reviewers on Amazon.com have consistently rated the first edition with five stars. This second edition updates the first, retaining the authors unique ability to teach this complex subject to a broad audience of students and practicing professionals. * Details how the new standard allows for increased portability across tools. * Covers related standards, including the Numeric Synthesis Package and the Synthesis Operability Package, demonstrating how they can be used for digital systems design. * Presents four extensive case studies to demonstrate and combine features of the language taught across multiple chapters. * Requires only a minimal background in programming, making it an excellent tutorial for anyone in computer architecture, digital systems engineering, or CAD.