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525.442 - VHDL/FPGA Microprocessor Design Course Homepage

Instructor Information

Douglas Wenstrand

Work Phone: (443) 778-4282

Joseph Haber

Work Phone: (443) 778-7192

Course Information

Course Description

This lab oriented course covers the design of digital systems using VHSIC Hardware Description Language (VHDL)andits implementation in Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). This technology allows cost-effective unique system realizations by enabling design reuse and simplifying custom circuit design. The design tools are first introduced and used to implement basic circuits. More advanced designs follow, focusing on integrating the FPGA with external peripherals, simple signal processing applications, utilizing soft-core processors, and using intellectual property (IP) cores. Projects will be assigned for course evaluation. Individual projects will be encouraged.

Prerequisites

525.415 Microprocessor Systems is suggested but not required, as well as an understanding of digital logic fundamentals.

Course Goal

We will be learning fundamentals of VHDL with an emphasis on coding for synthesis, good digital design practices, and writing testbenches for exercising our designs. Each student will complete a number of assignments using a development board based on the Xilinx Spartan 3E FPGA.

Course Objectives


  • Be able to translate a functional system description into appropriate digital blocks coded in VHDL
  • Perform synthesis, place, and route of a digital design into a target FPGA
  • Embed a programmable microcontroller in an FPGA design and write functional assembly code
  • Display knowledge of good digital design practices in the context of the target hardware

When This Course is Typically Offered

This course is typically offered in the spring term at APL

Syllabus

Topics Covered

  • Combinational Logic in VHDL
  • Sequential Logic / Processes
  • Types / Resolution Functions
  • Operators / Arithmetic Packages
  • Testbenches
  • Finite State Machines
  • Embedded Processors : Picoblaze
  • FPGA Special Structures
  • Intellectual Property
  • Libraries
  • Subprograms
  • Power / Timing Analysis

Student Assessment Criteria

Laboratory Assignments / Homework 55%
Mid-Term Exam 20%
Final Project 15%
Quizzes 10%

Laboratory Assignments can be completed at home using a class provided FPGA development kit. 

Textbooks

Textbook information for this course is available online through the MBS Direct Virtual Bookstore.

Course Notes

There are notes for this course.

Term Specific Course Website

http://www.echelonembedded.com/jhufpga

(Last Modified: 07-22-2008 at 11:07:57 AM)