Lab1 Introduction toFPGA, Nexys4, Questasim, & VivadoEE354

Introduction to FPGA

FPGA Architecture▪Field Programmable Gate Array

▪CLBs (Configurable Logic Blocks)▪ Slices of LUT’s, Muxes, Flip Flops to realize logic

▪IOBs (Input/Output Blocks)▪ Buffers and Tri-state gates to bring signals on/off

the chip

▪Programmable Interconnect Points▪ Configurable routing paths for the CLB’s and IOB’s

CLB (Configurable Logic Block)

• Look-up-Tables store the truth tables for the logic to be implemented

• LUT’s can be re-configured based on the design

• Flip Flops in the CLB’s allow for sequential logic

• Building Blocks of all logic in the FPGA

FPGA Design Flow (for EE354)

1. Design Entry in Verilog

◦ Our designs will typically include a core design (state machine) and a top design (integrates I/O with core design)

2. Behavioral Simulation of core design

3. Synthesize design into a netlist

4. Implementation

◦ Reads the constraints we assign (.xdc file)

◦ Optimizes, places the design on the specified board, routes the design

5. Generate Bitstream

Synthesis, Implementation, Bitstream Generation are all done in Vivado

Introduction to Nexys-4

Nexys4_Basic_IO_Introduction.pdf

Nexys_4_documentation/

Handling Nexys-4ESD (Electrostatic Discharge)

-- Electrostatic discharge can damage chips! So, please do not touch PCB traces or component pins. Hold the board between fingers on the edges.

-- The storage box has antistatic black foam. That is for storage only.You should not power the board while it is in the box.

-- Do not alter the jumpers.

Demonstration of Questasim on VDI

Demonstration of Questasim on VDI (MyDesktop)

Example design: Middle_Finder.zip

Steps to run QuestasimModelSim_Questasim_Testing.pdf

Demonstration of Vivado on VDI

Demonstration of Vivado on VDI (MyDesktop)Example design: test_nexys4_verilog_sources_onlytest_nexys4_verilog.zip

Transferring files between your laptop and VDIProject directories under temporary C:\Xilinx_projects\

Transferring the .bit file to your N4 board through the Hardware Manager tool on Vivado