VHDL (VHSIC Hardware Description Language) is a hardware programming language commonly used for FPGA (Field Programable Gate Array) or ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) designs. FPGAs and the like are often found within larger applications such as cell phones, medical imagers, and personal media devices. As these devices are becoming more ubiquitous so the need for engineers fluent in VHDL design grows. Engineers commonly face an immediate need to learn a language or technique quickly and this book answers that requirement. Bill Kafig of industry leader Xilinx, swiftly brings the reader up to speed on techniques and functions commonly used as well as commands and data management. Extensive simple, complete designs are accompany the content for maximum comprehension. The book concludes with a section on design re-use which is of utmost importance to today's engineer that needs to meet a deadline and lower costs per unit.
Contents
Overview of the Process -- VHDL History and Purpose -- The Shape of VHDL -- Lab 1: Build a Simple Concurrent Design and Simulate -- Process, Variables, and Sequential Statements -- Vectors -- Arithmetic Operators -- Instantiations (and Inferences) -- Control Statements -- Synthesis Options -- Lab 2: Build a Design (and Simulate) with Instantiations of Lower Modules -- The Concept for Re-use -- Functions and Procedures -- Packages -- Generate Statements -- Generics -- IEEE Libraries -- Lab 3: Build Customizable Module and Simulate -- Appendix A: Quick Reference.
