VHDL Logical Synthesis and Simulation for Xilinx™ FPGA design

(ref.L_VHDL)

5 days - 35 hours

Objectives

  • Understand the 7-Series FPGA architecture
  • Comprehend the various possibilities offered by VHDL language
  • Understand the logical synthesis notions
  • Know the different writing style and their impact on the quality of synthesis results
  • Know the performance that can be expected from Xilinx FPGA
  • Learn how to configure compilation options and implementation constraints
  • Manipulate the debug tools and implementation reports

Partners

xilinx atp

Prerequisites

  • This training is intended to electronic engineers who already have a good knowledge in designing digital electronic circuits, who are willing to acquire a strong designing methodology, and to take the best of VHDL language and the associated synthesis and simulation tools for designing Xilinx FPGA.

Configurations

  • Software Configuration :
    • Xilinx Vivado™ Design Edition 2018.1
  • Hardware configuration:
    • Recent computer (i5 or i7)
    • Windows 7 64b
    • At least 8GB RAM
    • Minimum display resolution 1024 x 768, recommended 1920x1080

Outline

Day 1

7-Series FPGA architecture

  • General structure
  • CLB and slices notion
  • Dedicated RAM blocks and use modes
  • Dedicated multipliers and DSP48 blocks
  • In/Out blocks
  • Clocks distribution, MMCMs and PLLs
  • Configuration

Day 2

Writing rules of VHDL code in logical synthesis

  • Notion of entity / architecture
  • Concurrent and sequential instructions
  • Predefined types and objects
  • Predefined operators and of use extended by using standardized packages
  • Concurrent instructions : when, with select, for generate
  • Practical labs

Day 3

Writing rules of VHDL code in logical synthesis (next)

  • Process
    • Importance of the sensitivity list
    • Sequential instructions : if, case, loop
    • Use of variables
    • A few tricks to avoid
    • Potential interpretation incoherencies between the logical synthesis and the simulation : how to avoid it

Hierarchy management for a better use

  • Organization of design by functional modules : what routing to choose ?
  • Inference and instancing notions
    • When is it important to instantiate primitives or macros ?
  • Precautions for an evolutionary and / or re-usable code
  • Importance of module’s name selection and of the nets to facilitate the physical implementation, the simulation and the tuning
  • Does the hierarchy have to be preserved during the logical synthesis ?
  • Practical labs

Day 4

Advanced VHDL language for optimization and code re-use in logical synthesis

  • Notion of variable and example of use
  • Genericity and automatic configuration of re-usable modules
  • Useful predefined attributes in logical synthesis
  • Functions and procedures
  • Definition of packages and libraries
  • Practical labs

Hardware designing methodology in logical synthesis

  • Asynchronous conception and classic tricks
    • Metastability and hazards of functioning
    • Limits of functional simulation and timing on asynchronous designs : how to get over them?
  • Asynchronous event management
    • Random
    • Data streams
  • Synchronous design
  • Static timing analysis : how to use it?
  • Optimization of performance irrespective of the target
  • Pipeline notion
  • Practical labs

Implementation and tuning tools

  • Implementation flow and bitstream generation
  • Reports Analysis
  • Main implementation options
  • Implementation results analysis tools

Day 5

Test benches and simulation

  • A few basic rules for the writing of an efficient testbench
  • VHDL instructions specific to simulation
    • Wait and its various forms
    • Loop
    • Assertions
    • Data types
    • Others
  • Writing components models intended to make the simulation more realistic
  • Use of existing models and simulation packages
  • Practical labs
  • Writing and reading of ASCII files
    • Allocation of a data flow from a file
    • Storage of the simulation results in a file
    • Command interpreter
  • Generating information messages
  • Practical labs

Teaching Methods

  • Face to face
  • Presentation by video projector
  • Provision of paper-based course materials

Support

  • Authorized Trainer Provider XILINX : Engineer Electronics and Telecommunications ENSIL
    • Expert FPGA XILINX - Language VHDL - DSP - Design RTL

Methods of monitoring and assessment of results

  • Attendance sheet
  • Evaluation questionnaire
  • Evaluation sheet on:
    • Technical questionnaire
    • Result of the Practical Works
    • Validation of Objectives
  • Presentation of a certificate with assessment of prior learning

Concerned public

  • Technicians and Engineers in Digital Electronics