Programme

Introduction

• Origin, history, and evolution of reconfigurable systems.
• General architectures of PLDs and FPGAs.
• The design process (from specification to implementation).
• An overview of design languages.
• Introduction to Xilinx ISE (Integrated Software Environment) with practical examples.
• Introduction to FPGA-based prototyping boards with practical examples.

Design methods and tools

• Design tools (VHDL-based design flow, schematics, IP cores, state-based designs, prototyping systems and tools).
• Design techniques and design hierarchy.
• Libraries and design templates.
• Modeling and simulation.
• Interaction of FPGA-based circuits with peripheral devices.
• Design of a simple arithmetical circuit interacting with a VGA monitor and a keyboard.

Design techniques and application-specific reconfigurable systems

• Advanced techniques for synthesis and implementation of FSMs (conventional FSMs, hierarchical FSMs, and parallel FSMs).
• Dynamically reconfigurable FSMs.
• Implementation of iterative and recursive algorithms.
• Design example (data sorting).
• Design of a circuit using hierarchical finite state machines and implementing recursive and iterative algorithms.
• Practical applications and future of reconfigurable systems.

Theoretical classes

Link to theoretical classes

Labs

Lab 1

[Lab1.pdf]

• Become familiar with Xilinx ISE;
• Update knowledge in VHDL (behavioral and structural specifications, concurrent and sequential statements, processes, data types and operations);
• Describe simple combinational circuits using VHDL and schematics;
• Understand design hierarchy;
• Simulate the circuits;
• Become familiar with the prototyping boards;
• Synthesize and implement the design;
• Test the circuits in FPGA.

Lab 2

[auxiliary_materials.rar] [Lab2.pdf]

• Allow the FPGA circuits to interact with peripheral devices;
• Provide interface with a VGA monitor;
• Provide interface with a keyboard;
• Design and implement a simple arithmetical circuit, which receives input data from a keyboard and displays the results of arithmetical operations on a VGA monitor screen.

Lab 3

[auxiliary_materials.rar] [Lab3.pdf]

• Implementation of recursive algorithms in hardware;
• Synthesis and implementation of hierarchical finite state machines.

References

• K. Parnell, N. Mehta, Programmable Logic Design Quick Start Hand Book, 2006.
• V. Sklyarov, I. Skliarova, Tutorials.
• P.P. Chu, FPGA Prototyping Using VHDL Examples: Xilinx Spartan-3 Version, Jonh, Willey & Sons, 2008.
• P.J. Ashenden, The Designer's Guide to VHDL, Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, Inc., 2006.
• P.J. Ashenden, VHDL Tutorial, Elsevier Science, 2004.
• http://www.xilinx.com/
• http://www.model.com/support/documentation.asp