VHDL Language and Application

Learning Objectives

After completing this course you will be able to:

• Understand and use the essential concepts and constructs of VHDL
• Create efficient, effective RTL code for synthesis according to industry-standard guidelines
• Verify VHDL designs using test environments of significant capability and complexity
• Write VHDL for synthesis and verification in a project-based environment using the latest tools

Software Used in This Course

• Encounter RTL Compiler L
• Incisive Enterprise Simulator L

Software Release(s)

• INCISIV111, RC91

Course Agenda

Days 1-2: Language Basics

• VHDL language introduction
• Design units and main language concepts
• Processes and sequential statements
• Simulation execution, sensitivity lists, and wait statements
• Variables and variable use
• Operators, operator overloading, and arithmetic packages
• Coding styles for testbenches, RTL, and behavioral code

Day 3: Synthesis Coding Styles

• RTL coding styles and guidelines for high-quality, reusable, synthesizable code
• Coding styles for efficient hardware synthesis
• Finite State Machines (FSMs) and state vector encoding
• Synthesis implications with variables, branching statements and other constructs

Days 4-5: Advanced Constructs and Verification

• Procedures and functions
• Generics, generates, and blocks
• Unconstrained, type-indexed, and multi-dimensional arrays
• Types, sub-types, closely-related types, and type conversions
• Coding styles and strategies for generating test stimulus
• Design organization and management
• Options and strategies for using configurations
• Modeling timing in VHDL
• Key updates in VHDL2001 and VHDL2008

Audience

• Design engineers
• Verification engineers

Prerequisites

You must have:

• The ability to navigate a file system and use a text editor
• A basic understanding of digital hardware design and verification
• Prior experience with a procedural programming language

Related Courses

• Incisive SystemC, VHDL, and Verilog Simulation

Click here to view course learning maps, and here for complete course catalogs.