Workshop Description:

Field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) have emerged as the method of choice for rapid system prototyping and short time to market. Modern FPGAs with hundreds of thousands of equivalent gates can implement complete System-on-Chip (SoC) designs that contain embedded microprocessors, predesigned functional cores, and custom logic. Hardware description languages (HDLs) enable the designer to create a system to be implemented by the FPGA. A designer describes a digital system using an HDL, and automated hardware synthesis tools translate the HDL description into the FPGA’s internal configuration.

 

This hands-on workshop will provide training in the basic techniques necessary to design FPGA-based digital systems using the Verilog hardware description language. The workshop is geared towards engineers who wish to incorporate the benefits of single-chip system design in their product lines, yet who need assistance with the learning curve. Basic methods for combinational and sequential circuit description and simulation will be described, followed by hands-on laboratory projects to reinforce learning. Workshop attendees will be presented with a complete FPGA prototyping system, including the XESS XS-40 FPGA board and the Xilinx Student Edition design suite.

 

About the Presenter:

Dr. Edward R. Doering is an Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. He teaches courses in the areas of digital systems, circuits, and image processing. He has developed courses in programmable logic systems design at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, with the graduate course covering advanced HDL methods for design verification and digital system-on-chip design methodologies. His research and project work interests include FPGA systems design, embedded systems, and image processing.

 

Workshop Materials:

• Presentation slides (PowerPoint format)
• References and Resources for FPGAs
• Gradual Introduction to Verilog -- Combinational Circuits
• Gradual Introduction to Verilog -- Sequential Circuits
• From Concept to Working FPGA Chip: Step-by-Step Instructions
• XS-40 FPGA Development Board User Manual