Inexpensive FPGA development and prototyping by example

Name: Inexpensive FPGA development and prototyping by example
Rating: 4.2 (37 reviews)

Learn how to code the Numato Elbert V2 FPGA Development board by programming the on-board and external peripherals.

Created byStephen Borsay

Last updated 6/2019

English

English [Auto],

What you'll learn

Learn how to access and use peripherals on the Numato Elbert FPGA
Practice with the external interfacing of peripherals to the Elbert
Work with the fundamental constructs of VHDL and Verlilog to create "digital building blocks"
Become comfortable with integrating different digital components into a cohesive system
Quick prototyping with the Elbert

Course content

8 sections • 27 lectures • 2h 11m total length

Introducing the course and expectations2:06
A introduction to the course explaining materials to be taught.
Prerequisites for FPGA course1:37
A short video explaining the previous free Udemy video lecture series to be used as an introduction to the course. Also a link to the material and parts used in external prototyping for the course.

Setting up the Blink Example in the free Xilinx ISE Webpack5:33
Introduction to course content and goals utilizing the Xilinx FPGA based Numato Elbert Development Board
Coding the Blink project in VHDL10:20
Configuring the constraints file for our Blink project7:09
Uploading the HDL Blink code to the Elbert using the Numato configuration tool2:24
Interfacing an external LED to Blink with our Elbert6:40

Programming a DIP Switch to 7-Segment display example in VHDL9:23
Explore a VHDL project that ties four dip switches to a three-digit seven-segment display on an fpga board, counting from 0 to f in hex.
Configuring the Constraint file in our DIP to 7-Segment display program5:12
Another example of DIP Switches to 7-Segment Display now using a clock3:09
A Verilog example utilizing the DIPs with the 7-Segment display7:21
Demonstrate a Verilog example utilizing the DIPs with the 7-segment display by building a binary count decoder across three digits, clocked by system clock and block 1 enables for prototyping.
Setting the constraints for our Verilog exaple2:53
Externally interfacing a 7-Segment Display with our program3:58

Coding a Message in VHDL to Display on an LCD5:40
Interface a hd44780 16x2 lcd with verilog on an fpga, wiring power and data steps, using an 8-bit data bus, three control signals, and a 22-character hex display array.
Setting up the power and wiper connections7:25
Power and ground the hd44780 lcd from 5 volts on a breadboard, wire the backlight and a 10k potentiometer for contrast, and connect the 8 data lines with shared ground.
Tieing in up the Constraits2:12
Setting up the signal lines1:19
Setting up the Data Lines and displaying our message2:46
Wire eight data lines to a backlit lcd display, order them per the constraint file, and upload code after wiring while adjusting the potentiometer for contrast to display the message.

Requirements

Experience and comfort with working within an IDE, and some background in coding and hardware interfacing

Description

Before buying the Elbert board make sure to download and install a working copy of the Xilinx ISE Webpack. Remember only the older versions of the tool support the Spartan-3 FPGA on the Elbert Board. Make sure the software works on your Windows machine, it may not work with Windows 10. You have 30 days to refund this course and get your money back.

In this course we cover programming the low cost Numato Elbert V2 FPGA development board with the Xilinx Spartan 3A chip. Using the free Xilinx ISE webpack IDE software we program multiple examples in both Verilog and VHDL. Besides coding and interfacing the on-board peripherals like the 7-segment display, DIP switches, buttons, LEDs, and audio we also externally prototype some simple examples using Servo and Stepper motors, LCDs and character displays. All examples are done with inexpensive components that are easy to acquire and interface.

This course will help the practicing engineer get up to speed with the basics of FPGA's. It's also well suited for the advanced engineering student interested in digital design, and is appropriate for the technologically savvy hobbyist wanting to gain knowledge of configurable logic in an effort to expand their designs.

Before buying the Elbert board make sure to download and install a working copy of the Xilinx ISE Webpack. Remember only the older versions of the tool support the Spartan-3 FPGA on the Elbert Board. You have 30 days to refund this course and get your money back.

ISE 14.7 is the latest version of tool which supports Spartan-3. Webpack supports these devices in spartan-3 family

Who this course is for:

Suitable for Engineering students with an interest in digital logic
Applicable to working engineers wanting more knowledge of HDL and FPGAs
Hobbyists who want to "make" with FPGA's and reconfigurable logic

Inexpensive FPGA development and prototyping by example

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction to FPGA's using the Elbert V22 lectures • 4min

Blinking the LEDs on the Elbert Board5 lectures • 32min

Enable the buttons and tie them in to the LEDs4 lectures • 21min

Toggle the DIP switchs to control the 7-Segment display6 lectures • 32min

Program an audio sequence to hear on the RCA jack1 lecture • 8min

Motor control for Stepper and Servos3 lectures • 13min

Interface a LCD display and construct a message to output5 lectures • 19min

A Demo program utilizng all the onboard Peripherals1 lecture • 3min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: