Digital Signal Processing Reference
In-Depth Information
1 Tutorial I: The 15 Minute Design
The purpose of this tutorial is to introduce the user to the Altera CAD tools and
the University Program (DE1, DE2, UP3, UP2, or UP1) FPGA Development
Boards in the shortest possible time. The format is an aggressive introduction to
schematic, VHDL, and Verilog entry for those who want to get started quickly.
The approach is tutorial and utilizes a path that is similar to most digital design
processes.
Once you have completed this tutorial, you will understand and be able to:
•
Navigate the Altera schematic entry environment,
•
Compile a VHDL or Verilog design file,
•
Simulate, debug, and test your designs,
•
Generate and verify timing characteristics, and
•
Download and run your design on a DE1, DE2, UP3, UP2, or UP1
board.
Determining your FPGA Board Type
The first step is to identify which one of the various Altera Educational FPGA
boards you are using for the tutorial. Examine the photographs in Figures 1.1
to 1.4 and compare them to your board to determine which type of board you
are using.
There will be some minor variations in the instructions later on that depend on
which board type you are using. After identifying your board, be sure to
remember which model of Altera FPGA board you have (i.e., DE1, DE2, UP3,
UP2 or UP1).
If your board looks like Figure 1.4 and you see UP1X printed on the board,
some early UP2 production boards had the designation UP1X printed on the
board. The UP1X is electronically equivalent to a UP2 board and contains the
same FPGA, so follow the instructions for a UP2 board.
If you have a UP3 board, the UP3 board comes in two versions and you need
to determine which version you have. The 1C12 version contains a larger
EP1C12 FPGA instead of the EP1C6 FPGA. Check the part number on the
FPGA chip on the left center of the board.
