The Designer's Guide to VHDL

1 Fundamental Concepts



1.1 Modeling Digital Systems

1.2 Domains and Levels of Modeling

1.3 Modeling Languages

1.4 VHDL Modeling Concepts

1.5 Learning a New Language: Lexical Elements and Syntax

Exercises



2 Scalar Data Types and Operations



2.1 Constants and Variables

2.2 Scalar Types

2.3 Type Classification

2.4 Attributes of Scalar Types

2.5 Expressions and Operators

Exercises



3 Sequential Statements



3.1 If Statements

3.2 Case Statements

3.3 Null Statements

3.4 Loop Statements

3.5 Assertion and Report Statements

Exercises



4 Composite Data Types and Operations



4.1 Arrays

4.2 Unconstrained Array Types

4.3 Array Operations and Referencing

4.4 Records

Exercises



5 Basic Modeling Constructs



5.1 Entity Declarations

5.2 Architecture Bodies

5.3 Behavioral Descriptions

5.4 Structural Descriptions

5.5 Design Processing

Exercises



6 Case Study: A Pipelined Multiplier Accumulator



6.1 Algorithm Outline

6.2 A Behavioral Model

6.3 A Register-Transfer-Level Model

Exercises



7 Subprograms



7.1 Procedures

7.2 Procedure Parameters

7.3 Concurrent Procedure Call Statements

7.4 Functions

7.5 Overloading

7.6 Visibility of Declarations

Exercises



8 Packages and Use Clauses



8.1 Package Declarations

8.2 Package Bodies

8.3 Use Clauses

8.4 The Predefined Package Standard

8.5 IEEE Standard Packages

Exercises



9 Aliases



9.1 Aliases for Data Objects

9.2 Aliases for Non-Data Items

Exercises



10 Case Study: A Bit-Vector Arithmetic Package



10.1 The Package Interface

10.2 The Package Body

10.3 An ALU Using the Arithmetic Package

Exercises



11 Resolved Signals



11.1 Basic Resolved Signals

11.2 IEEE Std_Logic_1164 Resolved Subtypes

11.3 Resolved Signals and Ports

11.4 Resolved Signal Parameters

Exercises



12 Generic Constants



12.1 Parameterizing Behavior

12.2 Parameterizing Structure

Exercises



13 Components and Configurations



13.1 Components

13.2 Configuring Component Instances

13.3 Configuration Specifications

Exercises



14 Generate Statements



14.1 Generating Iterative Structures

14.2 Conditionally Generating Structures

14.3 Configuration of Generate Statements

Exercises



15 Case Study: The DLX Computer System



15.1 Overview of the DLX CP

15.2 A Behavioral Model

15.3 Testing the Behavioral Model

15.4 A Register-Transfer-Level Model

15.5 Testing the Register-Transfer-Level Model

Exercises



16 Guards and Blocks



16.1 Guarded Signals and Disconnection

16.2 Blocks and Guarded Signal Assignment

16.3 Using Blocks for Structural Modularity

Exercises



17 Access Types and Abstract Data Types



17.1 Access Types

17.2 Linked Data Structures

17.3 Abstract Data Types Using Packages

Exercises



18 Files and Input/Output



18.1 Files

18.2 The Package Textio

Exercises



19 Case Study: Queuing Networks



19.1 Queuing Network Concepts

19.2 Queuing Network Modules

19.3 A Queuing Network for a Disk System

Exercises



20 Attributes and Groups



20.1 Predefined Attributes

20.2 User-Defined Attributes

Exercises



21 Miscellaneous Topics



21.1 Buffer and Linkage Ports

21.2 Conversion Functions in Association Lists

21.3 Postponed Processes

21.4 Shared Variables

Exercises



A Synthesis



A.1 Use of Data Types

A.2 Interpretation of Standard Logic Values

A.3 Modeling Combinatorial Logic

A.4 Modeling Sequential Logic

A.5 VHDL Modeling Restrictions



B The Predefined Package Standard



C IEEE Standard Packages



C.1 Std_Logic_1164 Multiv-Value Logic System

C.2 Standard 1076.3 VHDL Synthesis Packages

C.3 Standard 1076.2 VHDL Mathematical Packages



D Related Standards



D.1 IEEE VHDL Standards

D.2 Other Design Automation Standards



E VHDL Syntax



E.1 Design File

E.2 Library Unit Declarations

E.3 Declarations and Specifications

E.4 Type Definitions

E.5 Concurrent Statements

E.6 Sequential Statements

E.7 Interfaces and Associations

E.8 Expressions



F Differences



G Answers to Exercises



References



Index

Since the publication of the first edition of The Designer's Guide to VHDL in 1996, digital electronic systems have increased exponentially in their complexity, product lifetimes have dramatically shrunk, and reliability requirements have shot through the roof. As a result more and more designers have turned to VHDL to help them dramatically improve productivity as well as the quality of their designs.

VHDL, the IEEE standard hardware description language for describing digital electronic systems, allows engineers to describe the structure and specify the function of a digital system as well as simulate and test it before manufacturing. In addition, designers use VHDL to synthesize a more detailed structure of the design, freeing them to concentrate on more strategic design decisions and reduce time to market. Adopted by designers around the world, the VHDL family of standards have recently been revised to address a range of issues, including portability across synthesis tools.

This best-selling comprehensive tutorial for the language and authoritative reference on its use in hardware design at all levels--from system to gates--has been revised to reflect the new IEEE standard, VHDL-2001. Peter Ashenden, a member of the IEEE VHDL standards committee, presents the entire description language and builds a modeling methodology based on successful software engineering techniques. Reviewers on Amazon.com have consistently rated the first edition with five stars. This second edition updates the first, retaining the authors unique ability to teach this complex subject to a broad audience of students and practicing professionals.

• Details how the new standard allows for increased portability across tools.
  * Covers related standards, including the Numeric Synthesis Package and the Synthesis Operability Package, demonstrating how they can be used for digital systems design.
  * Presents four extensive case studies to demonstrate and combine features of the language taught across multiple chapters.
  * Requires only a minimal background in programming, making it an excellent tutorial for anyone in computer architecture, digital systems engineering, or CAD.

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